I've been holding on to my 94 481VS Ranger and wondered if everyone else is too.

Rarely does a weekend go by when it's in the driveway someone doesn't stop and ask if its For Sale.

I cleaned it up and buffed it to a sparkling shine, she does need some new carpet soon.

It's as dry and functional as the $50K Boats and still handles as well as the maiden voyage on Fork 20 Spawns ago.


Anyone else still have an old girl they don't can't or won't give up?

Denny

Not a Ranger but I still have my '92 Champion 201DCR that is the first Champion boat that Fun-N-Sun sold in 1991.
I repowered it in 2004 with a Yamaha 250HPDI. It has been recarpeted, reupholstered, new electronics and is still one of the best riding boats I have ever been in. See no reason to get rid of it for what a new one would cost.

Looks good!! I've heard that those 481/461 vs hulls were good rough water hulls. I hope you get many more years out of her!

Mine's not a Ranger either, but I've got a 1997 Triton that my dad bought new. First year Triton made bass boats, and this one is just as good as it was 17 years ago. Even better with the electronics I've put on it and the detail job that Ray Vereen did a year ago.

do you have pics of the whole boat?

thought has actually crossed my mind to get a nice vintage Ranger. everyone does it for cars, why not boats?

I had a 1992 361V until last year. It was immaculate. Many TFF members here had seen it on the water and can testify, it was cherry. Lots of fishing trips but kept inside it's whole life helps but also a testimony to Rangers quality back in the 80's and 90's. Couple that with an absolutely bullet proof Johnson Faststrike 150 that I never spent a dime on other then normal maintenance. Not the fastest, smoothest...but a true high quality battleship that was actually luxury in it's day. Best fishing boat available in 1992. Traveling down the freeway early one morning a guy fell asleep and came up from behind and wiped it out. Boat slid down the freeway off the trailer and trailer was shaped like a horseshoe. I "gifted" it to a friend and he straightened the trailer and did a small amount of fiberglass work done. New trim/tilt & motor mounts and he fishes out it still. Obviously I "upgraded"(see below) but not by choice and I will always remember the 20 years of fishing out of this boat. Only a couple Texas lakes it did not see. Crossing Falcon in 35mph winds with 4' swells you could not see out of. Towing it behind a houseboat on Ouachita. Hours spent towing my kids on tubes and skis... Great boats for sure!

96' 488, 4th trolling motor, 3rd set of electronics, over 1000 hrs on the E-rude ! Folks say she has a lot of Fork character !
She ain't as pretty as she once was - but she was pretty once as she ever was !!

361's boat was the only Ranger I would ever concede that was prettier than mine, and mine was damn good looking

Let's see the whole boat Denny!

I've got a 97 champion that my dad bought when it was a year old. I love the boat and will probably end up putting a new motor on it when the old one blows

Sometimes I wish I still had my old 340V Ranger.
I stopped @ Cabelas in Allen yesterday and drooled all over and RT188 aluminum rig. Not a bad price rigged with an E-tec Evinrude 115. 24v TM, SS prop, no shallow water anchors yet and it would come in just under $25K....

I have a 97 Stratos 201 PE that I repowered in 08 with a HO and she runs better today than the day I got her. I might treat myself to a new ride this year but if I do I sure will be sorry to see her go.

This thread is greatness!!!

I had ad a 92 Stratos 201 Pro XL with a 200 Evinrude that is still the best boat in memory I have owned to date