nocellcontracts Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 I'm in my 40's and never owned a fiberglass boat. I have a 2011 G3 brand 18' rig with a 4 stroke 115. Although it's "OK" (and paid for) - but those boats are NOT made for big water. I recently relocated my family from swampy backwaters of Mississippi to northeast Alabama. Yes - that means Lake Guntersville - and this rig beats me to death. So! Here I am.... thinking about going "fiberglass" but I was maximum comfort. When I say comfort, I'm not only talking about a cushy-ride, I'm talking about fishing comfort too (accessing rods, standing on the deck 8 hours, running a trolling motor, etc.) I don't care at all about speed. I know Skeeters, Legends, and Bullets are some of the faster boats - but speed kills - and comfort makes me happy. With all that said.... should I buy a Ranger, Ranger, or Ranger? LOL (Kinda thinkin' about a 520C+Yammy 250 4-stroke). Your thoughts please. Thanks guys! Quote
tnriverluver Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 Buy the absolute longest boat you can afford. Length is a major key in smoother riding boats. I have never been on Guntersville but I assume it is similar to Pickwick. Pickwick can beat you up in a 50 foot houseboat! Quote
tritonguy Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 I am running a 2013 Ranger Z521 and the ride is fantastic. Before that I had a 2011 Triton 19XS and it rode almost as well in rough water. Both Triton and Ranger have SRS, soft ride seats. I would definitely recommend the SRS seats, they make a huge difference. Ranger Boats are known to be a very comfortable boat. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted January 30, 2014 Super User Posted January 30, 2014 If it's comfort you want, check out the Bass Cat boats. They aren't the fastest. They aren't the widest. But they are smooooooooth riding. Been out with a guide on Pickwick twice who had a Bass Cat. I was impressed. It could have used more power. With three of us large guys in the boat, it was slow getting up on plane, but in a chop it was smooth as silk. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 30, 2014 Super User Posted January 30, 2014 The Ranger Posturepedic model is quite nice. A-Jay 6 Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted January 30, 2014 Super User Posted January 30, 2014 The Range Posturepedic model is quite nice. A-Jay With the optional sleepnumber feature it's unbeatable. 4 Quote
bluenitrouscoupe Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I use a 2005 triton tr186 and love the boat but I would really look into the Phoenix boats. 1 Quote
Trek Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I like the ride of my Ranger. My Champion rode nicer. That being said I like fishing better out of my Ranger by far because it fishes flat. The Champion was nose high. If all you fish is open water it wouldn't matter. The Ranger also has a track true hull. This is for when your on the trolling motor the boat travels straight and doesn't let the wind push it as bad. Also when at idle the boat rides true. My Champion I always had to steer it. The front deck of a Ranger is soft. It has little springs in there to help your back when standing all day. The seats are second to none. You pair all that with a lift assist trolling motor and you have a boat with a lot of comfort. At age 55 I like the comfort of my Ranger. Quote
RyneB Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 Ranger. But id take a Basscat, Legend, and Pheonix in a heartbeat. Quote
tbone1993 Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I'm in my 40's and never owned a fiberglass boat. I have a 2011 G3 brand 18' rig with a 4 stroke 115. Although it's "OK" (and paid for) - but those boats are NOT made for big water. I recently relocated my family from swampy backwaters of Mississippi to northeast Alabama. Yes - that means Lake Guntersville - and this rig beats me to death. So! Here I am.... thinking about going "fiberglass" but I was maximum comfort. When I say comfort, I'm not only talking about a cushy-ride, I'm talking about fishing comfort too (accessing rods, standing on the deck 8 hours, running a trolling motor, etc.) I don't care at all about speed. I know Skeeters, Legends, and Bullets are some of the faster boats - but speed kills - and comfort makes me happy. With all that said.... should I buy a Ranger, Ranger, or Ranger? LOL (Kinda thinkin' about a 520C+Yammy 250 4-stroke). Your thoughts please. Thanks guys! I have a ranger dealer near me so that would be the boat I buy. Im not going to buy a new boat with the nearest dealer 100miles away. That being said the ranger 621vs is one of the best boats ive ridden in for big water . At my age I would buy a standard style of bass boat but when Im older Im going to get a 621 multi species style rig so I can take the kids/ grandkids out fishing. 1 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 31, 2014 Super User Posted January 31, 2014 I have a ranger dealer near me so that would be the boat I buy. Im not going to buy a new boat with the nearest dealer 100miles away. That being said the ranger 621vs is one of the best boats ive ridden in for big water . At my age I would buy a standard style of bass boat but when Im older Im going to get a 621 multi species style rig so I can take the kids/ grandkids out fishing. Work hard my friend. The 621vs retails for $80k Quote
tbone1993 Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 Work hard my friend. The 621vs retails for $80k May not be 100% new but i've got someone that would be willing to sell it to me used when the time comes. But Im not the type of person to sell myself short. Quote
Tartan34 Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 I've found Phoenix boats to have the best ride, without a doubt. 1 Quote
Chaz Hickcox Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 I have a 19.5' Bass Cat and have cruised comfortably over rough water, passing 21' Ranger Z521s who were getting there butts beat up pretty bad. This was in 20mph winds on Amistad. Champion and Bass Cat are going to have the best rough water rides overall. Rangers are wide and basically flat, which means you will feel like your fishing from a floating dock which is great for calm water. However, the generally flat hull will not cut the waves like a Bass Cat or Champion. Quote
Super User Redlinerobert Posted February 2, 2014 Super User Posted February 2, 2014 From personal experience I can tell you that no boat is more comfortable than a big Ranger. My last boat was a brand new 2007 Z22 with a 300 Mercury Racing motor hanging off the back. Boat was as comfortable as it gets. Quote
Phoenix Guy Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 Phoenix all the way. I have owned a Champ and Stratos and they rode well, but this 721 Pro XP is amazing. Quote
Trek Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 One other thing I would like to add to this topic is you need to remember that a lot of the boat ride is the driver. That 520 Ranger your thinking about is one of the most popular boats on the market for a reason. If you take care of it when it comes time to sell her there will be no problem finding a buyer. I always like it when you hear guys say that their boat is as good as or better then a Ranger. That's kind of like during basketball season you hear guys say this kid is the next Jordan. Well again must be a reason for that. Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted February 3, 2014 Super User Posted February 3, 2014 Go for the Ranger, you won't be disappointed. Also, learn how to drive in rough water. There are plenty of clueless people out there who get themselves beat up because of it. Don't be afraid to experiment with your speed and trim (although it should be predominately down) a slight lift isn't always the worst thing. It all depends on your rig and the conditions. Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 3, 2014 Super User Posted February 3, 2014 I fish most of last year out of a BassCat Jaguar with a Merc Racing Verado 350 SCI. More boat than any Ranger every dreamed of being! You would be comfortable in any of the top 5! Quote
Triton21XS Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 Don't count out the big Triton. I have a 21XS and it rides awful good on the big waves on KY lake. I've rode in several brands of boats and it rides as well, if not better than most. Its a smooth, dry ride with the sas seats that was mentioned earlier. Its not a speed demon (70ish), but it sure rides good. Unlike some, just because I own it, doesn't make it the best.....but it deserves a look. Good luck! Quote
livetofish28 Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 Don't throw legend out either the have padded decks for when your fishing are a stable platform and are excellent in rough water that's from a friend who also owns a triton. I have a stratos and really like it in rough water and I've fished in rangers tritons bumble bees. But that's just me Tight lines Andrew Quote
Super User South FLA Posted February 10, 2014 Super User Posted February 10, 2014 My top 4 1. Bass Cat Jaguar 21' 5" 2150 lbs 2. Ranger Z522 22' 4" 1940 lbs 3. Skeeter 22i 21'8" 2300 lbs 4. Triton 21XS 21' 7" 2000 lbs Quote
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