Super User SPEEDBEAD. Posted October 10, 2012 Super User Posted October 10, 2012 Looking for a small glass boat and this one seems to fit the bill. No need to burn up the water as I rarely, if ever, fish tournaments. Anyone have experience with this model? Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted October 10, 2012 Super User Posted October 10, 2012 I have an '01 R73. It's great for the lakes I fish. It's a really smooth ride. You can get in really shallow. I have a 70lb Thrust Powerdrive V2. I can fish off that thing for 2 days or more depending on wind and weeds. I would rather have a single counsel bass boat to be honest but I still love my boat. Perfect for you and a partner. Being that they are smaller boats they're on the lighter side. I tow mine with a Ford Explorer V6 and it tows just fine so if you got a truck or something with a bit more horse, you'll be even better off. The one downfall, is you cant store rods in my boat and assuming in the R61 would be the same. They were designed to only fit 6'6 or smaller. So all of my rods stay on the deck or on the sides by the counsels. That is a nuisance at times, but you make due. Quote
Super User SPEEDBEAD. Posted October 10, 2012 Author Super User Posted October 10, 2012 Funny enough, I'll be towing whatever I end up getting with a 2010 Explorer. Good to know that it will haul it. I think the R61 will fit 7' rods but my swimbait sticks are all 8' and longer. LOL What motor do you have on that? This one has a 75hp Mercury. Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted October 10, 2012 Super User Posted October 10, 2012 Funny enough, I'll be towing whatever I end up getting with a 2010 Explorer. Good to know that it will haul it. I think the R61 will fit 7' rods but my swimbait sticks are all 8' and longer. LOL What motor do you have on that? This one has a 75hp Mercury. Mine is a 115 Evinrude Ficht, runs great and haven't had any problems starting it. I think the max i can put on my boat is 125 or 135hp. With the 115 I can get to about 40-42mph. Being that you have a single counsel and a longer rod box you might be right on that. I'm towing with an 07 Explorer. The other thing to mention is my boat trailer is a short tongue. That can be a pain sometimes depending on the landings. But the boat front end is light enough that you can actually man handle it up or down if you're pinching your trailer at a strange angle. Rarely do I have an issue but every now and then a tricky boat launch makes it a task to get the boat back on. Quote
Super User SPEEDBEAD. Posted October 10, 2012 Author Super User Posted October 10, 2012 Good deal. I'm waiting to hear the "friend price" for the boat. Hopefully it's something I can afford. Quote
RyneB Posted October 18, 2012 Posted October 18, 2012 i recently purchased a 2000 R81 and i love it. This is my first glass boat so i dont have anything to compare it to. I love my storage space,smooth ride, and its still small enough to fit in my garage. Although i only have about 3 inches to spare. The down side is definately towing. I have a 2500 HD, so the vehicle tows it fine. It just comes down to less MPG with the heavier boat. Good luck on your search, and hopefully youll become a member of the Ranger family. Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted October 18, 2012 Super User Posted October 18, 2012 i recently purchased a 2000 R81 and i love it. This is my first glass boat so i dont have anything to compare it to. I love my storage space,smooth ride, and its still small enough to fit in my garage. Although i only have about 3 inches to spare. The down side is definately towing. I have a 2500 HD, so the vehicle tows it fine. It just comes down to less MPG with the heavier boat. Good luck on your search, and hopefully youll become a member of the Ranger family. Got a pic? I would like to see it. Speed, what happened to this deal? Yay or nay? Quote
RyneB Posted October 18, 2012 Posted October 18, 2012 Got a pic? I would like to see it. Speed, what happened to this deal? Yay or nay? There is a pic in the "show your ride" section. You have already seen it, you gave me a Ranger salute. lol Quote
boatinpete Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 Sold my 1999 r61 month ago, incredible little boat.You can store rods to 7'2" on passenger side console.My rig had a Merc 90 three, it GPS at 45.2 mph, you should hit 42 at least.Storage for a little boat is huge, it can handle some good sized waves,was caught on Lake Onterio a couple of times needing to get from one bay,15 miles later against west wind to another bay were I launched from,wet but safe, not recomended, also after all those miles of pounding not one stress crack. Do use a stainless prop, had a Merc Laser 22, big diffrence from aluminun, bought it from Jaco's Marine, best price on the net.You may need a 20 inch for that 75.Buy the boat, should have not sold mine. Quote
boatinpete Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 Speadbead ironically my fishing partner has a older Explorer with a 4 liter,we towed my rig behind his Explorer many times ,it pulls it like it's not there, you''ll have no problem. By the way thats a pretty boat Mark.Had a Fitch 115 like you,poped powerhead twice.Looks like you got one of the good ones Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted November 1, 2012 Super User Posted November 1, 2012 Speadbead ironically my fishing partner has a older Explorer with a 4 liter,we towed my rig behind his Explorer many times ,it pulls it like it's not there, you''ll have no problem. By the way thats a pretty boat Mark.Had a Fitch 115 like you,poped powerhead twice.Looks like you got one of the good ones Thanks. I love it. Hopefully you didn't just jinx me. Lol Quote
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