vernon

Now that's just mean! Eye poker!

Last March my G2 was 3K more than the comparable Merc and Yammy. So far, worth it in my opinion but then I've spent most of my life wasting all my money so who knows?

Stealthy.

Well, you got me there! Plus I do take meticulous care of them. Every time I see an older boat that looks all dull, faded and neglected I can't help but think that at one time that thing was brand new and looking spectacular but now......? Just never really understood why somebody would let that happen to a boat, a car, a house or whatever. Stuff just all costs way too much money to let it go to crap like that if you ask me.

Hmmm. Oil and water. They won't mix but we can't do without either. My thought for the day. That's some really cool reading guys - I never had the slightest idea about why that happened to gel coat (other than the sun's rays ruined it) nor did I realize that there was a restoration process. Fortunately, I've never encountered that problem but interesting nonetheless. I do remember that during a conversation with none other than Forrest Wood in 2004 that he said in the early years (from the 60's to mid to late 70's) that they used to send back about as much gel coat product as they would keep due to inferior quality. He said that being so "picky" about the gel coat (technical term) was the "secret" to Ranger's having a more eye catching shine and staying that way for so much longer than much of the competition. Cool deal.

That is the basic design of the factory installed ladder on my 2004 Ranger 520. Works like a charm. In fact, years ago, my 81 year old father was able to get back in the boat with no problem. The new and "improved" version on my Z521, however, is a completely different deal. My (almost) 64 year old butt and 59 year old wife just as well go rope climbing somewhere! That motor climbing deal can and certainly does work but can be dangerous too. I had a buddy of mine slip getting back into my boat one time and ended up with 20+ stitches in his foot from hitting the prop when he fell. Ain't done it since.

Hey Ab, thanks for posting this. I'd never heard of these guys but, thanks to you, I might have just found the solution for my wintertime fishing show needs! I just watched the video on rods and reels and the jerk bait episode and I am beyond thrilled to say that I never heard a single, "bro", "bruh", "boi" or "dude" and I can't remember the last time I saw somebody doing a fishing show wearing a plaid flannel shirt!! And with NO LOGOS! Priceless. Not a single scream or yell and nobody fell to the bottom of the boat flopping around like someone having a drunken seizure or one of those paralyzed sheep whenever they missed a strike or lost a fish! And the tackle segment was so redeeming (and I am certified irredeemable). No brand loyalty, no infomercials, no trying sell anything as the best ever and one and ONLY way to catch those "finicky" bass in "extreme" conditions! Guy didn't replenish every ounce of his stuff with new sponsor provided gear every year but, instead, said that he had accumulated his favorites over the "years"! Amazing. Good stuff and thanks again!

You're my hero. And that's not sarcasm in the least. Now, Zona would think you're a little school girl though. You just don't WANT it bad enough. You have to be willing to put it ALL on the line if you ever expect to catch a fish.

Man, I don't get it but good for you - I'm glad you're happy with it and that that method works. However, for me, without something to hold onto and pull myself up I can't do it. It would be like trying to climb out of a bathtub with no arms.

Uh oh.

The only problem that I see is what are you going to grab onto to pull yourself up? I've posted here before about how worthless I find the factory installed, later model Ranger boarding ladders. First of all, when deployed the bottom of the ladder actually tilts towards the underside of the hull so you're not going "up" but rather back. Secondly, the cool looking chrome hardware on the back that doubles (I assume) as boarding handles are way to low to do any good insofar as pulling yourself up and into the boat. When on the top step of the ladder and holding the chrome handle dealies you are essentially touching your toes. For that reason, I concur with what Troller said about adding handles up top. All of the ladders pictured here look great, but again, without something to grab onto in order to "pull up" I'm not sure they're gonna do much good in a moment of peril. Obviously, the only way to know is to take it out on the water and give it a go to see for yourself. My wife and I never had a problem climbing up the factory ladder on our 2004 520 as it was before "cool" and was of sufficient width and length and had substantial handles mounted up top on the deck similar to swimming pool or dock ladders. However, after our first swim in the new Z521 last year it was immediately evident that the new ladder is a joke. And that was after about a five minute swim wearing swim trunks and in 80 degree water. Fortunately, Kathy was able to make it back it in on about her fourth or fifth try and with me providing a "boost". However, I had no one in the water with me to give me a push. Had I not made it back in the boat on my last attempt she would have had to use the trolling motor to take us to shore in order for me to climb back in. I was exhausted and bruised all over. As for the climbing up the motor and using the power trim I would say that although it will work in some cases (we used to do it all the time years ago when swimming and waterskiing) but nowadays with the huge size of outboards and jackplates and all it's not nearly as easy. I know in my case there is NO WAY in heck that I could stand on the back of my G2 and reach the trim switch and then be able to get back to the boat. The "length" of that motor coupled with the jackplate just puts a guy way too far back away from the transom. I don't at all mean to sound critical of the well designed great looking ladders illustrated in this thread. Judging merely by appearance, I thought that the new Ranger ladder would work just like the old one. Wrong. I would just like to encourage everyone to test them in real life conditions before convincing themselves that they're covered in case of emergency. And that's all I have to say about that.

Something that doesn't much resemble the artificial "food source" that I'm chuckin' at em'.

And don't forget to take your iPad for scoring updates. Else wise you'll never know how you stand!

Of course he did. Who wouldn't pay big money for that?

So there you go.

To me, the deal breaker was the drama he attempted to create by basically saying he crawled off of his death bed to go out there and fish in those kind of conditions just cause that's the kind of "extreme" guy that he is, and death be darn, there's smallmouth to be caught by God! He had to be the happiest and most symptom free "deathly" sick guy I've ever seen.

Oh I've done that kind of crazy stuff too but this is different. I think you gotta see the episode to understand what I'm talking about.

I never said that it didn't serve a variety of purposes. I just said I wasn't going to be seduced off into another golf conversation! Too many cow pasture pool haters around these parts.

Bingo. I'm just hoping that mere curiosity and knowing that the danged video is lurking right above here there doesn't traumatize me!

What ended it for me when it comes to Zona (although I was pretty much done a long time ago) is an episode that was on earlier this season. Air temperature up where they're at is like 30, it's snowing like crazy with a 30 mph wind howling. Dude says he's been sicker than a dog with the flu. Hasn't been able to even get out of bed for like four days and has a temperature of 102 but "Doggone it, the smallmouth are bitin' and you KNOW that NOTHING'S going to keep me from getting out there when those smallmouth are goin'!" He then proceeds to head out and do a show where they wear out the batteries in his partner's boat so they go in and get Zona's boat so they can go back out and fish the rest of the day. Guy makes Navy SEALS look soft. Might be what gets Donna goin' Champ!

If you scroll down to the thread titled, "Power Poles or Talons" there's a few comments regarding the Ultrex. I bought one for my Z521c but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I did quite a bit of research before purchasing but my reasons for being sold might not parallel your needs. I also posted a video that was on Facebook of it performing in a pretty good chop but there are quite a few others on youtube that address the different features and benefits.

I'll never know. Ain't no way I'm opening anything that I've been warned might have snakes in it. Nope. Never.

Now that's just mean. Funny as all get out though!

Oh you big baby! You're nothing more than a volcanophobe! Probably don't like earthquakes either I'll bet. Geez.

Don't do it. I won't bite. Almost gave up the game after the last dustup. Well, actually, I guess I DID give it up since I ain't played none since then but you know what I mean. I will be neither tempted nor swayed. I am rehabilitated.