boats !
wally eyes
Posted 2/8/2005 11:45 AM (#27481)
Subject: boats !


if you had your choice what boat would run ????????????????

ranger,skeeter,triton or stratos !!!!!!!!!!!!
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sworrall
Posted 2/8/2005 12:31 PM (#27485 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !




Location: Rhinelander
Tuffy 2060 DS
250 Opti Max XS


That's my choice...
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JonN
Posted 2/8/2005 12:33 PM (#27486 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !



Member

Posts: 190

Location: Annandale, MN
Where's Alumacraft??? I owned 2 skeeters, 2 rangers and a yarcraft, but never again. If you want that glass boat to look nice, better treat it well and wash it often. Here, in central MN, we have lakes prone to algae blooms which WILL dis-color any boat. I have found that there is less maintenance with my 175cs Magnum than any of the glass boats I had. No doubt about though, polyflake, after a wash and wax is classy!
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Gander Mt Guide
Posted 2/8/2005 1:22 PM (#27491 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !



Member

Posts: 116

Location: Germantown and Land O Lakes, WI
I've always dreamed of Ranger, so Ranger would be the choice.
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Kitch
Posted 2/8/2005 1:28 PM (#27492 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Member

Posts: 105

My choice was and still is RANGER
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Dave Landahl
Posted 2/8/2005 2:07 PM (#27499 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Member

Posts: 164

This year I will be running a Ranger 619 with a 200 Mercury Optimax.

I find this boat is extremely versatile whether you are fishing big water or shallow rivers. Plus it is real pretty.

Dave Landahl
Fishing Fanatics Radio
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Matt.G
Posted 2/8/2005 2:11 PM (#27500 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !



Member

Posts: 49

Location: Timmins, Ontraio, Canada
tracker tundra 21dc with a 250 verado
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T-Mac
Posted 2/8/2005 3:28 PM (#27518 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Lund 2025 IFS....
I have one.
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Shep
Posted 2/8/2005 3:51 PM (#27520 - in reply to #27518)
Subject: RE: boats !



Member

Posts: 3899

ranger,skeeter,triton or stratos

Let's see.

Ranger. Great form, fit, function. Hate what they did to the console/windscreens starting last year. Good layout, a tad heavy, biggest dollars.

Skeeter. Big boats, with a lot of depth. Can only get with Yamaha's. Why would a manufacturer ever do that!? I want a choice of power.

Triton. Not a better looking boat on the water. Good ride, great layout, and I like the 17+ foot offering in the 177.

Stratos. Don't know alot about the new lines. The 386 looks like a nice boat, and the 375? looks to fill a niche that only Triton and Tuffy fill now.

That said, I'd take a hard look at Tritons. You didn't include Tuffy, but I'd take a good hard look at them as well.

BTW, I own a Lund.

Edited by Shep 2/8/2005 3:52 PM
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Kitch
Posted 2/8/2005 4:23 PM (#27522 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Member

Posts: 105

All of these boats are alot of money, but everyone always says Ranger is the most expensive. When I was shopping for a new boat in 2002 I checked around, I remember checking out a new warrior 1890 with full windsheild and 175 opti, bowmount and one locator don't remember the brand, but the special spring price was like 28,580 or somthing close to that, 2 weeks later went to the fon du lac boat show new Ranger 619 with 200 opti 2 locators and bow mount 31,700 sitting next to the ranger was a lund pro V 30,000 and change comp.eqpt. I ended up buying a used boat 3months old and got a great deal, but I did'nt think that the new ranger was that far out of line with other mfgs. I also know a guy that bought a new skeeter last year, a beautiful 20 footer but rigged and ready was over 41,000. Another friend just got quoted a price on an 05 620 rigged and ready for 43,000. I just don't see a big difference in price here. Kitch
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LarryK
Posted 2/8/2005 4:25 PM (#27523 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


When talking choice and no money limits, is there really another option outside of Ranger? Lets be real here.
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hafe
Posted 2/8/2005 4:36 PM (#27524 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


I had the same questions last year,when I was looking for a new boat.I've ridden in Rangers,and the seats are to low,the space in the rear is way to small,you can't even turn the seats around,the ride was not that impressive either,lots of water over the gunnels.Triton have a better layout,but more space could have been put to the rear,for trolling,or carrying 4 people,the front rod locker is good,for trolling length rods,and a good amount of storage space, also,the ride beats Ranger,hands down,a little pricey for my taste,both have good warranties,Did not like the Stratos out last year for many reasons,but I have not seen this years configuration yet,so can't really help on that model.Spent many hours checking the balance,and options between them all,including other brands also,but I finally decided on the Skeeter ZX2050,great ride,6 inches deeper than both the others,more livewell room,more room in the back,for passengers or trolling,I would rather have one person in the bow,and one person in the rear,jigging or fishing weeds,the center rod lockers,are only 7 feet though,if you have telescopic rods,then thats not a problem,storage space is excellent on the ZX2050 also,and a lifetime warranty,on 100% of the boat,is reassuring,down the road.Price is real close to both,but I liked the extras Skeeter offers.The ride is better than Ranger,and I would say equal or a little better than Triton.I've run my ZX2050 for one year and not 1 problem has surfaced,great workmanship,and many color options to choose from.They are available with Mercs,if you prefer,them,as I do.These comparisons were on the 19 to 21 foot models last year.Get some free brochures and compare them.
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STINGER(WI)
Posted 2/8/2005 4:59 PM (#27527 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !



Member

Posts: 201

Location: Colgate, WI
I would run a 2025 with a 250 on the back...hey, that is what I run.
If I had to go to a glass boat I would look very hard at the Tuffy. I checked them out at the show and they are nice.
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Petros
Posted 2/8/2005 10:38 PM (#27562 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Member

Posts: 43

Location: DeKalb, Illinois
This year I picked a Ranger 620VS with a 225 Mercury Optimax on a hydraulic jack plate, and 9.9 fourstroke Mercury kicker. This is going to a fishing machine. I wanted a boat that is going to be reliable, sturdy, and have the layout and optimum performance that Ranger offers. They are also beautiful boats.... What else does a guy (or gal) need?

Edited by Petros 2/8/2005 10:39 PM
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Gordy
Posted 2/9/2005 6:55 AM (#27571 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Member

Posts: 279

Location: Rockford MN
These days there are a number of very nice boats. I own a tin boat as we speak, I would perfer to run a glass boat again. I look at price and the features of these boats and can say that if it were my money I would say Skeeter. I have owned one and it was the best boat I have ever owned. I see new boats in this market like Tuffy that is well thought out and seemingly priced right. I never liked the sitting on the floor thing, but Ranger makes a very nice looking boat as does Triton. The prices are hard to over look however. I looked hard at 4 boats boats at our local boatshow and saw prices around the 48k mark. I would only buy a 20' boat these days, with kids and the waters I fish. I will never say a bad word about Skeeter's they make a very nice boat, fast and runs the big waters very well. The new Tuffy looks to be along these same lines, and is priced in the 40k range loaded. I get to see alot of boats on the water, some seem to run well others seem to spear wave and others seem to bounce alot. People talk about the driver is the whole key, I think alot more has to do with the way the boat is set up. When a company builds a boat and its balanced out right with the right hull and horsepower, that boat should run it self without great effort from the driver.

Resale is another big thing I hear. I never considered taking a 5-8k hit in 2 years to be "good resale" The market is flooded with boats, the way to keep the resale up on a brand is to RAISE the costs of the boats every year. A 2k raise this year makes that 1 year old boat look much better to the owner of the 1 year old boat. Deals are what drives this market, put guys on a program and they will buy boats. The biggest problem is people sell themselfs short when making there deals. Guys that just want a deal never put the extra time or effort in, and others are willing to give away time and effort. The more guys they get the better off they seem to think they are.

Long story short if it were my $40,000. I would buy a Skeeter or Tuffy> and I'm sticking with the boat I have now, even though I would perfer to be in a glass boat.
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JLDII
Posted 2/9/2005 10:44 AM (#27588 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Member

Posts: 714

Yar-Craft !!

Why settle for anything less?
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eye Lunker
Posted 2/9/2005 10:59 AM (#27594 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Member

Posts: 859

Location: Appleton wi
Yarcraft all the way! Someone must be lacking o2 to the brain...to even compare a tin boat to one of the above mentioned! And i'll leave it to that!
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walleye mike
Posted 2/9/2005 2:13 PM (#27615 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Member

Posts: 194

Location: Northern Illinois
I am running a Ranger 619 with 200 Opti....and I love it. After researching other brands and test rides the prior season, I kept coming back to Ranger. Very glad I did.
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jerry
Posted 2/9/2005 5:13 PM (#27637 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Member

Posts: 2567

Location: Manitowoc, WI
Gentlemen,

Over in the Walleye Boats and Motors board, there are a number of threads asking about different models of boats. If you find time, please add your comments regarding your experiences in the different brands of boats and motors. Thanks.
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Guest
Posted 2/9/2005 6:23 PM (#27642 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


You forgot to put Skeeter on the list,if you do Ill post.
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jerry
Posted 2/9/2005 7:56 PM (#27651 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Member

Posts: 2567

Location: Manitowoc, WI
Guest,

Consider it done.
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Guest
Posted 2/11/2005 7:03 AM (#27774 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


my choice would be a mirrow craft 16ft'r , with a yamaha 4st,60 hp tiller. loaded to the hilt with lowrance electronics, down rigger's (cannon's). air ride seats and motor-guide 24v thruster. this boat is big enough for fishing big water (pick ur days)!!. and small enough to fish rivers and small lakes.
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guess
Posted 2/11/2005 7:36 AM (#27776 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


My pick would be a rubber dingy.Strapped on the back of the dingy a yammies 8hp kicker for max thrust thru the big water(pick your day) With my full snorkling cold weather gear on and all the time in the world no water is too calm or rough
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guest
Posted 2/11/2005 9:40 AM (#27793 - in reply to #27481)
Subject: RE: boats !


Ranger are nice if you like the feeling of slapping noise from the front end when attempting to go thru mild waves. Kinda feels like a lund or a skeeter.I heard alot of good things about triton but i never had the pleasure in riding in one.Nothing beats a warrior cutting thru the waves.Second choice would be a yarcraft wich truelly is a dry ride compared to ranger or skeeter.
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