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Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar #13620722 07/06/20 02:12 PM
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diggerwolf Offline OP
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BLUF: Does anyone here fish from a Reata and what are your opinions?

I have a 2003 Skeeter fish & ski. Wife likes it because of the comfort, windshield, ability to carry more people and pull a tube or skier, etc.

However as time advances, her back and neck cannot take to rough ride when there's any wind on the lakes where we usually fish - Texoma and Ray Hubbard.

Drove out to Cabela's this weekend to look at pontoons, although I'm only 58 and not yet old enough for one.

In the showroom I saw a 2020 Ranger Reata 1850MS. Deep V hull, quality craftsmanship, and appears to do everything my Skeeter does, but with better rod storage and a larger livewell.

Very expensive but I suspect it would smooth out rough water much better than my Skeeter, if not as well as a pontoon.

I typically fish for crappie or whites/stripers so shallow water is not that important to me.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Is there a better value in a fiberglass deep v family multi-species boat than the Reata?


"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" ― Hunter S. Thompson
Re: Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar [Re: diggerwolf] #13622100 07/07/20 02:45 PM
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Stump jumper Online Content
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Like you i primarily fish deep water but i have no problem going shallow. I fish the same shallows as i did in my 18' Ranger 375v. Selling the Ranger and buying the Champ 2200 Bay was the best thing i have done. Other than an occasional desire to run 60 mph+ the bay boat is great. The only problem i ran in to lookjng at used Bays is they weee hard to find with max HP. I believe in putting the max rated HP on a boat. After looking at lots of bays and only finding 1 that fit my criteria i settled on the Champ figuring i could at some point put a 250 on it. That said i have heard the 19' Skeeters run well with a 150 but i can tell you that you will be happier with a 22'. I bought the Champ for reputation, storage, and seating. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax
2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
Re: Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar [Re: diggerwolf] #13622126 07/07/20 03:13 PM
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Pat Goff Online Content
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There's a fleet of soft riding center consoles. Your reata is the old champion bay molds, they swiped them when genmar took over.
If you're looking for a non-tracker owned hull, you have a lot to choose from.
Pathfinders are exceptional.
Haynie are built here in Seadrift, their big bay hull is exceptional also.
Blue Wave makes a very popular hull.
And on and on...
Ride in them and find what's right for your taste.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar [Re: diggerwolf] #13622141 07/07/20 03:29 PM
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Patrnflyr Offline
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I have a Reata 212LS which is 21’4”. It’s a big boat with plenty of room. It has a 250 and will do 60 but no more. Every time I look at a CC, I go out and ride in a friend’s and it’s REALLY windy even with the console. It’s nice to tuck in behind those windshields and shield yourself from the cold March mornings etc. With that being said, my knees aren’t what they used to be so I’ve been looking at CC’s for over a year. Just can’t find one pops my cork. Agree about the HP issue, they’re never maxed out like bassboats

Re: Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar [Re: diggerwolf] #13622387 07/07/20 06:05 PM
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diggerwolf Offline OP
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Thanks for the responses and I apologize that my initial post wasn't more detailed.

I'd love a bay boat, but the wife is dead against it. She likes sitting in her own comfy seat behind a windshield. Hence the Reatta which is pretty much a deep V fish & ski.

Patrnflyr I'm afraid I don't follow. Are you saying a CC is easier on your knees than being seated behind the console on your Reata?


"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" ― Hunter S. Thompson
Re: Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar [Re: diggerwolf] #13622797 07/07/20 10:07 PM
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It's WAY easier on your body leaning than sitting. Plus moving around is much easier.
My mistake, I mistook the reatta for their bay boat. I stand corrected.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar [Re: diggerwolf] #13623257 07/08/20 11:35 AM
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Patrnflyr Offline
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I’m saying that the semi standing up is easier than getting up and sitting down all the time while going from place to place. I think getting up from a “lean to” type seat is easier to get out of a complete sit down sit in my Reata. People that have made the choice will probably pop in here and voice their opinion. I live on the lake and I think having a non carpeted boat with a wash off set up would be great for all the dang spiders we have now. I just can’t keep them off of my boat

Last edited by Patrnflyr; 07/08/20 11:36 AM.
Re: Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar [Re: diggerwolf] #13623262 07/08/20 11:40 AM
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Here is a Haynie, what does a center console have available that a fish n ski doesn't? Workable shade.
Lots more room.
Much softer ride.
Much dryer ride.
[Linked Image]


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar [Re: diggerwolf] #13624365 07/09/20 04:12 AM
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Craw worm Offline
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I had a 2001 Reata 190vs which was more of a bass boat hull than the 1850ms you were looking at. I fished out of it for about 5 years. It was a great all around boat and it was the most fishing friendly fish and ski that I have ever been in. It had a 200 and would run mid 60’s. My fishing partner came to love the windshield on cool mornings and we often opted for my boat over his anytime it was cold or there was a chance of rain. My biggest complaint with it was lack of rod storage. It would only hold 6 rods up to 7.5’ and 2-3 rods 6.5’ or less in the boxes. Others had to be propped up next to the passenger seat. It also didn’t have quite enough nose out in front of you for rough weather - you sat pretty far forward, but if you ran straight into the waves at 30mph or less it was not bad.
I think the 212ls would help with both of these issues. The extra two feet would help the ride and also provide more storage. I was really close to buying one but ended up getting a pontoon for the family and a Ranger z520 for fishing. I love the z520 and it is a true fishing machine but I do miss that big windshield on occasion. My opinion - Your wife will be WAY more comfortable sitting in that captain’s chair behind the windshield than leaning against a post behind a center console and trying to stay dry and out of the wind.

Re: Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar [Re: diggerwolf] #13624460 07/09/20 11:55 AM
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Patrnflyr Offline
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The 212LS only has four rod tubes also, but also stores on both sides behind the front seats. We also installed a deck extension up front which helped a bunch. I would go for a Garmin or Lowrance trolling motor also since the foot pad is wireless. My Ultrex seems to get in the way most of the time.

Re: Ranger Reata 1850MS or similar [Re: Craw worm] #13624674 07/09/20 02:44 PM
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diggerwolf Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Craw worm
I had a 2001 Reata 190vs which was more of a bass boat hull than the 1850ms you were looking at. I fished out of it for about 5 years. It was a great all around boat and it was the most fishing friendly fish and ski that I have ever been in. It had a 200 and would run mid 60’s. My fishing partner came to love the windshield on cool mornings and we often opted for my boat over his anytime it was cold or there was a chance of rain. My biggest complaint with it was lack of rod storage. It would only hold 6 rods up to 7.5’ and 2-3 rods 6.5’ or less in the boxes. Others had to be propped up next to the passenger seat. It also didn’t have quite enough nose out in front of you for rough weather - you sat pretty far forward, but if you ran straight into the waves at 30mph or less it was not bad.
I think the 212ls would help with both of these issues. The extra two feet would help the ride and also provide more storage. I was really close to buying one but ended up getting a pontoon for the family and a Ranger z520 for fishing. I love the z520 and it is a true fishing machine but I do miss that big windshield on occasion. My opinion - Your wife will be WAY more comfortable sitting in that captain’s chair behind the windshield than leaning against a post behind a center console and trying to stay dry and out of the wind.


My thoughts exactly. Or more specifically, Mrs Diggerwolf's thoughts...

Thanks!


"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" ― Hunter S. Thompson
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