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| Question for you ranger lovers.
I know an old ranger 680T for sale. It's in perfect shape. I guess it's an 1990 model. You know. I have always been in love with these boats since bucher fished these. I currently own a alumacraft lunker, which i'm happy with.
What do you guys think. Sell my 2005 lunker and go for the old ranger? Would that be smart? I really like the ranger. But every sensible cell in my body says "don't sell a perfect alu boat for an old poly!!"
What dou you think?
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Posts: 208
Location: Sun Prairie, WI | Check out my thread "transom can of worms" That is on a 88 yarcraft. I dont know if Ranger used wood then or not (more than likely) but with the age of the boat if any water has gotten into the transom you could be opening up your own can of worms. I would stay with the much newer boat myself. Also, what motor is on the Ranger? old 2 stroke is like a ticking time bomb. Its only a matter of time before it will need work or it goes boom!!
Just my $0.02 |
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| Love my 680t. Fishes all species really well. Can fish 1 to 3 casting. Little crowded with 3, but we have made it work. Fishes small and big water well. Trailers well. Lot of storage. Easy to load and unload with one person. Fishes in the wind a lot better than any aluminum I have ever been in.
4 stroke motors can go bad just the same as a 2 stroke. Can probably get the 680t and repower to a new 4 stroke for the price of the 05 alumacraft. |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Ranger went to pultruded glass transoms in 87. Stringers a few years later. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | smartest thing you could do is to restore a 90's vintage ranger ... ageless. |
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Posts: 383
| What Sled said. I did this last year... Sold my '06 Polarkraft to buy a mid-90s 681. I bought it knowing full well it would need work. I have to say I've enjoyed every minute of the restoration process and I love fishing out of this boat. That said, I went into it knowing I'd be putting in all-new electronics in addition to the cosmetic updates and that, yes, the day will come when that ol' 2 stroke will need to be repowered...but all in all, absolutely no regrets! |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | If that is what you want, go for it. Very nice boat when you get done. |
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| Does the polyester age? I mean 1990...that's 22 years old! |
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Posts: 23
| I love my 91 680C. I'll end up replacing the carpet and probably repower in the future. It rides and fishes extremely well. I've got her waxed up and get at least two or three comments at the boat landing on how nice of a boat it is for 20 years old. Best decision I've made! |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | search this forum and you will find some great ideas and pictures for boat restoration on the glass, carpet and interiors. the best thing about Ranger is that with your VIN number they have your production records and know your boat. they also support your boat and the available products you will need to get the job done. i saw a full-restoration of a late 70's tiller that was updated with new seats, hardware and side decals ... it was amazing.
i'm in the process of turning a 1994 Ranger into a brand new version of itself. it's a lot of fun and you get a sense of pride as it takes shape. all new compartment gaskets, latch hardware and steering wheel are happening now. the glass and trailer will happen in the coming winter.
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Location: Contrarian Island | does glass "age"? no... my boat is titled as a 1995....you tell me, does it look 17+ years old...Old Rangers never get old..they get better! ;o)
lots of great 90s and older Rangers out there...great boats...you'll love it.
Edited by BNelson 6/25/2012 11:14 AM
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 690.jpg (132KB - 1688 downloads)
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| Go with the Ranger. You will be surprised at how much nicer a boat it is over the newer Alumacraft.
Can't go wrong with the Ranger.
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| Thanx for the advice guys!
Few more questions.
I think it's not an original 680T but a 680C with a removed console. Would that be a problem? I want a tiller,so that's fine by me. But is there any difference between the two of them besides the console?
I 'm planning on using my own 4-stroke honda 50hp. Will that be sufficient for 2 guys + gear on big lakes?
It looks like it has lower sides then my lunker. Isn't that a problem when drifting in bigger waves?
Would you recommend a 55lbs or 80lbs terrova? I now own a 55lbs 12V.
thanks again for your answers.
Sherman |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i don't know the answer for your conversion from console to tiller, but i've seen others do that very thing successfully with other brands. you should be able to talk to Ranger directly and get any anwswers you need from their experience. if you go to the right rear of the boat you will find the VIN number. call them with that and you will be talking apples to apples. they might also give you a rating for tiller max hp.
i would think the 50hp honda would work but it might be sluggish and not jump out of the water for you.
on the trolling motor ... more is better, a 24-volt 80lb. for sure! on a windy day a 55 will be toast quick ...
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Location: MN | I believe the '90 680C and 680t were the exact boat with the only difference they stuck a console slightly off-center in the 680C. If you look at the specs the 680C is only 75lbs heavier than the 680t (BBC Ranger Specs).
Your hole shot might be poor with the 50hp 4stroke but overall it should push the boat fine. I repowered my '90 680t last year with a 60hp Etec based on discussions/comments from other 680t owners who said the 4strokes didn't have enough punch for the holeshot. With a 60 Etec I can top out around 33mph max and holeshot is excellent.
I would get the higher lb thrust TM as there are times you may want the extra power. I had a 52" - 70lb Maxxum on my boat and the 70lb was plenty powerful but the shaft was too short when batting wind on V and Mille Lacs. I just put a 60"-80lb Terrova on mine + two drift socks... I am looking forward to some windy days this year!
Edited by Mak51 6/27/2012 12:05 PM
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