Ranger or Skeeter

[TxHawgs]

Dont want to start a mines better than yours. But when your about to drop 70k some advise would be nice lol. Right now I'm a co angler and have fished in everything. I do like the Legends also. But to be honest I cant tell a big difference and I'm on the water 2 to 4 times a wk. I'm starting to think that when buying any high end boat it comes down to personal preference. Mostly how you like the layout and aesthetics? Anyone agree, disagree care to comment? Thanks

[Russ E]

You can't really go wrong with either one. Look at them both, then decide.

I looked at both of them and compared the features.

I bought a Ranger, because the layout worked for me. there are also 2 Ranger dealers within 1/2 hour of me. 

[TOXIC]

When I bought my last boat, I was looking for the best deal and not brand specific so I looked at them all.  Just so happens I got into a Ranger Z21.  The deal was right and so was the timing.  You will find that most everyone will push the boat they bought...otherwise, why buy it?  I searched for 2 years before buying the Ranger.  Price/Build Quality/Ride/Layout/Trailer/Resale/Factory Support/Parts Availability/Dealer Network are all considerations when buying.  Plus what is a good deal to me might not be a good deal to you.  What feels like a smooth ride to me may feel like a buckboard to you.  A better question to ask in order to stay away from the brand warriors is to ask:  If you had to buy a boat other than the brand you currently own, what would you buy and why? ?  

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, TOXIC said:

  A better question to ask in order to stay away from the brand warriors is to ask:  If you had to buy a boat other than the brand you currently own, what would you buy and why? ?  

Well said.

Additionally, I would like to start a motion that requires this mentality be applied to EVERY thread includes the word  "Best" in the title ~

A-Jay

 

[gim]

Just something to keep in mind is the location of the nearest dealer/service shop for the brand you plan to purchase in the event that you do have a problem that requires it to be brought in.  All things being equal, if the Ranger service was 4 hours away and the Skeeter was 30 minutes away, then you might want to pick the latter.

[TxHawgs]

7 hours ago, TOXIC said:

When I bought my last boat, I was looking for the best deal and not brand specific so I looked at them all.  Just so happens I got into a Ranger Z21.  The deal was right and so was the timing.  You will find that most everyone will push the boat they bought...otherwise, why buy it?  I searched for 2 years before buying the Ranger.  Price/Build Quality/Ride/Layout/Trailer/Resale/Factory Support/Parts Availability/Dealer Network are all considerations when buying.  Plus what is a good deal to me might not be a good deal to you.  What feels like a smooth ride to me may feel like a buckboard to you.  A better question to ask in order to stay away from the brand warriors is to ask:  If you had to buy a boat other than the brand you currently own, what would you buy and why? ?  

I'm leaning towards the Ranger and really like em. My buddy has one and customer support is excellent. 

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

Just something to keep in mind is the location of the nearest dealer/service shop for the brand you plan to purchase in the event that you do have a problem that requires it to be brought in.  All things being equal, if the Ranger service was 4 hours away and the Skeeter was 30 minutes away, then you might want to pick the latter.

I live in east TX close to Fork and every other great lake lol. Dealers of all brands are close and many sell several brands so not a problem.

Thought about a Phoenix until I was on one. Deck was too narrow and boat just rocked too. But there are a lot of Skeeters and Skeeter fan boys on Fork talking about how their boats have the best hulls and best rides.

[Catt]

Have looked at Bass Cat? ?

[Sam]

The new high end bass  boats of today have the physics and power to provide you a wonderful day on the water, be it a Ranger, Bass Cat, Skeeter, Nitro, etc.

 

However, I was thinking that if one day I decide to trade in my Ranger what would I want in a new boat.

 

I suggest you do the same.

 

Some of the items are:

Ranger's dead battery charger that you can start your motor if your battery dies on the water by pressing a button.

More space for rods.

At least 8-feet for rod storage.

A cup and bait holder for your front seat pedestal for your drink, pliers, MegaStrike, etc.

More space for baits.

A high powered spotlight built in.

Where do you want the ice chest and how big?

How about an Oxygenator for the live well?

Safety lights (port and starboard) built into the hull so I will not have to fool around with the navigation lights when the sun comes up and you have to take them down and store them.

And what about a lighting system in all compartments.

A Grass Goat on a Minn Kota trolling motor so the shaft will bend, not like Motor Guide.

The Grass Goat to blast through the pads and grass.

A computerized Minn Kota to keep  you on track while fishing.

Automatic raise and lower system for the trolling motor with a push of a button by your shoe.

Large screed GPSMAP systems with both side scan and down scan and a 16-inch screen for the dash and a 10-inch screen on the bow that is in sync with the large screen unit.

The GPSMAP electronics system having a Blue Tooth.

A radio for AM/FM and Sirius.

A weather alert system via the GPSMAP electronics or independently built into the hull.

Alarm system on all compartments.

A "baby monitor" or "sound activated" system so that if any unknown person or animal is around or on the boat so you can pick it up inside your house.

A HydroWave.

A good place to store the net.

A good place to store your ruler.

A place to store your throw cushion and a place on the boat to store it so it is on the deck but out of the way.

Retractable rod straps

A built in Transom saver.

An automatic jack plate.

Power poles.

A "dummy seat" to keep the cover in a "tent" position when in storage.

A secret compartment somewhere on the boat or movable to different locations to store your wallet, licenses, car and house keys on the boat while on the water.

Enough room in your passenger side console for your weapon.

Enough space in the battery compartment to store jumper cables, tools, oil, etc.

Easy access to your batteries to check the fluids and replace them easily.

A "low tire pressure" alert system

A simple temperature gauge for the motor to note if it is overheating.

Where is the spare trailer tire stored on the trailer?

Where is the jack, blocks of wood and other equipment stored in case you have a flat tire. If in the car, does the boat company give you a bag with the essentials in it to change a tire while on the road or at the dock?

A prop locking system to prevent your prop from being stolen.

A strong

Is the boat cover user friendly. I mean can you secure it easy and then remove it without any problems?

A strong trailer jack.

A secret ladder in case you go swimming and want to climb back in the boat, easily.

Four blade 'Fury prop.

Miles Per Gallon gauge plus and alarm when you are down to 1/3 tank.

A temperature gauge on the console for the well water.

And of course, an umbrella for those hot and sunny days.

 

This is a start. 

 

May I suggest you sit in your most comfortable chair with a beverage of your choice and do some brainstorming as to what are the little things that can drive you nuts while on the water. I bet you will have a long list. 

 

Good luck.

 

P.S.  No guarantee your boat will float if you put all of this on it.

 

 

[TOXIC]

I will add that after all of my trips to St Clair (Yes, my old NITRO even made the trip one year) I did see a lot of Rangers on the lake.  The rigs we had up there this year (my boat doesn't go, my fishing partners does towed by my truck).  

2016 Ranger Z520

2017 Ranger Z521

2000 Champion

1984 Champion

2004 Tracker Deep V Tin

We also fished with some other "Local" guys who had:

2004 Ranger 520

2016 Ranger 522

2004 Ranger Fisherman Series

2004 NITRO 19 footer

2014 Skeeter

Bottom line, I have fished in a lot of different brands and my choice was based on my personal needs/wants.  My leaning to a Ranger (and I got lucky to find one) was for durability and most of all fishability when the Trolling Motor was down.  I wasn't interested in speed or ride.  So you need to decide what is important to you.  I'm sure if I fished different waters or had different requirements, a different brand may have been my preference.  The guy that I go up there every year with also works on a lot of boats for friends and he has crawled in a lot of them.  He runs the 2016 Ranger Z520 he bought from David Walker Elite Series angler. 

 

Good luck, for me the "hunt" was 1/2 the fun.    

[Catt]

https://www.basscat.com/basscat/promotions-page/77/cougar-advantage-sp-2018

[crypt]

Bass Cat is a really good boat.another one I looked at is Falcon. nice layout not as pricey. nice quality.

[Logan S]

Outboard choice is something to think about...With Skeeter the only option is the Yamaha SHO, which is an awesome option, but it's the only one you get .

 

The final decision on my last 2 boats came down to deck layout and storage layout.  My current boat is a Skeeter ZX250 and I would recommend it (or another Skeeter) in a heartbeat.  I've fished, rode, and driven several Ranger models over the years and they are excellent boats as well - I'd be very happy to own one.  IMO, the ride/handling is better in the Skeeter (comparing 21' to 21') but that's a very subjective topic and it depends a lot on the driver (and it isn't a huge difference).  My opinion is based on actually driving both, not just riding.  

 

18 hours ago, TOXIC said:

If you had to buy a boat other than the brand you currently own, what would you buy and why? ?  

Excellent point to make. For me it would probably have been a BassCat Caracal...Sounds odd to go from a 21'/250HP to a 19'/225HP, but I REALLY liked the Caracal.  It's wide for a BassCat, has a layout I like, and has the muscle car looks and performance.  There were 2 big reasons I went with my Skeeter over the Cat.  The price of the Caracal was more than my Skeeter for one...And the second is that since I fish big waters like the Potomac and Bay, I wanted the extra length/size of the 21 footer.  

[HogsNHawgs]

On 6/6/2018 at 6:41 AM, Catt said:

https://www.basscat.com/basscat/promotions-page/77/cougar-advantage-sp-2018

I wish I could multiple-like this post!

[WRB]

What OB are you planning to use with your new ride? 

Skeeter are usually Yamaha dealers and Ranger with Mercury dealers.

Since Ranger is now owned by Johnny Mooris no idea what OB is standard. Choose the dealer carefully, rigging is very important.

Tom

[Further North]

On 6/5/2018 at 12:37 PM, TxHawgs said:

I'm starting to think that when buying any high end boat it comes down to personal preference. Mostly how you like the layout and aesthetics?

That's how I see it, with a strong preference for layout over aesthetics.

 

For me, pretty that doesn't work is useless...

On 6/5/2018 at 1:00 PM, TOXIC said:

A better question to ask in order to stay away from the brand warriors is to ask:  If you had to buy a boat other than the brand you currently own, what would you buy and why? ?  

That's a great question!

 

A long time ago, when we were looking for a DJ for our wedding, I called most of the DJs near the place we were getting married and asked all of them who was the 2nd best DJ in town (after talking for them for a while, of course).  THe sme guy turned up three or four times, that's who we picked, worked out great.

[wgallaher]

I just picked up a new Skeeter zx250 yesterday, I drove 4 hours each way to do so. The dealer that is 10min from my house is Ranger. Really, like some other have pointed out, for me it was just personal preference. Most minor maintenance things I can do myself or find a shop closer to me and anything major I will just make the (stupid)assumption that hopefully something like that doesn't happen often or at all. I am new at owning a boat so to me the difference in performance wasn't very noticeable. Also, once I built each one with everything I wanted (decent amount of extras) the Skeeter seemed like a better deal, but again the choice was really just made out of preference.

[A-Jay]

42 minutes ago, wgallaher said:

I just picked up a new Skeeter zx250 yesterday, I drove 4 hours each way to do so. The dealer that is 10min from my house is Ranger. Really, like some other have pointed out, for me it was just personal preference. Most minor maintenance things I can do myself or find a shop closer to me and anything major I will just make the (stupid)assumption that hopefully something like that doesn't happen often or at all. I am new at owning a boat so to me the difference in performance wasn't very noticeable. Also, once I built each one with everything I wanted (decent amount of extras) the Skeeter seemed like a better deal, but again the choice was really just made out of preference.

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ 

Congrats on the New Rig 

Hope we get to see it (here) 

A-Jay

[webertime]

Quote

 

I think Skeeters are definitely more bang for the buck and the SHO is a great motor.  Rangers are mostly Merc, with substantial upcharges for Evinrudes and Yamahas.  I've heard a lot of stories of Ranger's CS slipping due to the White River (JM) purchase.  I've also seen Skeeters and their magical screws on basically every one I've been in (Screw drops on the floor from somewhere and nobody can figure out where it came from).  Dealer is most important for sure, even more important is a good mechanic at the dealer. 

I have a Ranger (got an amazing deal on it).  If I did it again,  I'd go with a Phoenix or a Falcon, and I'd run a Honda...

 

[Tennessee Boy]

30 minutes ago, webertime said:

I've heard a lot of stories of Ranger's CS slipping due to the White River (JM) purchase. 

I own a Ranger and I have to agree.  Not that I have any major complaints but it's clearly not the same company that Forest Woods sold and I just don't have a good feeling about the JM purchase.

[38 Super Fan]

As far as all around performing hulls go, I've always thought Skeeters were hard to beat. They handle well, ride well, they're dry, draft shallow, they get good speed (not great), and are a good stable fishing platform. No hull is perfect, it's all give and take, but I like Skeeters. You get the SHO outboard too, which I really like.

 

That said, Rangers are big and plush, with great build quality. I'd be really happy in a new Ranger too I'm sure.

 

 

 

 

[TxHawgs]

8 hours ago, 38 Super Fan said:

As far as all around performing hulls go, I've always thought Skeeters were hard to beat. They handle well, ride well, they're dry, draft shallow, they get good speed (not great), and are a good stable fishing platform. No hull is perfect, it's all give and take, but I like Skeeters. You get the SHO outboard too, which I really like.

 

That said, Rangers are big and plush, with great build quality. I'd be really happy in a new Ranger too I'm sure.

 

 

 

 

I agree to your post. Road in a 2017 Bullet today, not for me but 78mph is my new PB in a boat lmao.

[rangerjockey]

It's pretty tough to find a bad boat these days. I ran Champions and Rangers for years and now a Triton. All great boats.

I'd look at the new Charger/Champion elite 210 also.  I personally never liked the trolling motor pedal location that Bass Cat uses, always made me feel like I was walking the plank.

As was said, buy one that you can get serviced close by.

[3dees]

seems no one mentioned resale. Skeeter and Ranger are both great boats that have been around since the beginning, but the Ranger will usually sell quicker and for more $ because of the name and not because they are better.

[Russ E]

2 hours ago, 3dees said:

seems no one mentioned resale. Skeeter and Ranger are both great boats that have been around since the beginning, but the Ranger will usually sell quicker and for more $ because of the name and not because they are better.

I agree that was the case, in the past.

I own a Ranger. It was built after the Bass pro acquisition.

I did not buy it for resale, but still curious  how that affects resale in a few years.