Ranger Or Nitro

[gardnerjigman]

Looking for a used bass boat to purchase by this spring. Will have a $8-$10k budget. Want either a ranger or nitro, what I'd like from you guys is to pick them apart. Which would you go for and why? Thanks!

[gardnerjigman]

119 views and no replies? Someone has to have some pro's and con's to these things.

 

I've heard all the hype about Nitro hulls lately... but i'm looking at late 90's early 2000 model Nitro's.... did they still have that problem?

 

What kind of ranger can I get for that price range?

 

Thanks guys.

[Fishing Rhino]

Every brand has its devotees and detractors.  Some prefer Nitro, others Ranger.  A Ranger is generally considered to be a better boat, and it should be for the price difference.  You don't buy a Cadillac at Chevrolet prices.  But, a Chevy will get you from point A to point B as well as a Caddy.

 

Maybe not as nice a ride, with fewer amenities, but it will do the job.

 

You will not catch one fish more or less from a Ranger than you will from a Nitro.  Fish do not know, nor do they care what brand of boat a fisherman is in. 

 

You are getting into a Ford vs. Chevy vs. Ram discussion.  Some will say brand X is a pos.  If any brand was as bad as they say it would have gone out of business long ago.   

 

It's a matter of what you prefer.  Look at both of them.  Which layout do you prefer? 

 

There is an expression about buying vehicles, "Kick the tires".  It simply means to look it over.  If necessary have a knowledgeable person look it over.  They can check the wiring, equipment, and typical trouble areas.

 

If you find some boats that have potential, have the owners take you for a shakedown cruise.  See how they run, how they ride, how they handle, etc.  Factor that in with the prices, and pick one you like.

 

Others can make suggestions, offer advice, or promote one brand over the other.  In the end, it's you who has to be satisfied.

 

For the record, I have a Nitro Z-8, and I am well satisfied with it.  I'm sure I would be as happy in a Ranger, maybe happier, as long as I didn't have to pay for it.

[Bigbass37]

What about skeeter!!!!!!!!!!!

[TNRanger]

I was in the same boat as you last year. Ended up finding a 2001 Ranger R71 (17'-1") with a Merc 125 in awesome shape on Craigslist for $7500. Best money I have ever spent...

I cannot find a single complaint about the boat and it fits my needs perfectly.

[Traveler2586]

Back in 2009 I purchased a 2003 Ranger 185VS from the original owner, it was in great shape. 

 

But with any boat the years take their toll and I wanted to properly maintain mine.  When the time came to replace some parts I was pleased to discover I could easily get what I needed just by calling Ranger Parts Dept. and giving them the boats serial number.   The same is true for the trailer. I had to replace the entire left finder - no problem - it arrived ready to hang.  Ranger supports their products.

 

Look into how another manufacture supports theirs.

 

I found I had much difficulty getting parts when I owned a Tracked TX17.  Regardless, the TX was a good boat for me.

 

As a suggestion, do a test, when you find a boat your thinking about, get the boats SN and call the manufacture's parts dept. Just tell them your looking to buy the boat and would like the price and availability of some part - say... a hatch lock, or a windshield; judge the response of the call start to finish. You don't need to buy anything, just say Thank You.

 

Bottom line, look any boat & trailer over very, very, carefully.  But also look beyond the purchase.  How are you going to keep the boat, can you really afford to operate and maintain it, etc.  Do you know oil for a 2-cycle can run between an est. $30 - $40.00 a gal.

 

Good Luck

[gardnerjigman]

Thanks for the input guys. I've owned 3 bass boats. First was a 82 champion, second was a 94 170 rick clunn nitro. Third was an 88 basscat pantera. The champion was a decent boat, but motor was junk. The nitro was amazing but it couldn't store my rods and only had a 90hp.... So I sold and upgraded to the basscat that had all the room I could ever want and 175 ponys to get me where I needed ( very handy on Lake of the Ozark tourneys). But just didn't feel like home to me ya know?

I love Nitro boats. The right ones have a ton of fishing deck, miles of storage, and can down right scoot on the water and handle rough water.

Saying that, the right ranger has all of that as well...

So let me rephrase my opinion question..... If you had $10k to spend and you wanted to get the best Tournament boat you can ( tournaments would be local club, ABA, and eventually BFL. ) which would you go with.

[Sam]

Rangers and Nitros are nice boats.

 

There are mechanics out there who know Rangers.

 

You will have to go to the Tracker Power Pros for help with the Nitro.

 

When you go to the Tracker Power Pros you are asking for trouble.

 

Stick with the Ranger.

[Traveler2586]

As best I know Ranger has consistently led the Bass Boat industry since Ranger's founding, and has a history of innovation that other builders attempt to emulate.  If you can go the extra mile in price, do it in a Ranger and you'll never second guess your decision.  I can tell you I never have.

[gardnerjigman]

Thanks a ton guys.

[WIGuide]

As far as I'm concerned Ranger is the ONLY way to go! I don't think the other boats are bad, but Rangers are just flat out better. There's a reason they've been the industry leader. The quality of craftsmanship, the fit and finish, and most importantly the fishability of them is second to none. 

[jhoffman]

No tin in that lineup? Me personally, I love a lot of things about glass but I just couldnt live with myself if something major went wrong and I had a 15k piece of garbage.

 

My next boat will be an xpress. You can get it with as big of a motor as youre willing to buy.