Fly Bridge vs. Express

[Zummie]

Fly Bridge vs. Express

Would like to hear from those who have done both, pros and cons.

[MChi]

I honestly prefer my flybridge for visibility, seeing over the bow.
Although there is allot to say about socializing with everyone from the same level on the boat of a express. I have a 29 blackfin so the people below are pretty close anyway.

[Team Karma]

I don't think that a bridge ladder is a major barrier between spending time with the people you are fishing with. Everyone always says the best thing about an express is being on the same level as everyone else. I don't see that because I would be in the tower all day looking for tailers and watching the spread. A tower is way lonelier than a flying bridge.

Besides, if you are going to be on the water a lot of days, someone being able to go inside the salon and shut the door and be separated from the cockpit is a nice thing.

I also feel like you get more boat for the same price with a flybridge.

[clt_capt]

I've got a Luhrs and it has stairs to the flybridge - pretty convenient to allow people to get to the flybridge.

I like being up higher for the visibility.

[gottaflylee]

Yep, fly bridge for me. I have run both and will take the bridge boat every time. I like the room and viz when backing down on a big one.
What about the tower on the express you ask...it is great except there is little to no shade or a place to put your drink most of the time and the electronics are most of the time...lacking over the bridge boat... The express is nice for docking solo.

[teddyp]

The pro's I see for the express is that you can really see the baits well from in the tower. I ran one for the weekend and had a couple issues as I maneuvered on fish in ruff weather. I got rocked a bit up there. It was hard to be on the radio, back down and hold on at the same time. Communication is a little hard on windy days, you have to use a lot of hand signals. There are some out there that are really good boats you just have to look in the right places.

[54bullwinkle]

Have had both. Pref a FB boat.

Express does put u in the action more, but the visibilty of a FB is great.

Plus you cant compare the comfort, storage and accomodations of a salon.

[snowranger]

One thing to consider is being able to fish short handed. I fished yesterday with one other guy and put a mako on the boat. Never could have done that on a FB. Even with 3 on the boat it can be tough on a FB. I love being able to move from the helm to the cockpit while fishing. I can run back and clear a line or two, run back and put in a second gaff, etc. Just not my thing to sit on a bridge and wiggle the sticks.

[Fortunate One]

Snowranger hit on some of the best things about an express, which one of my favorites is the ability to fish shorthanded.

It's perfect for those who can only get a couple of people to break away on a last minute trip.

The other part that appeals to me is I can run the boat and keep my eye on the young ones a lot easier. The rule "No children in the cockpit while running" can be enforced easier.

The ability to see distances can be handled by the tower. But a decent sized raised helm station can also provide good visibility.

I've seen flying fish and bait fish pop up sitting in the cabin of a FB as the boat passed which was missed buy the guy running the boat.

Nice thing about a FB is height can be a benefit and you can get a nice big comfy couch, plus sleeping accommodations are better.

But being a fisherman I'm out there to fish and not sleep. If I need to sleep and we're in the canyons, then it all looks the same when I dose off.

My boat has 2 large comfy "L" seats on the helm deck area, a comfy captains chair, with a matching double companion seat for sleeping on the helm deck.

Sleeping on the helm deck close to the action isn't too bad either. There's something to be said for being able to assist if someone brings something worth taking to the boat. Catching a few ZZZZ'sss on the helm deck while waiting for the fish to show up in the slick is not a bad place to be.

I'd rather be playing with fish or assisting in the pit rather than driving the bus. But that's just my preference.

[clt_capt]

One thing to consider is being able to fish short handed.

The stairs to my FB make it really easy to get up and down as needed. I often fish with just 2 of us and it is really never an issue. I couldn't do that from a tower - especially if it is even a bit rough.