Center console placement variations

[kfa4303]

Generally speaking, what are the pros and cons of having a center console, or any console for that matter, at various points along the centerline of the boat? I see consoles aft of the midline, at the midline and all the way in the bow. Does one version or another help to get you on plane and better or worse than another, or is it more a matter of preference and layout? Just curious. Thanks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Center console placement variations

more a function of work space, since you can trim the boat by the motor.Otherwise centered is best but factor in the weight of the driver and his location as part of it.

As I mentioned in another post, having it off to one side can work well, too.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Center console placement variations

Wth a CC it's about about usable space . You want a large workabale space in the bow and putting the console as far aft as the weight will allow will give you this large worakble space. It makes no sense to build a basket ball court then install a light pole at mid-court.

The ride quality is a function of hull design and weight distribution.

Offshore hulls are designed to run bow up so putting weight further up in the bow becomes problematic. Almost all the high performance CC helms are located aft of mid-line. Some just feet off the transom. I like the Parker Sport cabin boats but they will beat you to death in the rough because of the weight upfront. A W/A has the same problem, just not as bad because the CG is further aft.

On other hulls ,the console location is simply a compromise between functionally and weight distribution.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Center console placement variations

Thanks guys. I always wondered about the various set ups. I see guys with fancy flats skiffs with the cc aft of the centerline, near their $1000 all aluminum, wiz-bang poling platforms, but I also see the Good 'ol Boys running lots of stick steer set ups from the bow of the boat (presumably so they can see where they're going?). Shoot, I just saw a vid online of guys running little cc and poling platforms on Gheenoes with 25 hp. As far as side consoles are concerned, I notice most boats tend to put the helm on the Starboard side such that the pilot can steer with the left hand and shift/throttle with the right. However, someone made a point that the helm "should" really be to port to counteract prop torque to starboard, and to ensure that the pilot is always looking into oncoming traffic rather than having to turn their head away to speak to passengers, etc.... It seems like older boats from the 50's and early 60's followed this line of thought too. My '59 tin boat even has panels so that controls could be mounted on either side of the boat. The theory seemed to make sense, but that's over thinking things a bit. Would such a thing matter more or less on a small, low hp boat? Thanks again.