Bass Pro Buys Ranger, Triton, And Stratos

[Chief Grey Bear]

Are you kidding!!!

Power Poles!!

I don't know how we ever fished without them!!!

[Sore Thumbs]

Are you kidding!!!

Power Poles!!

I don't know how we ever fished without them!!!

I would love to have them but there is not much need in these local deep lakes for them. Other than dropping them down to park on the bank at a tourney.

[Bill Babler]

From a guy that is in boats everyday, I think there has been massive changes since the 1980's. Yes, a boat is a boat is a boat, but the hull designs have really changed. To tell you the truth this is mostly from Lund. They have been an innovator in not only hull design, but interior configuration, electronics, stability and quality.

My first boat was a 18' Winner and from there the progression has been on almost a yearly basis. I got the Winner in 1978. From there I went to a 747 XLV Charger that was an exceptional boat and at that time handled Lake of the Ozarks quite well. Next in line I went out on a limb and spent some money. Becky was not on board, but I told her this was the best deal. We bought a showroom new Ranger 370V. With a 150 Evinrude. Biggest mistake of my boat buying life span. Thank goodness it had great resale, as that boat was the roughest riding wettest piece of Cr0000P that was ever made. It would soak you with spray over the side on a calm day.

Next inline came the Stratos family and I went right to the 201. What a friggin dream. Not wet anymore and a 21 ft. boat that had all the goodies and talk about speed. I was into it and that boat rode flat, smooth and fast. Ran a new Stratos just about every year for the next 15 yrs.

Went to the Champs and had 2 with the 201 being the last one and now on my 3rd. Phoenix.

I think my 2014 is my 24th. bass boat.

Changes over that time period excluding aesthetics have been a hull design that has not only added stability it has increased in width from my early Charger over 30 inches in beam. They have also narrowed the top cap to create interior space.

Ranger is also at the top of the food chain as they were the first to put positive flotation in all their boats. It is a moot point now as it is required by every boat line to pass MMA.

One of the main components of the new boats and almost all the companies have this now is a reverse chine. This was developed by Lund and it is a must have as far as I'm concerned. What this does is allow the boat to set in a completely flat non-rocking attitude when you are fishing. Its other function is that it directs spray away from the boat when on plane and driving into a cross wind. it is the last chine and surrounds the boat. It forces all water and spray down and it really has changed the performance of every boat company that uses it.

Another Lund innovation is the aeration system that has been used on the Ranger boats since Brunswick acquired Lund. This system goes from bottom to top and top to bottom. Most all companies use it now.

Lund is also an innovator in quality materials, using the strongest possible thread in the seats and heaver quality vinyl and a much higher quality carpet. Lund is also a product that although it is mass produced it has more man hours In the production that any boat line, glass or tin.

Every boat company worth a hoot has looked at this and followed its lead. Ranger used to claim highest resale. They were right and wrong. Yes at one point they did have the highest resale of any FIBERGLASS fishing boat, but they never came within a mile of the resale of the LUND.

As far as others that have participated in the revolution, that should never be forgotten is Bass Cat. Really hard to talk about resale or quality of construction until you walk thru that door at the factory and see the cases lined with J.D. Power awards for quality of construction,quality of materials and customer satisfaction. No one is even in the state, let alone the ball park.

Bass Cat started with and again now most have followed with the integrated hull.

This is a very expensive procedure that enforces the super structure of the boat by building the boxes into the hull blank. It creates stability and adds strength to the entire boat. No drop in or plastic boxes, it is all glass from start to finish.

Lots and lots of changes since my ole Winner. What does that mean for the future and Bass Pro? Guess we will wait and see

[Old plug]

Wrench------ I have always wanted to convert a paddle pontoon for fishing with a 24 volt system 70 lb thrust troller. But on LOZ it would be dangerous. But on some of these lakes it would be nice for fishing within 2- 4 miles of your put in spot. Lot more room and comfort than a Kayak.

[Guest]

Bill just convinced me to sale the old 375V & buy the stratos, which is what Im wanting to accomplish anyway.

Thanks for the reinforcement

[Guest]

Wrench------ I have always wanted to convert a paddle pontoon for fishing with a 24 volt system 70 lb thrust troller. But on LOZ it would be dangerous. But on some of these lakes it would be nice for fishing within 2- 4 miles of your put in spot. Lot more room and comfort than a Kayak.

LOL, can you post a picture of you in that 24volt paddle boat? that would be awesome!

[Old plug]

I will try to do that. I think there is one in the next cove. I have seen him out fishing on it several times. It look a old 4 person paddle boat. They can carry a good bit of weight on that frame. That thing really scoots when he crosses the cove is whaf makes me think it is 24 volt.

[fishinwrench]

I will try to do that. I think there is one in the next cove. I have seen him out fishing on it several times. It look a old 4 person paddle boat. They can carry a good bit of weight on that frame. That thing really scoots when he crosses the cove is whaf makes me think it is 24 volt.

It wouldn't be hard to build a cool little fishing rig out of a paddle boat, but in the end a 12-14' Jon is gonna be better for about the same amount of money.

No need for 24v either. Today's 12v's are more than adequate.

[fishingaddiction]

Good read Bill. You are correct, fishing boats have come a long way since the 80's. I have known this ever since I bought my first big bass boat 2 years ago. The 20' 225 Skeeter is fast, dry, stable and has great storage for all my gear. My previous boats were smaller, some tin and some glass, but they don't even come close to comparing to the Skeeter.

[Old plug]

The reason it interest me Wrench is the one over in the other cove has that high seat. Sitting in one of those little john boats are anything else with a low seat like a lot of bass boats is beyond me now. I would play hell getting back up as well.