TRITON 205 or RANGER 620 or ????????

[2DOGS]

I would like to try a fiberglass walleye boat BUT want the interior room like a Lund 2025. Both the Triton and Ranger seem to have all kinds of room in the bow but I'd like to have more room aft. I backtroll an awful lot and with 3-4 people need some room for comfort in the back. Rod storage is not a big thing. Is there no such animal?? If not, can you tell me why Triton or Ranger can't move the cockpit farther forward??

[ETT]

If you think buying a boat is a compromise, try figuring out the mold to build them in. It has got to be a happy medium between comfort and function. Triton and Ranger build performance boats with long runs in rough conditions in mind. That's why the helm stations are where they are.

If you are guiding or chartering do yourself a favor and look at all the room in the 19' cat hulls or at least center consoles.

No one boat does it all for all of us, or there would soon be only one manufacture.

Good luck and happy hunting.

[SUPERTROLLER]

Don't get stuck on the NAME that's on the side of the boat. Find a layout from one of the other manufacturers that fits your ideas on what you're looking for and then check it out in person to see if the quality and workmanship does too. Most every manufacturer now has a web site where you can find what you want or eliminate those that don't. Call them with questions on exact dimensions for room between console and transom if it looks like something is what you are looking for. Then you can compare with other boats set-up similarly.

Good Luck in your search. This is the fun part where you get to look at all the dealers showrooms and drive them nuts before you decide on an exact Model to bargain on. You don't even need to talk Dollars and cents right now. If the boat layout doesn't work for your style of fishing it's not worth anything.

[ETT]

Boat show season is here. Go check them all out, and water test the ones that you like.

[Jim Carroll]

2DOGS check out the Tracker 1900 or the Fisher FX-18 (basically the same boat). They have a little more room in the back with a smaller front deck footprint.

If backtrolling is the way you really like to fish and you have several people in the boat wouldn't a big tiller boat be more suitable?

[RonandReel]

If you want to try fiberglass then it should be in a WARRIOR boat. This boat has all the room of the 20 ft. Lund and a better and drier ride. Go to their web site for more information. They have a 2090DC and a 2090Backtroller that is just the boat you have described that you wanted. If you don't give the WARRIOR a try you will miss the boat. I have had Alumacraft for 10 years and last year I went to the WARRIOR 1891DC with a 130hp Honda 4-stroke and have never regreated it. Good-luck

[FROGMAN]

If you are looking for a glass boat that has ton's of room, especially in the aft section, take the time to look at a Skeeter ZX 2050. This boat is wide open in back with plenty of room for two anglers to set lines at the same time!

Good Luck

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[JimRK]

I second what Frogman says. Fished out of my buddies 2050 Skeeter in a couple of tournaments last year. Just all kinds of room behind the consoles. Definitly take a good look see at this boat!!!!

[Sunshine]

2Dogs,
I had (have) the same concerns as you. Saw the Skeeter 2050 on saturday and fell in love. I Have to agree with FROGMAN.
Look at the Skeeter ZX 2050. This boat is wide open in back with plenty of room for two anglers. I thought that no one made a boat with a good roomy layout before I saw this one.

Frogman, I'm assuming that you had it in 5-7" waves? How did it handle?

[FROGMAN]

I have had the unfortunate opportuntiy to be caught out in the middle of Saginaw Bay when a micro-burst opened up on us. The wind which I estimated at 35-40 mph was blowing the rain so hard it was all I could do to try and keep an eye on the GPS to make it back in. It does not take long for Saginaw Bay to get nasty with winds like this, and all I can say is that I'm glad I had that Skeeter on this occasion. Now let me say that ANY good boater will start looking for shelter before things get dicey, and I thought I had started back soon enough, but had not anticipated the speed, or intensity of this storm. Still the boat made me a believer in it's big water handling ability. So much so that when they sent us out in big waves at the Lake Erie PWT in Dunkirk, NY I wasn't worried one bit.
The nice thing about the fuel cell layout is that you have twin 29 gallon tanks. One fore, and one aft. You use whichever one you want first depending on the wave conditons you will be facing that day!
Keep in mind however that no boat will compensate for poor operating skills, or lack of good judgement. I personally don't like fishing in five foot waves, and given the option will stay out of bad weather if I can. That said, this boat will get you home when things get sour, just do your part.

Good Luck

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[Sunshine]

Thanks for the insight Keith. Very good thoughts. Can you comment on any first hand knowledge about the dry ride of the Skeeter vs Ranger?

Thanks for the sharing

[bigeyes]

if i were you i wouldn't forget about SKEETER. The 2025 has as much room as most of the glass boats. we just got one and we are really happy with it. there are very large storage spaces and lots of room in the back.