Bass Pro Buys Ranger, Triton, And Stratos

[Guest]

Aluminum is the answer if you want a good boat below 30k.

I dont really like the idea of running 10-15 miles in 4ft swells with a tin can rig.

I've tried it in the past & it didn't end well.

But for the most part, it was a good boat until the wind kicked up.

[J-Doc]

I dont really like the idea of running 10-15 miles in 4ft swells with a tin can rig.

I've tried it in the past & it didn't end well.

But for the most part, it was a good boat until the wind kicked up.

Come ride with me. I've added about 650miles on mine since July. As for wind, I can keep my trolling motor on about 30% into 20-25mph head winds and hold on a spot. At 45% I'm starting to move forward. At 100% move it or lose it time. Its an 80lb Fortrex (24v). Wind doesn't bother me anymore with a low profile boat that sits flat in the water.

Ride as good as a glass boat? No. But it's actually softer in impact because the aluminium will flex slightly where fiberglass is more rigid and zero flex. I've been in my RT188 since July and I've jumped as many wakes as a motorcross biker. I can run full throttle with a hot foot and not beat my kidneys to death even during mid day when the wakers are trying to make the lake look like the North Shore beach at Maui to ride killer waves. And I stay dry too. I was beyond surprised. And a Tracker 190 can cut a wake well too with its v-shaped bow.

Sorry, off topic. Just saying that tin rigs have come a long long way and seem to be growing in advancements and popularity as well.

[fishinwrench]

I dont really like the idea of running 10-15 miles in 4ft swells with a tin can rig.

I've tried it in the past & it didn't end well.

But for the most part, it was a good boat until the wind kicked up.

I wouldn't run 10-15 miles thru 4' swells in a Scarab, much less a fishing boat.

I ran 7 miles in honest 3' swells once trying to get back to Osage bluff on Truman in a 18' Champion and it was not something I ever wanna do again in ANY boat. If I ever get caught like that again I'll just pitch camp in a quiet cove.

Buying a boat with the mindset that you will need it to navigate the worst imaginable conditions is like buying a monster truck for a daily driver and interstate travel.

[J-Doc]

^^^

Lol!!!

Your way with words cracks me up. :-)

[fishinwrench]

Yeah it does me too. That's why I can't ever keep my mouth shut.

[Flysmallie]

Your way with words cracks me up. :-)

I agree. It's always entertaining.

[96 CHAMP]

well what ever happened to champion boats, why did they leave the market?? Why would such a quality boat manufacture go out of business, not saying they are any better than others but did competitors push them out or was it financial?? Just curious to know!!

[dtrs5kprs]

well what ever happened to champion boats, why did they leave the market?? Why would such a quality boat manufacture go out of business, not saying they are any better than others but did competitors push them out or was it financial?? Just curious to know!!

Champs are now Stratos, and were being made in Flippin, but only a couple of models. They had sort of a ragged record in terms of staying in business. No doubt someone knows more. Would guess not sponsoring a major circuit did not help.

They definitely sold a ton of them locally over the years. Good riding boats.

[balsabee]

Changing the name of a long standing well respected boat with a huge loyal following was the so-called last nail in the coffin. Imagine the fallout of the Ranger loyal if Johnny changes their name to Nitro-ranger Elite Z Series. I'm only hopeful that Johnny will resurrect the Champion name and legacy along with the competition between both Ranger and Champion that made both brands great. The worst thing about this whole mess is the total loss of competition among the various brands he now owns. I suspect you won't notice anything dramatic for at least 3-5 years. Johnny had already tried to purchase the Champion brand back in 2001.... so he's at least interested.

[Champ188]

I was thinking the hybrid Nitro-Ranger boats might be called NIght Rangers.