Posted 3/9/2013 6:13 PM (#624654 - in reply to #624604) Subject: RE: Ranger 175T
Location: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
I just spent sometime in one at Pamp's in Green Bay. I know that is not the same is fishing out of one. Still, looks like a great boat for small lakes. The fit and finish is Ranger, the hull is a classic 681 and that is simply fantastic. I have fished out of that boat and really love the hull for rough water especially when you consider the size of the boat. I love Tiller boats... I just happen to love rear casting decks for muskies even more. I'm not sure I want to be dancing on the back carpeted pads near the motor doing a figure eight.
Still, I love this little boat and I would bet it would be a special tool on lakes of a few thousand acres or less.
Posted 3/10/2013 12:09 PM (#624815 - in reply to #624771) Subject: RE: Ranger 175T
Posts: 9
Thanks Steve for the video. Its one i have not seen and it really show the boat well. I'm understand this is not a big water boat but I never fish big water. I have been running a Tuffy 1700 SC for about 7 years and I do love the boat but I grew up running a tiller boat and I think I will alway will love them just a little more. Love the open feel. I have been waiting for ranger to come back to a boat like this one. How was the performance of the the boat if that was you doing the video. Thanks again.
Posted 3/10/2013 6:55 PM (#624928 - in reply to #624815) Subject: RE: Ranger 175T
Posts: 206
I have been in a 175t in the show room and I think Ranger makes a great hull. However, there are a couple great drawbacks to this boat IMO. First, there is little/no bow storage (besides a small cooler). If I'm on a fishing trip with a partner - where does he put his gear bag, tackle box/trays? Gets tossed on the cockpit floor, not a great option. Even the old 681 this was modeled after had better bow storage.
Second, if you cast much there is really no rear deck. No butt seat option.
I have owned a Ranger before, and never have had a Tuffy but I would honestly buy a Tuffy tiller before the 175t. The Esox rear deck option is a superior feature unless you just jig for walleyes all day.
Posted 3/10/2013 9:09 PM (#624971 - in reply to #624604) Subject: Re: Ranger 175T
Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN
No rear casting area in the Ranger hurts. I really wish they could put one into all of there Tillers. A 620 or 618 tiller with a rear casting area would be awesome.