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Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis, IN | I have owned many aluminum and fiberglass boats in my life. I was mainly bass fishing then. I have changed to multi-species fishing in the last 2 years and have enjoyed it. So, I will be ordering a new Ranger 620/621VS in the next 4 weeks or so. This will be my last boat in my life so I don’t want to screw it up. Cost will not be a problem but I will still look for the best deal I can get for this boat. I plan to fish Lake Erie, (i.e. rough water), and Lake Michigan among other smaller lake locations. The main fishing will be for walleye, salmon, wipers and stripers. Here are some of my questions.
1) I live in Indianapolis, IN. There is a well established and respected Ranger dealer here but I’m not sure if they’re familiar enough with this model. Bass fishing is king here on smaller waters. Should I still trust them to help me get all the bells and whistles I need without getting some of them I’ll soon regret or worse, some that I should‘ve gotten? I am willing to travel to locations such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. to get this right.
2) With Cost out of the way, what are the pros and cons between the length of the 620 verses the 621? Storage space will not be a problem.
3) I’m thinking a 250 Optimax Pro XS. Should I consider the 300 Verado Pro or another 4 stroke? Again, cost is not involved here in this decision, so what are the other pros and cons?
4) More of a statement here than question. There will be a 9.9 Pro kicker.
5) Trolling motor will be an I-Pilot. Should it be 24 or 36 volt system? Again, don’t consider cost as a factor, think all day fishing under rough conditions.
6) Should I recess the foot pedal for the above trolling motor?
7) The new G2 Lowrance electronics will trick this boat out. What size unit should be in the dash and what size up front? Is an HDS 10 worth the money over the HDS 8 for the front unit? Should either of the units be on a gimble for better ease of viewing?
8) With considering the above electronics, should I look into a separate battery for them?
9) Where should I consider railings, front casting deck area, rear sides, back and if on the sides--should I consider the longer railings there?
10) Can down riggers be installed on this boat and if so would the rear railings option be in the way?
11) I would like to add the rear casting deck option since I do plan to fish some for large mouth bass. The guide for my tour at Ranger claimed it’s better to order it while ordering the boat. He claimed they can line up the seat pedestal hole better which would allow the longer pedestal to go all the way to the floor below verses ordering the deck after the boat is gone and have to use a shorter pedestal which would be weaker. Anybody here have any pros or cons on the this deck?
12) Hot foot or no hot foot?
13) Since I’ll be special ordering this boat, could I negotiate the final price and if so how much percentage wise could I expect, 2%, 5%, 8%…….?
14) I’m going with a full walk through windshield. Should I get the canvas top with sides and windows from Ranger or should I go to a local canvassing shop? Same question on the trailering cover.
15) Did I miss anything that I should consider?
Sorry there are so many questions here. Can you tell I've been thinking about a lot? Thanks in advance, Jeff Leonard |
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Posts: 19
| I'm jealous dude, the drool can is filling! What an awesome machine for what you want to do. Go with the big 621 rig, handles rough water better. Sounds like all the bells and whistles you've mentioned will work. All good choices here. Have fun! |
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Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis, IN | Well, I've never been married and I have no kids that I know of. Sounds great doesn't it? I have great friends who would fill in as my fishin' buddies but I'd much rather had been married to a good woman and have at least a kid or two at least. I know a married life with kids is no garrantee but who'll wipe my a$$ when I get old? |
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| Jeff - I won't wipe your ass when you get old but I can answer/give my opinion on most of your questions. Have my 4th - 621 on its way to me now and my partner has his 4th on its way so have spent a good amount of time in them.
Give me a call and would be glad to share my thoughts with you. I am going fishing tomorrow but after about 6 PM your time and anytime Monday I should be reachable. four - one - nine 834 three six 19.
Have a good one,
Matt D
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Member
Posts: 340
Location: McFarland, WI | The 621 needs 300hp, its a tub but much roomier than the 620. You want the 36 volt. you want the HDS 10, you want extra battery for electronics. Multiple options for riggers, check with a good rigging shop. Keep the nuts tight on the windshield. fI'd go with custom canvas after all options are installed. |
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Posts: 14
| i have a 300 v rod, get it and never look back, you don't need extra batteries, ran a 10 and 6 all last summer on one battery, just get a good one, verado owners club has a lot about that, i would think a hot foot would be a little scary on a big water boat and big verado, never had a foot throttle so i don't know how they work |
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Posts: 149
Location: Appleton, WI | If your going to troll at all consider getting a 3ed graph mounted and wired in the back of the boat. I have that and love it. when your watching boards the graph is right there at a glance!
Dont over look the option of a 621 with a mercury pro xs. The engine is lighter than the 4-stroke and can make a differance for handling type issues if you get a little heavy in the back end!! Any GOOD dealer can better advise but worth concidering or at least asking about! Good luck and enjoy your new rig!! Post a pic when you get it so we can all drool!
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Location: Indianapolis, IN | Matt, I'm fighting a bad cold and can't quit coughing. I appreciate the offer to call you though. I will when I feel better and I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks, Jeff |
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Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis, IN | Thanks to all that have commented.
I appreciate all suggestions. I understand increasing the engine size due to the increase in boat size. The hot foot comment makes sence to me as well. One of my friends suggested it so I thought I would ask. I also like the suggestion of adding a third graph in the back. But it looks like the jury is still out on the 2 cycle verses the 4 and extra battery for the electronics.
Thanks to all, Jeff Leonard |
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Posts: 182
Location: Green Bay, WI. | Today's your lucky day. My sister is single, so while you guys are getting aquainted I'll break your new 621 in for you this spring. Call ahead so I can get to shave her forhead. |
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Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis, IN | Larry? Larry The Cable Guy? Is that you? |
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Member
Posts: 650
| Congrats on the new boat. sounds like you're getting all the bells and whistles. can't comment on a few things but I'll pitch in some. Big motor choice. first thought should bne service. does the dealer have verado experience...
250 XS be a good choice too. check out the new merc props by the way...
sonars... most guys I see using the really big ram mounts... very stable...
I'd get a dual main battery set up. between the engine, electronis and everything else, better safe than stuck on the water.
36 volt TM for sure.
sounds like a beast of boat... bring it to new york and take me fishing...
enjoy that new boat smell... |
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Member
Posts: 23
Location: Devils Lake ND | Sounds like a nice rig only thing I might add would be a jackplate if cost isn't a factor. Allows for alot of fine tuning and if you are using this boat in skinny water too, it wouldn't hurt. .02 |
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Location: Indianapolis, IN | Iceman35, the really big ram mount sounds real good as well as your comment on the dual batteries. Don't know if I'll ever make a run to NY, but you never know. I'll look you up if it happens.
Walynut, (Love that name), I never thought of a jack plate! Hydraulic would be a good choice here I assume. |
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Posts: 23
Location: Devils Lake ND | Only way to go is hydraulic this unit here is pretty sweet.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Boating-Outboards-Accessorie...
If link dont work they are the Atlas Jack Plates. |
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Posts: 23
Location: Devils Lake ND | Bobs Machine shop also makes some really good plates only thing I would advise would be to stay away from 2 piece plates, have seen them break from fatigue with larger engines, many manufatures may have this fixed by now but I still just dont trust a two piece. |
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Posts: 340
Location: McFarland, WI | No Jeff, this isn't Larry the Cable Guy, He's in Alaska visiting Sarah Palin or he was last night. I don't like cable, I'm more into hydraulics, steering that is. Get er done. |
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Posts: 1991
| When it comes to mounting electronics check out Stabil Mounts, they are machined out of aluminum and don't move at all. Google search them. |
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Posts: 2300
Location: Berlin | Detweiler makes the best Hyd JP in my opinion. The hydraulic is nice because you can bury it in rough water and raise it in the skinny stuff then tweak it for those perfect conditions to get every last tenth out of it. Just make sure you have a good PSI gauge if you go hydraulic as you can go to high and lose your water pressure.
The biggest problem with hydraiulic is if you get a leak or your pump goes out. Good habit is to leave it at optimim height when putting it on the trailer just in case. The Detweiler's don't have many problems at all but it is just a good habit to get into.
As for the hot foot, I will never own another boat without one, ESPECIALLY for rough seas. Keeping two hands on the wheel is a huge benefit and the response is lightning fast compared to a hand throttle. No comparison whatsoever in every situation. The hotfoot is the only way to go. |
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Posts: 1406
| Start Here! for some of your questions!
http://www.seedealercost.com/boats
Good Luck
Tyee |
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| Well I should only buy the Ranger Angler 1860 based on my type of fishing places and the Money.
But for you rough water get the 621, least 101 Ipilot trolling motor with one or two co-pilots, Maybe a electric trolling motor installed on the boat's main motor. Kicker a must, but whom is controlling the boat and from where? You can get a tiller Kicker. If you control the Kicker from the driver's seat, installed a second seat base about 5 - 7 inches left of driver's seat base and slightly aft. This will give you more room to fish and control boat. If you get the lowrance HDS get big. Also the Lowrance 880 marine radio. Put the Biggest HDS near the key fishing position. I do not recommend installing in dash. When in dash, always at the wrong angle to see. Same at bow do not install in bow. You may want to consider installing the bow fisher on short post to get it higher up to you and be able to turn it... Also, Ranger now offers Stern Rail - across back in front of main motor great for third HDS and rod holders. Network the HDSs. Oh get the GPS puck too so all HDS units are using the same reference point. If you get Lowrance HDS you can have data from the main Mercury motor displayed on the HDS. You should strongly consider having the "MecMonitor" installed - capable of displaying at least 42 types of data.
I have been researching a lot - I look for the fine details and functions..
I am a rancher in South Dakota. I do not sell boats. So the boat I buy will be my first and maybe last.
I did tour at Ranger production plant at Flippin in Dec 2011.
I order my boat on Wed 18 Jan 2012. I could share more about Main motors but you email me some time. [email protected]
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Location: Indianapolis, IN | Thanks to all who have commented here. Your input was greatly appreciated. Looks like I'll be calling Vic's Sport Center in Kent, Ohio to order it tomorrow morning. They seem to know how to out fit the Fisherman series quite well and their price is hard to beat. Yeah, I know I'm about a week or two late but at least I'm doing it and with alot of help from here. Here's the list of things I'm getting in this "dream coming true" boat of mine:
2012 Ranger 621
Mercury Opti Pro XS 250, (The 4 stroke V-Rod 300 seemed interesting at first but a little lower fuel mileage, heavier by almost 200 pounds, mixed with an extra $4000 price tag.......................need I say more? Also the Opti Pro XS 250 actually measures almost 275 HP while the V-Rod is 297 HP.)
Mercury Pro Kicker 9.9 Tiller, (Wakonda SD, you and two other guys talked me into a tiller. After having it explained to me, it made sense to sit at the stern watching the electronics and poles for a hit while using the kicker for forward motion only and use the I-Pilot to steer with. This is where this forum saved me from a mistake.)
Minn Kota 36 volt 101 lb Terrova with I-Pilot with built in transducer
Bert's 60” tracks on back, (Instead of rails. Apparently some rod mounts tend to swivel over time on rails.)
Bert's 12” tracks on bow, (Same as above.)
Splash well rails
LED compartment lights
Touring Package, (boat cover, water stripe, American racing rims, trailer parking brake, bow protector, and oxygenator for the live-well.)
Full Windshield
1198c SI for the dash(not mounted), (After going to a seminar and seeing the differences, I changed from the Lowrance to Humminbird due to ease of use and understanding what you see.)
1158c DI for bow(not mounted), (Same as above. This unit will travel from bow to stern depending on how I'm fishing.)
Ethernet hub, (not yet released from Hbird, that will allow sharing between console, bow and stern.)
Bert’s electronics mount for 1158 that will allow it to be moved from bow to stern
Rear deck extension
Extra rigging tube, (For separating the electronics wiring from electrical wiring due to cross over electrical noise.)
Fresh water pick up, (For the ability to pickup water while up on plane.)
Live-well divider
Extra 12 volt receptacles
Loc R Bar, (To lock all the bow storage areas and rod holders while parking the boat at a hotel overnight.)
Replace 1 seat with Bike seat, (Yeah, I know I still want to go after those trash fish known as large mouth bass from time to time.)
Start now Jumper box, (For safety purposes if the cranking battery dies while out on the water. This feature will connect one trolling motor battery for emergency cranking.)
AGM batteries
4 bank charger
12 volt TM plug on each side at stern for future downriggers
I decide against a jack plate because I'm fishing for fun and I think this boat will still go into the skinny water I plan to wade into. I'll also have a custom made bimini top made here in Indy. I know of at least 2 here that I trust.
Again thanks to all for the help especially Matt D. Jeff Leonard |
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Posts: 23
Location: Devils Lake ND | Looks good enjoy!!!! |
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| Jeff
Since you have decided on tiller for the kicker, have you thought about a Panther electro steer too? This will allow you to move around in the cockpit, and still control the kicker with the hand held remote, could be handy especially when netting fish etc, that way don't have to rush over to manually grab the handle. And add on the Trollmaster Pro 3 and have both steering and throttle functions on same remote.
John |
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Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis, IN | ozarkeyes, I'll give it a look. Thanks, Jeff |
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| What a dream rig,you picked you requipment well.You took advice and also thought for your selve Enjoy. |
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Member
Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis, IN | Thanks Drummer and to all who have helped me here by commenting or sending me a PM. This shows how this site can help anyone. What you see here is how a newcomer such as me is treated here. Now I need to return the favor to newbie’s as well as the established if possible.
This next statement is political in nature so if you’re not politically active you can stop here.
One more point I would like to express. I don't care what any of you here think about the current administration in the oval office, I understand both sides. If it weren't for the stimulus package that started about 2+ years ago, I wouldn't be here doing what I'm doing in the purchase of this boat.
I've been working on such a job for about 2 years now along with another 200+ workers as well. 30 of us electricians are involved improving the electrical consumption of the buildings. Others were involved in new air handlers, water consumption, remodeling of some areas, painting, and a new roof. Some were even involved in the installation of a solar collector system on the roofs.
We're just one jobsite among many others. Indianapolis has or had at least 4 other jobsites almost as big as ours. Multiply that times all the other cities across the nation that have federal government buildings and you'll have an idea on how massive this part of the stimulus package affected the economy. I, plus the others like me, would have been on the unemployment lines for sure without this. We talk about it all the time at work. This was the only job my company had pretty much for the last 2+ years.
Things are looking up now. My company has landed a couple of privately owned jobs that equates to about 30 of our employees working solidly for the next 2 years. It also might involve hiring a few others as well. And that's if we never get another job.
Bringing this point full circle, this stimulus package that many called a bad thing allows me to not only pay my mortgage on my house, utilities, food, gas to go to work, etc............it also allowed me to purchase this boat.
I look at it as the trickle down effect that we all have heard of. This purchase of this boat is small in the grand scheme of things but this purchase will help employee the 700+ workers at the Ranger Boat factory plus the employees at Mercury, Humminbird, Minn Kota, manufactures of the AGM batteries, all the pumps, seats, steering wheel, gauges, carpet, paint, trailer, tires, the Ranger Boat dealership employees...............the list goes on.
I'm not saying I'm a big fan of the White House nor I'm I bashing them as well. I just want to tell my end of this story that many of you here might not see.
Thanks again, Jeff Leonard
Edited by chflnghair 2/21/2012 10:28 AM
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Need advice on ordering new boat.