Bass Pro Buys Ranger, Triton, And Stratos

[David Unnerstall]

Unless Chrysler starts making bass boats, again, I have bought my last bass boat.

[96 CHAMP]

to no surprise champ I have a 96, 18' elite and it is still in excellent shape and it has been a great, great boat for me also, only regret i wish i would have bought a 20'

[Jerry Rapp]

http://www.bbcboards.net/bbc-lounge/551536-oh-no-hitler-found-out-about-basspro-buying-ranger-triton.html

[Old plug]

There will be changes for sure. Most will be negative as far as the employees go and quality of the project. Would not surprise me if they just had most of the boats made in China.

[mixermarkb]

I'm not sure about China, Old Plug, shipping seems like it would get expensive. Mexico seems like an idea though, for someone more concerned about profit then people.

If he could sell a loaded tourney boat with all the toys for $35K would people bite on it, even if it wasn't made in the USA?

[dtrs5kprs]

I'm not sure about China, Old Plug, shipping seems like it would get expensive. Mexico seems like an idea though, for someone more concerned about profit then people.

If he could sell a loaded tourney boat with all the toys for $35K would people bite on it, even if it wasn't made in the USA?

No doubt they would, provided it held together and fished well. AAs an example, a Tracker is not a Lund (and calm down, I had a Tracker in college and tortured it), but for the average once or twice a month guy it may not matter.

I love my Ranger, but think they (and some others) have really about hit the top end of what folks can stand to pay for a boat. Interested to see what happens, but not manic yet.

[Old plug]

DRRS. Nope a tracker might never become a Lund. But if they would have bought Lund you can be about sure a Lund would have become a tracker. . Speaking of tracker my 11 yr old tracker Targa stands up to everything LOZ can hand out. I use it I would guess about 250 days a year. It is also extremely safe.

[Old plug]

Mixermark------- i can see your point about shipping but on the pther hand I was flabbergaster to learn the the bowling pin makers like bruswixk or shipping rock maple from Canada to China to make pins and then shiping it back here.

[dtrs5kprs]

DRRS. Nope a tracker might never become a Lund. But if they would have bought Lund you can be about sure a Lund would have become a tracker. . Speaking of tracker my 11 yr old tracker Targa stands up to everything LOZ can hand out. I use it I would guess about 250 days a year. It is also extremely safe.

Exactly. If they find a way to make coin by selling a boat of acceptable quality at a lower price, be assured there will be buyers.

[fishinwrench]

What is truly new in bass boats ?

Hull geometry and construction peaked in the 1980's.

Transom and top-cap installation methods were perfected shortly afterwards, as were hinges and storage compartment lids.

So now after 20+ years of no REAL improvements (just some rounding of edges and blending of paint) we're down to piddly a$$ little details like maintenance free trailer hubs and such to continually drive new boat prices upward.

Meanwhile, gelcoat still scratches when it touches rocks or docks, and carpet, seats, and steering wheels still rot if not kept in a climate controlled garage.

Outboards are over-engineered with no margin for safely limping you home in the event of a minor mechanical/electrical failure (they either run CLEAN and fuel/oil efficient or they simply won't run at all). And we pay MORE for that.

Nothing can be diagnosed or repaired on the scene in the event of an engine related issue, and repair centers now need 20k worth of diagnostic equipment in order to replace a 30 dollar sensor.

Thank Dog a man of average income can stand knee deep in a stream or fix up an old beater jon boat and still catch enough fish to impress his friends, otherwise I would have given this crap up for croquet and badminten years ago.