Ranger 185 VS

[mking7]

What do you guys think of the Ranger 185 vs.  I do not fish tournaments.  I just like to fish.  I have a runabout but am looking at getting a bass boat.  

Anybody know what the MSRP is?  Would it pay to get a bigger boat.  I fish lakes that aren't real big (mostly under 20k acres) and don't normally get real rough.  

[scbassin]

I own 1 & love it.

[Will]

I have rode in 2 different Ranger 185 VS during two different occasions. They were good rides and I liked them second best to Skeeters.

[Fatdaddy150]

This is a good all around boat. A 2005 with a 150 hp mercury optimax runs and rides well. Has a value of just over $25,000.00 depends on the options. $25,000.00 will get you a brand new Ranger 185 VS that is nicely rigged, with most of the options!

[Gatorbassman]

They are great but look for a used one. It will save a boat load of cash. Pun intended.

[J._Bricker]

If you have 25K you're not that far away from buying someone's tournament boat certificate.  Something to think about- new boat in the colors you chose=good deal.  That's how I got my '04 and this is just my .02.   ;D

[mking7]

What is a tournament boat certificate?

[J._Bricker]

mking, to answer your question, at a tournament where a boat is the prize, a certificate is sometimes given instead of the boat itself.  It's a more practical way of giving away the boat, easier to park at the house, easier to sell for the person who won it.  The certificate would be redeemable at the dealership of the boat that was offered as the prize.  Most of the time, the boat can be upgraded, the cost negotiated between you and the dealer.  I hope this answers your question and gives you another option for getting your boat.  

[J._Bricker]

mking- check the post for boat price quote for mac7373, I pretty much said the same kind of stuff- Just FYI

[mking7]

Thanks.  That's good info.  I didn't know it worked like that.  I don't follow or participate in tournament fishing so I was unaware.  How would one go about finding someone with a certificate for sale?  eBay or ?????

[J._Bricker]

I don't fish tournaments either, I pretty much started out like you.  I just typed in bass boats for sale, Ebay, bass fishing, pages like this one that list boats for sale.  Came up with about 20 sites I'd check regularly, not just for the certificate, but boats in general.  Figured I should know what else was out there, and at what cost.  Took me about 5 months of research, but I figured getting the boat you want and spending that kind of cash, I shouldn't be in a rush.  The longest wait was the 5 months for the boat to be made by Ranger and delivered out west.  Anyway, good luck and happy huntin'  

[mking7]

Thanks!

[darryl2277]

I have a 185VS for sale (2003 Model with 150 EFI Merc) in absolutely great condition.  $18K   Let me know if interested.

[J._Bricker]

Hey MKing7- Any luck? Just curious

[mking7]

No, I haven't found any certificates yet.  Been looking at boats a lot though.  My wife is ready to buy me any boat I want just get me to shut up about bass boats.   ;D ;D

I am trying to decide whether I would rather go used and get a little bigger/nicer boat or go new.  I am usually not happy when I buy used stuff unless I know the owner well as I am painfully particular about maintaining vehicles.  I am not in a huge rush.  I was planning to buy this fall so I will just keep looking till I find a certificate or a boat that I can't live without.

[Boo]

Where can I find boat certificates?  ???

[J._Bricker]

MKing, Boo-  Two places to check out for the certificates that I found before I bought my boat  were The Bass Fishing Home Page and Western Bass, the classified and boats for sale section.  FYI, I know the Western Bass Classified section has a Ranger (posted 5/29), a Basscat (posted 6/3), and a Triton (posted 6/7) certificates for sale.  

The Bass Fishing Home Page had a Triton certificate as well.  The other is search I conducted was for boats or bass boats for sale.  The websites are there,  I hope this helps-JB

[Boo]

Thanks for the reply!

[Bass_junky]

I have found, for price comparison, that www.boattraderonline.com is a good resource and may be worth checking it out.

I'm not advertising any websites, but i visited this site often when I was in the market for a boat.

If you do decide to purchase used vs. new.  You can have a certified marine mechanic check out the engine and general condition of the boat for about 200-300 bucks.