I was wondering if any of you fellow Musky guys have experience with this boat?
I just sold my Tuffy and am ready to buy a new boat---
My first choice was a Skeeter MX1825 fully loaded----46K out the door....
Second choice Ranger 1880 fully loaded in the 50K range...
The Ranger 1780vs fully loaded is around the 32K Range---
Coming from Fiberglass I realize the trade off coming down to Aluminum (A rougher/wetter ride on windy days) ----but the Ranger 1780VS seems to have a real nice open Musky layout---good speed--mid 40s -casting deck larger on front than my Tuffy 1760---and back casting deck much better with 97 inch beam..--and ability to pay for in cash without financing is alluring......
Anyone run this boat or run in one--or fish in one?
Posted 1/15/2016 8:42 AM (#799677 - in reply to #799563) Subject: RE: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 206
I'm not really in the market for an aluminum boat, but I happened to visit Cabelas recently and saw the Ranger in person. Looked it over very closely as well at the Alumacraft Competitor 175 next to it. Liked them both but honestly had a slight preference for the layout of the Competitor. Two reasons: 1) laying rods out on the deck for easy access is a big deal to me. Especially with 2 guys in the boat. You can lay rods on the port side of most side console boats, but the Alumacraft you could also get 7.5 foot rods on the starboard side of the boat (from drivers seat towards the back). Or, from the bow on the starboard side you can lay rods from the front casting deck back through the console via a small door that opens up. Opens up rod options for 2 guys without having to go in/out of the center rod storage constantly. 2) I liked the flip up seat option on the Alumacraft better. You can flip each up individually while leave ng the casting seat post in place. Where on the Ranger you have to take the seat post off and flip the entire bench over to get the full platform. Kind of a pain if you move to multiple sites all day long.
I hadn't even looked at the price of the Ranger and the Alumacraft until I was walking away. The Alumacraft with the upgraded LE package was $5k less than the Ranger. Same overall fit and finish IMO. Another option to consider any way.
Posted 1/17/2016 1:35 PM (#800115 - in reply to #799563) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI
What kind of options are you adding to that Skeeter? When I was shopping for them last year a current model year was around 36k and I ended up finding a new neversold 2012 for 16k less than what you are quoted
Posted 1/17/2016 7:58 PM (#800155 - in reply to #800146) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 159
Yes the Ranger 1780vs---has a casting deck considerably larger than my 2004 Tuffy 1760---the Tuffy had an 84 inch beam the Ranger a 97 inch beam and is also two inches longer at 17'8 vs 17'6
Posted 1/18/2016 12:14 PM (#800224 - in reply to #800155) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 206
Wondering if you've test driven the MX1825? I've been in one 2 different times with 2 different guides and both commented it isn't a very smooth ride in rougher water. More on par with an aluminum boat, despite being much heavier (2100 lb hull) than even other fiberglass boats its size. Front deck is relatively small too. Not bashing Skeeter, they make good boats, but if they can't make your price you would have other good options (both Skeeter and otherwise) to consider.
Posted 1/21/2016 9:21 AM (#800620 - in reply to #800583) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 159
Funny greg, that was my experience last summer when I ran into some guys who were fishing in an MX1825
----I also could not believe what all the fuss was about---when your actually in/or along side the boat that front casting area is more than I had in the old boat and more than I need to be comfortable....that's when I knew I wanted the boat---for that was my only real objection--that the front casting deck might be too small....not to mention a single console opens up a lot more space--Im getting the single console...
Not as Long or wide as say a 619 or a Tuffy 1890 or X-190---or even Crestliner fishhawk--but very respectable and not a deal breaker-at least for me-----YMMV--I have been watching the old Keyes shows when he fished the 1825---He fished two up there lol....
Posted 1/23/2016 2:05 PM (#800927 - in reply to #799563) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
These boats are made on site at Flippin Arkansas in Rangers factory. Ranger makes Triton and Ranger aluminum boats at this factory. The Ranger has the protruded transom and the triton aluminum. Other differences included the trailer and interior components.
Posted 1/23/2016 4:45 PM (#800942 - in reply to #800583) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 483
good one greg, when i get my nex boat it will be windshield and that takes a lot of space . and with a few rigged musky rods , it gets tight. look at tuffy boats they have boats layouts really to my taste . i do 95 % casting so i do not need 4 seats in the back thats waisted space for me !to each is own !
Posted 2/14/2016 12:15 PM (#804768 - in reply to #799563) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 3
I really like my 1780 front casting platform is huge and back isn't bad i want to add the flip down one with seats in the rear yet and get it set up for trolling
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Posted 2/14/2016 2:27 PM (#804775 - in reply to #799563) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 271
Location: davis,IL
Something to think of here is the size of the front deck, it may not be the factor some think it is. I recently sold a fishhawk 1750 and bought an Alumacraft Navigator 185cs. the front deck on the Fishhawk was at least a foot longer but narrower. I don't think the difference in deck size will matter as I fish 2 guys to the boat... one in front one in back. I've noticed that while fishing I rarely move back behind the front seat post. The distance from the post to the bow is roughly the same between the two boats, so realisticly it should be about the same. My point is that if you are fishing 2 guys on the front deck, then deck space is at a premium. If you have the deck to yourself it may not matter much at all. I feel the size of the front deck is not as critical when running a tiller or single console boat. if running a dual console or walk through you loose a lot of space for the consoles. On Both boats the raised decks are 11" above the main floor, I think this also factors into the overall picture.
Posted 2/17/2016 12:40 PM (#805259 - in reply to #804775) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 159
ccrav-
Great looking boat---to my eyes one of the best looking boats I have seen on the water.....seems like a good value as well compared to other aluminum boats.....
Posted 1/23/2017 11:04 AM (#847199 - in reply to #799563) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI
If you are looking at new boats, I'm thinking the Tuffy 1760 has a lot longer bow than your 2004 did. I think they changed the interior layout of the 1760 in 2006? Hard to tell by pics alone, but I would guess the front deck lengths in the 1760 and this Ranger are similar.
Width wise of course the Ranger is significantly wider. If the ride and handling of aluminum doesn't both you (I like how my 1760 fishes in the wind SOOO much better than my old aluminum boats), I'm sure that Ranger would be a very nice boat.
Posted 1/23/2017 11:08 AM (#847200 - in reply to #799563) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI
One other boat to look into in fiberglass could be the Recon line. They look like they have some "smart" features, but back when I was boat shopping, they had a rig that was a bit smaller than the 1760, and the next jump was a 19 or so footer that adds a lot to the price.
Posted 1/29/2017 9:03 AM (#847918 - in reply to #847230) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 298
Location: Not where I want to be!
I've been in both the Skeeter WX and MX series boats. I felt that the front deck is narrow and very pointy. Leaning on a butt seat fishing off of either port or starboard it is difficult to have the trolling motor pedal in front of you. Just too narrow.
Posted 2/23/2017 9:54 PM (#850893 - in reply to #799563) Subject: Re: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 52
Happy Fish Hawk owner here, but at the recent Minneapolis boat show, I looked at boats in the 18' range and the Alumacraft Competitor 185 stood out to me. Big front deck, and a nice conversion bench on the back. The one I saw had a 150hp Yamaha VMAX SHO. (I like having motor options, too, with the Alumacraft.) Retailer indicated $32-33k.
The Ranger 1780 looks nice as well but it has a max 135 hp and I'm only aware of Honda making a 135 so you might end up with a 115 unless you went with the Honda.
Both the Competitor 175 and 185 have a 150hp max, both with a 95" beam.
To the OP, if you're on big water a lot, then fiberglass makes sense, but if not, perhaps keep some coin in your pocket and go tin?
Posted 2/24/2017 4:33 PM (#850969 - in reply to #799563) Subject: RE: Ranger 1780VS Aluminum Musky Boat
Posts: 22
Currently own a 1775 Impact single console but looked around recently. For the money, layout is great and with a Just Encase gull wing box a few rod holder modifications and it is a great musky boat. Only other boat I would get would be a Tuffy I saw at the expo. Not enough to justify an extra $10k.
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