Well, as I remember it...Ranger used to be BASS...a few years back they moved to Triton. I have no idea why but they did. I know Ranger is the boat to have if you fish FLW, BFL...not sure what else. I think Top 10 can help me out on the specifics on this one. I have been in several Rangers and they are nice. The guys around here who fish them, love them. The consensus of the guys I have talked to is that #1 is Ranger and #2 is Bass Cat. I have never been in a Bass Cat or a Triton for that matter, but I like the Bass Cats...and going from the people I trust with fishing equipment...Cats seem to be a good boat. I know Ike fishes one...Marty Stone, Terry Butcher…
I think the boat thing almost comes down to the incentives. I guess if someone was gonna give me one or sell me one real cheap...I don’t think I would say no, no matter what tournaments I fished or the incentive packages offered.
Ranger are fantastic boats, i have ridden in several and were almost all smooth. for FLW and BFL Ranger seems to be obvious choice because of incentives, BUT...it has to be a boat bought in last few years, you cant get incentive bucks for a 2000 ranger. If your looking to build a good # as far as winnings that shows on thier website, buy Ranger....but if you look at almost any boat company they pay incentives for winning a BFL also, you just have to do it thru them and they can use your story on thier site, Legend boats for example has a incentive program, but it wont show up on your career winnings. Since you have to be 1st to win it, i would say fish whatever you can get on your budget and your comfy with. Most buy a boat and never get an incentive check thru BFL anyway.
you really cant go wrong with any of them, there are guys in my bass club with tritons and bass cat, both are smooth, its the layout of the boat that make me choose 1 or the other. I still would love to ride in a Legend boat though to see how they are.
I have a Triton TR20X and am very pleased with it. My brother has a Ranger Z20 Comanche. We have swapped boats on the water and both boats perform about the same IMO. You really cant go wrong with any of the newer boats these days. They all are built with quality in mind. As far as older boats go, I wouldnt pay so much attention to what brand of boat to buy as much as how well the boat was maintained.
yeah skeeter and champion deffinetly make great boats no doubt about it.. i would have added more options but im trying to decide between a ranger and a triton when i can get a boat.. i will look into the other suggestions as well.. i like to REALY research something and get the best product for the best price…
Ranger and Triton are great boats to be honest. But I know for a fact that the old Tritons has that “little walk” when your on top end, now im not sure if Triton has fixed that with the newer ones but I know its kinda scary going 70 + and the boat is walking. They do say that Ranger is the cadillac of all boats, but I think its just a matter of opion.
i finally got to ride in one of the new Z520s a couple weeks ago and it was really nice. even though it had a 250 pro xs cow on the back it still had the best holeshot ive ever seen in a tourny boat, but the guy had to drive it an awful lot to keep it smooth.
but when all is said and done...i’ll never give up my triton and e-tec!!
I’ll agree with LLBM, Skeeter is the way to go these days for the $$. They are going to be the boat of choice within the next couple of years. I am starting to see commercials for them, and frankly its about time. But keep an eye on Lund and there new fiberglass, if they decide to go the bass boat route.
I’ll agree with LLBM, Skeeter is the way to go these days for the $$. They are going to be the boat of choice within the next couple of years. I am starting to see commercials for them, and frankly its about time. But keep an eye on Lund and there new fiberglass, if they decide to go the bass boat route.
Skeeter is big up north and Ranger is big down south. Im right in the middle. I own a ranger, and have seen alot of them make their way up here. I have never seen a skeeter around here.
Both are great boats but you have to decide which trail you are going to concentrate on Bass or Flw. Flw Ranger becuase most or their payouts are based on if you own a Ranger or not if you do you get the whole amount but if not only about half. Ranger has a great rep. lots of features but expensive you pay for the name. Bass you would want a Skeeter again Skeeter is the title sponser for Bass and bonus money kicks in if you win out of a Skeeter. I own a Skeeter and would not consider any other boat it is truly a great ride fast, smooth and dry has a high casting deck higher than most lots of storage, big rod lockers and super livewells to keep you fish alive but Skeeter has a pretty high price tag too thats why I got an older model. Triton has really come on in the recent years with a pretty aggresive sponser program of some of the biggest names in Bass. Many of my buddys have Tritons and they are great boats as well. When you go to look at boats really tear them apart look in and at everything and make a list of features that are important to you plus test drive the boats see if it fits you remember you are the one that is buying the boat and you want something that fits your fishing style and you are comfortable and safe in.
If you really want to experience Ranger quality.....get out on BIG water in wind and ride the Ranger Fisherman series. By big water I mean Superior, Erie, MilleLacs, or Green Bay. This is big nasty stuff.
I have owned 3 brand new Rangers since 2001 and this 2008 Ranger 620 is king of the hill !! Nothing short of a cabin cruiser performs in rough water like this rig. WOW.
Had it out on MilleLacs the other day in 30mph winds. Anyone who has done this will tell you that this is incredibly hairy !!!
No sweat for this boat.
Any boat can seem nice in light winds and on a skinny reservoir. Test a boat on the major league rough stuff and see what it’s made of.
World class construction and strength. Great resale, and the absolute most stable fishing platform.
Im a Ranger fan, BUT.....all have quality, but every boat i have seen regardless of make that has been used frequently on big water , they all have stress cracks about midway in boat........since they wouldnt last as long i would have to make price a big factor.
