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Posts: 313
Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion | Anyone got feedback on this boat? I have the chance to buy a pretty mint one, price I think is right at $18000 given the condition. Boat was purchased new in 2005, 135 Opti with only 119 hrs on it total. Boat looks in mint condition, everything is great. Its got the removable rear casting deck extension, I am considering working in a custom box instead of the rear deck, or possibly even doing a partial extension on the front deck for baits or storage? I've seen a few and it really can max out the deck space to be able to cast comfortably with 3 guys, IMO? Any feedback on this rig would be greatly appreciated! The owner still says it is from a 48-51mph boat, even though its not maxed out at 150hp? I often fish by myself or just one other person, looks like it would work great for me. Thanks for any input. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | you'll love that boat ... |
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Location: Contrarian Island | speed sounds about right..a 135 opti pushes that boat great.
imo I'd order the front deck extension from Ranger as that adds a ton of storage for Plano's etc and more deck room...the back deck imo you don't need and you can make a 1/2 deck extension for it or not even really need one...
I've fished out of one and they fish very nice...3 guys can get a little tight but 2 is great..they don't handle huge water well but on most lakes they are a great...they sit fairly low to the water, not as low as a bass type ranger but close...
good luck with it |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | Had a 2006 with a 150 loved it for muskie fishing most lakes. But here in MN we have a lot of big ones and it did not handle well. It's a great muskie boat though, but I fish a lot of walleye and I really did not care for it. I would order the ranger front deck extension and maybe work on a just "just Encase for the back" there is not much room for gear in the boat.
I used two Lake woods as my rear deck and that worked fine. |
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Posts: 313
Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion | Great info guys, thanks a bunch. Approved the financing today, all looks like a go for pickup on Saturday! Wish me luck, it will be a nice upgrade from my current 2003 Alumacraft Navigator 165CS, its nice enough but I need a little more and can't go all the way up to the mid 30's range for a used 619/620 yet. |
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | Congrats on the purchase! |
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Posts: 227
Location: Maple Grove | I saw that boat ad and it is basically the same boat that one of my brothers runs. Same color scheme even. He has a 135 opti and it moves the boat fine. He also has front and rear deck extensions which are very nice. I beleive the previous owner custom built them. He is a multi species guy but we had the 3 brothers out Muskie fishing the other weekend and it fished 3 no problem. I have a 2000 681vs and I like the layout and space of his 618 much better. You'll enjoy it. Congrats!
Joe Olstadt |
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Posts: 646
Location: In a shack in the woods | Congrats on the purchase. You'll have to post a pick so I know who I'm looking for this summer. I'll be running a red and black r70 |
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| I'm the one who originally owned Joe Olstad's brothers boat (WI guy turned mud-duck).
1. You should love it.
2. I built my own front and rear units to maximize storage and deck space.
3. Had in MN, Canada, and in some ugly-rough water, was never scared and only blown off once in legitimate 5-footers.
4. Wish I still had it... I still regreat selling that boat. But I thought I wanted to get back into a 690 series or was considering an X190. I have a super-clean 692 that is rigged to the max, it's a great boat and will handle big-water better but for the fishing I do these days I would rather have my 618 back.
All that said, congratulations, if you don't like it call me I'll likely buy it from you.
Mark Hintz
Eau Claire, WI
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Mark ... you bringing that 692 to Canada this year? |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Hey Sled,
Sent you a P.M.
Take care, hope to see you this summer.
Edited by Mark H. 5/31/2010 6:05 PM
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Posts: 313
Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion | Picked up the boat on Saturday. It was christened by my one of my best buddies wife with a walleye last night (first boated fish under current ownership, lol) - we caught a few more nice ones after the first one also. Today we caught 31 bass and northerns out of it in about 4 hrs of "funtime" fishing. Still needs its first crappie (this week that will fall) and hopefully its first ski on Saturday!! No perch so far - good sign!! Boat is awesome! |
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