wperry Posted January 6, 2014 Posted January 6, 2014 Sometime over the next year or so I would like to buy a bass boat. I have a bay boat I am keeping since I live near the Chesapeake Bay. There's a Skeeter dealer ten minutes from my house. Two different Ranger guys are several hours away. It's nice to be near the dealer but I really like Rangers. Lookiing at used fiberglass or new Ranger aluminum. Guess I'm really starting something here. Quote
Super User Jig Man Posted January 6, 2014 Super User Posted January 6, 2014 I'm not a big Ranger fan but I'd take it over a Skeeter. Quote
Lewi Posted January 6, 2014 Posted January 6, 2014 By the sounds of it your already in the Ranger. Several hours away for something that you want and for how long you could hang onto it you go after the Ranger. Quote
basscatcher8 Posted January 6, 2014 Posted January 6, 2014 I just bought a ranger aluminum and cant wait to get it out on the water. I went with the 115 pro xs and the camo no carpet option. Quote
Phoenix Guy Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 PHOENIX. lol. I say test drive as many different types of boats as possible in a lake you will fish frequently. That way you will know for sure what you like. Don't just buy a name or a boat out of convenience, you will regret it. Make sure you know what you are getting before you buy. 2 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 7, 2014 Super User Posted January 7, 2014 If you don't already have a mechanic, picking the right dealer is equally as important as the brand of boat. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 7, 2014 Super User Posted January 7, 2014 I just bought a ranger aluminum and cant wait to get it out on the water. I went with the 115 pro xs and the camo no carpet option. You should have went to the DPR today. I bet there weren't too many guys at the ramp Quote
RyneB Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 It seems a few guys have not been very happy with the quality of Skeeters lately. I own a Ranger, but I am not biased. I would take a Cat over a Skeeter. Quote
basscatcher8 Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 You should have went to the DPR today. I bet there weren't too many guys at the ramp Couldn't walk to my truck without a brain freeze they can have it lol Quote
Super User Catt Posted January 8, 2014 Super User Posted January 8, 2014 If you don't already have a mechanic, picking the right dealer is equally as important as the brand of boat. Even more with a used boat! I've never heard any thing bad about either boat, just a bunch of fan loyalty Quote
tbone1993 Posted January 8, 2014 Posted January 8, 2014 If you buy a new boat I would get something with a dealer that is close. I dont care if I love ranger I am not driving 5 hours to service my brand new boat. Lucky enough for me there is a dealer within an hour drive. My buddy has a triton and that is a 100+mile drive. Quote
Super User Sam Posted January 8, 2014 Super User Posted January 8, 2014 Skeeter - guy in bass club bought one two years ago and had problems with electrical system and the Yamaha that came with it. Guys in bass club say Skeeter has had electrical problems in the past, too. They all avoid Skeeters. Ranger - avoid the Evinrudes and go with a Mercury. No one has had problems with the hull. One of the guys in the club has a 1995 Ranger still going strong no matter what he does to try to destroy it. Bass Cats - Fan loyalty almost parallels that of the Bamasux fans. Everyone I know with a Bass Cat loves them and have never had any hull problems. They come with Mercury motors. Remember to get any used motor's compression checked in addition to having your marine mechanic read the computer data on how the motor was handled and serviced. As for service, any Mercury repair center can handle the motor. I don't think you will need any assistance with the hull. Please let us know what you purchase. Quote
Super User Catt Posted January 8, 2014 Super User Posted January 8, 2014 Sam, Jack (fishfordollar) Yates had a 1988 Skeeter Wrangler so that trumps your 1995 Ranger. 1 Quote
wperry Posted January 9, 2014 Author Posted January 9, 2014 Thanks guys. Maybe I should steer clear of newer Skeeters. I've read a lot of complaints. If I get a used Ranger with a Merc I'll just have to worry about the usual stuff related to a pre-owned anything. I never was near to a Bass Cat. I never heard of a dealer around here for them. There's a Merc dealer in every county near me. The biggest frustration is having to go back to the dealer with a new boat with problems that shouldn't exist to begin with. Quote
Super User tomustang Posted January 9, 2014 Super User Posted January 9, 2014 I have two skeeter dealers by me that have poor reviews\service. Also have two evenrude shops that can't work on bigger boat motors right. Service goes a long way so don't put your purchase solely on how close a shop is. Besides how many times do you think you'll go in for repairs? 1 Quote
mjseverson24 Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Personally I would go with the Skeeter, they are a little better bang for your buck compared to ranger. The ranger in my opinion has a better ride, while the skeeter seems to have better top speed, i also feel the skeeter drafts a little less water than the ranger. both are great boats, you really cannot go wrong with either. Mitch Quote
Super User Redlinerobert Posted January 17, 2014 Super User Posted January 17, 2014 Ranger. I've had two. Brand new 2000 520DVX and a brand new 2007 Z22. Amazing boats and great resale on each. Itching to buy a new one but waiting for them to build a 22C. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 18, 2014 Super User Posted January 18, 2014 Ranger. I've had two. Brand new 2000 520DVX and a brand new 2007 Z22. Amazing boats and great resale on each. Itching to buy a new one but waiting for them to build a 22C. You're going to have to wait until they're finished with the deep v tins. Remember they build them one at a time 2 Quote
Super User Catt Posted January 18, 2014 Super User Posted January 18, 2014 What no one has said is are we talking FX, ZX, or TZX, Comanche, or Z Down here every Ranger dealership has went bankrupt. It's like welded vs riveted tins, riveted will not sale! Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 18, 2014 Super User Posted January 18, 2014 . It's like welded vs riveted tins, riveted will not sale! Tell that to Lund I saw statistics posted on another forum. There was a grand total of 7500 new bass boats sold in 2013. Ranger followed by Nitro followed by Skeeter, and so on. Ranger had a 30% market share, Nitro 23% and Skeeter 15%. It's obvious to me, Rangers reputation is what keeps them at the top. It's sure not their pricing. Nitro has gotten a bad rap yet they're sitting in 2nd above Skeeter who's pricing can be similar to Ranger. Quote
Super User Catt Posted January 18, 2014 Super User Posted January 18, 2014 Aint saying Rangers don't sell just not around here. Skeeter, BassCat, & Legend Xpress & Alweld You will NOT see a Lund down here! Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted January 18, 2014 Super User Posted January 18, 2014 Aint saying Rangers don't sell just not around here. Skeeter, BassCat, & Legend Xpress & Alweld You will NOT see a Lund down here! You could if you invite Slonezp down. 1 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 18, 2014 Super User Posted January 18, 2014 You could if you invite Slonezp down. Those Texans wouldn't know what hit them Quote
Super User Catt Posted January 19, 2014 Super User Posted January 19, 2014 Those Texans wouldn't know what hit them Bring it! Toledo Bend is a great class room Went to the boat & RV show today and what did I find? A new Ranger dealer! Quote
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