What New Boat to Buy??

[Rod LaCaze]

Help me spend some money guys, We are in the market for a new boat. Tha best thing about it is I have the Boss's approval. I'm looking to go big...20' range. I've looked at Ranger, Triton, Warrior, and Tuffy's. We want a boat that we can use for "Family Stuff" When the water is too warm to Muskie fish. I'm looking at Fisherman type boats, with 225HP range motors. What I'd really like is the 620T Ranger Fisherman, it is a tiller. I'm afraid that wouldn't be half as much motor as you would need on a boat of this size. Any body out there have any suggestions? If you have a boat like these, what would you do different if you had to do it all over again. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Rodney LaCaze

[Otter]

If "family fun" includes waterskiing, you'll want to go with a console boat maxxed out for horsepower.

[Wayne Humphrey]

Rodney,
I bought a Ranger 185 last year with a 150 hp motor on it. Great fishing platfom, very stable even with people moving around in the boat. Can store 7 foot rods in the storage locker. Lots of other storage space. 55-58 mph top speed with two heavy duty people in the boat. Plenty fast to water ski or pull tubes.
Major down side is how it handles in rough water. Doesn't have a lot of V and rides on top of the rough water. Get bounced around alot. Has converted me into a regular life jacket wearer so I guess it is not all bad.
Be glad to answer any specific questions you may have.
Wayne

[Musk Rat]

I think worrior has a 20' you can get with a 175hp. Prolly not as fast as a 225 console but you will get more room for sure.

[Musk Rat]

Warrior i mean lol

[basin]

Rod,

Check out the new 621vs by ranger. I got mine this spring and just love it. It's a big boat, and i to got the knod from the better half ,after we and the kids got caught in a hail storm last summer. It has a deep hull that crashes through big waves like butter,lots of storage and lots of room to fish and great handeling. its also a great tube, ski boat. If you go this route get the hyd Jack plate, This boat needs one to hit the low 60's and max out the ponies.

Best of luck, Basin

[Patriot 2050]

Get a chance to look at the patriot Tiller? It is rated for a 135, but I saw one with a 200 tiller on it. Lots of room, and more than enough power even with a 135. It is a well built hull and lighter than the 620T

[Patriot]

http://www.patriotpowerboats.com/details.asp?id=5, that is the link. I am gonna go see one up close and personal real soon.

[sean61s]

Can your Ranger keep up with the Cat on Leech?

[new 620 fisherman]

The Ranger 620 with 225hp works great as a mix between a family and fishing boat. I can't imagine a better boat to fish from and it can comfortably hold 4 (or more) even in rough water. The only question is whether to go with a dual console or full windshield...

If you are looking for family fun and something to pull a tube behind as well as fish, I'd stay away from tillers, no matter how big the motor is.

[Triton205guy]

I've owned or fished out of most of the brands of big boats you mentioned. If you really want the best, go with the Triton 205 with a 225 HPDI or Optimax. The storage space in the Triton is second to none, and the performance walks by the Rangers! With a full 60 gallons of fuel and all my musky tackle on board, including myself (250#) and my partner, the boat will consistantly run 63.4 to 64.5 on my g.p.s. spedometer with the 23" prop and a little faster with the 25" raised on the jackplate. I've fish big water such as Mille Lacs, Leech, etc. and the 205 has handled everything wonderfully. The only problem is finding a dealer near you. Go to tritonboats.com to find a nearby dealer. Make sure you don't skimp on the trolling motor, I've got the 36 volt Minnkota with the long shaft and find it works great for this size boat.

[Basin]

Dear bass cat,


You had better hope for flat water in sept. Cause my 621 can go 60 in three footers. This is something you can not do. Rock on !!! Can't wait till Sept. Take care, Basin!

[Brody]

If you are looking for a 225hp counsel boat, the 205's are awesome. My family has always used tiller boats for fishing, mostly because we spend a lot of time trolling for walleyes and tillers are much easier to troll. My dad has a Yar-Craft 1895 storm bt (max rating of 125hp) with a 115 merc tiller that hits 40+ mph (enough for a tube) + I like the layout a lot, big front deck, decent rear deck, and huge rod lockers on both sides that can be stood on by a 3rd person. My uncle fishes out of a 620t w/yami 115 four stroke and it gets out of the hole much faster then you would think and I'm pretty sure it gets to 40mph if not its very close. Also awesome rod locker and front deck, I dont like the rear electronics area and deck as much on the ranger as on the yar-craft, the electronics are out in the open so they must be romoved instead of being locked up, and there really isn't anything for a rear deck.