Ranger boats

[user 14220]

I am about three years away from buying what most likely will be my last boat and the top of the line Rangers are at the top of my short list.
Yea, I know they are expensive but that's not the issue.

For you folks that currently own one or used to own one, what are your thoughts about them?

 

[cdtac1]

Very good quality. They last a long time. I'm fishing out of a 1992 model now with no major issues. Just be sure to pair it with a quality outboard.

 

[chunkandwind]

Good boat. Don't get me wrong but fit,finish,ride quality they are not the best choice. They hold their value well but since being bought by PE they are not what they once were.

I own a Triton but if I were going to buy a new boat for $65,000 it would be a Phoenix. No if, ands or buts. They are the new "Cadillac" of the bass boat world. I have driven and fished from every major brand.

 

[Kirk]

I am seeing a lot of my tournament buddies getting out of Rangers and buying Phoenix, Tritons and Blazers.

My next new boat will be a Phoenix.

 

[tophat]

Phoenix period even half the price

 

[TN Larry]

I have rode in most of them, and Ranger is the worst riding boat that I have ever been in. There is no way that I would ever buy one. They are slow and not a good ride at all IMO. I would buy a Triton or Phoenix.

 

[Bullfrog]

Good boat. Don't get me wrong but fit,finish,ride quality they are not the best choice. They hold their value well but since being bought by PE they are not what they once were.

I own a Triton but if I were going to buy a new boat for $65,000 it would be a Phoenix. No if, ands or buts. They are the new "Cadillac" of the bass boat world. I have driven and fished from every major brand.

This X2

 

[switchbacker]

I also vote for a Phoenix. Another one or two would be Skeeter and Bass Cat. But seriously, buy a Phoenix

 

[SilverFox]

Get the best the first time... Skeeter! LOL

nothing wrong with a ranger if thats what you want. They are well made boats. They are like the skeeters, a little slower. I get passed all the time until the water gets rough... then im passing people. Youd think with me runnjng 70 by gps it wouldnt be so bad but there are some fast boats around. Of course the ranger takes rough water well too.

 

[Fence Post]

If I ever make the move from my Triton, it will be to a Phoenix....can you say utilitarian design? Everything is where you need it, top quality, and priced to keep you on the water.

 

[CCAU]

If money is no issue then get a Legend. It pisses on all the boats named in this thread

http://legendmarine.com/

 

[user 14220]

Still undecided but sure do like that Ranger 621VS! I'll take a look at the Phoenix and Legend.

 

[Jmed]

The Ranger brand has been around long before most others and will be long after. I own a '00 and I can call ranger and have anything from accessories to locker lids to trailer fenders made to exactly match my 14year old boat. Not many brands can offer that. The other mentioned brands are good boats, dont get me wrong, but if I am buying my last boat, I would be a ranger. And IMO the vs hulls ride better than the Z series.

 

[JimFromTN]

With Rangers, do you just add a couple of zeros to the end of the model number to get the price? I will be able to afford a 2014 Ranger 621VS around the year 2029 which is about the time most people will finally have theirs paid off. More power to you guys who can afford that kind of luxury. I have been looking at boats and right now I am in the late 1990's or early 2000's range if I luck out and find someone desperate to sell. Of course, I am cheap and only pay cash for boats and vehicles.

 

[user 14220]

Paying cash doesn't mean you are cheap, just means you don't want a payment. Boats have sky rocketed in price. I had my last one for almost 9 years and sold it for more than what I paid for it. Like you, I don't do payments on play toys but if I am 61 years old I dang well deserve to buy what I want.

As far as the 621VS I been told they go for mid 70's which I don't think is to bad considering the build quality, warranty, and the way it is equipped.

 

[JimFromTN]

I am jealous. You might as well throw in a couple of lowrance HDS 12's linked in together along with a couple of power poles.

 

[JimFromTN]

I'd be insanely jealous if you lived 5 minutes from the TN river on huntable land with a shop big enough to park your boat and truck connected with a garage door on either side where you could drive thru. If you do have this, do you have a daughter I could marry?

 

[user 14220]

Crossville, don't get your hopes up as I will not buy the boat for about 2 years :)
But we do have 42 acres with a one acre stocked pond and deer, turkey, and squirrels and the shop will be built before the house.

Sorry, no daughters to marry. And at the rate our son is going doubt we will ever see any grand kids either, lol.

 

[Kimberman]

I have fished out of most glass boats, IMO I will take stability and ride quality over speed every time. I've never been in a Ranger that didn't have a great ride, and I have fished out of a bunch of them. I do think you can get a better boat than a Ranger, but not by much. My top 5 would be Champion, Skeeter, Bass Cat, Ranger, Phoenix. Plenty of other good boats out there, some hold their value better than others, some can be found for less $.

 

[user 14220]

I just received a Skeeter catalog in the mail. Wow, they sure made a nice multi specie boat. Am going to try to visit the factory and see how they are built.