Uncertainty at Ranger boats

[wareaglecamo]

article on Ranger executives resigning . . . comments following the article are also included . . . 

http://fishingtackleretailer.com/ranger-loses-ttop-executives/

[ness]

The fact that they all resigned at the same time makes me think there was either a showdown, or they were asked to resign. Could be a lot of things. When you're used to running things, and now you've got to answer to someone, it can be tough to swallow. It'll be interesting to hear the gossip coming out of Flippin in the next few days and weeks. Johnny sure seems to be a busy guy lately.

[vernon]

I had noticed on Steve Clark's (IT guy at Ranger) and Larry Nixon's Facebook pages earlier in the week that something very disturbing was going on.  Neither was forthcoming with details but Larry stated that he "wasn't happy" and Steve alluded to it being one of the worst days of his life.  Also noticed that he put his house on the market.  I was hoping to buy my tenth and likely last new Ranger (at 63 years old it's not as easy to justify such expenses these days) this spring but now who knows?  Ranger Boats was one of the things in life that I always felt could be counted on to be there.  

They presented a level of customer service and family atmosphere like I've never experienced anywhere in my life as a consumer.  Had the privilege and good fortune to spend several hours on a couple of occasions visiting with Forrest and Nina Wood in his office at Ranger and it's an experience that my wife and me will never forget.  It was an opportunity that came about only because a couple of folks at Ranger knew that Mr. and Mrs. Wood would like to meet someone who had been such a loyal customer.  

One of the times their daughter Donna called them from the museum to tell them we were there and they came in covered in mud as they'd been out "chasing that dad gummed ol' bull".  Randy Hopper, Connie Hill and many more too numerous to name felt like best friends if not family over the years.

Sad news indeed.

[Champ188]

One of the greatest blessings of being a sports/outdoors writer for the old Arkansas Gazette back in the 1980s was getting to know Forrest and Nina Wood well enough that Forrest invited me fishing with him and his daughter Rhonda one day. Spent some special times visiting with them in Flippin.

As a son-in-law of the Woods, Randy Hopper is family in both flesh and spirit. BPS will not be able to find anyone with that kind of down-home character and common sense to lead Ranger, but then if that's what they wanted, Randy would still be there.

[vernon]

16 minutes ago, Champ188 said:

BPS will not be able to find anyone with that kind of down-home character and common sense to lead Ranger, but then if that's what they wanted, Randy would still be there.

Unfortunately, I don't think you could be more right.  It's very hard to be even a little optimistic about the future of Ranger Boats when a message as strong as this one has been sent. Can't imagine what it must have been like for Randy to break the news to Mr. Wood.  

I remember many years ago when Dewey (another legend at Ranger) was telling me about how heartbroken Mr. Wood was and how betrayed he felt when Ray Scott abandoned Ranger and hooked up with Triton to provide boats for the Classic.  That had to be peanuts compared to this.

I've never met a man that I considered to be more honest, sincere and just downright good as Forrest Wood.  It's too bad that he had to see this happen in his lifetime.

[tv tom]

BOUGHT A NEW RANGER  2 WEEKS AGO EVEN THO I HAVE A 20 YEAR OLD ONE WITH A 2 YEAR OLD OPTI MAX ON IT..I PUT THAT NEW MOTOR ON IT WITH THE IDEA OF KEEPING IT. SPENT OVER 18,000.00 ON IT SINCE 2010. BUT WHEN MORRIS BOUGHT RANGER I DECIDED TO BUY ONE BEFORE HE COULD RUIN THE COMPANY. WHICH I AM SURE HE WILL.MADE MY FIRST TRIP TO RANGER FACTORY AND WAS IMPRESSED BY ALL THE PEOPLE WORKING THERE..L[KE THE SERVICE AND ATTITUDES OF BPS EMPLOYEES THIS WILL CHANGE. I HAVE TOO MUCH MONEY IN OLD BOAT BUT I QUESS I WILL CUT MY LOSSES AND SELL IT

TV TOM

[Champ188]

7 minutes ago, tv tom said:

BOUGHT A NEW RANGER  2 WEEKS AGO EVEN THO I HAVE A 20 YEAR OLD ONE WITH A 2 YEAR OLD OPTI MAX ON IT..I PUT THAT NEW MOTOR ON IT WITH THE IDEA OF KEEPING IT. SPENT OVER 18,000.00 ON IT SINCE 2010. BUT WHEN MORRIS BOUGHT RANGER I DECIDED TO BUY ONE BEFORE HE COULD RUIN THE COMPANY. WHICH I AM SURE HE WILL.MADE MY FIRST TRIP TO RANGER FACTORY AND WAS IMPRESSED BY ALL THE PEOPLE WORKING THERE..L[KE THE SERVICE AND ATTITUDES OF BPS EMPLOYEES THIS WILL CHANGE. I HAVE TOO MUCH MONEY IN OLD BOAT BUT I QUESS I WILL CUT MY LOSSES AND SELL IT

TV TOM

Welcome to the pre-Johnny Ranger club, tv tom. I'm afraid you are right. Ranger quality is destined to decline.

[fishinwrench]

I get to see alot of older boats on a daily basis, and while I've always liked the style and fishability of Ranger's they age and deteriorate no differently than the others.   A 20+ year old Ranger is likely to have the same issues as a 20+ year old Champ/Charger/ect when it is used and/or maintained the same.   So what type of quality problems are you guys concerned about going forward ?  

[wareaglecamo]

fishinwrench . . . I have never owned a modern-day fiberglass bb . . . hopefully, I will be purchasing my first one in Spring . . . I haven't yet determned whether it will be new or used . . . it will be between 18 and 20 ft (single axle trailer) . . . with your experience, I feel like this is an opportunity for me to ask you for some general advice . . . I would like to ask you for your "top 3" picks based upon your personal experience and hands-on contact and repair of various manufacturers' product lines . . . your advice would be very much appreciated:-)

[96 CHAMP]

Granted I don't get to use mine as much as some of you that live by the lake, but I believe with a little effort they can be taken care of, #1 is keep them inside if possible, #2 transport them with a cover on them, #3 keep them waxed and clean regularly, & #4, be cautious around docks, if I was to by a used boat and could find a well taken care of Champion I wouldn't hesitate to by, I have had no issues with this boat, that is my experience with Champions