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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | There is no such thing as a better boat. Why is there hundreds of boat companies? Because people have different preferences. Take a look at both and test drive them if you can. |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Well I think there are "better" boats. My boat is better for big water than would be a 16' Lund, or even 17' glass boat. I think it'd be correct to say there is no "perfect" boat. Every boat will be made up of compromises, and will shine in one setting and not be ideal for another. My boat rocks in big open water, but most bass guys would turn their noses up at it for lack of storage, not enough carpeted deck space, and the fact that it won't do 55. I love it for the room, the fishability, visibility, the "brute" nature of it and awesome ride on rough water. |
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Posts: 2752
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Guy's - No boat company can stay in business long if they are not satisfying their customers by providing great customer service. muskie boys - It's great you are asking for advice in an open forum (with some valid restrictions - which I have also violated and been admonished for - it was deserved) . But, muskie fisherman are very seldom considered as unopinionated.
The reality is that you are the one who has to be happy with your choice, i.e., it's like picking a girlfriend/wife/boyfriend/husband. The wrong choice is not pretty! So its much better to do your research- be impartial to race/brand. Set down and think about what you want and if you are willing to spend the money needed to get what you want.
If you want to compare them virtually side by side - go to one of the muskie show's. I'm pretty certain fine example's of both Tuffy and Ranger muskie fishing platform's will be available for your perusal.
Have fun!
Al |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | reef hawg - 12/30/2008 5:16 PM
Things I buy, from clothing on up, are painstakingly shopped for, with desired features from the different 'brands' compared, then price.
Reefer, I am incredibly curious, how long was the shop and compare before you finally pulled the trigger on that Pabst hat? |
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Posts: 32879
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Bet I know that one....years.  |
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| Why do you always lash out at me Norm(sniffle sniffle)? I handled the Schlitz cap several times before the trigger was pulled, thanks. The Hams lid had the little winter scene that revolved around on it and had me at first glance too. 9 volt purchases would have killed me. So I saved enough zip tabs required for mine, and yes, it took years. Reminds me, anyone remember those 70's vintage winter knit hats that had the actual aluminum cans flattened in the sides of them like dad had when I was a wee lad. Would love to find one. Might improve cell phone reception. |
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Posts: 99
| Sneaking over from the EYE side (bait for you guys), I bought a Tuffy 1890. My reason's for buying a Tuffy where not influenced by any sort of sponsorship bought out of pocket. I did allot of research talked with folks and I could not find a unhappy Tuffy owner, I am sure the same can be said for Ranger Boats and their owners. I am engineer by trade and have a good understanding how things are made and should work. I was going to by another tin boat, but after taking a peak at Tuffy, I found that as far as price goes they are extremely competitive on a apples to apples comparison.
I got to go and kick the tires on one, poked around it, checked out the wiring, structure, layout fit and finish they where excellent. I then talked to Steve W and got to take one for a test ride, I was sold. And I bought one. I am extremely pleased with it, ride, fishabilty performance is outstanding.
I got to ride in a 619 and it is a nice boat, but the 1890 rode a bit better, was faster with a smaller HP engine and was less coin, now granted Ranger does have allot custom features dash, gauges, lot more chrome doo dads, and that all adds to price of the boat.
Plus I like the fact they where built locally, not everyone has one. Plus it looks cool:), and anytime I had question Steve W and Steve B have always gottn back to me, this will be my third year in this boat and it has been flawless.
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Posts: 5874
| Nowhere did I say one boat was better than the other. I said that the Tuffy was a better value to me. And I did notice that as soon as the myth that the Ranger was fast er than the Tuffy was discredited, Bob deleted his claims of such.
Look, I've been in a lot of Rangers. They are built well, and have a lot of flashy stuff incloded. Stuff that costs extra, and I don't need or want. Yes, those compartments in the rear can hold alot od stuff, but they take up floor space, and are hard on the knees when in big waves. I was in a brand new 06 620 that took waves over the bow in 2 foot waves, just sitting there. As a result, the front storage compartments filled with water. I've seen plenty of guys bailing out their new 620 compartments after coming in from rough water. Never happens in my Tuffy.
As for not being in the same class? I already conceded that Tuffy is not in the same price class as a Ranger.There's no difference in the trailers, really. But the jack placement on the Rangers trailer is not very well thought out. |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | This has been a very interesting thread, to say the least.
I own a Crestliner, and while I have few complaints that can be directed toward the manufacturer ... I can (in retrospect) identify a number of things that should have been done this-way-or-that by the dealer that originally rigged the boat for me.
I believe some good advice when purchasing a new boat (and some of the guys have already suggested this in one way or another) is to get to know that boat you want to buy, and make sure that you have backtracked and changed your mind about rigging at least a couple of times before your purchase.
Yes, of course some things can be changed once you have taken possession of the boat ... but it sure saves a lot of time and trouble if you REALLY know what you want and decide if the dealer can rig the boat the way that YOU want.
I am certain that there are many, many ways the boat can be rigged, but the buyer is the one that has to live with such designs.
I hear Tuffy's are a great value for the dollar, but purchasing a new one without a dealer within 400+ miles (of me) seems somewhat of a risk. The "value" of that sale price must be weighed against the feasibility of having the boat serviced in case of emergency and necessity.
Craig
Edited by cjrich 1/2/2009 7:47 PM
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Posts: 32879
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Cjrich,
Tuffy intentionally is a regional company. Tuffy markets their product to a targeted 6 state area, focuses on three, and doesn't look to expand beyond that. When things are healthy in the Marine economy, Tuffy usually sells out their build potential in the area they serve directly, and has no desire to expand production. That said, there's lots of Tuffy boats across the country, from California to Florida. I've yet to see an owner who was unable to acquire service, as Tuffy can authorize a local service center to perform any work needed. |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | Thanks Steve.
That is important information to know.
Quite frankly, I'd rather be living in Wisconsin (in the middle of Tuffy country) right now anyway.
Craig
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Posts: 32879
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I don't know about that' it's below zero out there right now... |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | Touche!
Well, I didn't exactly mean at this hour ...
Edited by cjrich 1/2/2009 10:01 PM
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Posts: 355
Location: Wausau, Wisconsin | I REALLY enjoy catching fish in both of them...isn't that what it is about??? There is really no room for arguing on this subject. Chevy, Ford, buy what you like. Both are excellent, excellent boats. I have spent a lot of time in both and in very rough water. Both were dry and comfortable. There are a lot of people on this site who would probably be more than happy to give you a ride, that would be my suggestion. There is certainly a large price difference and speed difference. If you live in the north, there is certainly a piece of mind having Tuffy in your back yard and access and people like Steve just a click away. |
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Posts: 332
Location: Neenah, WI | I have had the pleasure of fishing out of a Tuffy 1890 ,1760 ,x190, and a 1760 Tiller, all great fishing rigs, With that being said I wanted to tour the tuffy boat factory before I buy my next rig and was told to drive down anytime and they would show me their facility. I work in manufacturing for a living and thought that was very cool.
Now Rangers - I own a (95' 690) great boat and I love it, I called down to Ranger because I wanted a front deck extension, I provided them with the Serial # and they gave me a price right away , they will build it and was actually cheaper than a new deck extension for a new rig. It also featured gull wing storage for 12 mag plano's (totally awesome)
For a company to build something 13 years after it was built and 11 years after the boat model is out of production is AMAZING!!
With all that being said it really comes down to price and what you are doing with the boat. If you are looking to buy a boat and keep it for 15 years or longer you really need to look at all boats that are comparable and make a informed decision.
I don't think you can go wrong with Ranger or Tuffy as long as you consider what you really want ahead of time.
Hook'em Hard
SAINT 1
Edited by saint1 1/3/2009 4:06 PM
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| Speed is not an issue, and I dont think it really should be. Contact Eric Olsen and ask him the speed of his 620 Ranger with a Evinrude 250HO. I'm sure it was documented over 70mph, and that aint a modified rig and he is not a racer. |
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Posts: 355
Location: Wausau, Wisconsin | Aren't most all competitive tournament fishermen racers? Who doesn't want to get to the spot first?
Edited by 8inchcrank 1/4/2009 6:33 AM
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Posts: 99
| I forgot to comment on the storage thing, I must say the storage in my 1890 is exceptional, I carry around probably to much stuff and I have room for it all, you can fit 15+ rods in this thing, and the stoage is DRY, last year I got caught in a rain storm of storms, I bet I had 2" of water on the foor it would not drain fast enough, I was in a bad part of the lake with no easy access to the cabin, so I rode it out thank goodness for Gore Tex, you know what not a drop of water in the storage compartments.
I actually had the sherriff stop be the ramp and tell there where tornados heading are way, that would have tested the kevlar reinforced keel;-)
To sum it up it is as they say a Fishing First boat. |
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Posts: 443
Location: Indiana | Maybe I am in the minority, or just lucky but I have had no issues with the compartments in my 620 getting wet. It doesn't happen in the rain. And does not take waves over the bow like many say the 620s do.
I admit that I haven't been out in seas much over 2' though (we just don't have the larger lakes here), but I haven't been anywhere close to getting wet feet. |
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Posts: 344
Location: Musky Country | mseybert - 1/4/2009 7:01 AM
Maybe I am in the minority, or just lucky but I have had no issues with the compartments in my 620 getting wet. It doesn't happen in the rain. And does not take waves over the bow like many say the 620s do.
I admit that I haven't been out in seas much over 2' though (we just don't have the larger lakes here), but I haven't been anywhere close to getting wet feet.
I wonder the same thing we have a 07 620 and the compartments stay completly dry and its rare to take waves over the front and We fish some pretty big water. |
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| I'm on my 6th Ranger and no complaints have went through 4 new 620 and no complaints. |
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