Bass Pro Buys Ranger, Triton, And Stratos

[fishinwrench]

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

Oh, good one! Whether "they" call them that or not it's gonna stick with me. Especially if they all have black outboards hanging on them

[Guest]

What year did Stratos start making champion?

Ive been eyeballing a 2005 stratos with a 225. Just curious if its really a champion underneath.

Wrench sometimes the wind blows 40mph & I'm not letting weather or water conditions keep me from my best spot in a tournament.

It might have been 7 miles, but it was roundtrip. Lol

I really hope next weekends tournament isn't that windy.

[balsabee]

What year did Stratos start making champion?

Ive been eyeballing a 2005 stratos with a 225. Just curious if its really a champion underneath.

2011-2013

Purely Champion. The only thing Stratos about it was the decals and the Stratos cut-out on the trailer.

[mixermarkb]

If he's looking at a Stratos Elite..

[mixermarkb]

Which in 2005 would not be the case. Still a solid boat though-

[Champ188]

I had a 2004 Champion 188 Elite for 7 years. Great, great boat. Really got my money's worth out of it.

[denjac]

Wouldn't surprise me if either Triton or Stratos or both are on the chopping block. Eliminating the competition is another reason for a buyout.

[Champ188]

I heard from someone who should know that nothing is changing (for now) with Ranger. Cabela's is their No. 1 volume dealer and they will continue to be sold there.

[huntest]

Management teams generally leave things status quo until they determine what slow but steady changes may improve profitability. Since Johnny Morris / Bass Pro is not publicly held, therefore no board of directors and stockholders to report to, they will likely do as they like on their own terms. I hope they preserve that great Ranger parts department....best service I have ever seen.

[Hunter53]

The local Cabelas has Triton, Stratos, and Ranger but now that this has occured, my guess is no. I myself am not happy with this because I fear the parent company will drive down cost cutting measures to cut production costs and make the boats more affordable. That's how they mass produce the bejeezas out of their Nitro/Tracker lines. Cut production costs to make more sell more. That's why they are so affordable because they cut down on material costs. The reason Ranger is so much more than most is the quality of the resin used and the amount used (most Ranger glass hulls are thicker, thus more resin, thus more cost).

I myself fear this could be a bad thing. A monopoly. The only large bass boat companies not owned by Bass Pro will be Skeeter, Phoenix, Legend, and Bass Cat. And Skeeter is owned by Yamaha. Bass Cat, Legend, and Phoenix are the only independantly owned companies left.

Part in red is not true. There is one in MO by the name of Charger. Best riding boat on the market!!