I would like to hear from you Ranger 1750 and 1760 owners about your experience with your boat. I would appreciate input on these questions and any other you think I ought to be asking but didn't think of myself.

1.) How does it handle rough water (and what wave size -- peak to trough -- do you consider "rough water)?

2.) How does it handle 3 people fishing from it?

3.) Is 3750 lbs enough trailer for that boat? The boat is 1650 pounds, holds 28 gallons of fuel (168 pounds), add 3 batteries (165 pounds), add a motor and kicker (550 pounds), add TM (50 pounds??), and another 50 pounds of gear, plus the trailer weight itself (800 pounds??????) and you are already at 3,433 pounds if my numbers are correct.

Add another 200 pounds for gear on a trip to Canada and you are at 3633. That doesn't seem like anywhere near enough trailer capacity if my numbers are right. Most people want an additional 20% capacity above that max number (3633) for safety and endurance.


4.) Does it have enough dash space for the electronics you chose or have you put a big GPS on a rail, extension, etc. rather than the dash? If so, how is that working out?

5.) What changes would you make in the boat if you were designing it yourself?

6.) Any other items you might point out that I forgot to ask about?

Nobody on this board runs a 1750/1760???

I would surely appreciate some feedback if you own one or have a buddy who does.

Did you search 1750 and 1760? There is a lot of archived owner discussions on these two boat's.
Seek and ye shall find :D

I'm running a 1750 Reatta w/115hp E-Tech. The boat handles surprisingly well for a heavy 17ft boat. I regularly troll in waves up to 4ft and have never felt like I needed more boat, that doesn't mean a bigger boat wouldn't perform better but in the lasr 3 years fishing on Lk. Michigan and The Bay of GB I have found very few days I couldn't fish. It fished great with 3 people. I was originally concerned that 115hp wasn't going to be enough motor but I can honestly say that with 3 people and a full livewell I have no problems getting on plane. For anyone with worries the 130hp E-Tech coming out this fall will be perfect for this boat. The standard Ranger trailer is plenty for this boat, that would be the last thing you need to worry about.

Forgot to mention I have an LCX 37 mounted under the windshield on the councel and it fit's with no problems. If you get a 1750 make sure your have the side rails, you will need them to mount the rod holders. Also you won't be able to use ram rod holders. The rail mounts have to be mounted facing out to allow the rod storage lids to open, the problem is mounting them this way allows the to be pulled straight up and out when pulling out the rod (found this out after buying 6 rams). Any rod holder that allows you to turn the extention and the rod holder seperately solves this problem.

Forgot to mention I have an LCX 37 mounted under the windshield on the councel and it fit's with no problems. If you get a 1750 make sure your have the side rails, you will need them to mount the rod holders. Also you won't be able to use ram rod holders. The rail mounts have to be mounted facing out to allow the rod storage lids to open, the problem is mounting them this way allows the to be pulled straight up and out when pulling out the rod (found this out after buying 6 rams). Any rod holder that allows you to turn the extention and the rod holder seperately solves this problem.


Thanks for the feedback, Wishnfishn. I do appreciate it.

I don't FISH in 4-footers but I encounter them on LOW traveling (motoring slowly and cautiously, I might add) to and from my fishing spots and was concerned about taking water over the bow under those conditions. Your post is very reassuring.

Good points about motor size, dashboard space, and rails, too.

I assume you have the walk-through-windshield?

2Labs,
Rarely have I ever seen the base weight of the trailer itself added to the capacity rating. Typically, they are rated to carry a certain amount of weight, NOT including the trailer itself. If you can, get the tire specs for the trailer, and do the math. You'll probably find that the axle/tire capacity is the 3750(?) plus the 800# trailer weight.
HRG

HotRunrGuy, the GVWR or GVW on the trailer does not include the trailer weight, it's a raw calculation for total load usualy based on axle or tire ratings. In other words you do need to include the trailer weight as part of the GVWR!

2Labs is right on the money on calculating his weight. I'm not sure what tires come on the rangers but I'm willing to bet they are the same as on my Yar-Craft and my buddys Skeeter, which are 14" tires rated at 1760lbs per tire for a total carry weight of 3520lbs which also corrosponds with the more than likely axle rating of 3500lbs!

I have yet to weigh my own boat only because I'm slightly afraid to do so! My boat tag shows a dry weight of 1800lbs (1895 Storm), my 225 Opti is supposed to be 525lbs, the TM is about 50lbs, 2 31 series batteries at 70lb each, a starting battery at 55lbs, 100lbs of gear with my anchors & spare prop, and a full fuel load that sets me back 60 gallons at 7.5lbs/gallon, and of course theres the trailer which should run anywhere from 650 to 850lbs (we'll use 750lbs). That tallies my total weight to 3770lbs!@#$!#!$!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What I'm getting at is Boat manufactures/dealers seem to have no problem cheaping out on the trailer and putting an under rated trailer under a given boat! I've seen this time and time again. If your in any doubt look for a trailer upgrade, it'll probably cost less then $1,500 to upgrade to either a heavier axle/tire combination or to a dual axle trailer. On a $35K+ purchace the trailer is not the place to cut corners unless you plan to never trailer the boat!

wishnfishn,

What speed are you able to run with three guys total and some and some chop on the water. Are you satisfied with the way that it handles under those conditions?

With 3 guys I can run 38mph on the gps. I couldn't be happier with the way it handles in a chop. I can guarantee that it will run alot harder than the average guy will want to but keep in mind it is still a 17ft boat. The thing that really surprised me about it is that the 115hp E-Tech has no problem with getting on plane while pulling up a skier or a tube while having 2 adults and 2-4 kids in the boat. I was really nervous about buying the boat because of how heavy the hull is and being limited to a 115hp motor but that is actually plenty for the boat, the new 130hp E-Tech will be awsome on this hull and now that the 2009's are rated for 150hp this will be a phenomenal combination.

wishnfishn,


Is there a way I can contact you directly? Thanks, I appreciate the information.

Udvar my email is Bigdaddy7372@yahoo.com Fell free to ask anymore questions you might have.