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| I am in the market for a new rig and are considering the Tuffy 1890. Does anyone have any complaints about this boat? What would you change? Is it as dry a ride as the 2060? Do the small windshields really offer any protection from the elements in late fall/eary spring conditions?
Thanks in advance! | |
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Posts: 1991
| Well I could not tell you about the small windshields, I have a walk thru, love the boat.
The ride is incredible and and just as dry.
Have no complaints, I would look at leaving the rear seat bases out and mounting the rear in the center, make sure you get seat sliders for the front seats.
Not quite as fu fu as a Ranger but it is designed well. It is more of a real fishing boat(humor)
It is differnt than driving a Lund more high performance, more driver input(trim and throttle), but it hauls you know what, and great holeshot.
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| I have owned both, the 2060 is a better ride once you get over about a 3 foot wave height, but it should be it's a 20 foot boat, and probably the best riding 20 footer on the market at that. The 1890 is a good all around ride and fishes real well. It is also extremely fast for a 19 footer, mine ranges from 57 to 61 depending on load.
I have the sport windshields and yes they are plenty tall enough to duck behind but give nowhere the protection of the walkthrough windshield models, the inside cockpit of that WT model is cavernous.
I run a 23p hi five prop on mine. There is very little I'd change on mine. Maybe I'd order the removeable rear deck/storage for the trips I take muskie fishing. | |
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| best 20 footer on the market, I would put them as one of the last boat walleye boats I would buy........Resale value not very good and I thought they were on the brink of going bankrupt a few years ago..... Best riding 20ft boats and quality would go to Triton, Ranger, you could put Tundra in there but quality, customer service and having probably the worst resale value would eliminate it for me.....I would put Tuffy not to far from it.....They have been trying to get back in the walleye market the last 10years with not much luck..... All I can say I remember being able to see light through the hull on the first Tuffy I looked at about 10years ago... | |
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| Slick
We should base purchases on boats "you" looked at 10 years ago? 10 years ago you saw very few 20' boats. Not one of the companies you named made a walleye boat that big. So posts about what someone thinks, should be based on personal use not theory from people who never owned or even been in the boat in question. | |
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Posts: 1991
| I am research fanatic, when it was all said and done after scouring the boat thru and thru, well I have Tuffy in my garage. 
So to each his opinion, just are just little more spineless though | |
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| I can kinda vouch about that light thing slick talked about. I had one of the first V hull tuffy and the floor rotted out in three years. I was pulling it up in the garage and I had an overhead light shinning down. The floor turned out to be unsealed cdx plywood. I jumped down for a tool and it shocked the hell out of me when I saw the garage floor lit up by the light coming through the hull. I also had trouble with stress cracks around the trailer rollers. Tuffy said read the fine print on the warranty: warranty null and void if a roller trailer is used and the floor was past the one year warranty. I dumped the boat soon after. I would hope Tuffy improved thru the years with new owners. | |
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Location: Rhinelander | First V Hull Tuffy, that was a while back! Different product, different owners, and different industry standards as to how a FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) boat was built. Rangers were built the same way back then and had different owners. Lund too. Yes, Lund had FRP boats back then, the Nisswa was one, and I think they had a monster for the time, but I cannot remember if it was an early Tyee. Crestliner was builing the Angler, a popular multi species glass boat. Triton didn't exist; back then Earl owned Stratos and Javelin and they were a fairly new company. Stratos has had a couple new owners since then and DID go under with the failed OMC boat and motor company. I fail to see the relevance; Bombardier picked up OMC and is doing a great job building a fine product, and Genmar ended up with Stratos, and they are building a fine product.
Yar Craft were built the same way as Tuffy and had different owners; Jack Dahlman, a nice man and innovater owned Yar Craft. I'd venture to say that Jack built the first true V multi specie boat about twenty five years ago, using a Cruiser's Inc runabout hull for the pattern.
Aluminum boats were built differently then, too. Thinner guage, untreated floors, fewer rivets, weaker transoms, one cannot compare a Lund from 1990 to what they build now, either. Lund has a new owner, by the way, just last year.
Treated plywood won't laminate, because resin won't bond to it. Tuffy used to shoot the floors and side tanks with resin, and did indeed use plywood; everyone did back then. Most times if the floor rotted, a seat base or other accessory was installed by the dealer or customer and the end grain and fasteners weren't sealed before the part was installed. I worked for Tuffy back then. The boat running bottom in the older Rampages was about 1/3 the laminate Tuffy implemented in the early 90's when Fiberdome bought them from Barbara and Randy Bolduc, it didn't need to be any thicker on a 60 HP rated boat and that was how things were done back then.
The first high horsepower ( V-6) V hull Tuffy built was the 1800 Renegade. Before that, the highest horsepower allowed on any model Tuffy was 115 except for a poorly designed sponsoned V capped boat called the Walleye Master. I was working for Skeeter back then, and remember that boat well; it ended up morphing into one of the best selling muskie boats Tuffy released, the Rampage Magnum.
That was about 1994, just before Fiberdome bought the company. When Fiberdome took over, they had a laminates consultant come in and test the processes, do strength and burn tests, and make recommendations. As the Osprey and Esox Deep V series was developed, Tuffy went through the learning curve all the major builders went through; big water hard use changes the way a boat has to be built. Ranger lost transoms and had crazing trouble. Triton had all sorts of problems. So did Yar Craft, Warrior, and all the other fledgling big water high horsepower boats. As the product was refined by all the Walleye Boat companies, new construction techniques were invented, new materials were introduced, and the products improved immensely. It wasn't one company or another with 'poor product', it was a development curve all went through.
I know the Fiberdome owners very well, and they are committed to building a high quality, tough, fast, and top performing boat for the upper mid-west market. They developed 3 new models in 2006, and will continue to develop new products for 2007 and beyond.
There are an awful lot of old Tuffy boats still in service. I worked for the company for quite a few years, and cannot remember any 1 year floor warranty. I'm not sure what they had when Barb and Randy owned the company, I worked for Skeeter back then, but I know it was more than a year. By the way, it takes more laminate than you would want in a boat bottom to stop light from shining through Fiberglass. Resin and matting are somewhat opaque, it's the composites that are used now that stop light from shining through. A 1/3" thick sheet of FRP will certainly transfer light through, and most boat hull sides are not that thick today.
Now for my opinion about boat bashing and totally out-of-touch-with-reality comparisons:
I wouldn't compare a 1988 year model Chevy or Ford pickup to what is built now, the advances in automotive engineering have been tremendous. I can complain about the failures I saw in the 1991 Suburban fleet Skeeter had for the salesmen; they were not terribly reliable trucks, but what end would that serve? The trucks today are completely different animals. I'd LOVE to own a new Suburban!
I'm not sure why some folks feel the need to take a shot at boat builders. I see it all the time on other websites, and it's pretty juvenile, IMHO. Sort of like a dog and a fire hydrant, owners of one brand seem to just have to mark up the others. This sort of talk makes for great fights and train wreck threads, but does nothing for getting out facts and specs about products so the consumer can make an educated decision. That's why WalleyeFIRST frowns on that sort of thing.
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| Ron,
What model and year V-Hull did you have? And who put the roller trailer under it, and why?
My first Tuffy was a 1991 Rampage. I loved the boat, and I was never concerned in the rough stuff on Bago. I paid $5200 for the boat new, and sold it for $3500. I'd say resale value was excellent. I had to have some hull work done on it after 7 years, and Tuffy treated me right. I had to pay my share, and the repair was done to make it look as new.
All-eyes, I have a new 1890, after owning Lund the past 5 years. The new Tuffys are extremely well built, and like any successful company, they have improved materials, process, quality, and peformance. I can't wait to get on the water next spring. I've got a fair amount of time in the 1890 this past year, and the ride is great. It handled 3 footers on Green Bay better than any other 19 footer I've been in. It's comfortable, has plaenty of room, and you can duck behind the windscreens for protection. The consoles are the same as used on the slighty narrower 2060, and 1760, I believe. The walktrhough consoles are a bit wider, and the full windshield will offer the best protection. I had a hard time deciding to not get the walk thtough. I guess I'm not ready to give in to my age, and admit I'd be more comfortable behind the big full windshield! hehehe
All I can say is look over the boat very carefully, and see for yourself the attention to detail, overall fit and finish, and fishability of the Tuffy boats. You will be duely impressed.
Edited by Shep 12/4/2006 9:40 AM
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Shep,
You have any pictures of your new ride yet? Congrats, ands looking forward to seeing it. | |
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Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | Wow Steve, that just spelled out where walleye boats came from. Sometimes the new guys into this need to see exactly how these boats made it this far. We work in the industry and see the changes on a month to month basis. Most buyers see the changes every 3 to 7 years. I believe anyone who read what you took so long to write, is now just a little better off because of it. Really!!! | |
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| Yup, Stacker, Steve aged a bit from writing that post! hehehe And he can't afford to age too much more!
Sunshine, I have the pics of the boat that Steve Bendall sent me a while ago. There was an issue getting the motors deal, but that is solved now. Anyday, I think I'll get the call. I can' wait to get it either. I'll have to fish Red WIng, and Shelbyville, a couple times this winter to make up lost time! I'll have fun rigging it, as I have nearly everything on the shelf, waiting. | |
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | very cool Shep. I look forward to seeing it.
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Posts: 1991
| Shep - 12/4/2006 12:52 PM
Yup, Stacker, Steve aged a bit from writing that post! hehehe And he can't afford to age too much more!
Sunshine, I have the pics of the boat that Steve Bendall sent me a while ago. There was an issue getting the motors deal, but that is solved now. Anyday, I think I'll get the call. I can' wait to get it either. I'll have to fish Red WIng, and Shelbyville, a couple times this winter to make up lost time! I'll have fun rigging it, as I have nearly everything on the shelf, waiting.
Merc or Evy???? | |
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| First, all I am saying is the only Tuffy I was in or seen was one from ten years ago, and from my experience I will stay away for now. I have not heard much from or have seen any big Tuffy's on Lake Michigan, Erie, Bay De Noc....All I will say most guys who fish the big water for tournaments or recreation fish out of Ranger, Triton, Lund, Skeeter, Tundra, etc. Because of quality, ride, etc... | |
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| Slick, you need to get out of the house more. What brand boat do you run?
Who are 'most guys'? I would guess the 1000's who have bought a Tuffy in the last 10 years, or those who bought a Warrior, Yar Craft, or other brand you didn't mention are just not well informed?
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| slick - 12/4/2006 7:37 PM
First, all I am saying is the only Tuffy I was in or seen was one from ten years ago, and from my experience I will stay away for now. I have not heard much from or have seen any big Tuffy's on Lake Michigan, Erie, Bay De Noc....All I will say most guys who fish the big water for tournaments or recreation fish out of Ranger, Triton, Lund, Skeeter, Tundra, etc. Because of quality, ride, etc...
So you have not been in a new Tuffy, this is my first, had a Lund for 5 years.
Hard to talk smack when you have not been in one?
This boat rides incredibly smooth and dry and fast. I was shocked at how dry and smooth it was, try Lake Pepin with the wind coming out of the south.
I would suspect that their pro staff program budget is not like the others above so the buyer doesnt get soaked for covering the pro staff. And you dont see a 100 Tuffys like Ranger.
I heard that is why Alumacraft doesnt sponser a ton of pro staffer keeps the price down, and they build a good boat.
There a couple of things that Tuffy could do different on their boats, they are not perfect, but what boat is?, but when I shopped around it was the best boat for the buck!!!
I talked to alot of peole that have Tuffys and did not hear any thing bad about them.
Try one first then come and talk.
By the way Steve W and Zach are great guys to deal with, even though Steve is a musky fisherman.
Edited by moreyes 12/4/2006 9:43 PM
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| Moreyes,
Merc's for me. I don't know what I was thinking, when I was considering Evinrudes. I plead temporary insanity! Cost me three months!
Slick, you base an opinion about something built today, based on one experience with a product from 10 years ago? Do you buy your vehicles the same way? How about your doctor? You still recommend a TRS-80 today, because it was the better personal computer 25 years ago?
If you are interested in seeing how really good Tuffy Boats are firsthand, give me a shout.
Edited by Shep 12/5/2006 12:20 PM
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| Not seen any on Bay de Noc? I've fished there plenty, and I always see a couple. Green Bay? See them all the time. Erie? Jay Janny, Gordy Powers in the PWT and the FLW, respectively. I can go on. Sure, they don't sell as many as Ranger, and Lund. But that surely doesn't mean they are inferior products! I'll put my 1890 against the 619 Ranger, or 1900 Lund any day, on any water.
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Location: Appleton wi | I love my new Tuffy 2060 and rode a yarcraft fro 3 years prior to that and a lund 10 years prior to that. All i can say to keep is short and simple " I love my Tuffy in big water!  | |
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| hey man, I just sold a lund 2025 this fall, i thought it was great ride, but a little wet at times. I am currently in the market for a new boat, and decided to go back to fiberglass....Since I am in the market, I am looking at proven boats and boats that have good resale (I had my lund 3years which I bought on walleye central and then sold it on walleye central for 2,000 less than I bought.) I haven't heard much or even have seen a tuffy on the big water, plus there is no comparison to resale to Ranger or Lund to make me buy one..... All I know is most pros and you can research walleye central talk about Ranger, Triton, Tundra, Skeeter for the best rides in ruff water on the great lakes. I have salmon fish and walleye and bass fish up in Sturgeon Bay alot , and I have yet to see a Tuffy.. I'm not saying its a bad boat or ride, I just haven't heard anything about them to make me even think about them. To the person that said Gordy Powers ran one, he also ran a Crestliner and they are both for sale now..
Shep I base my opinion on the procuct I see first hand. I looked at Tuffy ten years ago and wasn't pleased. And I know Tuffy has been struggling the last ten years. Enough to keep me away, All I know is I what to buy a boat now that has a lifetime warranty on there hull and will stand by there product! And on that rides well and has good resale.. Tuffy has not done enough or anything to even make me think about them...Well lets say this if I buy something I will usually stick buy them until they do something to make me not buy them.
I don't know how well they ride, does Tuffy have a lifetime warranty on there boat, is the customer service good. Is the product a quality procuct? One thing that bothers me about trailers is why aren't all trailers made with the armor chip proof paint that Ranger or Triton has or why hasn't all trailers come with liquid hubs, like Ranger or Triton........Does Tuffy have any of these on there trailers..
Fishing is the world to me and I spend alot of time Walleye and Musky Fishing and I would rather spend extra for a boat that been proven and tested time after time....
And buy the way Ranger does not give much of discount to there Pro Staff, just ask a pro.....Its just the quality, resale and ride..........Guys that win tournaments on the great lakes sometimes ride in 6-8 footers to get to there spots and I have seen Rangers get them there.... Look at the winners, do you ever see a Tuffy there..........
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| just to comment some other boats, I believe alumacraft makes a great boat ...And so does Yarcraft, they just are a little light....Warrior makes a good boat, but are a little pricey and customer service sucked a few years ago..... | |
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Location: Appleton wi | Tuffy never in the winner circle? 2006 Denny Fox won flw league event in a 2060 tuffy and 2 years ago pat schuett placed 2nd at the flw tour on gb and won a mws event on Gb in a 2060 Tuffy  | |
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| Slick et all,
My brother had a 620 for years. I fished multiple tournaments with him in that boat. A year and a half ago he purchased a 2060. As far as the Bay of Green Bay goes, the 2060 is a "Bay Tamer" It is a fantastic dry ride to the point that I have just made a decision to purchase my own rig, and went with the 1890. The resale on a Ranger is higher currently, I do believe that you will see Tuffy's resale going up as more people purchase and or ride in one. As far as customer service, he has had no problems and the guys that represent Tuffy are excellent. Now for current owner's, does anyone have a prop suggestion for me? I will be running the E-tec 200hp HO. I am going to start with a 3-blade 21. If anyone has experience please let me know. Also, does everyone have their kicker on the drivers side? Being that Tuffy's are padded boats the kicker can tend to make them lean when on the passenger side. That was the case in the 2060. Since it has been moved the ride is superior.
Thanks in advance.
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| slick - 12/5/2006 11:37 PM
Shep I base my opinion on the procuct I see first hand. I looked at Tuffy ten years ago and wasn't pleased.
As I said, you are basing your opinion on a boat you only saw 10 years ago. I am asking you to look at the boats today! New owner since then, new product, better design, materials, construction, commitment to quality, and as always, great customer service.
And I know Tuffy has been struggling the last ten years. Enough to keep me away,
Really. And your proof is? I think Mr Bendall would strongly disagree with your statement.
All I know is I what to buy a boat now that has a lifetime warranty on there hull and will stand by there product! And on that rides well and has good resale.. Tuffy has not done enough or anything to even make me think about them...Well lets say this if I buy something I will usually stick buy them until they do something to make me not buy them.
What else can Tuffy do? You saw one ten years ago, and won't even look at one now, based on that one encounter. I can tell you, that the Rangers, Lunds, Warriors, Skeeters, and any other boat you looked at ten years ago are nowhere near as good as the boats built today. Triton wasn't even making boats ten years ago. You are not being fair to yourself, if you won't even look at a new Tuffy.
I don't know how well they ride, does Tuffy have a lifetime warranty on there boat, is the customer service good. Is the product a quality procuct? One thing that bothers me about trailers is why aren't all trailers made with the armor chip proof paint that Ranger or Triton has or why hasn't all trailers come with liquid hubs, like Ranger or Triton........Does Tuffy have any of these on there trailers.
Find your local Tuffy dealer, and schedule a ride. I think you will be impressed at both the ride, and the quality. As I said, Tuffy's customer service has been, and still is second to none. Tuffy's trailers have LiquiLube hubs, and have had for probably longer than Ranger has. I don't believe they have the armour paint. I can say that they do have quality paint on the trailers.
And buy the way Ranger does not give much of discount to there Pro Staff, just ask a pro.....Its just the quality, resale and ride..........Guys that win tournaments on the great lakes sometimes ride in 6-8 footers to get to there spots and I have seen Rangers get them there.... Look at the winners, do you ever see a Tuffy there..........
Gordy Powers, 29th in the FLW Tour standings last year in a Tuffy 1890. He's selling his boat because he will have a new one for next year. Pat Schuette has won and placed high in numerous tournament in his Tuffy's on Green Bay.
I can tell you that neither the 1890, or the 2060 will take water over the bow when sitting in 2 footers. Can Ranger's 620 say that? They all make great boats, but they all aren't perfect. | |
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| Big Eyes, I have a 2006 Tuffy 2060DS and my kicker is mounted on the right side. I would recommend installing it on the drivers side. I have a 225 Opti on it and it helps equalize the torque when taking off.
Slick, you really need to experience the newer Tuffy from inside the boat. Take a test ride and see for yourself. If you want, I can give you a test ride on Green Bay or Bago next Spring. Shoot me an email and we will get out and prove to you that the Tuffy of today is a different animal.
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| I have read through this post and I'm finding it very hard to beleive that someone would rip a product they have never even seen. I ran the 1890 this year and in some pretty big water. Yes Ranger makes a nice boat, so do many others. You have to look at it both ways here, 1st when buying a boat just how much is to much? I mean a new 620 is 45+ thousand, and if you sell it 3-4 years you might get 35??? But how much did you pay in interest? All I ever hear is how great the resale is, ever figure just how much you really paid for it? You said you got 2k less than what you paid for your last boat, but if you had a loan out on it you lost atleast 4k.
Now if you are truly interested in a new boat, you should look at every option out there! Look at every boat in the size you want and compare what you are buying. You can spend over 58k on a new boat these days, is that a good investment? Thats up to each person to figure out.
I like my Tuffy, it served me very well last year. Yes I am selling it, only because I personaly perfer the 20' boats for the tours. The 1890 is a big water boat, I just like even bigger for the added room when fishing huge waters. I think Tuffy stacks up very well with the other boats you listed, and just like you I had to buy my boat! I could have bought anything out there, I just felt the other brands you talked about were priced way more for getting little more (if you know what I mean).
It's your choice what you choose to buy, but blasting a product you know nothing about is a little harsh don't you think? People are gonna tell you they own the greatest or best boat made, it's their nature. If you take rides and learn how the products are made you will find may compaines build boats similar to each other.
Buying large ticket items boils down to choice and all the factors that you asked about. Look at everything and then buy what suits you best, not what someone else thinks you should run or because your "buddy" told you to.
As always my phone is always on, you can call and ask me questions. I don't and won't suger coat things, you get personal experince opinions from me. I don't love everything about anything I own, I know what it can and can't do. Tuffy does NOT pay my bills, I buy boats based on many factors= Price, ride, quality, constuction. I spend around 100 days a year in a boat, so I get to know them very well!
Gordy Powers
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| Big Eyes - 12/6/2006 12:03 PM
Slick et all,
My brother had a 620 for years. I fished multiple tournaments with him in that boat. A year and a half ago he purchased a 2060. As far as the Bay of Green Bay goes, the 2060 is a "Bay Tamer" It is a fantastic dry ride to the point that I have just made a decision to purchase my own rig, and went with the 1890. The resale on a Ranger is higher currently, I do believe that you will see Tuffy's resale going up as more people purchase and or ride in one. As far as customer service, he has had no problems and the guys that represent Tuffy are excellent. Now for current owner's, does anyone have a prop suggestion for me? I will be running the E-tec 200hp HO. I am going to start with a 3-blade 21. If anyone has experience please let me know. Also, does everyone have their kicker on the drivers side? Being that Tuffy's are padded boats the kicker can tend to make them lean when on the passenger side. That was the case in the 2060. Since it has been moved the ride is superior.
Thanks in advance.
I would look at a 4 blade like the Rev 4 21, I tried a 21" Enertia, the Rev 4 outhandles the Evolution hands down, awsome holeshot, 60 mph full livewell and full of gear.
I would mount your your kicker on the drivers side, seems to offset the engine torque.
The boat is awsome. | |
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| slick - 12/4/2006 7:37 PM
First, all I am saying is the only Tuffy I was in or seen was one from ten years ago, and from my experience I will stay away for now. I have not heard much from or have seen any big Tuffy's on Lake Michigan, Erie, Bay De Noc....All I will say most guys who fish the big water for tournaments or recreation fish out of Ranger, Triton, Lund, Skeeter, Tundra, etc. Because of quality, ride, etc...
Come down to Pool 4 in Red Wing, I was out there there where 4 Tuffys and 1 Lund 0 Rangers | |
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| The new Tuffys are probably very good boats. What kind of warranty do they come with? Also, how come it takes so long to get one? (hehehe) Breaking into this market with a new product isn't easy, there are many good products out there. Try to find a dealer willing to give you a test drive. Personaly, I have not been able to find too many dealers willing to do this. As much as these boats cost, I would not buy a new product without a test ride. I am skeptical about taking recomendations from "pros" because last year he was pushing brand X and this year brand Y is the greatest thing on the water. It's all about the money. I currently own a 620 Ranger and would buy another one in a heartbeat, because of the lifetime warranty, and the next owner gets a 10 year warranty. I'm sure I'm paying for the warranty in the purchase price, but brand loyalty is a hard thing to break. | |
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Location: Manitowoc, WI | Guest, I understand the brand loyalty thing. However, if you really want a test ride, you can easily go to Fort Fremont Marine in Wisconsin and Denny will be more than happy to give you a ride. If not, I myself and a few other Tuffy owners would be more than happy to give you a ride. Just ask! | |
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| first I'm not blasting tuffy, I did base my opinion on what I saw ten years ago... And Tuffy has not done enough to bring me back as a consumer in my opinion...But until now I have not heard or saw enough from Tuffy to make me look at them... As a fisherman and a consumer, I look at what most people ride and what most people like and what products have been proven time after time. ...The Tuffy's I do see currently are sponsor or pro boats, such as Worrels..I can't base opinion on that, he was sponsored by Patriot a few years ago and look at where they are...... But I will certainly look into Tuffy in the future and try to hitch a ride this spring.... | |
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| No Pro Staffer here, Give me a shout be glad to take you for a ride | |
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| Ditto on not being a pro staffer. I'm funding this stuff with my wife's half. LOL! | |
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| Guest,
If you are wondering why it's taken so long for me to get my boat, it had absolutely nothing to do with Tuffy. My boat was built in the time frame they advised. The motor deal was the hang up. Let me just say I am relieved to say I am staying with Mercurys.
Where are you located? I am certain that a test ride can be arranged for you.
Edited by Shep 12/7/2006 9:04 AM
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| Guest - 12/6/2006 5:56 PM
The new Tuffys are probably very good boats. What kind of warranty do they come with? Also, how come it takes so long to get one? (hehehe) Breaking into this market with a new product isn't easy, there are many good products out there. Try to find a dealer willing to give you a test drive. Personaly, I have not been able to find too many dealers willing to do this. As much as these boats cost, I would not buy a new product without a test ride. I am skeptical about taking recomendations from "pros" because last year he was pushing brand X and this year brand Y is the greatest thing on the water. It's all about the money. I currently own a 620 Ranger and would buy another one in a heartbeat, because of the lifetime warranty, and the next owner gets a 10 year warranty. I'm sure I'm paying for the warranty in the purchase price, but brand loyalty is a hard thing to break.
I can fully understand where people get skeptical, some (not all) "pro's" do this for a living it's their job to help sell products. I have a very hard time taking something for free that I don't feel is not better than something I may have to buy. I understand after fishing this year why some people have to do this, this tour stuff is very expensive. I just feel much more comfortable with some products over something that may be free. If a company wants to give me free lures or rods and reels, they better be the ones I use or love! I mean Rapala or Reef runner or Shimano or Loomis, bring them on., but some off brand that you are forced to use because they offer to pay some of the bills??? No thanks, I'd rather buy the products that work or atleast I have faith in.
If you want test rides of boats, thats why they make "pro staffs". The dealer should be willing to set you up with a person to get a ride.
Loyalty is what every company is in business for, to keep and gain new buyers. the large well established companies have done a great job of making owners feel like they are a part of something. The smaller compaines are most likely going to know you by name and not number. To me it is about what it costs you to "belong" to that "club" for feeling speical. When a company has thousands of "pros" getting deals and taking money off the bottom line, it costs you extra to make up for that. Warranty on boats is what it is, they cover workmanship and materials. 90% of the customers will never need to use a warranty, the other 10% will use it for things other than the hull it self. If a company wants to cover say pumps for 10 years, a $20. pump not worth $5,000. more. If a hull is going to fail (which is almost unheard of) it's gonna happen in the first year a two at most. If a product is damaged the warranty is void anyway and thats why you pay boat Ins.
Everyone feels that they own the best boat, it still comes down to comfort, If you are comfortable and satisfied with the products you buy then you made the right purchase. Not 1 boat made is perfect for everyone, or we would all be running it! | |
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Member
Posts: 1991
| I got I test ride from the man himself Steve, the dealer did not have one to drive, Steve was nice enough to meet at the launch and went for a ride, then called the dealer.
The delivery on my boat was quite fast. | |
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Location: Rhinelander | Slick
At least spell my name right!
First, I was never 'sponsored' by Tuffy or Patriot, Skeeter or BassKota, Madsen Pontoons or KDee trailers, KDL Outdoors or Woodchuck. I did work as a salesman, either an independent or salaried, for all those companies; that's how I make a large part of my living. I'm a sales management guy, and I like to work as an independent. I have done just that for about 30 years of my career.
Patriot was built in Canada and imported into the US by Mike Larski at MPL, and the problem with that company, all of it, lies there.
I worked for Skeeter for several years. I've worked for Tuffy in one capacity or another for almost 25 years of my life.
You admitted you don't even know what Tuffy has done over the last 10 years. Tell you what, you come over to the house and take a look at a new Tuffy, and we'll talk about that. The coffee is always on.
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| Steve,
I'm sorry if I offended you and sorry about the spelling .... I figured you got a deal on your Patriot boats and Tuffy's....I will tell you this if I don't have a boat by this spring, I wil give you a call for a ride...... I honestly don't know anyone that has a Tuffy, most people I know currently have a Ranger, Triton, Lund or Crestliner... But from what I have heard here on this sight, I will look into Tuffy...
I Love to Fish and I personally would rather spend the extra money on nice boat that rides nice and has a great set-up, extra, then spend the money on my truck...My vacation is when I'm in my boat.............Hey, sorry guys if I offended or came off wrong, I was just giving my opinion at the time.... It has now changed.. | |
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Location: Rhinelander | Like I said, the coffee is always on...and I usually have a boat here for folks to ride. May even try to catch a fish in the process! | |
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Member
Posts: 1656
| I wanna see how that boat rides on the ice! | |
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Member
Posts: 3899
| On the tandem axle trailer with brakes and LiquiLube hubs, she'll ride smoooooth on the ice. You'll just have to wait untill there's 24 inches of solid ice before you could find out!
Besides, if I had stuck with Merc all along, I'd have had the boat last July! Then you would have gotten to see first hand how she runs. Now you'll just have to wait til March, unless you want to go to Red Wing before then. | |
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| Thanks for all the ride offers, but I am happy with my 620 and won't be shopping for a new boat anytime soon. It's nice to know that you guys are out there and willing to give test rides. The gentleman who started this post should take you up on your offer. When I was boat shopping there were a few other boats that I would have liked to try out before buying the Ranger. The boating industry should take a look at the way Harley-Davidson promotes their motorcycles. H-D has truck loads of new bikes that go from dealer to dealer for test rides. They also have a rental program where your rental charges can be applied toward a new bike purchase. You can rent a Sportster for about $55 a day and a big one for $75 (weekdays), a very cool program. Thanks again for the offers for rides! | |
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Tuffy 1890