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Posts: 51
Location: Aitkin, Blaine, Minnesota | I live on big water and am thinking of upgrading my boat. Ranger or Tuffy? My questions are: first, which more big water friendly and second more fishable. Ranger or Tuffy? I was looking at a 621VS. Input/opinions would be helpful. Thanks |
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Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Since most have never seen the new 1760, 2060, and 1700 Osprey and Esox Deep V series in the Tuffy line, I'd suggest looking at them at the shows this winter. The interior is brand new and is actually pretty, fit and finish is very tight, and there is a TON of storage and fishing room. The balance in all three models and both series has been centered by moving the gas tank forward and the batteries over the rocker so the nose of the boat is level at rest with the stern, and the boat is FAST. The 2060 and the 1760 will handle anything the big waters of Minnesota can put out.
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | I currently run a Ranger 690 and am seriously considering one of the new Tuffy's. I have spent time in the new 1760 and I was impressed with the ride and front deck design. The storage in my 8 year old Ranger is still quite dry and I have little doubt that the new Tuffy storage lockers will be as dry if not more dry. Additionally the rod locker in the 1760 holds 8 foot rods no problem. I had 8 rods in it and still had room for more and was able to toss in a few sweatshirts on top of them.
Couple other things to consider when comparing the new Tuffy's to Ranger. Tuffy is now an all composite boat like Ranger, i.e. the decks, floor, transom, etc. are all compsite, no more wood.
There seems to be a renewed comitment from Fiberdome to the Tuffy line. Not only in terms of manufacturing changes but also in service and marketing. This is important from a resale standpoint.
The Tuffy will be less money upfront, similarly priced to a quality aluminum boat like Lund.
What comes to mind is the old Ford commercial... "Have you driven a Ford lately".
While I love my Ranger the new Tuffy's are definately good enough for me to seriously look at them.
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Posts: 12
| I was at the Tuffy factory yesterday dropping my rig off for some minor repairs and got to look at the new 2060 Osprey. What a beautiful boat! I would have liked to see to insert that makes it an Esox Deep V. The one thing I did not like was only 1 livewell. I usually only use the one on mine but it's nice to have 2. Are they all going to have only 1 or is this unique to this early build model? All I have to do is sell my 2002 EDV and convince the wife and the new 2060 is mine. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I would highly recommend the Ranger 620 or 621. Great boats, handle big water fine and are some of the best boats as far as fishing comfortably.
THERE ARE MANY OTHER BOAT COMPANIES THAT MAKE BIG WATER BOATS, BUT IT IS MY OPINION, THAT RANGERS ARE TOUGH TO BEAT.
Lund, Tuffy, G3, Smokercraft, Skeeter, ect...... all make fine boats that can handle big waters. I guess it all depends on what you want.
Sorry didn't mean to upset anybody by giving my opinion.
Edited by MikeHulbert 1/2/2005 1:00 PM
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| Mike,
Depends on where you're from. Ranger makes a fine boat, but so do many other builders and they hardly have 'taken over'. Your comment makes it sound like they are the only choice out there for a Muskie boat. Is that why you drive a Lund?
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Posts: 12
| Everyone can save their advice on the various brands of boats out there. I am very familiar with all the brands and have fished out of most of them. I also am familiar with their quality, price and features. I am completely satisfied with my Tuffy and the only reason I'm thinking of a new one is I own a 2002 1760 Esox Deep V. While it is perfect for fishing 2 people, it gets a little tight with 3 especially if 1 or more of the people are rookies. Suckers hanging over the side complicate matters further. I fish 3 people frequently and many are novice. If it were only me, my tournament partner or 2 other experienced anglers, I would not even consider a new rig. The 2060 is the solution to my situation with the huge front casting deck and nice one in the rear. The dual console will also help in the complaint dept. when crossing the water on cold days. Thanks for the advice but I'm sold on another Tuffy. I posted for a little more info on the boat that I forgot to ask Steve in my short tour of the new boat. |
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| I have fished out of a Ranger 620 and it is very nice. I own a 2002 Tuffy and really have no desire to go to anything else. Mine is a 1700T deep v. If i could fit a bigger boat into my garage, i would have gotten one but i really dont have the need. The point made about 3 guys in the boat with a boat my size is kinda true. I have fished with 3 guys lots but all kinda knew what they were doing. Put you and 2 new people together and you are asking for trouble. So consider what you are going to be doing as far as the size of the boat. Tuffys are my choice, but all the Ranger guys i know say the same thing about their boats. Good luck |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I believe Ranger is still using wood in the transom. |
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Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Ranger uses a pulltruded fiberglass transom these days. |
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Posts: 71
Location: Lake St. Clair | I have a 621 and run it on Lake St. Clair and Erie. It is a very good boat for these waters.
I will be buying another one if my 2003 sells.
The large livewell is great, as for a Lund it does not have the livewell that will hold a decent size muskie.
When I am trolling and we catch a fish I put the fish in the well as soon as the hooks are out.
This allows me to set things back up and I have the other person revive the muskie.
When it is time for the release the fish comes out and quick picture is taken and the fish is released.
Just some of my thoughts regarding a 621.
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | There is rumor on the street that Tuffy is roughly 12 mos. away from a mid range (18' 6" x 92 or 96 wide). If they put the new interior in this rig it is a winner for sure. The 1760 is an awesome boat for two anglers or three experienced anglers as stated above. But I agree on the three angler challenge if one or two of them are of the novice or new level. I personally love the 18 - 19 foot type boats, seems to suit my needs the best, and my wife likes that size boat and feels safe in it when we are on big water, another plus. I don't need or want a 20 footer. Think a few inches either way is no big deal...ask your wife/girlfriend  But seriously it does make a difference.
Regardless of what I do for the 2005 season, there is no doubt Tuffy is back and in a big way and would encourage anyone to take a good look at them before making a choice. More good things to come over the next few years from what I'm hearing.
Tuffy has good regional market acceptance as does some of the other glass brands like Yar-Craft, and Warrior. In the deep V line of boats these brands are the alternative to the more costly brands like Ranger and Triton.
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Posts: 814
| I not trying to change the subject but since we are talking about tuffy's I have a 1999 tuffy esox magnum and was wondering if the floors in my boat are made of wood or are they made of some sort of composite material? thanks for your help  |
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Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 1999 would be composite, I believe. |
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Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Mike,
Lund makes a fine big water boat. I see a number of them on the big Muskie and Walleye waters of North America, and they seem to be pretty well built boats. Handle the rough stuff very well, too, and are a fair piece less $$$ than a 620 Ranger.
Since the question was why Tuffy or Ranger, I'll toss this in:
Watch over the next few days for the new www.tuffyboats.com website. Compare. Features, benefits, and price, performance, rough water handling, and speed. Compare. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Sorry for my advice.
Edited by MikeHulbert 1/2/2005 1:01 PM
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Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 'Sure I have a Lund, but I don't fish BIG waters. ' That's what you said in answer to 'Smoke', our anonymous friend.
Just noticed some folks might misunderstand what you said and I know quite a few folks here have Lund rigs. The folks at Lund DO check in with us here now and again too, so in the interest of accuracy I brought up the fact Lund makes some pretty nice big water rigs.
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Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | OK, anyone interested in the all new Tuffy line, were HOT as of tonight:
www.tuffyboats.com
If you get the old site, hit refresh to clear it from your Cache.
Enjoy! |
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Posts: 633
| Looks pretty good so far Steve. Small problems on the Rampage page. Look at the layouts of the Console, and Tiller models. They have them switched. Also should the back corners be red? Those are some small rod lockers then in the corners. Shouldn't those be batteries?
Actually looking at the 2060, you might want someone to go through, and double check all the color coded areas. Might confuse someone, with Red for rod lockers, and then Red up at the bow, and down the sides.
Otherwise looks pretty good.
Lance
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Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I'll get the line drawings switched. The color of the rod locker is several shades darker that the outlines of the cap and gunnel, deep red to light red. Actually, burgundy to light red. Glad you like the site! |
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Posts: 376
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin | The new site is 10x better than the old one Steve. |
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Posts: 516
Location: Kildeer, IL | The new site isn't 10x better, it is 100x better. No offense, but the old site was pathetic.
One request. Can you add wallpapers to your site? I would like a full size picture that I could use as my wallpaper.
Are the brochures updated too? |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Setme31,
In talking with Steve over the past few weeks there is a new brochure on the way as we speak. Suspect you'll hear of it in the next few weeks.
Mark Hintz
Mark Hintz Outdoors
www.muskyadventures.com |
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Posts: 15
Location: Menominee MI, in Da UP, eh? | Y'all mind if I weigh in on this?
You name a big water boat and anyone will defend it as well as defend their own choice. The fact is there are a lot of really great boats out there. And each is different in some way or another.
Speaking from having seven different brands of boat over the years, there was only one brand I bought more than once. It was Ranger. They make a fine boat to be sure and lead the industry in innovations on some things.
As you see in my signature I am now a Patriot Pro Staffer. The boat is different than Ranger for sure, but in big water the ride is awesome. Not that this is meant to be a commercial for any boat...
Why the change? A lot of reasons, both personal and professional. Being at a crossroads in my life, it was time to re order some priorities, and at that time I felt several sponsorship deals were stagnating and went looking for a challenge and a smaller company to have fun with. For me, helping something grow and become is more fun than standing at the top yelling "we're number 1" or some such thing.
To the issue of Tuffy, they were the first company to sponsor me and my first glass boat, which was purchased before the sponsorship deal was made. Enough about me...
These new Tuffy's are awesome and the best lineup they have ever had, IMHO. Fiberdome indeed has stepped up to offer a great boat line competitive in many different types of water and fishing. Tuffy has, in my estimation, always lead the drive for a true glass Musky boat, and were the first, aside from Lund with the Mr Pike, to have a boat dedicated to Musky anglers in the Esox.
The new web site is awesome, as awesome as the new lineup. I may be slightly partial as a friend of mine did the new web site, but just the same, wow.
As a recomendation to anyone considering a new boat, of any brand, take the advice gained on these boards as well as your own observations. The salesman will be some help too. However, temper all advice through this filter, "What does the advisor have to gain from me buying this boat".
Pro staffers will always be Pro company, sometimes rabidly....LOL!!! (You should have talked to me 5 years ago to see what I meant by that)
Guides and everyday anglers opinions also carry a great deal of weight, and most guides will tell you straight out about the boats, as well any angler that bought a boat because he reserched it.
Please don't get me wrong about what is said above, don't discount a Pro's advice. These guys run these boats and run them hard, in all sorts of nasty stuff. I guess the point is, there are some dozen or more "Big water" boat lines all with accompanying Pro's. All say they are the best. Clearly only one can be the best. But that is for you to decide.
As to the original question the Tuffy vs the Ranger, they are both different hulls and will handle the same water differently, with the same guy at the controls. The best advice would be to run them both, yourself, in similar conditions. I have always found contacting a few different guys at tournaments a good way to get rides in different boats for comparison.
After all that, use the filter and decide for yourself, drive the boat yourself and buy based on your needs, you will never go wrong.
Edited by Nofish 1/9/2005 10:12 AM
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| Well, I don't have a sponsor but I have 18 yrs of Composites background. The industry is changing faster than most of you can imagine. Epa and technology continue to push manufacturers to change the way they build boats. In my opinion this will produce a better boat in the future for you and I. Unfortunatley most people have no idea what a good composite boat is. In the future you will hear about Infusion. Infusion will give you a lighter faster stronger boat. The method introduces the resin to the fiberglass by using atmospheric pressure to push the resin into the laminate after vaccuum has been applied to the laminate. This consolidate the fabrics and produces a void free part. Using the infusion method I can make a 50% glass 50% resin laminate by weight. The so called hand laminated boats were at one time considered to be the best thing in composites. The hand laid laminate can only give you a 70% resin 30% glass ratio this make a heavier and weaker boat. Raw materials continue to sore in the Composites Industry as well as in the Aluminum lines. If you truely want to buy the best boat for your money do some research. Don't just buy cause it looks good or it has good rod storage. I wish you luck in finding the best boat for your money. If you do your research you will be happy for many years. You'll also get some good chuckles when you find out you know more than the guy your buying the boat from.
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