INTERESTING ARTICLE.

[fishmaster63]

just read an interesting article about how a good center console may just be the ultimate sport utility boat on the water... what do you guys think?



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[phester]

I would think the cuddy would be considered the "ultimate" SUV givien the fishability,tackle storage, dry storage,and, a cuddy to spend a night or two....IMO

[phester]

FM, were you ever able to get your boat out,I know when you first got it, it was frigid cold, the last couple of weeks have'nt been so rough [cold]...just wondering

[chitbob1]

you got to love a ceter console ;)

[Franco]

I have had both. The best fishing machine is the one that best fits your needs. When I lived in Virginia, I fished for stripers in the winter. My cuddy was great in the choppy water, I had a full enclosure that kept me from freezin my a-- off. *I trolled deep lures at low speed. The extra weight gave me a dry, warn, stable platform to fish from. Now I live in Florida, I fish skinny water to inshore ocean fishing. Saturday it was no wind and no chop. The center console give me 360 degrees fishing space, easier for 3 guys to cast from while drifting or anchored up. I can still troll lures too. It kinda sucks when it's windy/rainey. But for me NOW, a center console is best.

[Mulv80]

When it rains and you are doing 35 mph in a center console it feels like some one is sticking pins into your face. When its cold there is no where to hide. When you bring your friends they all have to hold on for dear life because it doesnt have enough seating. Regardless of how wide the flair is you are still going to get wet. No storage. The only thing center consoles are good for is making the boat manufacturers richer because it takes a lot less to build a center console. OK I have made enough inflamatory statements about center consoles to stoke a long running debate over which is better.

[JeffXJ]

What does it matter?? The Steplift comes in both, so get both if your not sure!!! ;D

[fishmaster63]

hey phes... nope. havent gotten out. she has two decent chips in the gelcoat right on the keel and im gonna need it to get a bit warmer before i can patch her up.
hey mulv, how come a comparable v20 cutty and
v20 cc... the cc seems to be ensive in MOST cases?!?!
i disagree with that statement.

[deshet]

it depends on your needs, with a Center Console you don't have much storage. But if you get a well designed center console it can be dry.

I think a cuddy is a better family boat.
But a center console is better for straight fishing.

At least in my area center console always cost alot more then a comparable cuddy.

I do have a 23' center console for me a my friends but I am looking for a clean cuddy for the family.

I believe if you have a women or children that want to go out with you a cuddy is the way to go.

If your fishing crew is nothing but men by a center console. Add a T-Top and some certains and you won't have to worry about the wet anyway.

It also depends on what type of fishing you do. Most people that troll alot get a cuddy designed for fishing because they tend more space in the back and room for a fighting chair.

With my 23 center I have no space for a real fighting chair unless I cover up my livewell. But for the price I paid you won't find a better boat. (less then 5 grand)

[Pipe_Dream]

To each his/her own -- what works best for one guy may not be the best for the next.

I've always looked at the V-20 Cuddy as something like a BIG pickup truck. ;D

[mirage2521]

When it rains and you are doing 35 mph in a center console it feels like some one is sticking pins into your face. *When its cold there is no where to hide. *When you bring your friends they all have to hold on for dear life because it doesnt have enough seating. *Regardless of how wide the flair is you are still going to get wet. *No storage. *The only thing center consoles are good for is making the boat manufacturers richer because it takes a lot less to build a center console. *OK I have made enough inflamatory statements about center consoles to stoke a long running debate over which is better.

When it rains and you are doing 35 mph in a center console it feels like some one is sticking pins into your face. Solution=windshield

When its cold there is no where to hide. Solution=enclosure

When you bring your friends they all have to hold on for dear life because it doesnt have enough seating. Solution= seating for 4 in most center consoles I can't fish more than 4 comfortably out of any 20 footer

No storage.
Counterpoint= what do you need to store that you cant store in a CC, if I don't need it I try not to take it.


The only thing center consoles are good for is making the boat manufacturers richer because it takes a lot less to build a center console.
Counterpoint= they actually are good for something else, try walking a large fish all the way around a cuddy, thats what a center console was made for to give you 360' fishing room. I don't catch many big enough to need it these days but I have had occasion to walk a fisjh all the way around the boat while fighting it, big amberjack, bonita and the occasional tarpon


I personally would like to have one of each, a center console for fishing and a cuddy for everything else. Although the style of fishing one does has a huge impact on your need. If you do a lot of bottom fishing I would think that a cuddy would owrk great then you can have all the amenities that come with a cuddy and not lose any fishing capabilties. If you troll a lot for very active fish then you might want to consider a center console. I think the finest boat I have seen on this forum to suite my needs and desires would be this one

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album02
Super nice boat CB

[chumbucket]

I'm a big fan of center consoles. The majority of my time on the water is spent fishing and CC's are better suited for the job IMO. Dress for the weather, leave all the extra BS home. My next boat will most likely be a CC as well. 8)

[steplift20]

sure c,c are great BUT if you have to go and take a
s@#t YOULL LOVE THE CUDDY
I love my steplift cuddy
\and believe me when your out 12 miles and have to go you have to go

[phester]

if I wanted a CC it would as nice and set up just like CB's former rig....MAN, it must have been tough to part w/ that boat REAL nice CC !!

[Mac_Attack]

I never have had to leave a $h-t but on my old Gruman CC my Brother in law's girl friend had to do her business and no one was comfortable. Moved up to a Cuddy for the storage and the porti potti option. Two summers now and were still using the coffe can. My CC was an excellent fishing boat for Lake Erie just a little too small and light. If CB's boat had been for sale two years ago who knows what I would of ended up with. Bill Mc ;D

[Skools Out]

na buy a CC with a head in the Console

[chumbucket]

Yeah, my CC was tough to part with. Especially now since I haven't found a decent replacement. But, like they say, MOney talks! 8)Very rarely got wet in that boat too. MJ can vouch for that as we were headed back once in caught in a good chop with a cross wind. Only took a couple of sprays.
On the rare occasion that I have ever had to $hit while on the water, I'm not the type that needs the privacy of a cabin when I'm 12 miles out. I'd hang it over the side if I had to. Generally a 5 gallon bucket with water in it will suffice, but I've been known to hang off the swim platform. Like I say, these have been rare occasions as I usually tend to business before I head out. ;)

[reelapeelin]

Both have their place...I really like fishin' outta a CC in temps 70>...problem is I can't afford to have both, so gotta go w/the one that'll work all year long...and that's a cuddy ;D....

[macojoe]

I like Cuddys better. I have a ton of room for fishing, and nice dry place to put all my junk.

But thats just me.

Yes CB's boat was pretty dam dry!! I have been on my shre of cc and we had a small chop and I was sitting way up front, I felt the bang and waited for the cold splash!! But it never came!!

As for craping on the boat, I have been fishing on a boat for 12 years and I have never had to go while fishing!! ;D