Internal Layout for 4.1m Poly (SC, CC or Open)

[Splash]

OK.

My application will be for NT river system only and no blue water.

Mostly fishing by myself, with a new BF50 Honda 4T.

I have read about the pros and cons of all choices, and still hard to decide.

Let me know your thoughts....and why...



Cameron

[TimD]

My vote is for "Open Boat"


The consoles take up to much room in the 4.1 and 4.5


cheers tim

[Squidlet]

Open tiller steer! This set up you wont waste room as stated prev,also wont have to worry as much about weight distribution(side console) Open plenty of room for yourself and gear,esky so on so forth.
Cheers Chris.

[Linedropper]

Open.

More room and less stuff to go wrong with tiller steer like steering cables, control cables etc.

[krazyfisher]

I have had all 3 layouts and my thoughts are these
Open pro. More room better steering in tight gullies. Cons. Not nice to drive for long, can't take your hands off the steering

CC pro better vision, more comfort when standing 1 up, you have a balanced boat. Con. You lose space

SC pro comfortable steering position,easy to dock get pots, when moving around the boat you can walk up the center. Con. Wet if spray is getting thrown around and you need to move skies to even load


For me 4- 5mtr i would suit a side console, 4.5 and above center console and anything under 4 tiller. Of course there are gray areas for me where these would cross over.

[Splash]

Excellent responses guys!

FOr the tiller - is there a preferred side to park your butt when holding the tiller?

The Honda 50, I believe has throttle and steering lock - so that could help with the steering pain one could feel on long trips whilst underway..

SPLash

[krazyfisher]

Has anyone who is recommending a open boat had a side console? And if yes why would you not get a side console again

[Tailortaker]

I've just gone from a tiller steer to a side console and will never go back to tiller again !

[Linedropper]

Excellent responses guys!

FOr the tiller - is there a preferred side to park your butt when holding the tiller?

The Honda 50, I believe has throttle and steering lock - so that could help with the steering pain one could feel on long trips whilst underway..

SPLash

I sit on the stbd side and use tiller with the left. Steering pain isnt usually and issue with the steering friction device. 20 miles each way gets a bit sore but.

[Splash]

THanks boys.

Tailortaker - why did you change to SC from tiller? What size motor do you have and do you take your boat in any chop?

SPlash

[Tailortaker]

I was sick of hanging on to the tiller, I wanted to be sitting comfortably with a better view. I have a 50hp 2 st and take it across to Moreton Island. It handles chop great and I stay dry. My boat is not a poly but if I was to look at one it would have to be a sc. One of my mates in NT has had 2 poly CC's and now a SC and says it's far better than his CC's and open tiller steer. I realize yours is a 4.1m so room is a factor but if you could ride in someone else's with a SC you would be able to make a decision easier.
Cheers, TT

[Splash]

THanks TT -great point!

All - What do you think about the side pockets and ski hooks (on transom) Polycraft has to offer - worth getting?



Splash

[Splash]

I read elsewhere that a downside to tiller control is that you loose some forward visibility and often need to trim the boat with weight to keep the bow down in wind.

With the polycraft being heavier than others in it's size, would this still be an issue - especially with a 50HP honda?

You 4.1m Open boat owners - do you place your fuel tanks up in the front to combat this potential issue?


Splash

[Cm821939]

I fished out of a 435 tiller around darwin for years. Its my preference, a lot more control in the tight country, espically trolling. Get a lot more room to if you want do over nighters ect.
But saying all that i have never had a console boat, but my shoulders never get sore so i stick with tiller till that time comes.
A boat that size is really would be suited to tiller up there ..
cheers

[Axl]

My vote is for "Open Boat"


The consoles take up to much room in the 4.1 and 4.5


cheers tim

I agree with Tim D an open boat in that size would be the way to go.

I read elsewhere that a downside to tiller control is that you loose some forward visibility and often need to trim the boat with weight to keep the bow down in wind.

With the polycraft being heavier than others in it's size, would this still be an issue - especially with a 50HP honda?

You 4.1m Open boat owners - do you place your fuel tanks up in the front to combat this potential issue?


Splash

Back when I had my 4.2m tinny I used to throw an old boxing bag up the front when I was on my own it kept the nose down just right.

As for loosing visabilty in a boat of that size youll still be able to see alright the only time you will have trouble is as you punch it to get it up on the plane.