620 Ranger 05 or 06

[jeleo13]

Looking to purchase a 620 for next season. I see alot of 06 and 05 years in my price range. Just wondering about the 06 model. I have heard that the hull was not the best. I have never been in one but have been told that they took a lot of water on the bow. So do I go with the older 05 hull or the 06' hull. I like the layout of the 06' with the wider beam and batterys located in the floor, but don't want water coming over while fishing. Looking for some thoughts on the 06' from previous or current owners. Thanks in advance.

[gitrdone]

i own a o6 have had no problems with water. nicest boat i have ever owned

[TravisC]

I had a 06 wish i never sold it. you will take some water over the bow but you have to be in some big waves to do it. mostly trying to troll into them. i never took any water over the front on plane.

[bigdipper]

I recently bought an 07' (same hull as 06) and after poking around on here was very much concerned of the same rumour before i took the plunge. Everyone kept saying to get either the 05 or the 08 on up. but stay away from the 06 and 07 years.

I am very happy to report that it's not a problem for me at all... in fact i can safely say that i am so happy with my purchase that i really don't expect to change boats for a very long time.

Would i sell you my 07'?

Absolutely NOT. I love it and it rocks.... and yes - ALL of the compartments are dry.

What i would suggest is to get out and take 1 for a test drive this fall and you will understand that this rumour is simply not true.

pm me if you need any more info.

Good luck! - you will LOVE the boat, it's insane.

[darin]

If you fish in big water, where you'll be trolling into bigger waves (4-6 footers), then you should do as was suggested and get in one and see for yourself. Honestly, there are plenty of really good fishermen who own these boats (I am not one of them - I mean, I think I'm a good fisherman, but I don't own a ranger hahahahah). Do some searching and find out who they are, and ask them. I just think if you're going to buy such an expensive rig, you better be right. Bigdipper didn't say if he fishes in those conditions. Talk to him and find out which conditions he's been in. If he's fished the big water in big waves, now you have one person who has de-funked that rumor). Heck, I almost exclusively fish Lake Geneva... water over the bow wouldn't be an issue for me in that boat either... but if you fish the same way that has been described as problematic for the '06 and '07 hulls, you better confirm that this is only a "rumor." My take, if it was only a rumor, why change the design after just two years? For me, I know if I had a chance to own a Ranger in that year range, I wouldn't pass on it because of the waves over the bow thing... because as described above, I don't fish in those conditions. Good luck, friend.

[RedRanger620]

I can't really speak for the 05 or 06's, however I have owned both a 03 and currently an 08. I almost exlcusively fish "big" water (Erie and Saginaw Bay). I wouldn't own an 08 if I wasn't completely satisfied with the 03. I've been in some pretty rough water and have never been concerned about safety in either boat. That being said, I've also taken water over the bow of both boats. In those cases, it was probably more an issue of operator error than a fault of the boat. I think in most cases, if the captain is paying attention to what he or she is doing, water over the bow can be eliminated. It should also be noted, I ALWAYS troll with the wind. Every time that I experiment with trolling against the wind, it always has proven to be more trouble than it's worth. Good luck with your purchase.

[bigfan]

here is some info I have gathered on the Ranger 620 This is from Ranger Engineers

Thank you for your phone call yesterday. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but hopefully you’ll find this information helpful.



We built the first 620 in 1999. That boat took a 20” shaft engine.


In 2001 we added digital switching to the 620.


In 2004 the consoles were redesigned and the boat also began requiring a 25” shaft engine.


The most extreme changes came in 2006 when the 620 got a new hull, new stripe design, and new consoles.


Obviously, there were changes in standard features and also some cosmetic changes each year, but the information above is a brief overview of what the changes were and when they were made.

Also in mid 2007 Ranger added like 6-9 inches to the height of the bow. to help keep the water from coming over the top in big seas

[clumpner]

I currently own a 07 620 and can understand what you are hearing. I fish Green Bay and Winnebago most of the time, so I am used to bigger water and waves. The only time I have taken water over the bow, other than when it was my fault driving, was when idling into 3+ footers, and when anchored in similar conditions. When I was anchored, I was standing in the bow, all 260lbs of me, casting. So I wasn't surprised to have taken a few waves over the bow. I had a 03 619 before this boat and they are worlds apart in the ride and handling. I have also driven a friends 08 620, and while it drives well, I prefer mine as it feel lighter in the bow and when trimmed up the boat rides higher in the water.

The only thing I know about the pre 06 hulls is that the gas tank was forward and seemed to cause a little bit of a rougher ride.

To me the new layout of the 06+ 620's long makes up for the few waves I have taken.

Good luck with your purchase.

[jeleo13]

Thanks for the replies. I will for sure test drive them when it comes down to my final choices. Biggest water I go to is Mille Lacs, which is huge but most of my time is spent in the metro on Lake Minnetonka and similar sized lakes around the state. Looking forward to a big boat after down sizing to my 618 the last few years.
Thanks.

[Jim Ordway]

I had an 03 and currently run an 06. I run Erie, Green Bay, and other big waters often in spring and fall.
I have never felt at risk in any of my Rangers. We often go out when others are coming in and the launch in empty. I do think the 06 hull runs a bit better in rough water at speed. If your choice is between the 05 and 06, I would choose the 06. I am no superstar operater, the boat is just that good.
Enjoy,

[bigdipper]

I think others here have brought up a very valid point: if you are going to fish very big water/wind/waves then you would need to test the rig to see how it performs in those conditions. I don't troll into 4 footers... I also tend to be more of a smallmouth/muskie/pike guy and tend to fish a lot of shallow structure in the warmer months. If big water was on the menu then you might start to look at the 621 as that boat was designed as more of a big water/Great Lakes boat.

If it's much bigger than 3-4 feet - then i probably am not going to be out there myself. Personally - i don't find it fun to fish in those open water conditions unless i can tuck behind a land mass and break the wind/waves a bit.

Think about how you fish, and that will tell you what you need to know about which rig might be best for you.

Good luck!

[jeleo13]

Bigdipper, you made a good point about thinking about the waters I fish. I fish muskie most of the time and I don't find it fun standing and casting in 3-4 foot waves. Running through them to get to calmer water should be fine.

[darin]

It sounds like you would be okay with this rig then. It's funny, taking waves over the bow while trolling into 3-4 footers makes it sound like this is a pretty crummy boat... but heck, I would never be trolling in those conditions cuz I'm a wuss... I just wouldn't be in that (at least not on purpose). However, I have been "caught" in those conditions before I got wiser. So, if I'm plowing/cruising off the water in those conditions, is it a safe boat? I haven't heard otherwise, so I am assuming you should grab the nicest 06 you can find, and hopefully with the maxed out HP and some engine warranty, and you'll be happy. Good luck!

[bigdipper]

It sounds like you would be okay with this rig then. It's funny, taking waves over the bow while trolling into 3-4 footers makes it sound like this is a pretty crummy boat...

True Darin... i wonder what kind of bass style fishing boat would not take water over the bow while trolling into those conditions?

:deadhorse:

[Mark Komo]

This may help some.

http://www.boattest.com/oem/general-info.aspx?ID=1128&lp_id=484