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Location: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin | Hello All,
I noticed that Ranger has a new Bay Boat out called the Bahia. Looks like the dimensions are the same as a 620 but only rated for a 150. Any thoughts on using it for a musky boat? I know Pathfinder is really pushing the concept for musky fishing. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I do like the CC design... think it may have some merit.
Edited by Badgerpat1 3/2/2013 9:53 PM
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | It's got more than merit, it works. I'll only ever own a bay for any species. I've fished from a Ranger bay the past five years and now I'm taking it back to Alaska with me for halibut, ling cod and salmon.
The Bahia has actually been around for a few years. The hull is different than that of the 620, though dimensions may be same/similar, thus the lower rating. The difference comes from chines, setback, rake, deadrise and such. It probably draws less too, but I've not been in one personally; just guessing it's got more of a true salt/bay heritage than the 600 series hulls.
Mine is older and is a true 225 hp 620 hull and it rides like one. It's a noisy hull, but handles chop and rough stuff well.
As for the center console design, I love it and you can do anything in it. It's nice driving standing up, picking your battles, seeing further and over the bow. And no carpet is good for rinsing out dog hair and fish poop. You'll tear my bay boat keys from my dead hands. |
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Location: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin | So... I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you (esoxfly) like the concept 
Wonder why Ranger has not done any active marketing of the concept here in the north country?
I live in Wisconsin and my cabin is on an over 3000 acre body of water. I do like to fish really BIG water once or twice a summer. A friend of mine and I went to a boat show and spent much quality time in various 620VS models. The fit and finish is fantastic! Storage galore!
However, it is a BIG, DEEP boat. I looked at the Ranger SW catalog and saw that the Bahia only drafts 12 inches of water... I was thinking how ideal that might be at LOW. I would like a big boat for stability and keeping dry, but I also want something to move near larger underwater hazards without adjusting the bottom of my boat if you know what I mean. The other plus is that the deck seems closer to the water for figure 8's, release of fish, etc.
I will look at a Pathfinder who actively markets to Musky guys... but I really like my current Ranger, dealer network, resell value, etc. All thoughts, comments and advice are always appreciated.
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Yes, I do love the idea. I've got a saltwater background and a few years ago I was shopping for a 620 and came across my boat...620 hull, bay cap...it was a marriage made in Heaven. I've been offered cash for my boat, but to go and buy a 20' bay boat now there's alot that I'd lose by "upgrading" to a newer model.
I wouldn't put much trust in the 2-4" of draft you gain in the Bahia for avoiding rocks. 4" is too little of a margin for my comfort, especially in bigger water where a 1' of chop is nothing. It may be good for getting in somewhere and fishing, but my tug still only draws 14"-16"...never actually measured, but I've been in shin deep water.
I'd not worry about Ranger marketing bay boats to muskie guys...they have an entire line already designed for and marketed to muskie guys. If Pathfinder made multi-species boats, they'd market them to muskie guys too. Bays are catching on for muskies, but their intended market is still 99.9% saltwater guys in FL and down south. |
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Location: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin | Esoxfly, any other brand I should consider? All others welcome to comment.
Also, found some material on the net that said the base for the Bahia is a Champion 220... it was on the web so it must be true:) Just wondering if you are familiar with that series.
Edited by Badgerpat1 3/3/2013 11:43 AM
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Posts: 245
Location: Madison | check out the bay cat, made by bass cat |
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Posts: 2097
| Pete maina uses a mako. |
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Posts: 26
| Can't go wrong with a yellowfin or shearwater. |
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| The Bahia is a shallow draft bay boat. It will not handle the chop anywhere near as well as the 600 series boats. It's almost a hybrid between a bay boat and a flats boat. Some guys even pole them. If you primarily fish small waters the boat will work well; I am a huge fan of the CC layout. Most shallow draft boats have very little keel and, if their designed to pole, they won't track that great with a trolling motor. Most know that I'm working with Pathfinder and have been very satisfied with their products; both in big water performance and in control with a trolling motor. There are many brands that produce CC bay boats and I'm sure many of them are good products.. I can't believe we don't see more of them than we do! |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | I ran a Mako 1801 with a 150 opti. for 3 years. I live on the Mississippi and it was a great boat for anything that i could throw at it.
Likes: Handled any water i could put her in, huge front deck for casting, all fiberglass, cleaned up easy.
Dislikes: For a guy with one neck surgery, I fould the lack of a comfortable seat a pain in the &%$. all rod storage was vertical, so casting with a 8.5' fishpole i really had to watch my backswing. busted up a few poles that were stored around the CC.
I sold it for those 2 reasons. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find ones with horizontal storage and a nice captains chair. |
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Posts: 55
| I had a 21" Sea Pro bay boat for about 3 years in the Florida Keys. I would have to agree with beerforthemuskygods about the likes and dislikes. Just look closely at the various brands. A couple years ago I fell in love with a 24' Shearwater bay boat but didn't really look that closely but I bet the price is 80000 plus. |
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Posts: 1252
Location: Walker, MN | I have fished out of a 21' Laguna (made by sea ray) for about 5 years and I love this boat. We bought it for a song and it does everything we ask it to do casting or trolling. The only down side I can see is the rod storage thing but I kind of like having my rods handy anyway. I mean do guys realy store all but one rod when they are fishing? You can always lay your rods down and strap them like you would in a Ranger. Ten years from now half of all Muskie rigs will be bay boats imo.
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Location: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin | Looking at the photo... I think it's time to grab the net:)
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