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Posts: 12
Location: SAVAGE MN | I am throwing around the idea of a new boat and have been thinking about pros/cons of these two models. I fish big MN lakes & LOTW as well as small Northern WI lakes. I am looking at the console versions no tillers. I also have three young boys and am wondering about space in these boats. With the 3 kids I may need more space but at the same time they eat up most of my spare cash.
Thanks,
Dave |
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| The 1760 is a bit shorter and narrower, but will give you a good ride and more interior room for the kids. 150 HP rating, a good big water hull, but easy to tow and great to fish. Will store 8'rods, and runs great with a 115.
I'm sure some of the guys here who run a 1760 can add their thoughts. Keep in mind the 1760 is a seventeen and a half, not 18. To compare an 18' class boat look at the 1890 GC. |
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Posts: 734
Location: Watertown, MN | Dave
If looking for 18' class boat, I would not recommend the 618, it basically a bass hull designed boat, and in rough water it will not be the boat you want, I would look at the 1760, good boat with deep hull and can handle the big water better than the Ranger 618 Console, fishing with 3 kids in there might get a little crowded. I would look at the 1890 or 619 for room.
Troy |
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| Dave,
Both are great boats. I've run Tuffy's in the past and have friends who run them now. 1760 will offer a very nice ride and be safe for the waters you described.
I currently run a 618VS with some custom modifications I made. Contact me and I'll email you MS Word Documents that show what I did. I like the boat but if you are on LOTW a lot and Mille Lacs a lot, you might be better suited to a boat with higher sides like the 1760. I've had my 618 on Mille Lacs when it's blown up and it handles it but if I fished there a lot instead of once/twice a year, I would have a different boat.
All that being said, with three kids, either one of those of boats will be VERY tight with four people. The 618 only has two seats.
If you are looking at purchasing new, and the budget allows I would strongly suggest the 18 foot Tuffy or the new Angler Series from Ranger. The 17 Angler series has a ton of floor room for that size boat and is very competetive on price.
Other option is look for a used 619 or 1990 Tuffy. |
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Posts: 80
| Dont be afraid to look at the deep Skeeters, Warriors, or Tritons along with the Tuffys or Rangers they are all great boats. just my opinion. The Tuffy is a drier ride than the 618 |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | the 18' skeeter has a wider beam and will hang a 200hp motor on the back ... maybe 225hp can't remember but the 1880wx is a pretty sweet boat and needs to be considered when you dial in the 2 you've mentioned.
good luck |
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Posts: 38
Location: Port Washington, WI | I am running a 1760DC and have fished out of a 618 a few times. Both are great boats but I would not hesitate to pick the 1760. It seems like there is more room to me, probably due to the higher sides. The higher sides also would make me feel a little safer fishing with young kids. It seems to me that the 1760 is the better boat for all around fishing and is of course a great muskie boat. If you like to troll the 1760 is definitely a better pick. I have fished four out of my boat before if jigging for walleyes or bobber fishing, etc. It gets pretty tight in there if you have more that three trying to cast. |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | If you are going to compare a Tuffy Model to an 1880 Skeeter, you will need to compare the 1880 Skeeter to an 1890 Tuffy.
Apples to apples.
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I must say, after spending some time in 618s this summer working for a local marina, I personally don't even see a fair comparison with the 1760. Now don't get me wrong, the 618 is a great boat, but if you were going to use this boat on big water, the 1760 would hands down be the better choice. I'm running a 2007 1760DW with the full windshield and I ABSOLUTELY love the boat. What I have found so great about the boat is the fact that it is built for a fisherman and the needs of the fisherman. The amount of storage, the power with a 150 Optimax is unbelievable and just a great all around boat. Not to mention the capability to use the boat as a family boat. So pulling skiers and tubers are not out of the picture. The 618 is great, but it's way too much like a bass boat. If your fishing big water of any kind, the Tuffy 1760 is the boat I would be looking at.
If you have any questions or your ever over this way, I would be glad to offer you a ride in mine anytime. Let me know if you want any pics of mine on how I rigged it or whatever, let me know. My email address is below there. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I'd agree with others the 618 console is not the rig for bigger waters quite a bit of the time...been in some 1760's over the years...nice deep layout... might take a look at some used 619s..all comes down to how much dough you want to shell out!
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| I have fished out of both and had the same problem last year-which boat to buy?
I really loved the 618 for how close to the water it is and the large front deck,but I fish big water often and the 618 was really wet even in medium sized lakes.
I bought a 1760 and LOVE the boat!! I have fished in some really big rough water and have never been concerned. The boat fishes much larger than it's 17'6" length. I have fished with 3 people many times and have never had a problem.
The next time I buy a boat, the question for me will be, 1760 or 1890?
Joe
Trueglide.com |
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| They are all making a good boat these days...but if memory serves me right, and it doesn't seem to as often at 40 years old...the 1760 is $9,000-11,000 less than the Ranger right? (Worrall, you would probably know better than me) I am running the Tuffy 1890, and I can tell you, the hull is fast, the boat handles BIG waves, and has one of the biggest decks, if not THE biggest deck for a boat of it's length.
As Brad said, the 618 doesn't have the high sides...
Just my 2 cents worth....
Donnie |
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