Ranger Reata

[Patlock]

18 hours ago, LD Fisher said:

LOL. Believe it or not I very seldom have a beverage while fishing!!  But when I'm done..........  😲  I hate to admit it, but I'm getting old and the lake keeps getting rougher!  And........ the ranger is a single console and my wife does not like being exposed to the cold wind in the spring and fall, and definitely not in the winter. I am concerned about the ride (rough water) and stability when setting still out in the main part of the lake.  I know having a full windshield will increase the amount of fishing I will do with my main partner, my wife.

i am thinking that this may be the boat to last me until I just can't fish anymore!!

I've been looking at the same boat for exactly the same reasons. 

[Blll]

I wanted a true fishing boat but with full windshield and extra seating. Reata filled those needs plus higher freeboard safer on larger water. Zero complaints. Single wish would be a way to store rods better on shorter front deck. Not a huge problem. 

[bobby b.]

I have been thinking about the Reata 212.  Does anyone have one of these and if so how is the ride in rough water, rough like down at the darn in a mid summer weekend?  Also Trition makes a similar rig, anyone have one of these?

[Walleyedmike]

LD, you might post your questions on other lake forums, hopefully somebody that has an 1850 will offer to take you for a ride. I've never fished in one, but I'm guessing that boat will fit your needs nicely. The full windshield will be a great upgrade for your partner. Will have to learn to deal with much smaller fishing decks compared to your bass boat, though.                                      bobby b, I just sold a Reata 210 after moving to a 620. Loved my Reata 210. I've never been at the dam on TR on a weekend, but never found anything on Stockton it wouldn't handle, and survived huge wind/waves one day on Devils Lake, ND with it. I'm not sure what all was changed on the 212, but the 210 is an awesome boat.

WM

[KCKT]

I found a Charger SUV last year while looking for the same style of boat. Lots of room, two live wells and a bait well. Takes rough water well. 7' Rods in rod box, lots of storage. Mine 190 they make the 210 also.

[LD Fisher]

Thanks everyone!  Talked to a buddy in Oklahoma who had one and he convinced me it is a good choice.  Plus, the boss likes the seating.............and picking out the colors 😀   Ranger has some good freebies right now, so based on 80% of the votes for being cast for the boat, I now have one one on order!!   I did cast my 20% also, so the vote was unanimous! 🤣

[tapout]

I have the triton fs21. Suits my fishing just as well as my past champion bass boat, plus has more room and deeper gunnel for the wife and grandkids. Takes big water quite well. Runs about 60 mph with a 200 yamaha. Only negatives are that full windshield really catches the wind when I’m trying to stay on a spot on windy days and my 7’ rods won’t lay on the front deck without hanging over. But the rod locker will hold a 7’2” rod. It depends on your needs/wants. Suits mine perfectly.

[Jim Elam]

22 hours ago, Walleyedmike said:

LD, you might post your questions on other lake forums, hopefully somebody that has an 1850 will offer to take you for a ride. I've never fished in one, but I'm guessing that boat will fit your needs nicely. The full windshield will be a great upgrade for your partner. Will have to learn to deal with much smaller fishing decks compared to your bass boat, though.                                      bobby b, I just sold a Reata 210 after moving to a 620. Loved my Reata 210. I've never been at the dam on TR on a weekend, but never found anything on Stockton it wouldn't handle, and survived huge wind/waves one day on Devils Lake, ND with it. I'm not sure what all was changed on the 212, but the 210 is an awesome boat.

WM

 I Purchased WalleyedMike’s 210 VS  and it is a great boat. You are certainly welcome to meet up with me sometime this spring or summer and  give it a whirl.

It fishes well,  but there are rod storage issues with all of the Reatas.   Additionally, They don’t easily accommodate large screen electronics or 36 V trolling motor systems. That’s OK for me, but it’s a dealbreaker for some people.

I bought the Reata because I have a wife and kids and I want the boat to serve two purposes. If I were simply fishing, I would’ve  looked hard at a Ranger FS 620 or 621, or even a nitro ZV 21.   Both of those platforms will handle rough water very well, and have ample rod and tackle storage. 

I have owned DEEP V tin boats in the past and they are OK.  The deep V glass boats are far superior in terms of rough water handling and dealing with wind IMO.

Jim

 

 

[vernon]

I also looked long and hard at the 620 and 621 when I purchased my Z521 a couple of years ago and for all of the same reasons mentioned above.

And I absolutely would have gone that direction if my storage situation was just a little more accommodating.

It's just such a pain in the butt to get even the 521 in and out of my garage that I decided that the extra weight and girth of the multi-species models was just gonna be too much to bear.

But if I had a larger and more easily accessible place to keep it the 621 would have been mine.

Don't get me wrong - I love my 521 and it handles rough water superbly but I kind of liken the 621 to driving my Tahoe and the 521 is more like riding in a Camaro.

And at homey's age I be digging the comfort and safety of the Tahoe!

I think you're gonna be absolutely thrilled to death with that new boat and good for you I say!

[IdleTime]

I have been researching this for years the Reata and 6 Series. One dealers explanation hit the home with me, the Reata is more ski than fish while the 6 Series is all fish. As mentioned I found the forward casting deck on the Reata small as well as rod storage issues. The 6 series, 619, 620 and 621 are all the same from the consoles forward, the additional lengths are added behind the console seats. A pre-owned Reata seems to be less expensive than a 6 Series. I hope to replace the Champion this year with  a new 620 for all the same reasons mentioned and strangely enough it was my wife's idea.

Good luck with your search as there is nothing better than getting a new boat.