Buying A Boat

As winter wanes and spring approaches, many anglers start looking for a different boat to use in the fast-approaching open-water fishing season. Some of those anglers are looking for a new boat; others feel that a previously-owned boat better fits their needs. Whatever the case, there are a number of things that should be considered before you even start shopping for that boat. One of the primary things is what type of steering system you would prefer on your boat.

Essentially, two types of steering are available: Tiller and console steering. Tiller boats are those where the driver sits in the back of the boat and uses the tiller handle extending from the motor for both steering and speed control. Console boats have a steering wheel just like a car/truck.

If the boat will be used mostly on small bodies of water, tiller steering might be a good choice. Most anglers don't want or need a big boat with lots of horsepower on small bodies of water, so the tiller-controlled boat will keep costs down while providing you with all the comforts and accessories you need to catch fish.

If precision boat control is imperative, the tiller will again be the way to go. Many anglers back-troll while fishing for walleyes, and you can back-troll best with a tiller.

Tiller boats also seem to be roomier simply because they are wide open: there is no console taking up space in the middle of the boat.

Console steering is preferred for almost everything else. If you will be traveling long distances by boat, it's much more comfortable to have a steering wheel in your hand. The driver will usually stay much drier in a console boat due to sitting farther ahead and having a windshield to deflect spray.

Inexperienced boaters are much more comfortable driving a console operated boat than a tiller boat simply because the console boat is more like a car.

Console boats are also more versatile. You can pull skiers and tubers better and more comfortably with a console boat, and because of this, in many areas, console boats hold their re-sale value better.

There are lots of very, very good boats available to anglers/boaters today. Innovations and improved manufacturing processes make today's boats so far superior to boats of yesteryear it's amazing. Case in point. The 2XB hulls available on Alumacraft boats are so much better than the hulls we were running just a few years ago. It's like you're sitting in your living room as you run across the lake, and they're tough as well.

The sportshows and boat-shows that are going on right now throughout the Midwest are great places to compare all the different boats and get expert advice on which boat is best for you.

The boat-buying experience, just as fishing, should be a pleasurable one. Look around, ask questions, then decide on the boat that's best for your needs and wants. Then all you have to do is wait for open water.

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