Center Console vs Side Console

[Hogmauler]

A few of yall have read some of my post regarding the hunt for a nice jon boat. Whats better, a center console, or side console? For some reason Im thinking center console for better vision on all sides of boat. Does it make any difference since the other side of the boat is only five or six feet away? Thanks in advance.

[BALLS-OUT]

Depending on size of rig, i like sitting up higher...that side console is hell on knees getting up and down a lot.

[rocky]

If you're gonna use the boat for a multi-species, all around fishing boat, center console.
I'm on my 23rd boat, all previously were high performance bass boats, but now I'm also guiding for white bass and catfish, so I just got a new Xpress H20 Bay.
Really customer friendly with the walk around room, plus, customers are not on a raised platform which for most, is more comfortable.

[Hogmauler]

Good advice gents.

[Sackett]

With a aluminum boat being much lighter, a center console is better balanced. Especially when you fish by yourself. I've always thought it funny how boats were designed right-hand drive, yet our road vehicles are left hand drive (In America). Good luck in your search.

[Tmag]

Side console here, but I sit in the center of the seat to be more comfortable and work the jugs out of the box.

[hopedale]

CC is nice for a fishing boat. But unless you're getting a wide boat stick with side.

CC let's you move about the boat forward and aft more easier IMO.

On a small boat 18' or less I think you lose seating comfort.

[capn]

I want to stand up while driving a boat. Better visibility to spot obstructions or shallow water, better visibility to spot birds/slicks/fish while running, and better able to take the shock of chop while standing and bending your knees. So, center console with a leaning post for me. Plus, fishing room is increased, you can follow a big fish around the boat, passengers can stand and hold on, vertical rod holders, etc.

The only advantages to a side console in my opinion are less wind resistance for go fast boats, smaller console for narrow aluminum boats 16ft and less, or jug fishing alone.

[Mini-x fan]

Center console all the way as long as the boat is wide enough to walk around it easily.

[Tx.Fisher]

Center console all the way. I like being able to stand up and see things better while I'm driving my boat.

[BrandonA]

If you're gonna use the boat for a multi-species, all around fishing boat, center console.
I'm on my 23rd boat, all previously were high performance bass boats, but now I'm also guiding for white bass and catfish, so I just got a new Xpress H20 Bay.
Really customer friendly with the walk around room, plus, customers are not on a raised platform which for most, is more comfortable.

How do you like that express? They sure look nice

[Phillip Fields]

Center console, I like standing when I drive my boat.

[muzzlebrake]

Side console is to me more comfortable while driving the boat especially at 5am and in the low 30's. CC is more fishable for the kind of fishing I do and is much easier to move around in. Center console doesn't allow me to get under some bridges and into tight places I like to fish. I mainly fish for eater cats and crappie. I never fish for ditch pickles so I don't need a fancy go fast ditch pickle boat. I do however need lots of storage space and places to mount rod holders, a good bait well system and trolling motor and side scan fish finder. All my fish go in a cooler so I don't use a live well. Anybody that has ever filled a live well with blue cats knows what a mess this is. Bottom line is there is no one boat for me that has it all. Get what suits you and your kind of fishing the best and then make do with it. The other thing that I will never have again is carpet. Cat fishing and carpet do not mix well. When the carpet on my Tracker is done, it's gonna get a coating of non skid gray truck bed rubber coating similar to Herculiner.

[Rat]

you live in Texas...
Our trucks are 4 wheel drive and our boats are center console; just because!

Center console for all the reasons above. I think the only side console I would have would be on a big duck hunting rig to keep it out of the way during hunting. Of course the best for this is tiller drive...

Drive both, see which one you like better; Ill bet it's the center console.

Sackett, we pilot from the starboard location due to the torque of the motor's clockwise rotation. The pilot's weight helps keep the starboard chine down during a quick acceleration.

Now, have you ever wondered why high speed jet boats have the helm on the port side? Well you are now...

[Clark]

Nice post, Rat.
Good info there.