Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

[excavtr]

I am researching my options preparing for the purchase of my next boat. I currently have a 17' aluminum dual console that I troll the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, and Lake Erie. I also have it set up for bass and pike fishing.

I am looking to upgrade to a 21'-23' fiberglass boat within the next year. I assumed the right setup was a walkaround and never gave CC's much thought. Western New York doesn't have a very long boating season and we spend a lot of time fishing inclement weather in Spring and Fall.

WA's offer a lot of protection from the weather with the console, top, and curtains. They also appear to have much more room than a CC in the cockpit for fishing.

I've noticed that CC's are a very popular choice on this website.

Can I have some help from you guys as to what the pros and cons are for each style?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

Like it or not. With what you said you did and wanted, forget either of the two suggestions you mentioned.

Get you a Lund, or Starcraft (for examples) with bow rider seats and a trolling motor seat mount and TMmount up front, if you want, with a windshield and curtain to close off the bow from the pair of seats (or quad seats) where you and another/other occupant(s) will sit, with a canvas top mounted to the windshield and secured aft of the seats.

That will work.

Mark

 

[excavtr]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

Thanks Texasmark, but I am leaning towards giving up bass and pike fishing in search of salmon and trout on bigger water.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

Have seen pictures of center consoles with enclosures like below. Don't know if it would leave enough room behind enclosure since most CCs have lots of real estate in front of console.

 

[relocyo]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

I am researching my options preparing for the purchase of my next boat. I currently have a 17' aluminum dual console that I troll the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, and Lake Erie. I also have it set up for bass and pike fishing.

I am looking to upgrade to a 21'-23' fiberglass boat within the next year. I assumed the right setup was a walkaround and never gave CC's much thought. Western New York doesn't have a very long boating season and we spend a lot of time fishing inclement weather in Spring and Fall.

WA's offer a lot of protection from the weather with the console, top, and curtains. They also appear to have much more room than a CC in the cockpit for fishing.

I've noticed that CC's are a very popular choice on this website.

Can I have some help from you guys as to what the pros and cons are for each style?

Thanks for your help.

Im stuck in the same quandry, I want the good things about both, but thats not how it works. On the other hand I really like the grady white style dual console setups (other companys make em) alot of the DC's have an enclosed head , for the admiral, of course

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

it's simply a trade-off. CC's have more room; WA's have protection. Where you are, I would think protection is more important than open space, if you were in Florida.
Consider the number of people you take fishing, too.

IMO rigging up soft covers like the curtains in the other post are good for occasional use, but if you would have them up on a regular basis, you would be better off with something fixed. But even with a WA you are going to extend the protection on the sides and towards the back.

Of course, keep the 17' for fair weather fishing and other uses.

At 23' you might even want a full cuddy, but I like the idea of having the bow accessible easier with a WA.

 

[phonfish]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

As a suggestion. Go to the Annapolis Boat show in October and check out the selection. Or if you have seen a cc or cud of a certain brand, go to the dealer and make a side by side comparison of the same size boat. Here in the lower Chesapeake Bay you will see alot of both types. The die hard fisherman in the cc can work the pilings or structure of the CBBT. When the weather gets iffy, they don there foul weather gear and continue to fish. On the otherhand, those of us who are die hard fisherman with our Cuddy or Wa can still fish the pilings and structure like the cc but not as easy. I cant get around my Wa as fast as someone in a cc. When the weather gets snotty, I am under the hardtop or put up my side curtains and continue to fish. Not as wet as my buddies in the cc. The wife likes the Wa of my 2500vx . She can go potty in private or get up on the bow and sun. If your family fishes with you, consider the ladies on board. I could go on and on.

 

[stackz]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

I prefer a WA vs a CC.

main reason is that in calm weather and current temps, you can get blistered on a CC during an all day fishing trip.

at least with a WA you have an enclosed space and you can set up one of those portable a/c units to get out of the heat at various times and take a nap or whatnot.

but thats just me.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

I love them both and have had them both. Get one of each!!

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

Ahoy to another Western NY'er. Question - are you the only one who will be using the boat? Does you wife/girlfriend/SO spend any time on it? If so, the walk around may be a better bet. It's definitely a compromise. I'd take a trip to a few of the marina's up in Sodus and ask around. Arney's always has a few used boats, as well as some new ones around to look at. Get up in them, spend some time picturing yourself doing what you want with it.

A partial compromise would be a CC with a TTop - at least you'd have a bit of protection and space for rods.


Funny aside, going back to my first comment. When I was looking for a boat last year, I found a nice Welcraft 23' WA that I wanted badly. Wife said no way, wanted more of a bow rider style. We settled for the Procraft F&S. Last weekend, we were out on the water and saw a nice hard top WA, and the wife goes nuts how nice looked! Good thing god made women beautiful

 

[lprizman]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

parker boats .com a 2120 or 2320 sport cabin may fit your needs,,,,great boats
this aint CC world either,,,so don't expect much support for that theory,,,,saw your post on THT also,,,interested to see how each thread ends up on their advice,,,
best of luck!!!

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

I had the same issues when I was deciding what to get. Seeing I have kids, I went with the Walkaround. It gives an area out of the elements that a CC does not. In the spring and fall fishing seasons you can get out of the cold and warm up with a Walkaround. CC can not. Out in the open all the time. Also with a CC you had better like getting wet. No protection from spray. With a Walkaround you get behind the bubble and be protected from wind and spray.

They use CC down in Flordia because it's hot and beautiful most of the year. They don't mind getting wet like we do up in Erie. Cold water is Cold water! It will shorten your fishing days if you get wet.

Also a Walkaround in more Family orientated than a CC. I mean for over night trips and destinations. Plus it gives you a place to put/lock your gear up.

Go Walkaround, you wont regret it.

Also if you are planning size think gas consumption before purcase. If you are use to spending Tinny gas money, fiberglass walkaround doubles it that amount. Around 2 mile a gallon for a 21' walkaround with a big motor on it.

 

[excavtr]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

Thanks to everyone for the advice. It is very helpful to hear different opinions and people bring up points I may not have thought of on my own.

I will concentrate my search on W/A's and maybe entertain a dual console. My best fishing partner is my girlfriend. She likes to fish as much as I do and making my passengers happy makes the trip that much more enjoyable.

A Pilot House boat would be great if all I did was fish cold weather. But when it stops snowing and the sun comes out in Buffalo during the summer, I'd prefer not to be completely enclosed.

I did post the same topic on THT and am getting very similar responses.

Thanks again to all.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

I agree about the pilot house; last time I was shopping I considered a pilot house boat like a Parker or even an old deadrise, but then the driver is always confined, and a second helm doesn't make economical sense on a 22' boat.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Pros and Cons on which style to buy - Center Console or Walkaround?

a second helm doesn't make economical sense on a 22' boat.

There is nothing about a boat that make economical sense. The second helm comes in very handy when trolling alone trot lining.