My Favorite Fishing Boat and WHY!

Todays video is basically a walkthrough of my boat. I get asked for this video all the time so here it is! I run an Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller. This video goes into why I like a tiller for walleye fishing, really any fishing. How I rig my graphs to catch more fish. What rod holders I use to troll for walleye. Lots of good boat questions answered in this video. This is my favorite boat I have ever owned and it has been great in big water, small water and has fished everything in between. If you want to check this boat model out check out Warners Dock Inc - www.warnersdoc...
Thanks for watching!
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[@brianbuchberger2891]

Strongly agree, looked for a long time for the best boat for me, love tillers. I run the A/C competitor 205 tiller with a 115hp merc, power steering and rpm adjust, 9.9 merc prokicker, minnkota vantage transom mount 36v-101 # thrust with wave whackers on the back. Minnkota ulterra 36v-112# thrust with I-pilot link, this motor is linked with all 3 of my helix units. Helix 10 si g3n for imaging and a helix 9 g2n for navigation on the back, and another helix 9 di g2n on the front mainly for musky fishing. I am still actually amazed, and in awe, with this rig every time I am in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@evanlehmann6974]

I absolutely loved mine, I shouldn’t have gotten rid of it. I went back to a glass boat. Everything Tom says about the storage and great fishability is true. Would go back to one in a heart beat

[@myrondel]

Hey Tom, You do a heck of a good job with your videos. You communicate clearly, accurately, and your overall knowledge is pretty impressive. Best of luck to you on your upcoming adventures.

[@markbell1098]

Fishing out of that boat this June was totally awesome!! That was my 1st time fishing out of a tiller boat, it was a windy day and the boat handled the wind and waves very well and was incredibly stable to fish out of.

[@patrickempey3584]

I have a 2019 Competitor 185 with a windshield. Windshield definitely comes in handy on rainy / windy / cold days but having a tiller is really beneficial when weather isn’t an issue. It seems like most guides have tillers for that extra open area in the boat for guests.

[@scottmoenssen7630]

Nice boat. I purchased the same rig but a 165 competitor with a 70 Suzuki. Same color and evey thing. Love that motor. And your spot on about everything right at finger tips. Love it. Thanks for the video.

[@mikebleecker752]

Hey Scott just getting ready to put a down payment on that same boat 2022 model. What are you running for graph and trolling motor? TIA

[@thetroutdoorsman3358]

Awesome video bro!!! This guy knows what he is talking about… total stud!!!

[@jwill9877]

I have a 2025 tiller. It holds like a rock on structure in 15 to 20mph wind. I lived in ND for 6 years and thats a calm day. I will always own a big tiller

[@jamiehartzell5286]

Wow boat has great storage. It was great to see what you carry for lures. Thanks please keep the videos coming as always great information.

[@jtn-minn8105]

Owned a couple of tillers when I was younger....but now have deep-v full windshield...there's advantages and disadvantages to both styles of boats.

[@adventurefishing3190]

The only advantage of wt boat is comfort, its at a disadvantage every other way.

[@jerrytkaczyk7372]

Hey TOM! I like watching your videos but think you should reply to some of these folks asking questions thanks. 😊

[@craigwavra3495]

Appreciate you making this video. Very nice layout and use of space. Always wondered about the tiller style and you answered that. I am sold.

[@jerrytkaczyk7372]

Love the boat! I caught a musky from my uncles allumicraft Years ago but I want a Lund baby.

[@stevefarr8663]

Im running a tracker super guide 16.. been thinking about a bigger boat & storage has been a huge problem for me in my boat.. mine is tiller & moved my graphs to the rear last year after watching your videos & how you control your boat.. you put on some great videos.. i will be in birchwood next spring & just might have to look you up for guide & get some boat lessons while we’re at it.. thanks Tom for all you do for the sport..

[@ajswails1969]

Chetac?

[@peterray5935]

My wife always says I have too much tackle and rods! Dude I don't hold a candle to your set up! I have about 10% of what you have in your boat and it always seems like I am tripping on my gear, and I am stuffing it all into an Alumacraft 165 Classic tiller. I like the idea of a kicker though, currently have a 50HP Yamaha tiller and a Terrova, but the kicked would be a good idea. Thanks for the run down on your rig, inspiration right there!

[@kurtfredregill3324]

Nice explanation of your boat and lots of room been thinking of getting a tiller boat thanks for video

[@mikerousseau1009]

Looking at buying this boat This video was very helpful Thanks

[@kjc9293]

Great rig and layout!!!

[@fidiusjwhoopie]

Thanks Tom for showing us your boat,sweet set up , I've been running a "competitor" 185 for years,always wondered what it would be like going tiller in instead of side console,I also spend all my time in back of boat.I've got a 9.9 and a big minnkota tiller back there,havent seen a reason to change in all these years but after seeing your setup work so efficiently I'm pondering....🤔

[@adamwarweg6298]

I am looking at a 185cs right now, wife wanted it to be multi purpose to pull the kids tubing and sking otherwise i would have gone tiller. How do you have your electronics run ? i was not even going to put a graph up front?

[@fidiusjwhoopie]

@@adamwarweg6298 I have a big screen lowrance on dash with gps mapping/ sonar,and a helix w side scan /GPS etc mounted on gunwale next to windshield, rarely fish from front so nothing up there,just minnkota

[@4Gilby1]

Would you ever consider moving up to a 205 or is this platform all you need for 90% of your applications. Love the content. The best on KZbin!

[@alehrhart5337]

Enjoy videos immensely. Great tips.

[@marktorello3133]

Great video! I really like that boat. Like you said, great fishing platform.

[@lawrencecates8402]

I'm a proud Southern Boy but I love my Alumacraft yankee boat. I fish on Kentucky Lake where big bass boats are common. But I wouldn't trade my Alumacraft for any of them. Smallmouth,Striped Bass ,White Bass or Bluegill and Redear and Crappie. My Alumacraft does it all .

[@MrSrtman18]

Thats what we wanted!! Thanks Tom! How far will you run out in lake superior? Ever get worried out there, thinking ur too small of a boat.

[@rileychapman5583]

Got to love bass on the live bait!

[@jackk1830]

Heading to Sunset Strip tmrw if you’re tryna go

[@rileychapman5583]

@@jackk1830 You know I will

[@dh_hamdi4866]

Lots of storage. Love it!

[@YoderJosh]

I have been wondering for so long. It seems wider than 96". Your videos when you have been fishing with 3 or more people, it always seems that everyone had their own room. Even when you all slept in the boat on the way across Superior. Nice layout.

[@fishhuntadventure]

Wide boats without floor clutter have that effect. Just a few inches in a boat can be a big deal. Too many new boats have lots of ‘nice stuff’ in them but once you stand up everything is in the way. I’ve always been humored with like 28’ charter boats that are so clean of hardware and accessories (making them seem even bigger!) but then you go to the sportsman’s show and there’s this 19’ boat with more seats than a 747 and stuff bolted everywhere, too few rod holders and in the wrong places, and downriggers you have to reach for. And people buy them! There’s nothing more enjoyable for fishing than an uncluttered, well laid out boat like this.

[@poimendave9536]

Tom, I think you should have mentioned the best thing about your boat is having SHELBY fishing with you.

[@Josh-sd1hg]

Was getting worried that your weren’t making any more videos or my KZbin was broken. 😱

[@jevonvanvliet]

great vid Tom - thanks!

[@esoxinator968]

Awsome video again Tom you just need the ulterra like me and you wont have to leave your seat😌

[@richheipp1420]

Thanks for the walk around Tom. Nice fishing platform. How about the trailer? Bunk or roller? Paint or galvanized? Folding toung? Load guides? Whats the total length from trailer coupling to prop? Also what kind of covers do you use for storage purposes? Do you ever sanitize your boat and live wells? Do you ever wash your lures and gear? How about reel maintenance? How often do you clean and lubricate? Line changes on reels once a year, Or do you go 2 years? Do you use barbed hooks? Do you sharpen your hooks prior to use?

[@oglock7]

Hooked up! Fish on! Clicked on the video for the title, but then I wanted learn more about rigging big minnows. Tom can you do a video breaking down this technique?

[@eddietrevino]

Great video! Thanks Tom🙂

[@fisherthorson3811]

I have the 205 Tiller! awesome rigs. Love my alumacraft! Curious why you don't run splash gaurds TOM?

[@garrettlynnes3570]

Love your boat set up man! Keep killin it👊🏻🎣

[@rogervaillant6044]

Nice boat for sure I’m running a Honda 90 hp and added a 6 hp Suzuki long shaft this year Also added a 2.5 Suzuki for my 14 ft with a 15 evinrude for smaller lakes 6 year warranty on the Suzuki btw

[@fishgrubspinners6762]

Nice👍, thank you.

[@tedrufledtjr.3573]

Great video! Thank you.

[@SuperGreyfox99]

well done Tom. appreciated................. hey guys click like. This takes a bunch of work to do these videos.

[@letitgo8336]

Great video Tom

[@paulvictorious4590]

Might want to reconsider going with 2 lines in Minnesota...

[@TomBoley]

We used 1 line per person....had 2 people in the boat....2 total rods.

[@lifeisbestlivedfishing.jer3692]

hmm maybe I should I go with a tiller style boat. does have its strong points.

[@tom5848]

you get drenched in any big body of water when its windy though. No shield or bubble for shelter. If not for that I would go tiller too and I love the way you can mount multiple graphs back there with no impediments.

[@jwill9877]

You can lessen the amount of splash you get by the way you handle the boat. Plus if your boat had trim tabs like a warrior you would get hit with splash even less.

[@rywheat99]

FYI MN is only 1 rod per angler in the summer!

[@TomBoley]

I know. We had 2 people in the boat

[@KenSchmoll]

@@TomBoley Lets get the two lines, no reason not to anymore. As good of walleye fishing in all of the states around us that allow more lines.

[@lukewallner7912]

TILLER LIFE

[@alehrhart5337]

Hey Tom. Would like to see tips on fishing prairie walleye lakes that are only 8-10ft deep. Also will side imaging work to find walleye in shallow water?

[@Jruncle]

Tom good video thank. How many batteries are you running and what type?

[@daveengstrom9250]

Nice open boat to move around in, but I have to have a windshield. I get so tired of getting a face full of water in the waves.

[@dustinbaker8138]

Dang you where on leech? I was up there all last week. If you ever want to go again I got a place to stay, and I'll be your fliming grunt. I'm good friends with Cody so maybe he can come to.

[@erichencley9802]

Put your throwable on top. I got a ticket in WI for it not being available.

[@brianfeeney9493]

Hello from Traverse City MI TOM !!!! I was recently in the Rhinelander area ..... love WI !!!! What is the SMALLEST Suzuki Ourboard, that would move Your boat??? I am referring to the “ LARGE “ motor .... NOT the kicker please . I contacted ALUMACRAFT, but they offered NO help? Thanks for your cooperation .... FANTASTIC Videos ....... much Appreciated !

[@zemenmechfishingrodholders9416]

great video ！

[@lembeck4010]

2 lines in Minnesota? I think not - only in winter

[@duluthfishinghub1012]

On Lake Superior its a 2 a piece in Minnesota

[@JohnT-ve3gt]

On your Down East clamp ons, did you modify that rail at all to make them stable? I have a 2019 Alumacraft Voyageur tiller and I’m sure the rail is same as yours. I troll musky with those and find that they are apt to lever off that bottom edge of the rail on a strike. Thanks Tom, you cover the ground that’s relevant

[@str8rippinlips932]

Hey Tom great vid, howcome you don't have splash guards?

[@brianterrel388]

I'm thinking of getting this boat. What do you think of vinyl flooring instead of carpet. Love your channel

[@0ly001]

Any Leech lake footage?

[@James-jn4xz]

Brilliant! Do you have a website that spells out everything you went through with links to purchase? (Affiliate program kickbacks are awesome!)

[@chrisgustafson9342]

Did I miss what you use the ropes along the length each side for? On my canoe its great for an anchor or bait bucket...

[@retiredboxingref7620]

Yep, I wondered what that rope was for? I considered it for grabbing onto if your overboard. Am I correct?

[@trapin68]

Only drawback to a Tiller is you're exposed to the blasting cold wind during the cold months when running to your spots. If you fish a lot in cold weather a walkthrough is better. If I only fished during the warm months though, I'd definitely own a tiller. A lot more room.

[@garretthoskinson123]

And or have you done any videos on saugeye and sauger fishing

[@kerryhawk3233]

Hey Tom my question is the fisheries in my area that have decent numbers of walleyes in them are relatively shallow and weedy it makes summer walleye fishing difficult i can catch them in the early mornings but once the sun gets up they seem to disappear do you have an area you could do a video of shallow weedy water walleyes?

[@eddiefamilyfriendsandbooze7008]

Gud tour of your boat! Now I wanna make a vid for my boat. I just got a 2019 targa v18 combo. I must say your arsenal of tackle is awsome. All I got is a ugly stick and a peace of bubble gum, but i catch hawgz. 😆

[@davidshefland5173]

great videos Tom, do you find the xtra weight of the kicker on the transom a issue? bunk or roller? I have a 20 ft tiller but want to downsize

[@aladent]

How long is the shaft on your Terrova and why a Terrova vs the Ultrex or Ultera? Love the boat! Also, do you get wet at speed in windy conditions?

[@timross7046]

Great tour. How safe do you feel in large waves? Say 4 to 8 ft breakers ?

[@adventurefishing3190]

Lol gonna be going 5mph in 4-8ft waves lol get real

[@msinger1961]

I've been a tiller guy for 30 plus years. I have always had wave wackers on the back as I fish bigger water in northern MN and probably go backward more than forward. Is there a reason you don't have something on the back of yours?

[@ralphwitt9975]

Ive asked him in earlier videos if he backtrolls ever no response?? I have seen him drop a jig straight down behind boat which the hackers would get in the way. I have a Lund pro v 1660 tiller with wave hackers and love them.

[@chrisrondeau9912]

hows the weight balance from the front to the back with a tiller style boat? any issues going in rough waters sitting in the back controlling the boat?

[@jessiebrickner7129]

Tom - Nice video, thanks! I'm hoping to buy a new boat in about two years so all the information is great. Question: I often fish barefoot in the summer as well. How hot does the vinyl get vs the carpet and do you prefer the split vinyl / carpet layout or would you prefer all vinyl? Also, 80lb or 112lb Terrova?

[@MMedy10]

I have the same boat. The vinyl gets really hot in the sun, but the carpet does as well, I don't think you can really get away from it. I have an 80lb Terrova which is okay up to 35ish mph and then you might want a 112

[@walkerl2482]

the big question, what does it cost?

[@peterray5935]

Are you going to be running the same rig in 2021?

[@thelonesomefisherman7425]

Tom: How fast does your 9.9 kicker push the boat? I have an 05 Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185 with a 90 Yamaha 4 stroke tiller and a 15 horse Yamaha 4 stroke kicker. It's the same basic boat as yours. My kicker top speed is 6 mph. So I was wondering what top speed on your kicker is? We're at the same top speed with the main motor, 36 mph with a stainless steel prop. P.S. The boat width is 96 inches/8 feet. Length is 18 feet 11 inches. One inch shy of 19 feet.

[@joesteen9742]

Wow Tom long time no video! Nice boat!! Ohio lets 3 rods to. I fish Lund prov 1800 se with 9.9 and 90hp mercury. Pmytuming is wait for you.

[@ralphwitt9975]

Tom does your front trolling motor need to be connected to your rear graphs in order to spot lock?

[@ladysmithhuntingclub243]

Nope. You can spot lock without any graphs in your boat.

[@ralphwitt9975]

@@ladysmithhuntingclub243 thanks

[@joeshmo5247]

What is the overall length with trailer with swing tongue and motor combined?

[@frankhagar4651]

Beauty

[@kevind8877]

Tom...do you use the large side imaging transducer by itself or do you have an additional 2D CHIRP transducer, as well. I recently picked up a Helix 10 MSI and am contemplating getting the additional transducer. Curious about how you are doing it.

[@ianthomas4109]

Do you still need a kicker these days or can you just do it all with a strong electric trolling motor? 36v high thrust, etc.

[@sammyguido6511]

Two lines a guy in Minnesota? 🤔🤥😅

[@shanereinhard33]

I was wondering that also!

[@tannertibodeau142]

On the st Louis River and lake superior 2 lines and non designated trout lakes during the ice season. All other lakes are one line during summer. They have tried to make new legislation but nothing so far

[@0ly001]

@@tannertibodeau142 Pepin and St. Criox

[@g21rett]

Only on hard water

[@0ly001]

@@Tyler-zw4kq came to Minnesota to fish

[@willmayberry3070]

Do you have a link or description for the Snap you use above your Acme Hyper Rattles? Thanks!

[@patrickethier6190]

Are you sponsored by them or do you just like alumacrafts? Do you have two batteries in the back? Is that a 36 volt system for the trolling motor or 24 and I see a lot of guys like electric trolling motors in the back when they run tillers.

[@anitafisch7558]

When can I barrow it.

[@garretthoskinson123]

We have alot of saugeye in lakes around where I live was wondering if I should approach them the same ways as walleye. Or is it a whole different ballgame

[@dboyd524]

Hi Tom - do you guide? I'm on the chip flowage for 2 more days - would love to fish some muskie with you if available...

[@TomBoley]

I do not. Thanks

[@nicholasmoen3244]

I heard Tom Boley was waiting for a new boat to arrive? Anyone know what it is?

[@pywifishingandoutdoors]

How do you load and unload your alumacraft tiller by yourself?

[@retiredboxingref7620]

Anybody got any recommendations for some type of graph, or screen mount that raises and brings the graph closer to the back seat for older eyes??? Thanks!

[@michaelaniszewski7089]

I'm Buying a Lund Baron 400hp 15 kicker

[@deanwilson1572]

How was the fishing on leech for you?

[@ralphwitt9975]

Tom why is your foot pedal for your trolling motor behind you, I haven’t seen you use or touch it in any of your videos??

[@gr8_22-15]

Bass guys vs walleye guys vid

[@TheFlairside]

They should send you a new boat every year (free)

[@jeffheadlee5464]

How slow can you troll with that 90HP?

[@seanrivard1254]

When you link your 2 fish finders together are they connected to 1 or 2 transducers?

[@fishhuntadventure]

Well if they are linked it’s displaying one transducer’s input

[@prairiecoyote7238]

I dont think you have enough rod holders in the boat

[@ezm6153]

I think you need to add a few more rod holders on there ...:). .........at least pop them off if you aren't fishing 8 rods at once - I gotta believe fighting fish, using a net, etc... would require you to work around those wouldn't it? Seems like a snag waiting to happen .... at best a pain in the butt and inconvenience - for no logical reason.

[@dkm9630]

Are you still running any guided trips or is that on hold for now

[@TomBoley]

I don't guide.

[@GodWillzIt]

What volt/thrust is your trolling motor?

[@dancain5055]

Also wondering whether Tom runs 80 or 112 thrust on the Terrova. I've tried to look many times at the head to see what system he's running.

[@fishindudas3205]

I would never want a tiller walleye boat. That’s what trolling motors are for

[@EW-gv5ov]

No hot n tots ? ☹️😁