I have a center console 16' sea ark w/ 50hp yam outboard. I like it alright. It was perfect for bayfishing on the coast and duck hunting. I will say, if you are going to get a 'standalone' duck boat, i'd go for a more open deck. It gets cluttered real easy and no so easy to move around on the rare occasion I have the blind on it.

Rob is that 18'??

I like standing up while driving because I can see better.

A question that needs to be asked to satisfy curiosity (mine), is how do you wiggle out of bad spots. For example If I am in a tight and I need to get the boat turned around the other way I can turn the motor with a tiller handle to 90 degrees from its usual position and point the prop almost straight down. In other words push the tiller all the way up forcing it down into the mud and turn it all the way left or right. Essentially causing the boat to do sort of a slow do-nut in the mud. Then I can wiggle the prop down as far as I can by pushing the tiller up again, forcing the propeller to bite.

SO my question is if you have tilt and trim, obviously operated by a switch on the console, how do you force that prop into the mud to get a good bite when you blowing out of a bad spot. For those who have the center console with the tilt and trim let me know.

Where did everyone get their center console pro-drives? I am in the market for one but am having problems finding dealers online. Everything I find is just surface drives.

Thanks all.

I have a 17ft tiller and no way would I want a console...they take up to much room. Besides, I like standing up while driving because I can see better.

The only advantage I can see is on a long run you aren't twisting on the throttle the whole time.

I do wish mine had a grab bar though and I could ram mount a hand held or Lowrance unit to it but instead I hold it if I need it. 99% of the time I don't need it though.

A question that needs to be asked to satisfy curiosity (mine), is how do you wiggle out of bad spots. For example If I am in a tight and I need to get the boat turned around the other way I can turn the motor with a tiller handle to 90 degrees from its usual position and point the prop almost straight down. In other words push the tiller all the way up forcing it down into the mud and turn it all the way left or right. Essentially causing the boat to do sort of a slow do-nut in the mud. Then I can wiggle the prop down as far as I can by pushing the tiller up again, forcing the propeller to bite.

SO my question is if you have tilt and trim, obviously operated by a switch on the console, how do you force that prop into the mud to get a good bite when you blowing out of a bad spot. For those who have the center console with the tilt and trim let me know.

For that kind of use my Center Console would be worthless. For the way I use mine, Crossing a VERY Large lake and LONG runs up a River it is perfect.

I hear ya Judd.

I have a Xpress HD17DB with a 60hp E-Tech tiller, when I'm navigating the rivers and creeks through the flooded timber sections of some lakes there is nothing that provides as much control as a tiller handle. I did upgrade my handle to the newer version that is available for E-Techs and it was well worth the money. The throttle has a tension screw so once you twist it stays there, plus shifting lever, trim, and starting all right there on the end of the tiller. Also the handle it long enough I can stand up easily and still have good control.

I have to admit though that if I did ever go to a steering wheel I would want it to be a center console.

this would be awesome