HOW TO BUY A BOAT - TILLER OR STEERING WHEEL CONTROL?

[@daleley7645]

I totally agree, plus it;s less things to go wrong.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Very true

[@poimendave9536]

Thanks for the informative comparison between the different types of boats. I value your opinion and experience.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Thanks for the support!

[@webb-cast1030]

100% Truth! No wasted space in your boat. That is a fish cathchn' machine. A boat like that could more than pay for itself with fish caught vs. a grocery bill.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

I have been very happy with that boat.

[@adelhey100]

Couldn't agree more. Way easier to control when you're by yourself

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes! One hand steers and controls speed leaving the other hand for the pole.

[@dalereed658]

That was helpful, I bought a Alumicraft Backtroller 16 and wasn’t really sure how backtrolling works. I can’t wait to try it.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Another nice thing about the tiller is you have steering and throttle in one hand. Now you can have a rod in the other. I would often be dragging a Lindy rig (slip sinker) with an open bail with the line on my finger. As soon as I get a bite, I let the line go (free spool) give it a couple seconds, close the bail and set the hook. Let me know how it goes.

[@trapin68]

Pound for pound a Tiller is going to be more versatile than a side/walk-through version. I'd love to own one but my lake is Lake St. Clair in southeastern Michigan and it can get chaotic out there, especially in the early Spring and late Fall. I run a Lund Impact 1875. BTW, you mentioned back-trolling, brings back memories of In-Fisherman from the early 90's. Seemed like Al Lindner, Doug Stange, and Dave Csanda were always back-trolling with a jig for Walleyes on Mille Lacs. LOL!! Great memories.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes! Those guys loved to back troll. A couple of things have made back trolling less popular. The newer/better larger HP 4 stroke gas engines can run at slow idle speeds for as long as you want them to. It used to be a larger 2 stroke would foul plugs sometimes if ran at slow speed too long and sometimes back trolling would help with that. They could be run at a little higher RPM and still troll down slow. Also bow mount electrics are so much better. It used to be if you trolled all day with your electric you would run out of battery power. Especially with bigger boats. Now the battery technology is so much better. And the auto pilot and auto navigation systems with the electric motors is so good now. You can have that same precise control with your bow mount and troll all day. Thanks for that comment.

[@jdsmith8135]

Tiller all day. Love the channel man. Keep it up!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Thanks! Will do!

[@liamrobinson2084]

What do you think of pontoon boats as a fishing platform?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Pontoon boats can be loads of fun to fish from. I have friends and family that use their pontoons for fishing all the time. The big advantages are all the space and stability. You can fit a lot of people and walk around safely. Generally I've seen them used for forward trolling or fishing from an anchored position. And they are an awesome option for that kind of fishing. The down side is they are less maneuverable, more difficult to transport back and forth to the lake (if you don't live on the lake) and they aren't really designed for wavey/rough water. I've seen pontoon boats nose dive into a bigger waves before. But pontoons are more maneuverable than they used to be. The bow mount electric motor technology helps with that. Bigger thrust electric motors and way better battery technology makes casting shorelines all day with a pontoon a real option now.

[@lyinglowmovingslow]

Definitely agree💯

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@hooligangeneral300]

That’s fine for small lakes. But if you’re on the Detroit river you need a driving spot.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes, I've seen videos. Very true.