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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | OK guys I am currently the owner of a 2002 620vs. I have come to the realization that this rig is expensive to run and maintain. I absolutely love my rig but it requires a lot of $$$$$ to operate! Kind of taking the fun out of it.
I have been kicking around selling and downsizing. I've been thinkng a 618l with a 150 would save me some $$ and still fit my needs.
I want to stick with glass, and preferably a Ranger
Convince me to either stick with what I have (which is owned outright) or sell and purchase a downsized version.
Love some input from guys who have ran the 618 platform.
Thanks!
Edited by bdog 4/29/2013 7:23 PM
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Location: Green Bay, WI | What is so expensive about running that rig? Things wearing out? Engine on the fritz? What is it exactly that costs so much with that rig...?
It's an interesting topic for me as I am researching a boat purchase for (hopefully) this year.
TB |
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | Well fuel isn't cheap (boat, and truck to tow it)
35$ per gallon of oil
$400 for new trailer tires this year (tandem axle)
4 batteries and inevitably one or 2two go bad a year
I guess mostly its the fuel thea 225 opti burns.
Maybe I'm just whining but I am trying to find mire cost effective ways to fish! Lol
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Posts: 221
| Yea, it's expensive. But it's worth it. You know what that boats been through, buying a new one starts the process over. I'd stick it out. (Or ask your boss for a raise) |
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | Cool thing is I just got a raise! Lol
ya like I said I'm just kicking it around.
Weighing my options. I went through 5 boats to finally get into the on I alwayswanted so... |
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Location: Contrarian Island | might not be a bad idea if you can get into a 618 w a 150 4 stroke.... it will not eat the gas, and since it's a 4 stroke you can probably get by with an oil change every other year if you don't use the big motor a ton.... single axle trailer, pulls easier... if you fish waters where you don't 'need' the size of a 620 i'd definitely keep my eyes peeled for a 618 with 150 suzi or yami.... my 2 cents.
also if you are going thru a battery or 2 a year you should buy better ones! (agm rock)
Edited by BNelson 4/29/2013 8:05 PM
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Posts: 2097
| You already bought the tires. Towing a smaller rig will still eat gas. You could get a kicker and troll from spot to spot. You have a great boat. |
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | All good points. The other thing that is running through my head is my main motor. I am sittin with a 11 yr old big bore outboard, that (knock on wood) has ran flawlwssly for the 3 seasons I have run the boat. It's just stuck in the back of my brain that if/when she pops, which it seems most will at some point, where do I go from there? Repower with a new motor all together, rebuild powerhead.....etc etc... |
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Posts: 303
Location: Not where I want to be! | I own a 618vs with a 150 Suzuki FS. Boat fishes really well, decent for 3 but best fishing 2 people. Boat control is excellent. Fuel mileage is 5 3/4 mpg at 35 mph. You should not be going through batteries like that. Five years on AGM's and I fish alot.
A bit short on storage, trails at 13 mpg with a 1/2 ton truck. Easy to move around the driveway. Real happy with it, wouldn't want a 620. |
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Posts: 333
Location: menasha wi 54952 | Why worry about the engine going bad?? Deal with it if and when it happens. You want to talk about a fuel eater? I have a 1997 Mariner 175 EFI on my 692. That motor, compared to your Opti eats way more gas. When it dies I will repower and life will go on. Enjoy what you have and dont worry about it!!LOL!! |
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Posts: 1039
| Seems like a paid boat is better than a boat that isn't paid for....
All boats are going to use gas and oil, can't totally run from that cost, but you an minimize it.
Same thing on tires, wear and tear items.
If I were you, I'd keep the 620. That thing is pretty much the king of boats. And if the engine goes, then you could look at a Verado or E-Tech that may be more fuel and oil efficient, right? |
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | Yep the paid for part is hard to beat. One thing I love about it is the room inside whether I'm trolling eyes or casting muskies with 4 guys. Storage is great.
Thats another train of though I have. Stick it out with what I have and when/if the motor does go, re-power with a more fuel efficient model....
Lot sof good input. Thanks! |
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Posts: 164
| You could look into trading the motor in on a new more efficient putboard. |
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Posts: 5874
| That 620 is a pretty big, heavy boat. I'm sure the original Opti is probably not running as efficient as new, but it's about the best option for that boat. Repowering if that one should happen to go, I'd go with another Opti. Opti's are proven to get superior fuel mileage and performance then like sized 4-strokes and E-Tecs. They just aren't as quiet.
Stuck on Ranger if you downsize? There are some awesome boats out there for a lot less money. Tuffy, Skeeter, the new Triton, to name a few.
Edited by Shep 4/30/2013 2:58 PM
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | I'd be curious to see what trade in value on my motor would be? Id have to assume the newer model Merc 2 strokes are considerably better on fuel than the one I have now... Good enough to justify the trade in and out of pocket money I'd spend? Not sure on that one.
Kind of stuck on the Ranger brand, I've wanted on since I was 12, and havent been in a better rig yet. Personal opinion I know but It took me a looong time to get one and I'm not ready to not have one yet lol!
Edited by bdog 4/30/2013 3:28 PM
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Location: Contrarian Island | i don't think trading and put a new power plant on makes sense...gas is say 3.50 gallon, it will probably be another 10k easy to boot on a new motor, probably more like 12-14k, even if your gas mileage improves 25% your only going to cut your fuel bill per year by ~200 bux if you put 1000 miles on your engine... run the numbers, re-powering from a good motor to a new motor doesn't make 'sense' dollars wise....if your boat is paid for and you can get into a 618 w 4 stroke and have that paid for you will be money ahead right now, not 15 yrs from now....
There's Ranger, and then there are all the others.. ;o)
Edited by BNelson 4/30/2013 4:08 PM
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Posts: 2097
| Shep - 4/30/2013 3:54 PM
That 620 is a pretty big, heavy boat. I'm sure the original Opti is probably not running as efficient as new, but it's about the best option for that boat. Repowering if that one should happen to go, I'd go with another Opti. Opti's are proven to get superior fuel mileage and performance then like sized 4-strokes and E-Tecs. They just aren't as quiet.
Stuck on Ranger if you downsize? There are some awesome boats out there for a lot less money. Tuffy, Skeeter, the new Triton, to name a few.
That skeeter 1825 is a nice boat. You may be able to get almost the money out of your ranger to buy a new one? I know those big ranger's hold their resales but I don't know how high. |
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Posts: 470
Location: Blaine, MN | bdog - 4/30/2013 9:45 AM
Yep the paid for part is hard to beat. One thing I love about it is the room inside whether I'm trolling eyes or casting muskies with 4 guys. Storage is great.
QUOTE]
Have the other 3 guys pitch in, if they don't already... I would kick ya a couple bucks to fish out of that rig |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | I also say keep it. Alot of good points already...you've already put tires on it, all motors eat gas, paid for boat is the best boat and no sense in worrying about a motor that may or may not go. I blew a two stroke on my boat and hung a four....best thing that ever happened to my boat. A repower makes sense if you're gonna have your boat long enough to get your money's worth from it, but it'll take a long time to pay for itself in gas or even resale.
I say keep what ya got. It's a great rig and your fuel savings wouldn't be enough to justify a new boat payment or a new motor. Brad's right in that if you can get a smaller boat with a four stroke and have it paid for and you start running it paid for right away, then you'd be ahead a bit running a four. But it'll still cost money to tow and put tires on and until they make a Prius outboard, outboards are gonna suck the gas. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | One thing I notice with the guys that run BILLYBOB BOATS is they only have 2 speeds stopped and pinned slow down and save some fuel. Some feel all the fish are in the other end of the lake. I frequently launch, start motor, park truck, stop motor, put down positioning motor, fish. Have caught numerous large fish within 100 yards of ramp. I had a friend who for two years fished the old GM Pro Bass series out of a 14 foot tinney. He strained the water close to the weigh in and both years won a bunch of money and qualified for the Classic. He then used his winnings to buy a Bass Boat ( Billy Bob Boat ) with 225 ponies on the back and proceeded to burn gas without anything close to his previous results. The difference between a new boat and what you have will buy a lot of gas. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | get what you want and what you will use ... i was forced out of a 620 due to a divorce and need to re-prioritize some things and got an older used tuffy esox magnum. smartest thing i ever did. into something else now (ranger 690), but if faced with a similar situation i'd do the same thing in a second. nothing worse than being in something that doesn't "fit" your needs and only you know what that it.
personally i've become completely anti the big block boats (200-300hp.) for what is available with 150-175's ... just seem more reliable and on the right platform don't lack anything in performance while delivering more economics, storing and towing options.
good luck with your decision ... |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | I see myself "maybe" downsizing someday...but heading back to Kodiak, not any time soon! I'll send you a pic of her in AK waters sled! She loves the big water! LoL |
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | "BILLYBOB BOATS" I like it LOL. I will admit, at first, I used to relish flying across the lake at 55 MPH and burning up the fuel like a stock car. But, now maybe due to growing out of it, or most likely due to $$$$, I have learned to back off a bit, well a lot actually.
Maybe thats my problem, guys pitching in....the two people I fish with most are my brother (full time poor fisheries biology student) who helps as much as he can, and my girlfriend (who pays in other forms than money) Lol!
Usad to fish with quite a few guys who after an all day excursion would throw a 5$ bill on the dash and say thanks. But after a few rounds of that and me informing them of my gratitude for helpin foot the gas bill to put it back on the trailer they dont really ask to come anymore, nor are they invited.
Anyone who wants to get out around Duluth this summer with a job, that can afford more than 5$ a day to fish out of a great boat hit me up! LOL
I think maybe I am just overthinking things right now since I am going crazy not being able to fish, and stiull staring at 2 feet of snow on May 1St!!!
Edited by bdog 5/1/2013 5:50 AM
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Posts: 5874
| Only 55. That's a Ranger thing. hehehe
I hear ya on the late spring. I was in snow in the woods last Wednesday Turkey hunting. Tomorrow will be much better!
Edited by Shep 5/3/2013 9:55 AM
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | Lol tomorrow better?? 3-6" more being served up starting tonight!!
I surrender....may as well just keep the thing wont cost much to run sitting in the garage all year. |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | Well, I'm going to throw my hat into this ring and give some great reviews for my nitro z7. Bash 'em all you want, but until you fish in one, try to keep an open mind. Price: it's a 2008 and i bought it 3 yrs ago, used, paid 18,000. Driest ride I've been in. Huge front deck. Can fit my 8'6" rods in locker and could probably get 9' in there. I have a 175 opti and can hit 70mph, or cruise it at 3800rpm and get 6.8mpg. at 18'10" it fishes like a 20'. I've talked and have fished with alot of "ranger" guys that have privately admitted that the z7 is one heck of a boat. |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | Keep your 620! I had a 620t and sold it and went to a 618vs with a Suzuki 150 4 stroke. I totally regretted it. 618 is nice for 2 guys and small water. You will be disappointed with storage for sure, and your ability to get to spots with the wind up. The 618 is a good boat, but for me going from a larger boat to a 618 was the wrong move. Also if you have kids there is no room in the 618. |
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | I just got her back out of storage, and as soon as I saw it, I fell in love all over again!
Let the fuel burning begin! Drill baby drill LOL! |
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | Well, gas just topped the $4 a gallon mark here in Duluth! $4.19 to be exact!!!
Who wants to fish this summer and doesnt have a boat?? Look me up!
This is gettin ridiculous... |
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