texasfishingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Power-Pole CS, T-Rigger, JoeGoes, EcKo
119150 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
hopalong 120,586
TexDawg 119,529
Bigbob_FTW 94,908
John175☮ 85,893
Pilothawk 83,264
Bob Davis 81,523
Mark Perry 72,297
Derek 🐝 68,312
JDavis7873 67,416
Forum Statistics
Forums59
Topics1,037,861
Posts13,935,741
Members144,150
Most Online39,925
Dec 30th, 2023
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Opinions on Ranger boats? #14368360 05/15/22 05:10 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,532
Uncle Zeek Offline OP
aka "Dad"
OP Offline
aka "Dad"
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,532
Have been looking for a larger center console that I can take my kid out fishing regularly. Currently have an 18' center console, which has been a great boat for me - but it's less than ideal to take an ADHD hyper kid out fishing.

Anyways, found a 23' Ranger center console that looks like it would fit the bill for taking the family out for sandies/striped fish, catfish, and sometimes down to the coast for inshore fishing. I've seen lots of Ranger bass boats on the water, but never really taken an interest in them before now. It helps that I used to work with the seller at a former job and am confident that they've maintained the boat very well.

So, I'm asking for general opinions on the quality of Ranger fiberglass boats - "run away, run away", or "yes, great boat maker"?


"Decency is not news; it is buried in the obituaries --but it is a force stronger than crime" ~ Robert A. Heinlein
Artim Law Firm, PLLC
Estate planning & tax attorney
2250 Morriss Road, Suite 205, Flower Mound, Texas 75028
972-746-0758 mobile
zac@artimlegal.com
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Uncle Zeek] #14368428 05/15/22 06:39 PM
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11,977
tmd11111 Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11,977
Built as good if not better than their bass boat lineup

Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Uncle Zeek] #14370112 05/17/22 04:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 531
AggieDave Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 531
Great boats. I have a 20 year old Comanche 520. Runs like a top. Personal opinion, I would power it with a Yamaha, but that might just be me. Rangers are nicknamed "lead sleds" due to their weight. Not sure they are any heavier than any other boat made, but its a fun nickname regardless. Ranger, Skeeter, Bass Cat...all really nice boats. I only have experience with the Ranger. Customer service and access to parts IMO is just as important as initial quality. In my experience with Ranger boats, I have been able to order replacement/upgraded parts that fit perfectly and match the color scheme on a 20 year old boat. Pretty cool that Ranger continues to provide parts for 20 year old boats.

Highly recommend Ranger boats. Keep in mind that Bass Pro Shops owns Ranger Boats. Let's hope that Bass Pro keeps Ranger as a premium brand.


Fish tremble at the mere mention of my name!
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Uncle Zeek] #14373708 05/21/22 07:58 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,992
S
Stump jumper Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
S
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,992
I second what Aggie Dave stated. I ordered a Ranger Comanche from the factory in 1985 and sold it in 2019. I fish primarily open water and wanted a Bay Boat/CC. I looked at a Ranger before buying the Champion. If the Champion had not become available I would have bought the Ranger. I have owned several boats and the Champion is by far my favorite. It will fish shallow water and deep. Not sure what year the Ranger is but just make sure it is all composite and no wood.


2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax
2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Uncle Zeek] #14373725 05/21/22 08:18 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 120,586
hopalong Online Confused
Pescador Loco
Online Confused
Pescador Loco
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 120,586
there is a 22' champion bay boat in the classifieds, you can't do any better.

2009 Champion 220 Bay with 2009 200hp 4-stroke Yamaha (569 hours) 101 minn Kota TM . 3 bank charger.. I beam aluminum trailer . Hydrowave.. 2 Cannon down riggers ….. Canton Tx … Greg 469-236-7439….. electronic will be in pic………..29,500.

https://texasfishingforum.com/forum...570/gonew/1/2009-champion-220-bay#UNREAD


" Hop, set the hook"!
hopalong 99,999
TexDawg 99,999
FJB! not my president by a long shot!

lake fork FISHERMANS COVE MARINA/reservations - 903 474 7479
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Uncle Zeek] #14373726 05/21/22 08:20 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 120,586
hopalong Online Confused
Pescador Loco
Online Confused
Pescador Loco
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 120,586
zeek, since bass pro took the brand over I would run, run and then run some more.

think overpriced nitro.

jmo


" Hop, set the hook"!
hopalong 99,999
TexDawg 99,999
FJB! not my president by a long shot!

lake fork FISHERMANS COVE MARINA/reservations - 903 474 7479
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Uncle Zeek] #14373786 05/21/22 09:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,644
P
Pat Goff Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,644
The ranger bay boats are the old champ molds they grabbed when champ imploded with Genmar.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
[Linked Image]
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: AggieDave] #14373891 05/22/22 01:32 AM
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 2,649
J
Jonah's View Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
J
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 2,649
Originally Posted by AggieDave
Great boats. I have a 20 year old Comanche 520. Runs like a top. Personal opinion, I would power it with a Yamaha, but that might just be me. Rangers are nicknamed "lead sleds" due to their weight. Not sure they are any heavier than any other boat made, but its a fun nickname regardless. Ranger, Skeeter, Bass Cat...all really nice boats. I only have experience with the Ranger. Customer service and access to parts IMO is just as important as initial quality. In my experience with Ranger boats, I have been able to order replacement/upgraded parts that fit perfectly and match the color scheme on a 20 year old boat. Pretty cool that Ranger continues to provide parts for 20 year old boats.

Highly recommend Ranger boats. Keep in mind that Bass Pro Shops owns Ranger Boats. Let's hope that Bass Pro keeps Ranger as a premium brand.

i was just at the factory in Flippin in April, getting my brand new 2021 bass boat repaired ( and then I traded it !!! ), I was able to be a part of my repair and watched and spoke to the young lady ( Chrissy ) who did the gelcoat repair and spoke to the others who did other repairs to issues the boat came with, total mess... note I've been running Rangers for 3 decades getting a new one aprox every 5 years, and I have got to watch the steady decline of the brand... talking with the warranty department people they are only going to carry parts going back 10 years ! just like the other BPS brands... there has already been a lot of changes at Ranger for the worst with more to come... the problem is the same management that gave Nitro their bad name is now making decisions for a brand that all other brands were compared to because they were the best - that is now gone ! - don't kid yourself, if you have a good old Ranger keep it going because the new ones are heart breakers... they are Ranger in name only now... one of the worst decisions the morons at White River Marine did was fired the trailer department and farmed out the trailers to EZ Loader, they ARE NOT the same quality as when they were made in house, be prepared for them to fall apart just like the Nitro ones have been known to do early... believe I'm sad to say my last Ranger is my last Ranger, I had it for 5 months took a big loss financially trading it so quick, but once it was repaired at the factory I had a clean conscious getting rid of it, as I never had that new boat happy feeling - the fools at White River Marine stole that from me... I would find another non-white river marine brand and go with it... 2cents


Maranatha !
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Jonah's View] #14373955 05/22/22 09:19 AM
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11,977
tmd11111 Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11,977
Originally Posted by Jonah's View
Originally Posted by AggieDave
Great boats. I have a 20 year old Comanche 520. Runs like a top. Personal opinion, I would power it with a Yamaha, but that might just be me. Rangers are nicknamed "lead sleds" due to their weight. Not sure they are any heavier than any other boat made, but its a fun nickname regardless. Ranger, Skeeter, Bass Cat...all really nice boats. I only have experience with the Ranger. Customer service and access to parts IMO is just as important as initial quality. In my experience with Ranger boats, I have been able to order replacement/upgraded parts that fit perfectly and match the color scheme on a 20 year old boat. Pretty cool that Ranger continues to provide parts for 20 year old boats.

Highly recommend Ranger boats. Keep in mind that Bass Pro Shops owns Ranger Boats. Let's hope that Bass Pro keeps Ranger as a premium brand.

i was just at the factory in Flippin in April, getting my brand new 2021 bass boat repaired ( and then I traded it !!! ), I was able to be a part of my repair and watched and spoke to the young lady ( Chrissy ) who did the gelcoat repair and spoke to the others who did other repairs to issues the boat came with, total mess... note I've been running Rangers for 3 decades getting a new one aprox every 5 years, and I have got to watch the steady decline of the brand... talking with the warranty department people they are only going to carry parts going back 10 years ! just like the other BPS brands... there has already been a lot of changes at Ranger for the worst with more to come... the problem is the same management that gave Nitro their bad name is now making decisions for a brand that all other brands were compared to because they were the best - that is now gone ! - don't kid yourself, if you have a good old Ranger keep it going because the new ones are heart breakers... they are Ranger in name only now... one of the worst decisions the morons at White River Marine did was fired the trailer department and farmed out the trailers to EZ Loader, they ARE NOT the same quality as when they were made in house, be prepared for them to fall apart just like the Nitro ones have been known to do early... believe I'm sad to say my last Ranger is my last Ranger, I had it for 5 months took a big loss financially trading it so quick, but once it was repaired at the factory I had a clean conscious getting rid of it, as I never had that new boat happy feeling - the fools at White River Marine stole that from me... I would find another non-white river marine brand and go with it... 2cents


Look at the flip side. Had WRM not purchased Ranger boats a few years ago they might not have existed today. Cracks me up when people say they haven't been the same since Forrest Woods owned it. News flash, he sold the company over 35 years ago. Was kept on as a marketing tool.

Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: tmd11111] #14373978 05/22/22 11:36 AM
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 2,649
J
Jonah's View Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
J
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 2,649
Originally Posted by tmd11111
Look at the flip side. Had WRM not purchased Ranger boats a few years ago they might not have existed today. Cracks me up when people say they haven't been the same since Forrest Woods owned it. News flash, he sold the company over 35 years ago. Was kept on as a marketing tool.


that one always cracks me up too !... corners were being cut all along the way...all my Rangers had a few issues that should have never left the factory - thats prior to BPS getting them... I've always had something to fix with every new boat, its a part of making the boat trustworthy... it's man made, it's not going to be perfect... it's just the last one had way too many from the start, especially with what they are charging for them now !!! fit and finish issues should not be a standard... just saying.


Maranatha !
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Uncle Zeek] #14374001 05/22/22 12:30 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,532
Uncle Zeek Offline OP
aka "Dad"
OP Offline
aka "Dad"
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,532
Well, for what it's worth, this is an older model (1998 I believe, will confirm when I inspect it tomorrow). No wood in the construction.

The irony is that I've been shopping ads for newer boats, or even a new boat. But I'm having a really hard time justifying the idea of taking on what amounts to a 20 year mortgage payment for a fishing boat. The appeal of this particular boat is that I'm well acquainted with the maintenance habits of the sellers, so I'm not concerned about the condition of the motors, wiring, and such, but was wondering about the hull quality for Ranger boats, which has been answered above - newer, no, older, yes (I think that's my takeaway).

Hop, that Champion boat looks very nice, but no t-top and it's missing the second engine. No, seriously, it's a sweet boat, but just not what I need.


"Decency is not news; it is buried in the obituaries --but it is a force stronger than crime" ~ Robert A. Heinlein
Artim Law Firm, PLLC
Estate planning & tax attorney
2250 Morriss Road, Suite 205, Flower Mound, Texas 75028
972-746-0758 mobile
zac@artimlegal.com
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Uncle Zeek] #14375288 05/24/22 02:48 AM
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 370
W
Whistlebritches Offline
Angler
Offline
Angler
W
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 370
I have a 1979 Ranger 168V................built like a tank.It's powered by a 1980 Johnson 150 V-6,a match made in heaven.That being said I hate bass boats but I just can't part with her.


On Time,On Target,Never Quit
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Uncle Zeek] #14375301 05/24/22 03:17 AM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 531
AggieDave Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 531
Originally Posted by Uncle Zeek
Well, for what it's worth, this is an older model (1998 I believe, will confirm when I inspect it tomorrow). No wood in the construction.

The irony is that I've been shopping ads for newer boats, or even a new boat. But I'm having a really hard time justifying the idea of taking on what amounts to a 20 year mortgage payment for a fishing boat. The appeal of this particular boat is that I'm well acquainted with the maintenance habits of the sellers, so I'm not concerned about the condition of the motors, wiring, and such, but was wondering about the hull quality for Ranger boats, which has been answered above - newer, no, older, yes (I think that's my takeaway).


Hop, that Champion boat looks very nice, but no t-top and it's missing the second engine. No, seriously, it's a sweet boat, but just not what I need.


I've had more than one person, dealers included, tell me to hold on to that old 2001 Ranger. I did add some lights to it though. I may have inherited it from my dad, but I have to make it mine!

[Linked Image]


Fish tremble at the mere mention of my name!
Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: hopalong] #14376264 05/25/22 01:20 AM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,721
G
grandbassslayer Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
G
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,721
Originally Posted by hopalong
zeek, since bass pro took the brand over I would run, run and then run some more.

think overpriced nitro.

jmo

The quality is better than ever- it is with all brands. I don’t know if one bass boat that you compare side by side with a 20 year old version of the same brand that you wouldn’t say the new one is 10x better.

Re: Opinions on Ranger boats? [Re: Jonah's View] #14376267 05/25/22 01:23 AM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,721
G
grandbassslayer Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
G
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,721
Originally Posted by Jonah's View
Originally Posted by AggieDave
Great boats. I have a 20 year old Comanche 520. Runs like a top. Personal opinion, I would power it with a Yamaha, but that might just be me. Rangers are nicknamed "lead sleds" due to their weight. Not sure they are any heavier than any other boat made, but its a fun nickname regardless. Ranger, Skeeter, Bass Cat...all really nice boats. I only have experience with the Ranger. Customer service and access to parts IMO is just as important as initial quality. In my experience with Ranger boats, I have been able to order replacement/upgraded parts that fit perfectly and match the color scheme on a 20 year old boat. Pretty cool that Ranger continues to provide parts for 20 year old boats.

Highly recommend Ranger boats. Keep in mind that Bass Pro Shops owns Ranger Boats. Let's hope that Bass Pro keeps Ranger as a premium brand.

i was just at the factory in Flippin in April, getting my brand new 2021 bass boat repaired ( and then I traded it !!! ), I was able to be a part of my repair and watched and spoke to the young lady ( Chrissy ) who did the gelcoat repair and spoke to the others who did other repairs to issues the boat came with, total mess... note I've been running Rangers for 3 decades getting a new one aprox every 5 years, and I have got to watch the steady decline of the brand... talking with the warranty department people they are only going to carry parts going back 10 years ! just like the other BPS brands... there has already been a lot of changes at Ranger for the worst with more to come... the problem is the same management that gave Nitro their bad name is now making decisions for a brand that all other brands were compared to because they were the best - that is now gone ! - don't kid yourself, if you have a good old Ranger keep it going because the new ones are heart breakers... they are Ranger in name only now... one of the worst decisions the morons at White River Marine did was fired the trailer department and farmed out the trailers to EZ Loader, they ARE NOT the same quality as when they were made in house, be prepared for them to fall apart just like the Nitro ones have been known to do early... believe I'm sad to say my last Ranger is my last Ranger, I had it for 5 months took a big loss financially trading it so quick, but once it was repaired at the factory I had a clean conscious getting rid of it, as I never had that new boat happy feeling - the fools at White River Marine stole that from me... I would find another non-white river marine brand and go with it... 2cents

Have you been in a new Nitro? Like all brands they have low end and high end models.

Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 1998-2022 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3