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Posts: 457
Location: Minneconia | I'm going to be in the market very soon for an older Ranger and I'm leaning towards a late model 690 or 692 if I can find a decent one. Are there any differences between those two other than the single vs double console? Any years I should avoid? Also, should I include older 619s in my search or no? I have heard the 619s have a tendency to "slap" the water in choppy conditions but no personal experience with that. Thanks!
Edited by Dirt Esox 7/30/2018 6:51 AM
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Posts: 483
| bnelson on here has a 690 i think and could help you
Edited by danlaboucane 7/30/2018 8:22 AM
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
The 692 after I believe 1995 had a front center rod locker if memory serves me correctly. Some of the older 690s had different levels of decking along the sides as compared to the front and back whereas the newer models it was all the same level.
For those who have the 690 series of boats, they love them. Sled also has a 690 that he has gone through almost a full restore.... They handle the water really well, and although a touch narrower than the 619, they can handle anything you throw at them.
Steve |
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Posts: 67
| I love my 690, I hope it lasts me the rest of my life. I can't imagine a better handling boat exists. If you're in the TC metro and want to stop by and take a look let me know. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | 1995 was the first year of the VS and was made into '00 with the last model year a '99 i believe. the VS has a faster pad by a couple mph (hard to determine due to motor input obviously), shallower front, tear-drop back end by splashwell and uniform level of decking. the 1994 is a 690 C and has two levels of decking with a deeper front-end V and no tear-drop on the back end.
690 is a single console max. hp 175hp
692 is a dual console max. hp 175hp
619 has a wider beam and will take a 200hp
the only ones to avoid are the green and brown ones with ugly all over them and then of course what's hanging on the back could be a hazard.
otherwise, buy one. it's the last boat you will own if you find a good one. i have a 94 and wouldn't trade it for anything made.
Edited by jonnysled 7/30/2018 6:17 PM
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Posts: 457
Location: Minneconia | Sled,
Thoughts on 690/692 vs 619? There's plenty of 619s for sale seems like, or worth waiting for one of the others? Thanks. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | all about what's hanging on the back ...
it was kind of a perfect storm so the older 619's with the early opti-pop big blocks or the Evinrudes were just notoriously bad so once you buy one might cost you more to own. i personally believe you buy the tub and plan to re-power, but if you want one to last a few years before re-powering you will have better luck on the mid-size 6's of the 175 efi's. you might find some 175 mariners, yami's but most are XRI's or EFI's and might be ok whereas the big blocks on most early 00's 619's are like buying a hand grenade with no pin ... hoping it doesn't kill you.
it all has to do with the beam and max hp..
the 619's with big blocks are mid 50mph boats and the 690/692's do the same with a 175. to me it's a no-brainer and a more cost effective way to a reliable boat with the 690/692. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | this is why the 690 and 692's are for sale for only a couple minutes before they get bought ... almost impossible to find a good one now cuz most are sold before they come up for sale. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | there is a really nice 690C for sale right now ... same as mine. i'd buy it in a second! |
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Posts: 358
| I have a '96 692 with a 175 Fast Strike on it. I've wanted to go newer a few times but cant really justify a reason.
If you do buy an older one make sure to check the transom. They used silicone between the decks in the rear and it can blow out allowing water in, and if froze can damage it. Not super common but happened to mine and when I talked to Ranger they acknowledged the issue. Its about a $4500 repair at Ranger, or lots of ways to fix alternatively. I fixed my own for a few hundred and its solid just not pretty.
If you can find a 690/92 with a Fast Strike on it, its a solid way to go. Its about a $2500 rebuild and is about as bullet proof as you can get. And all the controls work with ETEC if you would want to repower.
I'd probably look at repowering anything with a Merc, a lot of this vintage was EFI and just seems like more issues there. These things fly with 175 Opti, and I think would be nice with a 150 4 stroke. They are a bit weight sensitive in the rear so I'd recommend picking the lightest option especially if you are adding or have a kicker.
Mine has a full windshield and id rather have bubbles, as the full shields like to rattle apart.
They are easy to add full decks too if you want to bass boat it.
After 20+ years all of my stuff still works, well mostly anyway. Very solid platform to build on. |
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Posts: 457
Location: Minneconia | RJ, is there an easy way to identify the issue you mentioned when looking at the boat? |
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Posts: 358
| If you trim the motor 3/4 the way down then stand on it and bounce the transom should not move or flex
Can also remove the rear trim pieces and see if its still filled |
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Posts: 372
Location: On the River | I have a 94 692 with a 175 Mariner EFI with a full windshield it's a great boat fish Green Bay and LOTW with no issues I can also pull it with my 2012 Pathfinder
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | I have a '95 690 single console with 150 EFI and love this boat. The layout is perfect in my opinion as you can keep that whole left side open for netting fish and fishing 3 guys comfortably |
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Posts: 267
| I just wish Ranger would have put something in the back of the boat for a guy to stand on to fish safely and comfortably. I hate standing on the side compartment to fish. My buddy has a 690T. It's a really nice big one person boat. LOL. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | all tillers have that kerfuffle ... |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Smell_Esox - 8/2/2018 8:36 AM
I just wish Ranger would have put something in the back of the boat for a guy to stand on to fish safely and comfortably. I hate standing on the side compartment to fish. My buddy has a 690T. It's a really nice big one person boat. LOL.
I made my own really inexpensive yet effective back deck that works slick. Will try to post a photo after I go up this weekend |
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Posts: 267
| Propster - 8/2/2018 9:06 AM
Smell_Esox - 8/2/2018 8:36 AM
I just wish Ranger would have put something in the back of the boat for a guy to stand on to fish safely and comfortably. I hate standing on the side compartment to fish. My buddy has a 690T. It's a really nice big one person boat. LOL.
I made my own really inexpensive yet effective back deck that works slick. Will try to post a photo after I go up this weekend |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Here are a couple pics of the deck I made for mine. Works pretty slick |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Propster - 8/4/2018 6:49 PM
Here are a couple pics of the deck I made for mine. Works pretty slick
Won't let me post the pics. I'll pm you my number. Text me if you like Esox and I'll text them to you |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Use an image resizer and output the images to 640X480 pixels. They will load right up. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | 95 and 96 690s have that open area that has the vinyl covering the battery compartment, they glassed it in from 97 to 99 or special order 00s. if you lean towards a 690 go with 97 to 99.
there is a nice 97 690 on wcentral right now for 17k. for sheer fishing there is nothing better than a single console 690.
I fish 3 often, run the boat from the back and have lots of room... now the passenger might eat a few bugs or get a bit cold but we are out there to fish  I love my boat. Only thing I'd sell it for is a single console 619 or 620 I'd make a custom deck along the side to connect the front and back decks to... clean 690s, 692s sell fast when they pop up.
no matter the motor, if it's original be ready to put a new powerhead on or repower...
great rigs, can handle about any size waves and are fishing machines.
mine does on avg 48 mph, not sure what the deal is but my 2016 suzi is a bit slower than my 08 suzi…. can see 49 to 50 on occasion.. 4 blade custom props are great for 690/692s. my back deck extension below... 2 strokes will push the boat 53 to 56 on avg.
Edited by BNelson 8/6/2018 2:59 PM
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 deck.jpg (36KB - 432 downloads)
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