C17 as tiller?

[Sayn3ver]

Due to height restrictions for my garage, I may not be able to have a center console tall enough for me to stand at the helm and fit the boat easily inside.

With that in mind, I've always found the Lund Alaska tiller and similar interesting.

What modifications to the standard "c17 center console build" would i realistically be looking at? Just lowering the tops of the compartments on either side of the motor well?

[OlivierP]

I'm pretty sure that BBC's "standard console", which is under 3' high without windscreen, will fit any garage door on a C17. It is barely higher than the C17 front deck. Then if you want a windscreen, depending on the space left, you may need to install a removable or hinged support, which is what I'm about to do on mine because I'd like a tall windscreen which will not fit my car port.

If you really want to tiller steer, you have to ensure that the motorwell bulkhead is low enough to clear the tiller. It will also change the balance and shift the COG backward so you'll need some weight at the front.

[OneWayTraffic]

My C17 has twin consoles designed for good standing height, about 3.5' above the sole. They are about 6' from the ground on the trailer. The foredeck is a little less than 5' 9" from the ground.

If I was building it as a tiller, I'd be concerned about visibility forwards. The foredeck is 3' above the baseline.

[Fuzz]

A tiller build is much simpler and less money to build. It sure seems like simple boats are worked on less and get used more..............but that might be just me

[Sayn3ver]

I'm pretty sure that BBC's "standard console", which is under 3' high without windscreen, will fit any garage door on a C17. It is barely higher than the C17 front deck. Then if you want a windscreen, depending on the space left, you may need to install a removable or hinged support, which is what I'm about to do on mine because I'd like a tall windscreen which will not fit my car port.

If you really want to tiller steer, you have to ensure that the motorwell bulkhead is low enough to clear the tiller. It will also change the balance and shift the COG backward so you'll need some weight at the front.

I know you've responded via message before saying yours will fit under a 7ft door previously.

I've mocked up with some cardboard and I feel I need the center of the wheel around 34-36" off the deck and then I'd want to leave room for a 9-12" garmin gpsmap above it.

I've also been considering a key west 1720 and even the older 1720's with a much smaller console are reported at either just fitting or not fitting a 7ft tall overhead door and that's a relatively short production skiff.

I'm just tossing this tiller idea around as a possibility in case I need to pivot.

As for weight, moving trolling motor batteries and a house battery up to the bow should solve some of that issue.

[Sayn3ver]

My C17 has twin consoles designed for good standing height, about 3.5' above the sole. They are about 6' from the ground on the trailer. The foredeck is a little less than 5' 9" from the ground.

If I was building it as a tiller, I'd be concerned about visibility forwards. The foredeck is 3' above the baseline.

Thanks for those measurements. Maybe I don t have anything to worry about then.

As for the visibility, my plan has been to straight sheer my c17 build or close to a straight sheer so that should help by removing a lot of the upsweep in the bow.

[Rmarsh]

Due to height restrictions for my garage, I may not be able to have a center console tall enough for me to stand at the helm and fit the boat easily inside.

With that in mind, I've always found the Lund Alaska tiller and similar interesting.

What modifications to the standard "c17 center console build" would i realistically be looking at? Just lowering the tops of the compartments on either side of the motor well?

IMO ....tiller steering would not be a good idea for the C17. Visibility for one thing and where would instrument panels go....too far back to see while sitting and the extra weight raises the bow even more. Just my 2$ worth

[Sayn3ver]

It was just an idea. Don't see how these aluminum boats get away with it?

I saw this walk through
https://www.wired2fish.com/fishing-vide ... full-setup

And I've looked at them in the past prior to signing up on here.

I mostly fish the sod marshes and bays for fluke, tog and stripers. The layout works for me. I'd like the ability to continue to jig if I'm bumping the outboard in and out of gear or I can switch to the trolling motor.

After more recent outings with my buddy and seeing others in the area running small Carolina's and stuff right up next to the sod banks for tog, I'm confident the 16- 18ft range is where I want to be.

The c17 looks more like the Alaskan 1675 than the ob17 or a benched version of the fs17/fs19. It's hard to gauge gunwale heights from photos alone.

I'd prefer the center console for strictly driving but from a mainly solo fishing standpoint I see the allure of the tiller.

[OrangeQuest]

You can do a side console