New to TR, Appreciate advice

[Hammer time]

Been in lots of Ranger boats, ruff wet ride but when you get there, best fishing platform I've ever fished out of. Problem is getting there!

[dtrs5kprs]

 

With all due respect Dave, until ranger got to the Z series hulls, they were among the wettest, roughest riding boats on the market, per given size class. Drop the troller on one, and it was like fishing off a dock. But any Champion, Basscat, Charger, Phoenix, Stratos, or Triton would most likely ride better, be faster, handle better in turns than a comparable Ranger. The old 340 was an exception, that was a hot little boat with the right setup. Ranger performance took a big step up with the Z series hulls, and now they have a boat that performs as well on plane as it does on the troller. 

Now if JM can use his raw material buying power to get the prices down across the whole Tracker Marine group, Ranger included and doesn't start building boats in Mexico for cheap labor, Rangers will really be a hard boat to beat. I probably won't ever buy a new boat though. I'm happy with my Champions, and will just repower,  recarpet, re-seat and keep electronics updated as best as I can afford. 

 

Have a good friend who had a hot 340 with a 150 merc efi. Very hot. Very, very squirrelly. Scariest boat I've ever been in, bar none. Duck swimming by would leave a wake that would make it catch air. You'd sit in it (more properly on it), look ahead, and there just wasn't any boat there. Something like 16'10" with a 150. Crazy.

Never said they rode great, but there were a few quick ones. And you won't lose any parts of the boat getting there. All Rangers need a plate, and some knowledgeable setup. My old 462 had a 10" plate. Got a lot of funny looks, but it was quick and handled well, especially running trees.

[Ham]

 

but it's a little sad to me that some guys don't feel like a 17-18 foot glass or even tin boat with a V6 isn't enough to catch bass on any lake short of the Great Lakes.

There are some on here that don't think a Bass Cat P2 with a 200 HP is enough boat for TR.

[mixermarkb]

Dave, try riding on a 340 with a "150" that's really a 200 horse power head with all the fun extras like drilled exhaust, etc etc! 

[seminole]

So the whopper is starting to produce.  Love catching fish on the red fin so can't wait to try out my new ploppers. 

[dtrs5kprs]

 

There are some on here that don't think a Bass Cat P2 with a 200 HP is enough boat for TR.

I resemble that guy. I like fishing on days that are bad for short boats. Stupid Smallmouth Syndrome days.

[mixermarkb]

19' with a 200 is plenty of boat, but I get what you are saying Dave, bigger is more comfortable when it's ugly out. 

[dtrs5kprs]

 

19' with a 200 is plenty of boat, but I get what you are saying Dave, bigger is more comfortable when it's ugly out. 

I need a nice old fat guy hull under me. I don't want a sports car or a 19 year old blonde anymore either.

Plus I can't fit 30-40 rods in a 19' boat.

[Ham]

 

 

Plus I can't fit 30-40 rods in a 19' boat.

Which begs the question, why would you need to bring 30-40 rods? 

[Champ188]

What does it matter what anyone else thinks about your boat and tackle? Let's all just enjoy the freedom to own and fish from what we want/can afford while we still can. The way things are headed, we may not always have that freedom.