stick steer boat

[captdave]

Thinking about changing to a stick steer boat.....specifically the war eagle panfish boat. Would like to hear any input for those that currently fish out of a stick steer. Pros/cons? Thanks in advance for any input.

[Alphahawk]

Thinking about changing to a stick steer boat.....specifically the war eagle panfish boat. Would like to hear any input for those that currently fish out of a stick steer. Pros/cons? Thanks in advance for any input.

I have a 14.5 foot Xtreme SS with a 54 inch bottom. I love it.....but......I had to put a Smooth Moves suspension seat up front or I would have sold it within 3 months of getting it. I’ve had it for 4 years now and I use it 3-5 days a week unless it is cold or the wind is blowing more than I like. My boat will top out at 31 MPH. Going that speed even in a mild chop will literally beat your back to death. But with the suspension seat I open it up even if I happen to get caught out in a bigger wind. With the seat it rides as smooth as silk. You will get wet.....no way to stop that. The choppier the ride the wetter you’ll get. Those are the only negatives I have. I’m 67 and did not want to be up on a deck doing anything. With the stick steer I stay low. I love the fact that when pulling up on my fishing spot I don’t have to move to another seat. I only need one sonar unit. The boat is cheap to run and maintain. So today my only negative is getting wet. In the summer that is fine....but getting wet in winter is no fun. So in winter time I will always wear my rain jacket.....and sometimes rain pants also. Now in the winter if the wind is forecast to be over 5 MPH I just don’t go out. People have asked me if I could buy another boat would I still get a stick steer. That is difficult to answer. I hate getting wet when it is cold but the boat is a hoot to drive.

Regards






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[canepolekid]

I've got a Tracker Panfish 16 and love it! Not the most foot room but a great boat. I also like sitting lower in the boat vs platform. If you fish alone much it can't be beat! Stick Steers excel in smaller creeks, rivers and lakes but not in big wind.

[Stumpy04]

I agree with Alphahawk. Riding upfront in a chop will definitely jar the filings right out of your teeth. It can be a wet ride too and not just for the person in the front. Having said that, the advantages he pointed out are spot on. I never thought about getting a suspension type seat. I no longer own the boat but a friend bought it from me and he really likes it. Hope this helps a little.


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[Cray]

I have the Wareagle 754vs. Love that boat. Love the fact once I’m on the water I don’t have to get out of seat. Got it set up where I can do everything from front seat. I have a 50 Yamaha 4 stroke and proper where I get a lot of bow lift. Don’t get near as wet as some of the other guys do. And I have found it to ride pretty good even in some pretty rough water. Yes there are times you will get soaked but advantages far outweigh disadvantages. I’m 71 and not in the best shape so being down in the boat like Alpha says makes me a lot mor comfortable.

[Smitty39365]

Agree with all said... I have the XPress XP16PF. I river fish most of the time. Love how it handles. I don’t think I’ll ever have another that’s not stick steer. The pros outweigh the cons for me.


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[dko]

I also have the xpress 16pf and really like it. It has a big a big enough V in the front that I don’t get wet and it cuts the waves good, but when It gets rough enough it will make you slow down for sure.

[captdave]

And hijacking my own thread......how the heck do you steer the boat with the stick??

[Smitty39365]

Steers the “same” as a steering wheel just turned 90 degrees to your left... push the stick forward to go right push towards the rear to go left. There is a learning curve to get use to one... least there was for me. But it’s an easy learn.


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[Yaker]

I set my kayak up in the stick steer configuration.I cut and mounted my trolling motor head on the left side of my seat,and the stick steer on the right,works great,and draws a lot of attention.