Boat reviews

[KYKevin]

You will get older one day and appreciate the fact that you are headed up river on a cold fall day inside the cab in shirt sleeves when all those other boats have their insulated coveralls and their ear muffs on! .

@Dworwood, I'll be 64 in a few days, and considered a senior citizen by most standards Your making me sound younger then I am, or your self a lot older then you are

 

[Chukardog]

Hahahaha I bought a 2013 1850LS last summer with 36 hrs on the motor. The previous owner was a Ranger dealer who now sells Vexus boats after Bass Pro bought Ranger. It is pristine and I need to get some wear on it!!! Not used to such a purty Boat…

I know that guy and the boat, was drooling over it, wanting to trade my 2007 reata 210 for it but mine only has 120 hrs on the 225 mercury and I love the boat, although the 2 stroke doesn’t like pulling the bigger grandkids on the tube very much

 

[Dworwood]

@Dworwood, I'll be 64 in a few days, and considered a senior citizen by most standards Your making me sound younger then I am, or your self a lot older then you are

@KYKevin I was talking in general terms not necessarily about you except about the catching fish part! And you are one tough cat to do what you do at your age, you act 15 years younger than that you punk a** kid!. See you soon.

 

[Joe Wilson]

I'm probably the least-qualified person to give fishing-anything advice. I've always been a recreational boater first, fisherman second. After Dad passed away and his fishing boat went to my brother, I started a similar search. Some of my findings -

Just about everything found on every basic fishing boat is sourced from the same handful of suppliers. Find the combination that you like at a price you can afford. I'm not talking about specialized heavy-gauge welded-aluminum northern bay or offshore boats - which are awesome - but your basic Tracker, Lund, Ranger, Crestliner, etc, typically have the same doors, latches, carpet/vinyl, engine options, trolling motor options, fish finders, gauges, windshields, radios, live well pumps, and so on (often at differing model levels within a product line, but still from the same manufacturers).

So that leaves hull design and construction, trailer quality, interior layout, overall assembly, and creature comforts.

During COVID, I bought a Tracker (I know) for substantially less than a lesser-equipped/sized Ranger which was made by the same folks in the same factory. It was a better fit for what I do and what I could afford. And buying a Tracker allows me to always be dreaming about the next upgrade.

I've learned the same thing during my search, Brunswick owns Lund, Crestliner, Lowe and others; Bass Pro - Tracker, Ranger, Stratos, Triton; Smokercraft - Smoker Craft, Starcraft, Starweld. So that covers most of the types of boats I've been looking at within 3 ownership groups, hahaha.

I had a Ranger RT188 18 foot aluminum boat. It was a very nice fishing boat, but not fit for Lake Powell and what it can dish out. I sold it and bought a Ranger VX1788 18 foot all welded aluminum boat, 102 inches wide. I drove to Missouri to pick it up. I was shocked initially by the extra width. It came with a Ranger Trail tandem axle trailer, which I was also somewhat skeptical about.

The Ranger VX 1888 WT or the VS 1882 have also been on my radar. From the reviews I've seen the ride from either of these boats is not far off from a fiberglass boat. The other thing I've seen in the reviews is depending on who wrote the review (personal preferences vary) is there seems to be a drop off in quality since they moved the aluminum manufacturing to the Tracker plant. I've read that the 'glass boats suffered a drop off albeit to a lesser extent, but are still manufactured at the old Ranger plant. Can any of you Ranger owners attest to this?

 

[Joe Wilson]

I live in Rifle and last year purchased a 1975 Tyee from Mattas and my experience was excellent i was replacing my 1875 Tyee that i had for 10 years

I've actually been drooling over the 1975 Tyee for some time now, just haven't found a used one in my price range and unfortunately, a brand new one equipped the way I want it is a little out of my price range ($100k plus for a loaded '23 is a little more than I was planning on spending, haha.) I ran into a couple gentlemen at Rifle last summer when the water was really low, who had one that was a few years old (I wanna say it was around 2015-16 model). After talking with them they we really pleased with everything about the boat.
I definitely like the taller freeboards of the Tyee, but the Crossover is fairly close to the same depth as the Tyee, just a little friendlier on the pocket book.

 

[Joe Wilson]

I've also had friends that bought out of state to save $. Sometimes the amount was significant. One friend bought a boat in Nebraska (it was his first) and found that at least a large portion of the savings came from the dealer skimping on the trailer. Single axle, two bunks, no brakes..... So be mindful of that.

Also, if you buy out of state, make sure that you are prepared to either do your own service/warranty work, or be put at the very end of the line. I have a Ranger, and last year, in the off season, I was told that the local dealer wouldn't work on my boat as they were too booked up with customers who bought from them. And I'm not the only one who has had a similar experience. Maybe that isn't a big deal to you, maybe it is.

The dealer I've been looking at doesn't seem to get their cost savings from the trailer, but from the volume of the boats they sell, but I see your point.
As I understand it, per most manufacturer contracts with their dealers, they cannot flat out refuse to due warranty work if you bought your boat elsewhere, but they definitely do not have to make you a priority or make any extra effort to please you (and I would most likely be added to the very bottom of their schedule). This makes sense that they can't refuse warranty work considering that you may buy a boat from your local dealer then be forced/choose to move out of state/country or maybe you just bought a used boat or maybe your local dealer went out of business. I understand these issues aren't the dealers problem but the manufacturers seem to understand that these things happen.

I completely understand your point though and its something I've considered. I have heard a lot of horror stories regarding this exact situation with dealers of all types (trucks, powersports, boats), but I've also heard of dealers going the extra mile with those customers trying to earn their business on the next purchase, though I understand that this is more the exception than the rule.

 

[Joe Wilson]

I am sitting at home in the throws of depression. I still do not have my big boat out of the shop for warranty work that I turned in back last August.
Even though I own two different Thunder Jets, and really like the boats themselves. I have nothing good to say about that company, and would suggest that anyone steer clear of Thunder Jet. They do not respond to the warranty dealers on their own warranty work. There is a lot on this thread to reply to, but every time that I have started to reply. I start getting pissed about my big boat, which is not conducive or productive for a positive thread that anyone could use. Sorry, for the rant.

Not to dwell on your negative experiences, but this is definitely the type of info that I find very helpful. Actually, everything in this thread has been helpful but the "avoid at all costs" or "steer clears" even more so. I hope you can get everything to work out in your favor and get back out on the water, but thank you for your feedback.

The previous owner was a Ranger dealer who now sells Vexus boats after Bass Pro bought Ranger. It is pristine and I need to get some wear on it!!! Not used to such a purty Boat…

I've been seeing this a lot online lately, seems some people either love or hate the Rangers since the Bass Pro buyout.

 

[Dorado]

I've been seeing this a lot online lately, seems some people either love or hate the Rangers since the Bass Pro buyout.

I’m no expert on Ranger Boats, and I am sure the new ones are nice. What I was told was as that after Bass Pro bought Ranger, the core group that made Ranger the company that it was were not pleased with the direction of the company. They moved on and started Vexus Boats, which are made with top end materials and manufacturing technology. They are crazy nice boats with a price tag to go along with it!

 

[Edward Gerdemann]

I’m no expert on Ranger Boats, and I am sure the new ones are nice. What I was told was as that after Bass Pro bought Ranger, the core group that made Ranger the company that it was were not pleased with the direction of the company. They moved on and started Vexus Boats, which are made with top end materials and manufacturing technology. They are crazy nice boats with a price tag to go along with it!

I can't comment on the quality of Ranger boats, however I can attest that Ranger's level of customer service has declined since BPS bought the company. I actually ordered a Ranger aluminum boat back in July of 2021. No more 2021s were being built, however orders were being taken for 2022 models which were scheduled to go into production. The boat model I chose had actually changed. In 2021 only one layout option (besides the consoles and windshields) was available in 2021, however in 2022 a new layout version was introduced in addition to the older layout. Both were given names. The new layout was called an "Angler" while the original 2021 layout was designated the "Reata" (not to be confused with the fiberglass model Reata). The problem occurred because Ranger, or more appropriately the parent company White River Marine Group, had not updated the online dealer order forms, so the poor salesman was trying to order my boat on a 2021 order form which did not differentiate between the two layouts. I requested the "Reata" layout, but since the order form did not show two versions of this boat the salesman had to manually type in which version I requested.

Lo and behold, when my boat was delivered in November it was the "Angler" and not the "Reata," and I refused to accept it. It was reordered, this time on the proper form, but by early April the boat had not yet been delivered. When I questioned the regional sales rep for the White River Marine Group, a hard man to find given the company bureaucracy, he could not give me a definte date my boat would be ready. He said it might be a few weeks and then it might not be until late summer. I asked him what would happen if I found an available boat that met my needs. He told me if that happened and I purchased it, White River Marine would refund my deposit.

I then went on the AZ Marine website and found a Crestliner 1850 Fishhawk that was very similiar to the Ranger I had ordered was on the lot. I called Jeff at AZ Marine and he said they had just got it in. I told him to hold it as I was coming up the next day which I did and purchased the boat. After rigging it, Jeff then delivered the boat to AZ Marine's Page store and Tom Pryor took me out on the lake for a orientation shakedown cruise. It's funny because while I was at AZ Marine purchasing this boat, White River's regional sales rep called me to tell me the boat I had ordered was completed and ready to ship. I told him I was purchasing the Crestliner. He said he couldn't blame me for that, and my refund would be available to pick up at the Glendale, AZ Cabela's in a few days.

I will give the sales rep credit for doing the right thing given all that I went through on the deal, however after doing some research I learned that problems like I had with White River Marine products as well as poor service expriences on boats purchased were common problems. I'm glad I went with Crestliner and, more importantly, AZ Marine.

Ed Gerdemann

 

[Havalina]

The big boat is a Thunder Jet 28’ pilot, and once I get the kinks worked out it will be a great boat. The reason that I say steer clear of thunder jet is that I have had the original dealer and the boat shop here request that I call thunder jet because thunder jet were not responding to them. I have not had a single issue with the small boat other than that my raw water wash down and bilge pump were not connected at the factory.. My boat has been in the shop for the last nine months over window latches, and it took Thunder Jet six months to respond to RPM in Centerville to let them know who the manufacture was.. Thunder Jet is having major growing pains and it is showing. The thunder jet, wellscraft, hewes, design is incredible. I frequently spend days fishing in 15-20 mph winds on powell and love that wide base and stability.

 

[davew]

I have never been able to afford the "new" boat I have wanted so all my prior purchases have been used -- from all over the country ---
I purchased my 1st bass boat -- a little 17foot tracker from someone in Phx, sold that and bought a Rinker out of Denver-- that was a big family that cruised a lot of he lake --- kids left the house, so no longer needed that boat, and purchased a late 90's ranger bass boat-- reata -- this one came out of Minnesota--- It had a new motor on it -- I thought I was in heaven because it had a 200HP 2 stroke yamaha that would fly down the lake -- Turns out I did not like the height of the seats, and the low freeboard, so I started looking and found my current -- a 2018 Starcraft STX 2050-- this one came out of Wyoming and had a great shape 250 Honda outboard ---
Only negative to buying used is that you have to learn how to work on them yourself --- I have had nothing but good luck with doing my own service --- one day, if I have to, I could take to a dealer to service -- closest one for me is Colorado Springs --- I am in Grand Junction --- I hope that day never comes -- I have found most repairs I can do myself with a little help from you tube---

I am already looking for the next boat, but that will be way different than this one --- My wife and I plan on doing the Great Loop in the next 3 to 5 years, so will need a much bigger boat --- yes it will be used

good luck on your search

 

[Edward Gerdemann]

It used to be that boat dealers would have a significant number of leftovers - brand new boats that spent one or 2 years sitting on dealer lots. These boats and motors, which always come with new boat warranties, often sold thousands less than when they arrived at the dealer. I bought my Ranger Cherokee that way, a 2002 leftover that I bought in 2004 for $8000 less than it would have cost in 2002. That boat served me well for 18 seasons before I replaced it with my current Crestliner. I hope its current owner is enjoying it as much as I did. We don't see as many leftovers now as there has been a big surge in demand for boats since 2020 and the manufacturers have had trouble keeping up with demand. I believe those days will return, however. Buying a dealer leftover is a great way to get a new boat for the price of a late-model used rig. The only problem is you have to be flexible in what you'll buy as your ideal rig may not be available as a leftover.

Ed Gerdemann

 

[svivian]

2003 Tracker Pro Deep V - boats - by owner - marine sale

This boat is in Pristine condition! Completley restored and ready to go in the water! With new marine plywood, new marine carpet, and new marine vinyl. 90 hp Mercury Outboard Motor with cover and...

westslope.craigslist.org

Throwing this one out there if anyone is looking. I just saw this pop up, I am not affiliated with the seller but for someone looking for a starter this is a nice deal.

 

[Joe Wilson]

Only negative to buying used is that you have to learn how to work on them yourself --- I have had nothing but good luck with doing my own service --- one day, if I have to, I could take to a dealer to service

This is about the same boat I'm in, I have done all my own maintenance on all my previous boats, as well as some fairly major repairs (actually rebuilt the 5.7 Mercruiser in my '96 Maxum about 10 years ago). My only real concern with repairs would be on a newer outboard that required any kind of computer work. Other than that I'm in pretty good shape in that department.
Buying used isn't out of the question, but everything I've come across thus far within roughly 5 years old is just slightly under new pricing or in some cases actually higher than new pricing at which point I'd be better off to just go new.

It used to be that boat dealers would have a significant number of leftovers - brand new boats that spent one or 2 years sitting on dealer lots. These boats and motors, which always come with new boat warranties, often sold thousands less than when they arrived at the dealer.

I have seen a couple '22 models and actually did come across a '21 model but they really are few and far between (and most of them have been back in the Minnesota/Wisconsin area). The other thing I have seen is a few low hour dealer demo models, but those concern me a little in the same way that I would be hesitant to buy a used rental.

I know that I'm the only one who can decide what will/will not work for me, but its reassuring to hear others chime in with the same thoughts that I am having regarding the boat (makes me feel like I'm not crazy after all, haha). Now if only someone out there could read my mind and build the perfect boat for me at a reasonable dollar amount I would be in good shape. hahaha

 

[Littlesaltwash]

I have never been able to afford the "new" boat I have wanted so all my prior purchases have been used -- from all over the country ---
I purchased my 1st bass boat -- a little 17foot tracker from someone in Phx, sold that and bought a Rinker out of Denver-- that was a big family that cruised a lot of he lake --- kids left the house, so no longer needed that boat, and purchased a late 90's ranger bass boat-- reata -- this one came out of Minnesota--- It had a new motor on it -- I thought I was in heaven because it had a 200HP 2 stroke yamaha that would fly down the lake -- Turns out I did not like the height of the seats, and the low freeboard, so I started looking and found my current -- a 2018 Starcraft STX 2050-- this one came out of Wyoming and had a great shape 250 Honda outboard ---
Only negative to buying used is that you have to learn how to work on them yourself --- I have had nothing but good luck with doing my own service --- one day, if I have to, I could take to a dealer to service -- closest one for me is Colorado Springs --- I am in Grand Junction --- I hope that day never comes -- I have found most repairs I can do myself with a little help from you tube---

I am already looking for the next boat, but that will be way different than this one --- My wife and I plan on doing the Great Loop in the next 3 to 5 years, so will need a much bigger boat --- yes it will be used

good luck on your search

If you’re in junction I have had good service with USA marine working on my boats.

 

[svivian]

If you’re in junction I have had good service with USA marine working on my boats.

Agreed, Ray just mounted my new motor

 

[SBennett]

I've learned the same thing during my search, Brunswick owns Lund, Crestliner, Lowe and others; Bass Pro - Tracker, Ranger, Stratos, Triton; Smokercraft - Smoker Craft, Starcraft, Starweld. So that covers most of the types of boats I've been looking at within 3 ownership groups, hahaha.



The Ranger VX 1888 WT or the VS 1882 have also been on my radar. From the reviews I've seen the ride from either of these boats is not far off from a fiberglass boat. The other thing I've seen in the reviews is depending on who wrote the review (personal preferences vary) is there seems to be a drop off in quality since they moved the aluminum manufacturing to the Tracker plant. I've read that the 'glass boats suffered a drop off albeit to a lesser extent, but are still manufactured at the old Ranger plant. Can any of you Ranger owners attest to this?

I ordered my Reata in ‘16, so not sure if mine is pre or post BPS?
I loved getting the updates and photos on my boat. They sent photos after molding, painting, wiring, engine installation, etc.
Time from signing the order to delivery was 13 weeks.
I love the boat and still have it.
I ordered it with a 175 ProXS 2 stroke.
The salesman thought I was nuts but I love big 2 strokers.
That motor has been flawless and gets used a lot.
My only complaint is the screws that hold down my fuel tank inspection cover. Some of them were drilled right on the edge of the fiberglass and won’t hold tight anymore.
I have had to pull cover a few times and have added the u-shaped metal clips that are used in the automotive world to hold body panels on.
I have no plans to ever sale my boat ( famous last words…).

 

[Striper Slayer]

I have a 19 FT Stratos Bass boat. It's a great fishing machine and is a blast to fly down the lake in! BUT, if there are ANY kinds of wind and waves you WILL get wet. And it's rough. Beat your kidney purple rough. I love it, but I am too old to take that pounding anymore and want a full windshield. And seats that I don't have to climb up out of.
A Ranger 620 or Reata are my dream, but it might have to be a Tracker. Ranger is mighty proud of their boats when putting the price tag on them!

 

[SBennett]

I have a 19 FT Stratos Bass boat. It's a great fishing machine and is a blast to fly down the lake in! BUT, if there are ANY kinds of wind and waves you WILL get wet. And it's rough. Beat your kidney purple rough. I love it, but I am too old to take that pounding anymore and want a full windshield. And seats that I don't have to climb up out of.
A Ranger 620 or Reata are my dream, but it might have to be a Tracker. Ranger is mighty proud of their boats when putting the price tag on them!

What is crazy is I ordered my Reata in early July of ‘16, received it late September, chose all my colors on the boat and trailer, and my total cost was just barely over $39K.
Seemed so expensive then, seems so cheap now.

 

[Coho975]

What is crazy is I ordered my Reata in early July of ‘16, received it late September, chose all my colors on the boat and trailer, and my total cost was just barely over $39K.
Seemed so expensive then, seems so cheap now.

Yeah, a 23’ is 60K now, and that’s with a single axle trailer, 150 HP, and very modest electronics. Just looked at an 1880 and an 1850 side by side.