Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The 2100 is a stable fast hull. So is the 621. The 621 is the boat you want to compare to the 2100. Both control well in big winds. Both perform well in truly rough water. Neither would beat the other on top end by much with a 300. The Ranger is built in Arkansas by a large boat builder also responsible for Triton and Stratos, and the parent company is Bass Pro.
Tuffy is built by a small regional company in WI by Fiberdome, a family owned business. They both know fiberglass very well. Both have been in business for about the same length of time. Both have excellent resale value.
The front deck in the Tuffy is huge, so is the front deck on the Ranger. The Tuffy 2100 has a specially designed rear deck, which is removable, and comes in two interiors, one with side tank storage rear port and starboard, one with a giant open rear cockpit. Both feature large rear livewells. Just Encase builds a custom back deck box for both.
Both brands breed very loyal owners, who will say ridiculous things based upon pride in ownership defending the brand, which indicates an excellent company behind the product. At the end of the day, both are built like tanks by manufacturers who know the craft of FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) very well.
The really big difference is in the 'amenities' offered in the Ranger. You'll see the differences when you look at both boats. Sort of a top of the line Chevy and a top of the line Caddy, so to speak.
Used to be when I was working for Skeeter in the late 80's and early 90's, Ranger was compared to Caddy, Champion to Lincoln, and Skeeter to Ferrari. Each went for a fairly well defined buyer.
Since then, Ranger has sold three times, Champion is gone, Skeeter sold three times and is now a Yamaha company, and Tuffy was purchased by Fiberdome. No one ever compared Ranger to Tuffy back then, but they sure did in the early to middle 80's. Funny how things change so much with the long surviving brands while actually, not much changes...end of the day you are buying a fishing boat.
Get in both and talk to owners of both brands. See if you can get a ride in both. Compare features, ride, and price, and buy the boat that trips your trigger. |
