I have always owned Center Console boats, and love them for there versatility. The one thing I dont care for is that the wind seems to blow them all over the place, and makes it difficult to stay on point. Last week I went fishing with a friend in his bass boat, and it was very easy to keep the boat where I wanted it with the trolling moter even in high winds. Is this normal? Knowing that the hull is the same as a bass boat, the only thing I can think of is the heighth (which is pretty low), or the actual console that is making it so difficult in the wind. I have always assumed that thats just the way it is until I used his boat. Mine is a 21ft CC Champion Bay boat, and I would assume they wouldnt drift so bad, but it does. Thoughts?

You are correct, the gunnels of the CC sit higher thus catch more wind. You can sit in a bass boat and reach out and touch the water. When the boat is turning, you can see water sometimes almost level with the gunnel. On a CC that's not the case, because most of these boats are made to handle bigger waves and different conditions. The CC itself does act like a sail and catches wind. The bow also will set up higher on many CCs than on bassboats.

My Pathfinder doesn't blow around nearly as bad as a shallower running CC I owned before this boat. It does move more than a low profile bass boat however.

Also, even though the hulls look the same, they usually aren't. The pad is usually different for CC boats since they are designed to run shallower (some). For Champions, I am not sure.

When I bought my bass boat, I was totally into bass fishing. Since then, I have changed species and I REALLY wish I would have bought a center console. Pro's and cons to each, especially if you are targeting certain species. I've tried to do a 1 for 1 trade of my bass boat for a center console, but every center console owner I have come across won't give up their boats for a bass boat. I don't want to go through the trouble of selling mine to buy another. I have some sentimental attachment to my bass boat, but I would do a straight up trade for a center console of the same length. I encourage you to consider all factors before deciding on a bass boat. I'm not knocking bass boats at all, but I've learned that a bass boat is not what I want as far as a fishing boat goes. IT is a well built boat, so I'll stay with it. Just my suggestion. Consider all pro's and cons.
Steven

When running the main lake on a windy day, I'll take the CC. If you want to fish bass, the CC will do just fine as well. Watch the bass boats on the lakes you fish - where are they all going? Up into the protected coves has always been my observations. Big clue right there. You're already in the better boat of the two - keep on truckin'.

Bass boats are designed for two fishermen. Add one more person and it is crowded. My CC is comfortable for 3-4 fisherman, however it has very little storage and I miss that. No one has designed the perfect boat yet.

Walleye rig is a good compromise. Built deeper for bigger water with better storage than a CC in many cases.


I have a Champ BB and I can see the wind move me around a lot more than previous boats. A Champ CC has a lot of freeboard plus the console sticking up. Add a top of some kind and the rig becomes a sail.

Hey Britton !!!

The answer is KEEP the bay boat and do some upgrades

__1) I upgraded to a 36 v trolling motor since the 24 v motors are too small for our boats in the wind.

__2) I just upgraded to add the I Pilot with "spot lock" feature and that thing is awesome !!! Pull up to a point, hit spot lock and it will keep you right there.

Using lures this past weekend I was running around all over the boat as 4 of us got 20+ fish off one point at Texoma and I never even touched the trolling motor - "spot lock" held us right there!!!

I am considering purchasing a Lowe R1860CC. I am a freshwater and saltwater fisherman. This boat should meet both needs. Any thoughts?

http://www.loweboats.com/showroom/welded-jon/roughneck-jon/r1860cc.php

Thats the answer I was looking for! I love my boat, but hate the wind. Hopefully one of theese days I will see you out there again. My businesses and the two kiddos under 3 kinda keep me busy.

Most definitely have higher sides but they also float higher - not as much mass under the waterline. I have a 22 ZX Bay - lots of fun trailering a 22', high floating boat in the wind. The stern of my boat isn't even in contact with the trailer when the bow is completely up on the roller.

Learn to use a drift sock for long clear stretches (it's a pain at first) - I also will work my anchor if it is 12' or less (a pain too). Powerpoles are great in the spring but for most of the year i'm not shallow enough.

I fish primarily for bass out of my CC and I love the boat. You are correct about the drawback of the wind blowing it around like crazy when using the TM it just took me some practice to learn how to control it (it can still be a major pain though). The major plus that I see with the CC is that is is much safer in big waves and there is alot more room to get around in the boat. With a bass boat, your options are limited for places to fish from, whereas, you can fish from absolutely anywhere in a CC and still be comfortably protected by a high gunnel.

Man I hear ya...I stopped fishing for 9 months to take care of stuff and now I am back hitting the lakes !!!

I forgot to mention that going back to a bass boat is not much of an option for me -- my back cannot take the pounding that a bass boat can dish out in rough water.

I love my Bay Stealth...bass, crappie, bream, white bass, striper, hybrids, reds...and the list goes on...

I just bought a 24ft Century Inshore primarily to be used for Striper Fishing. One of the big factors for me was the fact that my best fishing buddy is my little 5 yr old daughter. I would be worried sick with her in a Bass Boat. They are like fishing on a skate board one good wave or slip and her little but would fall out.

Look at the nitro CDC group. I love mine. I have a 911 CDC

*Bump* to Ccrich's link to the Roughneck. Any feedback?

I'm also trying to find that just right compromise for salt and freshwater; and want to go aluminum for trailering weight (and those pesky stumps!). And i'm not in the $40k budget...