|
|
Posts: 91
| I am considering this slightly used ranger and was wondering if anyone could provide me with any information? I fish primarily smaller lakes. Currently I have 2001 16 ft. Lund rebel so it's a nice upgrade for me but am I really gaining that much besides horsepower?
It has a 90 h.p. not sure of top speed.
I am also considering a tuffy.
Any input whether positive or negative would be appreciated.
Thank you |
|
| |
|
Posts: 152
| I don't know about the ranger, but Tuffy has an awesome series of boats for smaller lakes. I have an older Tuffy Stinger (I believe it is now the Esox Magnum) and it is awesome. Cuts the waves very nice and tons of casting room. Great value.
www.tuffyboats.com
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | You will not be getting a speed demon but an excellent boat. You can fish small lakes and handle big lakes as well with that 618t. It's a great all around boat a very versatile tiller one of the best out there. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 106
| I have a 2004 618 tiller with a 90 Johnson/Suzuki, and I like it very much.
Top speed is 33 to 35 depending on load.
I have the enginesteer power steering that I wouldn't be without.
I'm not sure what all you want to know, but I imagine you would be happy with the Ranger.
If you have any more questions just ask. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 91
| Seems like they may be a little under powered. Can this boat fish three people without feeling crammed? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | The boat can fish 3 people with out being crammed. No problem if you have 3 experienced casters. One on the bow, one in the middle on the rod locker, and one can stand on the the back.
For some the boat is under powered and would prefer the 115 on the back but that is not an option with the boat. IMO the 90 when propped right is just fine. If your looking at them you will probably get a little better performance out of the boat with an ETEC, than any other motor. |
|
| |
|
Location: Not far enough north! | "Currently I have 2001 16 ft. Lund rebel so it's a nice upgrade for me but am I really gaining that much besides horsepower?"
You'd be gaining 2' in length and probably beam too. It's a lot more boat than you have. See if you can find a ride in one before you buy to determine whether its worth the money for you... Under Power is a relative term. Just cause a boat can't do fifty doesn't mean it won't handle great. A boat that will not get on plane is under powered.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | You are gaining a lot of boat compared to that 16 foot lund.
Plus it's glass and will flat out fish better compared to the Lund.
I've fished in my dad's 16 foot lund and it does not even come close to the 618T the ride is way better, boat control will be better, trailer is better, live wells are better, you could go on and on.............
You will not be disappointed.
Edited by Pedro 7/19/2013 9:31 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 106
| Mine isn't "under powered" because it will get on plane with 4 people and all their gear, but it isn't fast either.
Compared to a 16' rebel, the 618 has more and drier storage, good rod storage of 14 rods up to 9', a 50" live well plus a smaller live well.It will also ride much smoother and handle better.
And, yes it can fish 3 people. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 94
| Sorry to jump in on this, Pedro do you think the 618T is big enough for lakes like vermilion and mille lacs? I also read somewhere that it takes like 9 seconds to get up on plane, is that true? I have been looking at tiller boas as well Im between the 618T, Lund 2010 pro guide- which I can get a 150 four stroke for same price as fierglass boats, and the skeeter wx2000T . Have you seen or been in these othere boats? I mainly musky fish northern wisconsin but I go to vermilion twice a year. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 532
| I do not have the 618 but 9 seconds to plane seems to me to be either human error or a boat that is poorly set up. My 681 with a 70hp would plane out quicker than 9 seconds, and I keptit balanced correctly and had to trim it but it did better than 9 seconds
Edited by anzomcik 7/28/2013 9:02 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | There are boat tests out there if you google them. Nine seconds to plane sounds rather high and poorly set up. The 618t can handle Vermilion easily and anything you want to fish. I fished in a 2010 pro guide last night on Minnetonka and boat control sucked, aluminum flat out does not fish as good as fiberglass. The owner of the boat had fiberglass prior and is switching back to a Ranger.
If you look at the other Tillers like the Skeeter I'm sure it's a great boat and can handle just as good as a 618T. I personally have only owned Rangers and would buy nothing else. Fit and finish of them cannot be beat IMO. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 246
| It's a crying shame the 618 T Max is 90 HP, 115 or 125 HP and They would be awesome. I wish I could get a dealer to put a 115 on one for me! Try and make sense of this ! Weight to HP ratio!
175 T Length 17.6' Max Hp 75 - 1200 # BW = 16.0 # Per 1 HP
618 T Length 18'4 Max Hp 90 - 1400 # BW = 15.5 # Per 1 HP
620 T Length 20'1 Max Hp 200 - 1725 # BW = 8.625 # Per 1 HP
Double the HP per # vs the other two models! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 106
| double J - 7/28/2013 8:51 AM
Sorry to jump in on this, Pedro do you think the 618T is big enough for lakes like vermilion and mille lacs? I also read somewhere that it takes like 9 seconds to get up on plane, is that true? I have been looking at tiller boas as well Im between the 618T, Lund 2010 pro guide- which I can get a 150 four stroke for same price as fierglass boats, and the skeeter wx2000T . Have you seen or been in these othere boats? I mainly musky fish northern wisconsin but I go to vermilion twice a year.
I have fished Mille Lacs more than a few times and only once could have used a bigger boat. I get a lot of spray in 4+ foot waves, unless I go nearly strait with or into them.
I can't say which would be better for your type of fishing.
The lund would be faster and being longer and deeper may be better in big waves.
The 618 has bigger better livewells and has more and longer rod storage, 14 rods up to 9', plus dry storage compartments.
The 618 will handle better and ride smoother, it will also sit lower in the water at rest or low speed making boat control in the wind easier.
Edit to add, I have the Engine Steer power steering and really like it.But I read that it is no longer available on a 618. So if the Lund has power steering that might sway me in that direction.
Edited by ranger618 7/28/2013 7:05 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 106
| gmanny1 - 7/28/2013 1:22 PM
It's a crying shame the 618 T Max is 90 HP, 115 or 125 HP and They would be awesome. I wish I could get a dealer to put a 115 on one for me! Try and make sense of this ! Weight to HP ratio!
175 T Length 17.6' Max Hp 75 - 1200 # BW = 16.0 # Per 1 HP
618 T Length 18'4 Max Hp 90 - 1400 # BW = 15.5 # Per 1 HP
620 T Length 20'1 Max Hp 200 - 1725 # BW = 8.625 # Per 1 HP
Double the HP per # vs the other two models!
I agree, mine would be fun with a 150 or 175, and could easily take that much power. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 246
| I would be happy with 115 or 135 Ho E-Tec. In my buddy's 618 we get 35- 37 loaded with 3 guys with new 90 Opti! I would like to cruise at 40 mph without wide open throttle to preserve the motor. I got a 8 horse 4 stroke kicker to add as well. If any dealer out there would put on a bigger motor I would be highly interested. If I can get a Skeeter WX2000T with a 150 HP E-Tec that would work as well. Dam low HP ratings! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 315
| This is really funny to read!! My 2 cents...I have a 04 618 with 90 Merc 4 stroke... I fish mille lacs and verme a lot every year and I would rather be out on those lakes with that boat than any 20 foot ranger bass boat or a lund 17 or 18 footer...they have no problem getting out of the hole as long as you have a good stainless prop. loaded down with 3 people and gear I get 33 or so and less gear with 2 people i have gotten as fast as 36 or 37! Not crazy fast but my gas bill doesn't hurt my wallet either! 9 foot rod lockers are hard to beat and the stability and fish-ability is outstanding! Look around on the internet for 618 tillers for sale...you know y you wont find any? because none of us are selling them!
Edited by lookin4_big_gurls 7/28/2013 9:04 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | There are a few 20' plus (that's the key) tillers out there with 150 or bigger ratings. Over 20' there are no USCG restrictions on HP. Under 20', HP is calculated by a formula. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 246
| No doubt a great boat just the lack of HP keeps me personally from getting one . The MFG takes the same boat add a console and up the HP to 150. Steve it would interesting to know how the CG rates the same boat just one is a tiller and one a SC model and HP goes up? Can you buy a Skeeter or Ranger without a motor and put your own on from a different party?Thanks |
|
| |
|
Posts: 5874
| Pedro - 7/19/2013 9:46 AM
If your looking at them you will probably get a little better performance out of the boat with an ETEC, than any other motor.
I'd question that. The Opti has proven to be a better performer than the E-Tec overall. The E-Tec is a very good motor, but certainly not a better performer than the Opti. It is quieter than the Merc.
I've been in both the 618T and the 2010 Predator. I'd pick the Lund. If it's loaded right, boat control is not a problem. Much, much bigger boat.
Edited by Shep 7/29/2013 8:43 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The console formula is different than the tiller formula, due to where the driver is sitting, visibility as a result, a single hand on the steering mechanism, and the ability to steer a tiller far more abruptly. They will not consider a power tiller arm as remote steering, I called the USCG and asked. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 57
| I run a 2012 618t with a yamaha 90 and can get 37 w/ just me and 35 with 2 guys and gear. Holeshot is not 9 seconds. Quicker then that no doubt. Great boat and fit and finish is the best. The only thing I don't like about the boat is the anchor compartment up front. 16p mercury vengeance prop for me runs great. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 246
| Thx Steve! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 94
| Thank you guys so much for the info, im really sorry to highjack this thread but the input helped tremendously!
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 246
| Would it be possible to buy a new Ranger boat without a motor and have someone else mount an engine? I have a friend who just retired and could professionally mount it for me ? Thoughts? Thx |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2686
Location: Hayward, WI | gmanny1 - 7/30/2013 7:15 AM
Would it be possible to buy a new Ranger boat without a motor and have someone else mount an engine? I have a friend who just retired and could professionally mount it for me ? Thoughts? Thx
You can do anything you want. If you look hard enough I'm sure you could find plenty of illegal drugs and weapons to purchase too! People have rigged over-rated motors to boats before. I doubt you'd find many dealers willing to do it, and I doubt you'd find any insurance companies that would insure it. If all of that is okay with you, I'm sure you'd find a way to rig up a bigger motor.
If you really want a tiller boat, you have to come to terms with them all being "underpowered" or buy a 20+ footer with power steering.
Tucker |
|
| |
|
Posts: 246
| Thx Tuck! Figure this one out ?Steve do you has info on this one.
Ranger 620 T Dry Weight 1725 Length 20'1 Max HP 200 V- Rod With Pwr Steer or 150 HP normal
Skeeter WX 2000 T Weight 1975 Length 20'1 Max HP 115
Skeeter is 250# heavier than the Ranger and a 115 HP Max? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 94
| gmanny 1 skeeter is owned by yamaha and the mertens power steering that everyone is talking about is owned by mercury. yamaha used to have the rights to it so you have the older skeeters with the 150's. Because mercury owns the rights now they of course wont let skeeter ie yamaha use it. Anyways this is how the skeeter dealer explained it to me. I still cant afford the 620t with a 150 anyways |
|
| |
|
Posts: 5874
| Want a Skeeter with a Merc? Visit Mr. Marine in Fond du Lac. Great dealer. |
|
| |
Ranger 618T 2012