Has anyone ever ridden in one or checked one out up close? I've read a little about them on some saltwater forums and from what I've seen they ride awesome in big water. I wonder how good they would be on Erie and other big water, I like the layout of 2200 Bay Ranger. I bet the 2400 would haul some serious tail in big water, I know some guys who have been in the triton lts series and scout bay boat and I guess they ride sweet.

Any thoughts or experiences in these rigs.

Ranger no longer makes big water boats.
Here in Miami Beach, the Ranger models you were looking at are called flats boats, or bay boats used to catch bone fish and tarpon in the bay, not the Atlantic Ocean.
In the 20-24 foot range look at the following brands for real big water boats.
Angler
Pro Line
Mako
Century

I don't recommend or endorse these brands, but by looking at their web sites you can get an idea of what a deep vee big water boat should look like. They have a much higher freeboard in the front, and they have a much deeper V (dead rise) in the stern. A true big water boat should have a deadrise of 20-24 degrees.
Some of these factories also make bay boats, so make sure you look at the big water boats, and not the bay boats.
Miami Vice

Sorry I should have been a little more specific, Ranger Bay boats I was talking about.

Sorry I should have been a little more specific, Ranger Bay boats I was talking about.

They are a good boat for salt water use, if you want to find out more info, join Florida Sportsman forum and do a search for Ranger bay boats and bay boats in general. I will me more than enough reading for you. You can get a salt water options with the Reata, wiring and salt water trolling motor. Hope this helps

I mostly fish fresh water now that I'm inland. During my twenty-eight years a Florida resident, I fished saltwater for grouper, snapper and flounder from a 20 foot Grady White. Twelve of those twenty-eight years I lived on a 2400 acre fresh water lake. Having two boats was hard to swallow even in days of lower cost.
I've always wanted a multi-task boat for both waters and that's a tough one. In my search to fulfill my need I chose the Ranger Reata. Is it a big water boat, No. Will I someday explore, yes I will. I've been 55 miles many times in my GW without one scare or any problems. It simply requires careful planning to make a go, no go decision. Will I attempt 55 miles in my ranger, not a chance.
There are some good fishing grounds within ten miles of shore that I can reach in three hours from the house. I have set a personal limit of less than 2 feet seas and wind less than 10 knots. I think the reata can do this without any problems at all. We'll see.

All bay boats are not created equal. If you are looking for a bay boat that will ride well on the Great Lakes, then a Ranger , HydraSport, Triton, Champion would do you fine. I owned a Bay boat for a while and ran it on Lake Erie. I've been in and driven 620's, 621's and other walleye type boats. In my opinion, the Bay boat (like the brands I mentioned) favor well compared to walleye boats, and most other boats on Erie (of the same size). The fishability is better and the ride is better. Are they wet? No more than a deep vee center console, and no more than short draft walleye boats.

The ride apples to apples is at the very least, as good ...I think it is better. The next step or advantage is you can equip a bay boat with a quality leaning post at the helm. Standing up,or leaning instead of sitting down enhances the ride doubly. It's something that has to be experienced.

The best thing you can do is get a test drive. Obviously there are Triton's around at least the Erie / Ohio area. There's a champ dealer in Taylor, Mi who can set you up as he did have one in stock. I'm a little shocked that Ranger doesn't promote their bay boats more in this area. I hear there are some and well received in the Wisconsin area.

Alaskan 20
Of the brands you suggested, the Hydra-Sports seemed to have the biggest freeboard in the front of the boat, so it looks like it might be the best of the group for big water boats. All the boats you suggested had wide beams, 8 1/2 feet, so they should be nice and stable when you are drifting. Most of the boats had a 14-15 degree deadrise so in a bad chop you are going to get some pounding. You are right about standing up on a leaning post. You can take a lot more punishment than when you are sitting down in rough weather.
Leaning posts give a boat a more macho, sexier look. Plus you can put rocket launchers on the back of the leaning post.
Miami Vice