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| anyone run one of these ? looking into getting one any info would help. |
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Posts: 144
| I ran the console model for three seasons. It was a nice boat for inland lakes, but would not make a good, everyday big water boat. The ride was smooth and dry except when trolling in windy conditions. The boat is more of a bass boat than a multispecies or deep v boat so it sits very low to the water. My boat had a150 opti and a 9.9 kicker. In my opinion, putting a kicker on it was a bad idea because it threw the ride characteristics off. The boat would list to port side while on plane whenever I had a passenger with me. The 618 fishes three people easily, as long as everyone does not bring a ton of their own stuff. There is not a lot of floor space. If you get both casting decks, the third guy will have to sit on the floor because the decks cover up the extra seat bases. If I had it to do all over again I would have gotten a four stroke main engine and no kicker.
The 618 is a great boat for fishing smaller inland lakes but not a good choice for everyday big water fishing. Just my opinion. |
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Posts: 385
| If you go with the 618T, it's a whole different boat. Much wider, longer, three times the storage, and higher off the water. That's one of the reasons I went with the tiller model. |
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| I have a '05 that I have run the last two years... its a great boat! I mainly fish alone and is a perfect size boat for two people. You will get wet occasionally fishing big water but it does handle ok in Big water. I mainly fish Leech and Cass Lake in Minnesota. I like the fact that it sits lower in the water. I have a 125 Merc and fishing alone will go 45mph and rides smooth. It trailers easy... and is a VERY LUCKY boat! My wife caught a 50" in a tournment last fall.. made her day. The first time I took it out I caught a 51.5"! It fits in my garage with the 84" width which the 90+ inch boats do not. |
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| I've been curious about the kicker. With weight distribution or moving the kicker would it have been better? |
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Posts: 1270
| The Wisconsin Mucky Alliance is raffling off a 618 so I have looked at it a couple times at different shows etc. Personally if I won it it would be for sale ASAP! If all you do is fish smaller lakes I guess it would be nice enough but any big water and I think you will wish you had something with some more depth to it. And the storage space is basically non-existant. I also don't like the way the seats are bolted right to the floor, they seem so low that there is no place for your legs to support you when you are in rough water.
Don't get me wrong, I like Rangers but I think they didn't do a very good job on this model. |
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Posts: 215
Location: Twin Cities | Wow, these reviews actually suprise me. I am actually looking into buying one of these boats too and have done a TON of research on them and talked to alot of 618VS owners. This is the first bad thing I have heard about the boat. Every guy that has one says the exact same thing "I love it!" I have heard that storage space is somewhat limited, but if you use some imagination, you can use the extra front deck to create some more storage. I have talked to guys that are dumping they're 619's and 620's to buy a 618. I have also heard that you stay just as dry as the guys in the 619's and 620's about 95%+ of the time. You can actually store a 8ft rod in a 618 too, theres at least one plus. Well maybe some guys that actually have them can speak up about them. |
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Posts: 1270
| Just an observation: Most people after spending $30k+ on a boat don't want to talk bad about it. Personally I would take a hard look at a 1760 or 1860 Angler before decising on a 618. |
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Posts: 144
Location: Green Bay, WI | I can't imagine anybody dumping a 619 or 620 to buy a 618. |
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Posts: 734
| I ran a 618 counsel last year and am running a 619 counsel this year. I think that the 619 is quite a bit more boat. If you can afford it go with the 619.
Just my opinion.
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Posts: 375
Location: Browerville, Minnesota | Is the 618 Ranger's answer to the old 681/690 series boats? They seem pretty similar in setup of the boat. The 618 does not seem like the other Fisherman series. Just wondering |
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Posts: 346
Location: In the slop! | Manta18, the 618 is indeed the replacement for the 681. The 618 is slightly wider and longer, (about 4 inches each way if memory serves) than a 681. My guess is the changes were made to accomadate the heavier outboards of the 4-stroke, DFI era.
I have a 2001 681 (bought new in June of that year) and love it. It has been in some pretty rough stuff and I never felt scared. I like the changes Ranger made when they went to the 618.
My job has been uncertain for the last few years and will be over in November or I would probably be driving a 618 now. |
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| Any of you guys have a problem hitting the trolling motor with the front roller when launching?
Chris |
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Posts: 144
| I have had that problem with every ranger I've had. Do you have a minn-kota? On a deep launch you can't go in very far or this will happen. Back in and hit the brakes so that the boat slides down the bunks. When you back in too far the back of the boat floats up and the trolling motor catches on the roller. Haven't had the same trouble with my motorguide. It seems like the minn-kotas stick out farther. |
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| I ran a 681 for 8 years. Loved the boat ,very much the same as a 618vs. Mine had a 135 opti and a 6hp kicker on the port side. But i cant imagine ever going back to a smaller boat now that i own a 620vs. More space, better handling at higher speeds , as well as in rougher water. Just my 2 cents! |
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Posts: 699
Location: Hugo, MN | The 618 Beam is way too small 83" the 619 is 96" much better for rough water. |
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Posts: 454
| My good friend owns a 618 and it is alright. The ride is a little rough in tougher conditions and it just seemed like I was in tight surroundings as it seemed quite narrow. Like it was said before, if you can afford it , it is worth moving into the 619 or 620. Is Ranger the only brand you are considering?
I just was on the market for a new boat and I looked exclusively at fiberglass boats as that was my preference. But I would take a look at Ranger, Skeeter, Tuffy, Triton, etc... and then make a choice that is best for how YOU will use the boat, and what YOU want to spend because in the end, it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
Tony |
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Posts: 66
Location: Onalaska, WI | I purchased a 1860 angler this spring and so far I love it!
I found for me it was the "happy medium" between the 618 and the 619. If you compare the specs it's 6" longer than the 618vs, 13.5" wider beam and 4+" deeper cockpit. While it is a foot shorter than the 619 it is still 1/2" wider beam and deeper inside depth. While the 1860 is 225 lbs. lighter than the 619 it still has a "Total persons, motor, gear" rating of 1700 vs 1750 for the 619 and only 1375 for the 618 (unless you're talking tiller model which is a whole different deal for the 618T as Matt stated earlier).
If you're a "power hungry fastest boat kinda guy" they limit you to 175 max in the 1860; I believe this is a part Rangers' market segmentation strategy between the 600 series and the Angler series. the other part of this segmentation is the price tag--They're making a run at the aluminum guys that just wouldn't or couldn't pop for one of their 600's with the angler series.
Well, their approach worked on me! I powered with a Yamaha 150 4-stroke--she pops out of the hole like a dream and has so far reached 46 mph on gps with limited efforts/opportunities to run wide open for very long. Plenty of juice for my needs and so far doing me just fine without the expense of a kicker. I upgraded to the Terrova 80 lb. and have not yet experienced the roller issue mentioned above and a so far pleased with Minnkota's improvements here.
The rod locker is great and will hold six 8 footers on the top row and another half dozen 7' 6"ers on the bottom row. A couple less storage compartments than a 619 and a few less bells and whistles included in the package, however you can upgrade and add on and still be thousands of $$ less than a 619 or 618 for that matter.
I checked into Tuffys, Tritons ad several others but for my needs and budget the 1860 seems like it will work out great for my Muskie and multispecies needs.
At the end of the day it comes down to what YOU personally want, how and where you'll fish and how much you want to spend.
Whatever way you go I will say this; The attention to detail and Quality of Customer service from this company is as advertised and refreshing to experience in ANY Industry.
Oh--one more thing:
The RangerTrail Trailers--WOW!
Feel free to e-mail or pm me if you have any qtns. or want to go for a test ride (or a test fish--even better!)
Edited by Mertot 6/12/2007 1:18 AM
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| I believe the 681 was more of a v-hull than the 618 ... closer to the 618T than the 618VS. Someone who has run both, please chime in!
I have fished out of (not owned) both, and they're both great boats. The 618vs is fast and extremely fishable. The fact that a kicker throws the ride off makes me lean towards something else. I have heard complaints about the ride of the 619 in rough water. I've fished out of a 619, but not in rough water. Any comments on that issue from somone who runs a 619 on Mille Lacs, Leech, etc? |
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Posts: 5874
| I've been in several pre-2007 619's on Green Bay. My back hasn't been right since. Very hard riding boat. Almost as bad as a Lund 1900. |
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| I've been in 619's on mille lacs in rough stuff, been in 620's in big stuff, 618's both console and tillers....the 620 rides quite a bit better than the 619 but i wouldn't exactly call a 619 a bad riding boat ...they can handle whatever gets dished out and will handle it better than a 618 console imo.
Mark Hintz has a 618 console he custom fitted some decks in and he seems to love it...I think they are a good boat unless you are on BIG water quite a bit....
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| I've heard about the 619's rough ride too many times from too many reputable people to believe otherwise. It's too bad because a 19' Ranger Fisherman is obviously a great sized muskie boat for a lot of guys. Did they redesign the 619's hull for 2007? |
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Posts: 1270
| I've rode in a lot of different boats and for it's size I would say that a 619 rides just about like any other glass boat of that size. They still ride a whole lot better than a Lund, Crestliner, or other aluminum boat in the 19' range. I find he quality of the ride has as much to do with the operator as it does with the boat. Some people say "drive it like you stole it" I say "drive it like you are still making payments on it"! |
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Posts: 5874
| Yes redesigned 619 for 2007, on the scope the 2006 620's. Took out the setback, flat transom in back. More swept back hull, it looks like it should be a better riding hull then the old design 619. But i'll bet it takes water over the bow when sitting in 2 footers, like the 2006 620's do.
I've been in one 618, and like the layout. Was on a smaller lake, so cannot comment on the rough water ride. I have seen Mark H's boat, and it is a nice layout for muskies.
Edited by Shep 6/12/2007 3:53 PM
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| guess i should have been more specific about my question. i'm not a big water guy fish sturgeon bay for smallies anb winnebago chain for walleye but only a couple times a year.fish mostly inland waters for bass and musky just looking for an all round good boat . owned a tuffy esox in the past curently fish out of lund pro-v just really like the glass for control .thanks for all the input i'll take into consideration some stuff noted here when it comes time to buy. again thanks ! |
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| Wow, that really sucks. I have the exact same boat & motor & same year. I love the boat and have not had any problems at all with mine. But I will be doing an inspection looking for any signs of what happened to yours right away. Hope it works out for you. |
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| Love my 618, fish V and LOTW often, sits low in the water but is pretty good in the rough stuff as well. |
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| anyone run one of these ? looking into getting one any info would help.
once you've heard all kinds of input like this, the best thing to do is to actually get out in one and see what you think for yourself.
go for a ride, put it through it's paces and do some fishing to see if the boat fits your style of use.
i suggest you then do the same with a couple other comparably sized and priced boats by the same and other manufacturers.
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| I would love to let you know what happened but they just pull my stuff. |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Every boat company has warranty issues. It's OK to let us know what happened with the boat, but not in the context of bashing; fine line- but the way it is here. |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | As mentioned by Shep and BN, I do have a 618vs and I love it, for what I do. Primarily Musky's in WI with a couple trips a year to "BIG" (Mille Lacs, Ontario, Etc.) water.
I previously owned a 690 and I honestly wish Ranger would still make this boat. Yes the layout of the 618 is the same as the 690/681 and older Tuffy series with the side tanks. However the hull for the 618 is a touch different. It is NOT a bass boat hull, it ineed is a "V" hull however the sides are not as deep as most traditional V's. As far as ride is concernd. It is smooth and dry, unless you are quartering into 2+ foot waves....Then you are going to get some spray blown back at you as the consol is set back in the hull. I actually think my 618 rides a bit nicer than my 690 did.
Mine has a 135 Optimax on it and it cruises with two people mid 30's at 3500 RPM. Top speed is low 50's with the way I have it loaded. I do not have a kicker on it, however if I can see where a kicker could possibly make this boat list slightly to one side. I think a 6-8hp kicker would be more than enough. If I were to purchase a new 618vs today it would most definately have a four stroke on it. I know you can troll with Opti's, I don't but with a four stroke it's a touch quieter and you can troll forever and not worry about it.
Also as mentioned I did some custom work to my 618 to increase storage and make it more user friendly, I have MS-Word Documents with it illistrated that I would gladly email to you if you're interested.
All that and what has been said eariler is fairly sound advice. I would make these considerations.
1. Fish primarily lakes under 10,000 acres = 618vs should suit you fine for muskies, bass, walleye's.
2. My primary lakes are Mille Lacs, Big V. and LOTW and I fish when it blows hard enough that the birds can't fly straight = best look for a used 620 or 2060.
You want a ride in 618 and are around Chippewa Falls / Eau Claire, call me.
I also agree with Shep's 619 assessment on the previous hull models. And you can't put more than one long rod in a 619 rod locker. I almost bought a 619 until I actually put rods (or tried to) in the rod locker. 618, I have 81/2 footers in my locker right now. Although I hate the rod tubes and prefer the open box style rod locker in the old 690's.
Would I buy another 618vs...Yes.
Other models I would now consider include Ranger Angler Series ( I know Herbie is quite happy with his), I would also take a look at Tuffy's new X195 as it has similar characteristics to the 618vs. Tuffy 1800 series is another possibility.
Final Comments:
618vs and X195 and alike models are completely different boats than 619/620/1890 etc. They are not an apples to apples comparison, each has it's own features and benefits. YOU need to decide what works best for 90% of your fishing. |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Mark,
The X series is a low profile, high performance V hull, but there the similarity to the 618 ends. The X190 rates for 115 HP to 200 HP. A Merc 175 Pro XS moves her along loaded at about 63 MPH. The interior is available in the Osprey or Esox Deep V configurations with or without a large, gull wing lid storage/rear deck module, with a 52" rear mount livewell, 8.5' rod locker, plenty of deck room for 3 muskie anglers and necessary gear. According to Tuffy, the price point on this rig will be extremely competitive.
Tuffy has a 1700, 1760, 1890, and 2060 in the Fully capped Esox Deep V models, and the same in the low profile multi-specie G series which has the Esox Mag style gunnel. I'm fishing an 1890 Dual Console in the G series, and really like it.
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Steve,
I'm going to take a look at the one Zach has in his area. I'm in that area every other week for work.
I really like the looks of this one in terms of versatility for WI/MN/CA multi species.
I have several people who have already told me they would buy my 618 if I decided to sell... Although you and i have been around this business long enough to know how that goes.. 
This model really has my interest up.
What's the width/beam on this new model?
Thanks Steve, Have Zach email or PM me his contact info. I will be in LX area next week.
Best,
Mark |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 90" |
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| hey Mark..shoot Milia, aka Maverick an email..i bet he'd buy your 618!
If anyone knows of a good clean 681 with a 135-150 on it shoot me an email
[email protected]
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