|
|
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Great info. I haven't gleaned this much info from thread in a long, long time! I find it very inviting, the fact that the splash area is also a fishable platform(one of my gripes about alot of other tiller rigs). I guess I need to see one now. Does Tuffy install a good keel guard, or does one need to go after merket? Anything for interior lighting? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 91
Location: Pinckney, Michigan | These are the must haves for me:
- Tiller model (need the space to move around the boat)
- Ample dry storage which has to really be "dry storage and not just called dry storage
- 9' rod lockers with individual inserts ( bass boats)
- Large tackle storage
- I like the 50" live well in my Crestliner 1750 but rarely use it
- Large front deck, decent rear deck
- Deep V with medium gunnels
- Cooler
- Front and rear bait well
- Good storage area for net. If someone comes up with this they should be rich! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 10
Location: Indianapolis | How about the Tundra by Tracker 18' walk thru 135 opti nice boat. |
|
| |
|
| I like my Ranger 618 console better than any boat I've been in. It's got a deeper hull than a bass style so it can handle big water like Vermillion or Lake of the Woods. It sits low to the water when not moving. I added a deck extension on the front and a deck extension on the back. Basically, the whole boat is deck. The only thing I don't like about it is rod storage. I took two Lakewoods box inserts and put them under the back deck for a hidden tackle box. With a 140 Suzuki and a Minn Kota Genesis, this boat rocks!
Ty
|
|
| |
|
Location: Contrarian Island | Ty, what are you going to buy when you sell that one?
|
|
| |
|
| Ranger 621, 250 Merc Racing outboard, and a 9.9 merc kicker.
Casting deck in rear comes out when you're fishing more than 2 people, with plenty of casting room along the sides. Plenty of room for 4 or 5 for trolling or sucker soaking. The only boat I've felt safe in when BIG waves come along. Plenty of storage for everything, including about 12 rods......baitwell and a 50" livewell in back. Room for a card table with 4 seats at it.
I'm curious as to why not many people said the 621? |
|
| |
|
| I'm curious as to why not many people said the 621?
maybe 21' long x 8' wide is just too much boat for the waters where most people spend the majority of their time fishing?
i'm looking for a boat that can handle small landing pond-jumping or cutting the waves on bigger lakes. |
|
| |
|
Location: Contrarian Island | It might be from the 55k pricetag and the fact you need an aircraft hanger for a garage  ....it is overkill on most waters..granted a great boat if you have the money but not really the perfect rig for all waters IMO... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1245
Location: Madtown, WI | Jason-
Answer your questions on the Tuffy. I have been running a 1760 Esox Deep V now for....3 years??
The platform in back with the black sticky stuff works great for standing. I have the old version where you have the side caps (which I actually like) and the sides like the old Mag where you can walk all the way around. My front deck is much shorter then the new model and I still fish two people up front...the new ones have TON of room on the front deck to fish two people. I know you don't like the big front decks, but your not compromising floor space in the new models because they added floor space sideways. My first concern with the new model was taking away my walk around, thus less people can fish. But after seeing how they have improved the front deck, and the back deck....I think I like the newer version better.
I have not been in any other ~18 foot boat that has a better running hull then the 1760 deep V.....
If it was up to my wife we would have a new model 1760 right now!!!! BUT, I still love the one I have 
Oh, and I had Tuffy install my keelguard at the factory....haven't had any problems with it at all...and I have run it up on many a landings and Canadian rocks.
Feel free to call me if you have any other questions!
Cory
Edited by C.Painter 12/20/2005 8:17 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 654
Location: MPLS, MN | IMO the best under $20,000 w Motor is the Crestliner 1750 CMV. |
|
| |
|
| MSKY HNR, I'm going to get the exact same rig after I sell the one I have.
Ty |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | No one has mentioned it yet and it is fairly new. Triton has a "Bass/ Walleye"
hybrid out there the TR 21 XD. (XD stands for extra deep) Walleye hull with a Bass cap on it. Looks like a great boat to me. Might be a bit large and a little pricey for some but what an awesome boat to fish out of. Large decks, massive rod lockers and tons or trully dry storage. Lacking the 60" livewell but most of us do not need one of those anyway. This is a boat that looks to be in a class by itself. I know it will handle the big water as well. Bolt on a 250 E Tec and this thing will rock. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | I kinda like the 52 Edition Ranger 620 I ordered. I had 2 extra rump seat holes installed, so now I have a 3 hole putting green on the spacious bow deck. I can also practice my chipping onto the rear casting platform...had a couple of Holes in 1 last season.
(52 edition Ranger 620.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 52 edition Ranger 620.jpg (23KB - 665 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | I'm with Ty... and love the Ranger 618. Basically a bigger, faster version of my 681. Put the old "wide open" rod locker of the 681 in the new 618 and I'd be totally satisfied.
Out of curiousity... what is the advantage of a tiller model in a boat 18+ feet long?
jlong |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | No console(s) to run into....more room to move. I've been in plenty of 619 dual consoles that have less interior room than a Fishhawk tiller. The 618 console has only 83" of beam, the tiller is 90". I'll take more space and the wind in my face any day. |
|
| |
|
Location: Contrarian Island | I agree with Gander on the 619 Duals not having alot of room to roam but in that size boat I think going with a single console is way better...I've been in a few 619 single consoles and those are very roomy and can handle the big stuff and can flat out fly...
I think I need to take a look at the 618 single console from what you guys say...I wish Ranger was smart enough to just make the 618 tiller hull in a console version...but they aren't...
Anyone look at the Triton 177 by chance in a single console version????
And really, would you even notice if a boat was 83 or 84" wide as opposed to 90" wide..I mean we are talking 7 to 8 inches...less than the size of most of our baits..!
Edited by MSKY HNR 12/20/2005 2:18 PM
|
|
| |
|
| And really, would you even notice if a boat was 83 or 84" wide as opposed to 90" wide..I mean we are talking 7 to 8 inches...less than the size of most of our baits..!
well, yes and no - i think it depends on the layout.
8" (or .66 foot) isn't very much...until you multiply it by 12 feet of length before the bow curves in.
12 x .66 = almost 8 square feet of additional floor space! that's quite a bit.
to my way of thinking, many boats waste that space with narrow compartments or even worse, wide gunnels with hard-to-access pocket compartments. then it doesn't matter.
but if it's open floor or deck space, it's great. an extra 6" between the seats? nice. extra width to step back on while fighting a fish? very nice. wider compartments for less crowding? great.
|
|
| |
|
Location: Contrarian Island | I can see myself making a custom storage compartment running up the left side of the 1760 console already...so you could be able to walk around the entire side from front to back on that side of the boat....hmmmmm
Mike you any good at woodwork?
I think my current boat is 84" and I think that is not exactly narrow with lots of storage and room
Edited by MSKY HNR 12/20/2005 2:38 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Thanks Cory. I would like to see yours some time. Would actually prefer the shorter front deck(huge front decks are a waste to me), but see your point as without the side storage, its addition was needed. I need floor space in my rig. Too much bouncing around in waves, rocks, and river structure(trees etc) and current(stuff flies or gets pulled out if on decks). I kow lots of deck is nice for some guys, but not for everyone, and we should be able to customize darn it! I do like Ty's idea for lure storage(might be a use for my old lakewood boxes after all). A tiller has so many advantages for our type of fishing. I need the quick response in steering through narrow river/creek channels first of all, and like to 'feel' what is down there, which is tough to do with a console(when tapping 'stuff', which is reality unfortunately). Also, with the little trolling I do, I prefer it in a tiller(again, more resposive which I need in rocky environs). The main reason, is space. I am used to the space that an esox mag provides, and don't want to lose that, and don't want to go up to a 20' rig to compensate for console space. I like to be able to lay rods on both sides of the boat(which might be an issue with the new 1760?).
Also, even when fishing Lake Michigan, LOTW or other big waters, we rarely run more than 20 minutes(even in fall that is not bad), and it is usually under 3 minutes for 90% of our fishing, so a console isn't neccessary for comfort as it will be so rarely used. Besides, my wife would always be mad that I was the only one that had a windshield(that might be the main reason right there...). Also, with the new one on the way shortly, I need the room to get the play pen in the floor of the boat, and still have room for other stuff.....
Can't wait to see the 1760 and 1890 in person.
Edited by Reef Hawg 12/20/2005 3:03 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | What do you guys consider the single most important feature a boat must have when you purchase one? Some day I will be in the market for a nice boat and would like some tips.
Mike |
|
| |
|
Location: Contrarian Island | Personally I am only going to a console for the added speed factor...one I like to go fast and 2 it will add up to more fishing time in a given day....granted it might only be an hour but that is one more hour of casting...say on my Lac Seul trip this last Aug. if I had been able to run 55 rather than 28, that could add up to maybe an hour more of fishing time...in a given day if I put on maybe 40 - 60 miles that might add up to quite a bit more casting...yah it's always thinking you are running wide open but I did that with my tiller...that one more hour in a day of your bait in the water might just be another 50"er or 2 for the trip....maybe, maybe not...but I do like to go fast.
Edited by MSKY HNR 12/20/2005 3:21 PM
|
|
| |
|
| ...but I do like to go fast.
ha! this from the guy who also has a speedboat for wakeboarding...
the beauty of this is that it's not a "which is best?" kind of thing.
it's a question of "which is better for my needs?" because they make all kinds of boats.
i spent the last couple years fishing out of a great used boat (Ranger 681T) as well as paying attention when in someone else's boat.
that taught me a TON about what it is i like and dislike in a fishing boat.
i like open space and i like enough storage to keep everything put away but easily accessible.
i like a deep hull but i want to be close to the water when figure-8ing or unhooking a fish.
i like a smooth ride, and i want to move quick but don't need to fly.
i want to be confident in my boat when the weather turns.
and yes, i like to tinker and can't leave well enough alone. i will be tweaking things to my taste, including either converting or creating lockable lure storage compartments. one hint: make sure to get Inhibitor chips for dry lure storage...the lures hold moisture and that will mean rusty hooks if you don't prevent it.
Edited by lambeau 12/20/2005 6:34 PM
|
|
| |
|
Location: Contrarian Island | I don't have that speedboat JUST for wakeboarding...bikinis!...and it does do 55mph with 4 people in it to ya know....yah, it's the kind of boat I hate when I'm musky fishing but it sure is fun in the summer....
As for your post...totally agree, there is no perfect boat for everyone... all depends on where you fish, how many people you have in your boat most often (ie guides), how much storage and deck space you want and need, and what your garage and budget will allow...
good thread!
Edited by MSKY HNR 12/20/2005 6:55 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Reef Hawg... Jason, I think you would be pleasantly surprised at the floor space of the current 1760 T model. I had the opportunity to see one with the factory rear deck extension up at Wild River Sports this summer... There is a ton of room on the floor, and if you make a rear extension like Lambeau is going to ( a great design I might add, IMHO) you would still have the room that I think you desire. You mention butt seat placement and that too is a special requirement of mine and I hate where Ranger has it in their 618 models. Mine in my 690 is up closer to the bow and Tuffy's new one is closer yet and it is right in the sweet spot. It allows you to work either side of bow without getting off the seat.
For those that haven't seen one of the new Tuffy's first hand I can tell you it has the finest center-line rod locker that I have ever seen.. Head and shoulders above Rangers by a long way. I had the opportunity to drive and pretend fish, and load about 6-8 of my rods in one of the first new 1760 prototypes in the summer of 04 and the rod locker is unbelievable.. Lambeau, you aren't going to know what to do with all that room...you're gonna have to buy some more rods or put a dog bed in there for you Lab..:)
Additionally the new 1760 sits as flat in the water as their Esox Mags do... and it should track behind the trolling motor like it's on rails.
For those looking at a tiller rig that will handle any WI water and still give them the safety to go to LOTW or MN the 1760 is definately worth checking out... And it won't break the bank either.
To help answer your question on Tuffy factory keel guards. My friend who purchased the last new tuffy I owned (July 2001) from a client who purchased it from me originally is storing that rig in my shop and the keel guard looks as good as the day I picked the boat up in Lake Mills. The folks in Lake Mills can turn out some of the highest quality products on the market today.
Now to throw my .02 cents in the ring... I used to be a tiller freak since the late 70's but have really grown to like consols again. I currently run a Ranger 690 and to me it has the ultimate interior layout, I like side tank type layouts and the current 618C is just a bit small in terms of storage and leg room when driving. Like someone said earlier, if they would put it in the 618 Tiller hull, and forget the darn rod tubes and make it an open locker I would already have one on order... Like Reef Hawg... I too think they missed the boat by not offering a rear deck option in the 618T, but then again that rig was designed with the walleye guys in mind. But I love the side tank design and man do they ever have the storage...
Like Norm, I'm looking forward to seeing the new 18' model Tuffy in a single consol version with the optional storage compartments/decks.
Steve, I hope Tuffy is still going to offer the top-cap as an option.. There's still a few of us out there that like that look and are willing to pay a little extra for it.
Lambeau, Congratulations on your new rig... You're gonna love that hull.
Jason, you really need to check them out, suspect you will pleasantly surprised and it will be a darn close fit to most all of your expectations. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 507
| Mark,
The GT and GC models will have the narrower gunnels like the Esox Mag, all the other Deep V models will have the full cap, new consoles, etc. Should have new pictures soon! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 561
Location: Monee, Illinois | My Crestliner 1850 fishhawk is great for the $$$$ Great back casting deck rides well and lots of storage...
pga |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Mark,
thank you for the insightful response. To be totally honest, I fish too much(my wife tells me)to pay attention to what is out there, regarding equipment. I am typically out of the loop, and only see what is on the lakes I fish. Up to now, I have liked what I see in the fisherman series Ranger, but there so many things I'd change about them, I've been leary to buy... Wife has cautioned me to wait(I've been threatening to buy a new rig for 3 years now, and it is TIME!!!), as something I like will come along. If what you say is true(regarding butt seat placement, floor space, and rear deck) I think I really need to get to a show of some sort this winter(been avoiding them the past couple seasons as I always buy stuff I don't need) and check them out. Would you say the tiller model has enough casting room with the standard deck and splash area? Will the gunnels accept C-clamp style Down East rod holders(I prefer them)?
Edited by Reef Hawg 12/21/2005 3:01 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Jason,
Sorry for the delay, I've been out of town for work and away from the board since the other night. To answer your question, Yes, I believe that if a person would stand on the livewell/battery compartment and one foot on the anti-skid in the livewell you could fish there comfortably. If you want a butt seat base in the livewell cover talk to Steve about it, I think it is doable, I spoke to Steve Bendall at Fiberdome about it and he thought they could get it done. Nice thing about dealing with companies like Tuffy is that depending on the customers request, you can get some things specific to your rig, within reason. Of the three Tuffy's I ran, strenght for rod holders of any style was never an issue, wouldn't expect to be an issue with the new lineup either.
Take the time to go see one... they are a swee rig for the size I really think it would darn close to your expectations.
Have a Merry Christmas, I'm on the road again for a few days so I appologize for delayed responses.
Wishing all ya'all a Cool Yule... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 144
| Hi everybody I'm new to the forum. I run a dual console 619. The passenger console does take up some room but the glove box is worth its weight in gold! I had the 618 console prior to the 619. I my opinion, if someone is looking for a boat to fish bigger rougher waters, they will be unhappy with 618 console. It sits low to the water and when trolling in rough or windy conditions you take on a lot more water than you would in the tuffy or the bigger fisherman series boats. It is tough to fish more than two people in the 618 too. The more I see of the new tuffy deep-v boats the more I like them. If their fit and finish is as good as their design I think they would blow the 618 out of the water. just my opinion |
|
| |
|
Posts: 921
Location: Apollo, PA | Hey Matt,
I was looking at the Ranger 620s the other day. Found one on the internet semi-reasonable$$
Have you fished out of them, and what do you think of them as far as being able to handle big water? thanks, PS |
|
| |
