i second that

I'm BassCat Fan. Great Boats backed by a super nice family. I think Merc is one of the best motors out there. Call some repair shops and ask them what motors are in the most. Best to form your own opinions.

Legends are nice rides. Took a ride with Danny Golden. Very nice boat as well.

Ranger & Yamaha.....enough said.....By all means, go check them all out.....then go get you a Ranger.

This post fits right in with my situation. Being a Honda salesman, I wonder who builds the best boat. I feel Honda builds the best car, and wonder whom is the 'Honda' of bass boats (admittedly the new Tundra is the best truck on the market). It seems everyone talks about who's boat is the fastest; but quality, refinement, and resale value aren't mentioned much. Resale value is a measure of retained value after a marked number of years; which basically illustrates all the characteristics that make a quality boat separate itself from the rest. It seems simple to me that a quality boat should represent all of these factors. Right now I'm looking at a 188VS, but don't have access to a 'black book' of boat values to determine which boats are bringing the money.

Preach it brother......Just look at the clasifieds and see whats for sale........

All i know if ranger and champion, grew up fishing out of both and I own a older ranger, my new boat will either be one of the two....

Based on used boat sales I knew Ranger was at the top...I looked for an old 481V for a while, but the wife said our house must be built before 'we' buy any boats. I'm sure I will stir up a pot, but I don't want to buy a boat that makes me feel like someone that pulls up in a Dodge at our dealership! Salesman will generally fight over whom has to take the customer that pulls up in a dodge. Nobody wants em'...guaranteed to be upside-down...Monte knows what I'm talking about!

Well like many have said go look at and ride in as many as possible and then decide what works best for you. I have a BassCat Cougar and really like it. The BassCat family really stands behind their product, with great service.

There are several quality boats out there but all of them have different layouts and ride characteristics.

I have a Merc. Optimax on my boat and like it. I have friends that have Yamaha motors and they like them, so the choice again is up to you.

Its kinda like Chevy, vs Ford vs Dodge, you have to choose the one you like the best.

Hey Will...good lookin' Ranger. What model is it?

Be safe save gas Xpress

if your buying a new ranger, look at the z520. If you buy champion buy either a elite 200 or 210.

Natural stay away from the "one" series boat from Ranger. In fact after my dealings with Ranger I would stay awy from the entire Company.

First boat - Busterboat - great little boat to learn lakes from, makes you slow down and fish.
Second boat - 95 Champion 171 - another great little boat after eight years of ownership it looked the same as the day I bought it. Ride was great, I would go anywhere and feel safe in all conditions.
Third Boat - 04 Ranger 185 - went brain dead when I bought this, went to dealershiop for a 518, salesmen said 185 is the "same" as the 518 with out all the bells and whistles. In every catagory this boat was the worst, started falling apart from the day I picked it up. The only thing Ranger would do is re-glue carpet- four times in two years. warped rod box lids, cracks in top cap, instruments falling out of dash, ripping seat seams. Ranger would not address.
My Busterboat had a drier ride than the Ranger, and it darn near as fast.
Forth Boat - 08 BassCat - love it.

There are a lot of good boats out there for you. After owning my current boat, the Champion in my sig, I would have a hard time going with any other brand. As others have said "Ride and Decide".

Couldn't have said it better myself. Although mine is an '88 20' Kingfisher with a 200 hp Suzuki. I paid cash for it 3 years ago, and still happy with it. I was getting a little aggravated at it last year due to the fact that I could not fish in the wind worth a flip, but once I put a new trolling motor on, I am happy once again.
To each his own, but I just cannot fathom the thought of getting myself in debt with a boat.

I have had the exact opposite experience with my 185. I couldn't be happier with it.

If I was going to buy a boat soon, I would look hard at Champion, Ranger, and BassCat. I really like Yamaha, but I wouldn't mind running a Merc. I am still not sold on Evinrude though.