|
|
| I'm looking for a new rig and am having a hard time with what to get. So I thought I would get some input from the MF gang....
My budget for a new rig is $15,000-18,000, I've been looking at Tuffy,Lund and a few used Ranger bass boats. I really like the Rangers and wish I could afford a 620vs but that'll have to wait a few years. I can afford a few of the bass boats and they seem like they would work great for muskies with all that room to move around the deck. Then I just think I should get an Esox Mag if I'm going to get a low profile glass boat because they're set up great for muskie fishing, but the bass boat looks like more fun to drive. I've also been looking at the tin boats like Lund and Crestliner...I really don't like Crestliners or Warrior. Lunds are nice....probably biased because that's what I have now.
After I move from Minnesota I'll mainly be fishing Illinois/Indiana/S. Wisconsin lakes with a few trips to the Cave and back to Minnesota a couple weeks a year. Anyway, I just wondered what some of you would get if you had the same budget and were fishing the same waters?
Thanks...
[:halo:] PK[:devil:]
sshhhhhhh....I got a bite! | |
| | |
| Welcome to the flatland you FIB...lol
Based on where you will be using that boat, I can speak from experience, you won't be wishing you had a big water boat if you buy a bass boat. I take mine to Vermilion and a few other bigger bodies of water and haven't had any problems in less then 3 footers. Anything bigger and I don't really care what boat you're in, once you get to your fishing hole, you are going to be dancin' a jig on the bow trying to hold your position. The exception to this is; a. you want to troll, and b. you want to fish St. Clair.
Several of my friends fish muskies from a bass boat and I think they will all tell you that the fishability is outstanding. The DRY storage in a bass boat is far better then anything your have mentioned in your post, especially Lunds. I have storage boxes which I have retrofitted with sheets of plastic like the divider systems in Plano and Flambeau boxes for bait storage. I no longer need to drag those big heavy floorspace hawgin tackle boxes anymore.
Check out This Link for some outstanding deals on used bass boats. I dove about 8hrs to get mine and saved a bundle because there's a glut of them in KY, TN, etc. | |
| | |
| tuffy esox mag[:bigsmile:] | |
| | |
| PK...
I very recently went from an Esox Mag to a Used Ranger 690. I had fished from a 690 before and loved the layout. Earlier today I took mine out for the first time and there is no doubt in my mind I am happy with my choice.
One of the first things you should consider is making the decision between a deep v hull or the sponsoned type hull which is what the esox mag and many bass boats have.
To stay within budget you will be hard pressed to buy any new Tuffy including a "mag" unless you find a dealer that wants to unload inventory. You would however be able to buy a nice one or two year old rig from a Pro-staff guy. Nice thing is that they usually have some nice "candy"/extras already included.
There are several listed on the classifieds on this board. Including my old 2001 esox deep v tiller which is a great compramise for low profile with a deep v hull. That boat floated in 16" of measured water and took 3+ foot waves like they were nothing. A client of mine bought it earlier this spring and is moving to a different boat due to his family expanding. It has seen minimal use and has been stored inside since new. I think Wade is asking 15k for it and it's worth at least that.
Lund, Ranger, Tuffy, Crestliner, all make good boats, much depends on what you are looking for and can afford. I think the new Patriots will make a statement in the market place as well.
FYI...on www.walleyecentral.com classifieds under Saskachiwon (spelling not right) is a 96 Ranger 692 that I spotted today when I was verifying that my "mag" add was removed. You may want to check it out, looks like a great rig.
Good luck....best advice...fish from as many of the different models you are considering.
Mark | |
| | |
| PK, e mail me. I have a good friend that is selling his rig either this Fall or Winter. Nitro Savage Bass Boat. I will give you his name and number with all of the particulars. [email protected] | |
| | |
| PK,
If I were you and looking for a boat and like Rangers I would agree with Curly. Look for a used Ranger and the 690 & 692's are nice and have a ton of floor space. I would also highly recommend a used 681. A little bit smaller than my 620, but a pleasure to fish out of. Since buying my boat I have really become a huge fan of glass boats. Also with those models you aren't limited to the waters you fish.
-Phil | |
| | |
| PK
Paul Klein is selling his esox mag. asking 16,500. It's a 2002 if I remember right. Includes 2 Bottom Line electronics, autopilot troller, liquilube hubs etc. I've fished out of this one in some rougher water and it was perfect. Paul keeps his boats in showroom shape. I've seen a couple of them. It's worth a look if you're considering a mag. I believe it's posted on the boats board. If not, email me and I'll give you his addy.
I checked and it's posted there. 2002 Esox Mag Tiller posted by Zach. It was on the first post in there when I checked.
| |
| | |
| Not to start a war, but I've heard that Rangers will chine walk you all over the lake. If you're gonna get a bass-type boat, get a Gambler. Now, I know my view on this is somewhat slanted. There's a guy on the fishin.com boat page (also see the Ky. page) who I got my Gambler from. He's got a new one and is selling it for somewhere around your price range and it is fully loaded. You'll never be happier. And, you can land small aircraft on the casting deck.
OK, so my Green Streak didn't turn out to be the babe-magnet I thought it would, but hey, it could be the operator! m[:bigsmile:] | |
| | |
| If you really want a 620vs consider a used one
Good luck
| |
| | |
| I am also looking for a new rig in about the same price range as you. I think I will be fishing a little bigger water than you and sometimes I have 4 or 5 people in the boat for walleye fishing. I think I have decided that a Ranger 690 is right for me. If I were not fishing bigger water and mostly fished with only 2 guys in the boat, I think that a Ranger 681 would be a great boat in that price range, as someone above suggested. I think you would feel a little better about fishing in rougher water in a 681 than a bass boat. However, you would probably be fine in most situations with a bass boat, it would probably be a little cheaper and you will probably have a few more to chose from.
| |
| | |
| PK,
Now you can get to the other side of tonka without a head start [;)] . I say go a couple years used for the best deal. If it's bassboat or Esox Mag, no question bassboat. They'er the same depth and your probably going to pay close to the same money to have 100 less hp. They are VERY fun to drive! In bass boats, checkout ALL the brands and don't get sucked into the "Ranger is the only bass boat" trick. They make a good boat, but they're not the best at everything. If not the bass boat and your looking for value in glass deep V look into a used Ranger 690/692 or Tracker Targa 1900/2000. You should be able to get either boat for under the $20,000 mark. Remember, in MN you don't have to pay sales tax on used boats, just the trailers.
If you want new, check out tracker.com and themarinegroup.com and see what you like. My good buddy is the rep for these lines and I can see what he can find for last model year/excess inventory.
If your interested, my boat will be going on sale for next year for much less then what your target price is. | |
| | |
| PK,
Just a friendly response to the chinewalk post. I couldn't make my 620 chinewalk if I wanted it to, it will take a large wave for it to even bounce a little. The 681 I fished out of which had a suzuki 115 4 stroke was just as smooth as my 620. Check walleyecentral.com under it's classified area, they have a ton of boats.
Mikie, I think you have it mixed with the triton deep v models. I have heard some stuff about needing a jack plate for the chine walk problem, but I think that is only at full throttle.
-Phil C | |
| | |
| PK,
I was in the same boat(?) as you this year. I'd been looking forward to getting a new(different) boat for several years. I started out thinking I wanted a Tuffy 1760. Just couldn't get the price down to where I could pull the trigger. Then I looked at the Ranger 617 and 681, and the Triton 189. I figured as long as I was going to spend $26K+, I might as well look at spending another 3 or 4, and get more boat. Then the wife put the kibosh on that plan![:halo:]
So I had to rethink what I was going to do. I made another run at the Tuffy, but still couldn't get the number down. I had always liked lunds, and began to look at them. I looked at the Mr. Pike 17, and the Pro-V 1775. Didn't like the wide gunnels, and the vertical rod storage on the Pike. I then saw the 1700 Angler SS. Last year's Mr Pike 17. I liked the layout alot. The original boat I looked at had a 125 Merc, and a Shorelander roller trailer for $15,500. I priced out several motor options, an Eagle bunk trailer, and a kicker. One price I got with a 115 4 Stroke was around $16,850. This included the Eagle Spirit trailer, Pro Pole and Butt seat, and SS prop. I thought this was a very good deal, and almost bought this package.
I ended up going with the 135 Opti, upgraded the trailer even more, added a kicker, Smartcraft gauges, and the ProV seats. I really like the boat. Great for fishing ski's and eyes. Rides really good, and is fast. I expect the 115 4 Stroke would have been a good choice as well. This year, they upped the max hp to 140, I suspect to allow for the 140 HP Suzzie 4 stroke. High 40's with this motor?
Hope this helps. | |
| | |
| I would seriously consider the Ranger bass boat. I've had one since 1987 and wouldn't consider anything different. So much deck space to cast off of. The whole boat is a casting deck. Talk about ROOM to walk around. And you're so close to the water. Especially if you're fishing IL, WI, IN. There's not enough big water that should make you afraid of a bass boat. I have a 519.....big waves on Cass and Leech have never kept me off the water. Battled 4-5 footers, sure it was a challenge, but I was able to fish. (Ask Lungin how he faired in his 690) Even Lake Geneva can't beat me up with all of the powerboats and yachts. Now if you're planning on fishing Lake Michigan a few times a week, I would consider a Fisherman. | |
| | |
| Thanks for all the great feedback guys....
Treats, I totally agree with buying something a couple years old in a glass boat......huge savings. Yep, no more head starts for me[;)] no longer will I be HP challunged!
I'll keep ya'll posted and am sure I'll be looking for all your opinions in the near future on rigging whatever I choose to buy.
Thanks...
PK | |
| | |
| I would definatly buy a 2-3 year old glass boat. Let someone else eat all the depreciation. Make sure you get the motor checked out, compression test. Find out any major work, powerhead, gearcase. Definatly take it out and drive it. Each boat drives a little diff. Good luck!
| |
| | |
| Haven't seen anyone mention the Tuffy Rampage. Not 100% sure this is still a current model. Should be able to find one used though. I have a 16' model and it was available in 18'. Deeper then a esox mag(if you are fishing indiana with the jetskis and speedboats have fun in a esox mag), shallower then the new esox deepV. It has the sponsoned v-hull. Rides the water nice. Should be able to go very shallow with it based on my experience. Also, Ranger Cherokee aluminum. Last year is 2002, new ones are still on some showroon floors. The 217 or 207 are 2 models I like. GENMAR is the company that owns Crestliner, Lund, and Ranger. They just recently aquired Sea Nymph/Lowe. According to one genmar rep I talked to the biggest difference between the 3 is price not hulls. I believe the Ranger and Crestliner are all welded hulls and the Lund has rivets. | |
| | |
| Phish killer
treats boat rides perfect everthing in great shape Ive fished out of it tons this year,,,buy it while you can,,or anybody else on this board | |
| |
|
What boat would you buy????