Glass boats and BIG water???

[Butch]

I am wondering about Tracker Targa,
Ranger 621, and Champion type boats on Big water?
I grew up on a lake, and can handle a duck boat in 3-4 footer's
and still have fun (little kid in me comes out). It is that I have heard that this
lower profile boats can swamp???

I am not really afraid of any water (I ain't always been to bright).
It is just that I am shopping for a new boat and have had Lunds
all my life and I am looking into glass alternate!
I would like experienced feedback...

Thanx in Adv.
B2
Keep it tight.

[cisco]

I've been fortunate to fish with NAWA and PWT pros in the boats you list, plus many more. If I were to buy a glass boat for walleye competition, it would be the big Tracker Targa.
They are only about 4 years in production, but look how popular they became among top pros. I was on Mille Lacs in a really big blow last year and we had no trouble bringing the big Targa in. In most other boats we would have had to go where the lake would permit, rather than where we wanted. And, there is a difference -- a fact I learned years ago on Lake Michigan in my salmon equipped 21 ft cuddy cabin Sportcraft. I also think the Ranger Fisherman is a super boat, but I don't see why it should cost so much more than the Targa.
But, to your basic question -- yes, for big water go with a big fiberglass. My 18 aluminum is fine for my purposes, but I'm no longer hitting Lake Michigan every day.
Try to reach Johnnie Candle, or Keith K (you spell it), or Gary Parsons -- they're three who run Targas. In fact, Keith and Gary had prototypes the year before they went on the market.
Good luck in your search.

[Kevin A]

I'll let others comment on the boats you mention, but consider that there are glass walleye or multispecies boats that aren't low profile.

[ibfishn]

The funny thing is that a low profile boat such as a bass style boat is almost impossible to swamp if you use common sense, and that goes double for walleye boats. I own an 18 foot bass boat and have had to run in 6 to 7 foot waves ( not by choice ) with no problems. Any boat can be swamped if you are careless. Bottom line is decide what kind of boat you want, look at a lot of different ones and then be happy you made te right decicion when you buy.

[fish bait]

just bought a targa 17 aluminum.wow what a boat .got caught out at sister island in a bad south blow.5 to 6 footers had absoulty no problem getting back to turtle point.glass is great if you don't have to trailer to far.we live in kalamazoo. so aluminum was the way to go.be safe and good fishing glen & sons.

[Butch]

First Thanx for the replies.
Second more on the topic.
My wife does not like the rough ride.
More on that she is from eastern Montana (NO H20)!
The water hitting her after hitting waves
at an angle and such has not brought out the happy face. So I am looking at an boat along the
"DRY" area of Big water.

Thanx again for all the feedback!!!
B2
Keep it Tight!

[Kevin A]

Your using the right key words. It takes more than an accident to create "dry" and "soft" ride. I too used your view point when looking for a new ride...a glass Tyee-type boat style, heres where I ended up:
#####://www.yarcraftboats.com/boats/192michigan.htm

Mount a Mainstay Power Pedestal or a Swivleze 1-Shot pedestal on port & starboard (one on starboard came with mine) and the ride will be soft. I've been airborne from a rouge wave now & then and coming back down is as soft as taking off...hard to believe until it happens.

The following is the reason for "dry"..I've buried the nose level into oncoming waves and the water just does a u-turn & goes back into the lake. Rain gets you wet, but nothing else.

#####://users.wi.net/~datuboat/images/nose1_1.jpg
#####://users.wi.net/~datuboat/images/nose2.jpg

[Terry/JNR]

If you're looking for a glass boat to handle big water, none will handle better than the Tuffy Osprey 1990 or 1760. These boat are not only designed for big water, they even look like big water boats. But as a true multi species boat, they can take you into suprisingly shallow water.
I just heard bits and peices about bad weather on a recent Lake Erie tournament and several boats had to be helped in by the Coast Gaurd. None of these however were Tuffys. Tuffy boats are made just a few miles from Lake Michigan and they can handle just about anything the lake can throw at them. Check out the web site @ www.tuffyboats.com. E-mail me if you have any specific questions. My Osprey 1990 will be available for test rides on Lake Superior and the St Louis River after I get back from the Big Stone tournament if you're near the area of Duluth,MN.

[RedTheRangerMan]

I for one cannot argue that there are a lot of good boats out there.
One thing you need to understand is, on a very windy day and at slower speeds, wind will drive some spray into your boat, with any boat.
Obviously, my vote would be for a Ranger. You just have to talk to the guys who run them on Erie. Rick LaCourse, Bruce DeShano, Ted Takasaki, Mark Brumbaugh, Jim Saric and a host of others.
Then there are the MWC guys. There were 23 out of the 50 qualifiers that run Rangers, includingthe new World Walleye Champiopns, Eric Olson and Jason Prezekurat. I wouild think there has to be a reason why so many guys run these boats, they all can't be buying a name. And, how do you think a name is made?
Any of the 3 big Rangers, 617/619/620 will handle Erie just fine. More importantly, pick the one that has the features you are looking for. Storage, length, layout and practicality. If you do not only fish Erie, the other places you fish are to be factored in.
I hear the price argument, but if you rig any of the other brands, COMPARABLY, to the Ranger line, guess what, all the boats are expensive, and within a few bucks of each.
No matter what you pick, ride in any of them you consider and then decide.
Have fun.

[Iowa Hawg-Eye]

You really should take a look at the Triton 205s and 189s. Over the last 10 years while fishing some PWT events and most MWC events, I've had the chance to fish out of several brands of glass boats. I have never experienced a softer, drier ride than the Triton offers. These boats were designed for comfort. They have incredible storage capacity and they'll leave any comparable Ranger, Champion, Targa, Tuffy or Javelin that I've seen well in their wake. Take a look. You won't be disappointed!

[RANGER]

Kevin,

Could you tell me something about the 192s? I have been kicking around the idea of getting a glass boat that will fit my multispecies (especially Walleye) fishing. I have seen Yarcraft referred to in other threads on this sight and I am very interested in them even though I live in Pennsylvania. I went to their sight but not all questions were answered. I don't have e-mail because this is my company PC.

What kind of money are we looking at here?

How much does the boat draft? I fish Erie and Pymatuning alot and I travel to Ontario at least once a year. Pyma is not a deep estuary nor are parts of the areas in Ontario I fish (French River, Georgian Bay).

Can you easily load and unload it yourself?

How dry is it? My wife, too, hates getting splashed!!!

How easily will it plane? Low speed (14 mph) planed cruising?

Your overall impressions?

I'd appreciate any help here.

Thanks,

RANGER

[bob oh]

Where are you going to use the boat? Will you dock it, or trailer it? There are some glass boats that are only "big" water (whatever that is), like the Gradys, Parkers, Duskys, Pursuits etc.
Bob

[Old Coot]

Just bought a Ranger 619 about a month ago. I had a lund Pro V before. I did a great deal of looking before I purchased the Ranger. I think most of the glass boats will offer a much softer/dryer ride than aluminum. I choose the Ranger because of the extras, the comfort and warranty. When I compared apples to apples. The different boats were within $1-2000 bucks. Ranger has very good re-sale values. You may also want to consider do you have a dealer near by. It's a lot easier when your dealer is near. If your looking for speed, however do not get the ranger. They are not a fast boat.


Good luck, just take your time, Try the boats, make sure you get a list of all the options so you know you are comparing apples to apples.

[Kevin A]

I figured my post would kick off the usual wizzing debate. Predictability is worth something I guess. It would be nice to see why (pictures) all these boats perform as they do. With evidence beyond "my boat's the greatest" we would all be able to compare designs and make up our own minds which may fit our needs & why this would be the case. This article is a good base to start on: #####://www.yachtsurvey.com/boat_weight.htm
Big rides indeed, but the principles hold in our neck of the woods too.

There are lots of good boats out there and it really is possible that several boats can be very good and not necessarily to the exclusion of all others.

Redtheranger...I agree with the spray and all boats can get wet theory, but think for a moment. It's not like we can't design to decrease it.
>>Let's take out the wind for the time being: How does one get hit with spray? The bow hits a wave, the water/wave is pushed up the bow or sprayed forward & up. As it travels vertical to some extent the water slows (gravity) and yet the boat continues on at its 40mph (any planing speed) rate. As the water continues up past the rub rail it is now traveling about the slowest it'll go before it literally stops its vertical motion & starts to drop back into the lake. If this slow (approaching somewhat stationary) water is above the rub rail & the boat keeps barreling along at say, 40mph then the boat will basically run into (under) the spray and you'll get wet. I had a Starcraft cuddy for a while and am real familar with this scenario...wet, hard rideing boat...good thing it had a top.
>>Now put the wind factor in...the story is the same..the wind just accelerates the water in whatever direction. If you happen to be going into the wind & the spray gets high, you're gonna get wet.
>>Now let's consider my post above & a flared hull on any boat. The point was, if the water never gets above the rub rail then the boat can neither get under it to get you wet or the wind can't blow it back into your face. If you don't see spray in the air you can't get wet. This goes back to taking a look at hull design to see what they'll do in the water & why. Of course there's nothing like a ride on a windy day to tell the tale.

Ranger & Butch: My boat for many years was a Lund 14 foot tiller (still have it), alot of walleye (and salmon) were chased down with it. Great little boat. When I got into salmon more the waves got bigger & the boat seemed smaller, so I got a Starcraft Islander 191V I/O cuddy. Great salmon boat (other than rough riding & wet), but lousy for any walleye other than Erie, Sag Bay...trolling. Enter a big multispecies boat & the 192.

Money: I bought mine in new Jan '98 for a very reasonable price (new dealer, first Yarcraft they sold...sort of punted the pricing until they could figure out their cost structure). I'm hesitant to post the price as it's twoyears old and doesn't mean much at this point. As for the prices today..I haven't kept up with the costs. Everyone deals in the same markets so I'd guess the current costs are competitive with other makes for this style. We're surely not talking the $35,000 range.

Draft: Not much. Never measured it really but the hull itself (loaded) probably less than 18 inches..likely closer to a foot.

Load/Unload: I have a tandem bunk trailer and have no problems at all with loading & unloading by myself. You can drive on the trailer if necessary. No big deal either way.

Dry?: I think we flogged that one enough. I'd say it's extremely dry in any conditions. The windshield will give your wife & you plenty of protection from the wind.

Planing: I'm not sure about 14mph as I never need to go that slow even in 3-5 footers. I don't beat the boat (been in a PWT & know how that works, ouch) in rough water, but 20-25mph when it gets rough is doable & comfortable. With the right prop it pops right up on plane. A 175hp motor trimmed will easily keep 2/3+ of the boat up out of the water. If I did it over I'd go with a 200.

Overall impression: After two years I'd do it all over again, no question. For what it's worth my typical fishing partner is my girlfriend, with no complaints(no pun intended).

Again, there are a lot of good boats out there and a fair amount of junk too. It all comes down to the age old evaluation of what a boat(design) offers and what you need.

[RANGER]

Thank You!

I am definitely going to look into this boat.

[corect, but]

Triton leaves Ranger in it's wake only until it gets rough, then we win. Ranger is a far superior rough water boat, in my experience. They are both good boats, try the boats out yourself and decide.
Ranger Bob

[cisco]

Spent a full day with Mark Brumbaugh in his very fine Ranger on Lake Oahe in stiff wind. It is an impressive boat. Nonetheless, I'll still go for the big Targa. From just having been passenger (fishing partner) in NAWA and PWT boats I'd put Targa 1st and Ranger 2nd -- cost difference aside. Both are way ahead, in my ranking, of Champion and Triton.

[Butch]

Thanx again!

Opinions without the sarcasm.... Wow

I fish a lot of different fish as well as water.
Have a shack on Vermilion in MN
and an 200 acre lake in WISC.
Sunny's through sturgeon!
I am going to trailer the boat.
Thinking about Used boats?
The wife loves to fish,
But I will probably be flying solo now and then.
Big water WOODS and Lac's.
Features most of the "PRO" style boat have the features I want. My brother has the 1900 w/200 opti. Nice boat but still wet in the rough!
Glass seems to be the way I want to go.
I wanted some opinions and fortunately have received an great response and discussion.

I would rig my boat with downrigger's (LOW in FALL)
Ft. Peck for laker's ect.

Drive an Exped. So not worried about the tow/stress factor. Also my rig (buying it) is the reason I am looking at used...

Thanx again to all!
B2
Keep em tight!

[ibfishn]

If you want a truly dry and comfortable ride go with a Yar Craft. They may not be the fastest but there is a reason they have been given the nickname " The Dry One" by almost everyone who has ever been in one. I am a Ranger man through and through but I have to admit you absolutely will not find a better riding dryer boat than Yar Craft.

[Fishnwiz]

I am also running a Yar Craft boat. After some sole searching, I went into a 1775 tiller boat after running a Lund for 18 years. I have had the boat since March and have had the boat out about 15 times so far. All I can say is "Why did I wait so long?" So far the boat is everything I expected and more...Now the true test will come on Erie! Lake Mich is not the same! I know that there will be alot more work in a glass boat but so far, the trade off has been well worth it! If you are interested in this make of boat, go to their web site and talk to the CEO of the company direct and he will answer any and all of your questions. Bob is "THE MAN" to talk to! Wiz

[Roadking]

If you do anything at all,dont make the mistake of overlooking the Triton 205 or 189,Fast,dry countless storage,smooth ride,looks that are second to none,and they will beat a rough riding ranger in rough riding water.I know -been there beat that.

[have to get to work]

when it gets rough out in lake earie i have to get in quick , have a 2 hr drive down turnpike. tried other boats ,why do you think they call them SEARAY's see ya have to get to work!