another ranger 619 vs 620 question

[manitou8500]

I just sold my 17 ft ranger bass boat and have my heart set on something bigger. I live in northern wisconsin and fish primarily for bass and musky. However, i want to start fishing the big waters of lake superior and michigan and branch out to other fish like walleye. Right now i'm thinking i want a 619 or 620 with full windshield. My question is would a 619 fit my needs or should i go after the bigger 620. One thing that worries me is that the 620 may be a problem for lauching on some of the smaller lakes of northern wisconsin, but i assume the 620 would be safer on big water. I assume i'll have this boat for 10 years or so, so i want to make the right decision. The smaller boat would be a little cheaper, but that won't matter if i'm unhappy with it. Anyone with experience or inight on this matter? Thanks in advance.

[go ranger]

If it were me, I'd go with a 620 due to more storage and better performance. It is an impressive machine! Don't get me wrong, the 619 is a fantastic boat too, but the 620 is a step above IMO. If you have trouble launching a 620 on some of the smaller lakes, you will more than likely have trouble launching a 619. I currently have a 619 but will be upgrading to a 620 in the near future.

[Tim Ellis]

If you have trouble launching a 620 on some of the smaller lakes, you will more than likely have trouble launching a 619.

My thoughts exactly. I have a 621 and never have a problem launching on even smaller bodies of water with any half way decent landing. Good luck you will love it!

[Runaway]

619 is 225HP max
620 is 250HP max, 9" longer than the 619.

I have fished the 620 and 619 in big water and don't feel undergunned with the 619.

I agree with others that with decent boat landings the 619/620 will launch/load the same. I too fish northern Wisconsin and Green Bay.

If you have deep pockets, go with the 620, I didn't feel the 9 extra inches was worth the extra expense.

[Ruddiger]

Howdy,

I live in Ohio and fish Erie frequently. I also trailer to many different lakes as well. I have a 619 due to the depth of my garage and, to a letter extent, the depth of my wallet. Having said that, I have never felt under gunned with the 619 on Lake Erie and I have been in some really bad weather. As far as small lakes go, I have never had an issue launching it, even on gravel ramps. Really, the only issue with launching it is the limitation imposed by the ramp, the waterline, and my tailpipe.

More storage is always nice, but I get a lot of stuff in my ranger. At this time I have over 10 3700 in each bow compartment, and ten more of the double wide 3700s in one of the rear compartments. I also have a bucktail tube holder in that compartment as well as all of the other essential items you need on a boat in the remaining storage areas. When I fish, the only thing on the deck or any of the other floor areas is me, the dog and my guest.

Thanks,

Ruddiger

[ColumbiaR]

619 is 225HP max
620 is 250HP max, 9" longer than the 619.

I have fished the 620 and 619 in big water and don't feel undergunned with the 619.

I agree with others that with decent boat landings the 619/620 will launch/load the same. I too fish northern Wisconsin and Green Bay.

If you have deep pockets, go with the 620, I didn't feel the 9 extra inches was worth the extra expense.

Where does the additional 9" go? Is it in the bow or behind the wind screen?

[manitou8500]

Great info, i really appreciate the feedback. I'm struggling with this decision. I failed to mention that including me i have a family of five (3 girls from 4-14) that i would like to get into this boat for fishing and occasional recreational boating. Would this information change any advice you might give. Thanks again.

[kman]

If you have the extra storage and a little more cash, then it's a 620 all the way. They are both fantastic boats but the 620 is the one you want. More dry storage, more rod locker storage. more width, more length, etc.etc....

The extra 9 inches is from the console back... Ken

[K Gonefishin]

Great info, i really appreciate the feedback. I'm struggling with this decision. I failed to mention that including me i have a family of five (3 girls from 4-14) that i would like to get into this boat for fishing and occasional recreational boating. Would this information change any advice you might give. Thanks again.


Yes you might want to take a look at the 2050, TONS of room for kids and family but still a fishing machine.

[fish4trophy]

I agree, the 2050 is the cats Meow for your needs. Also a bit easier on the pocketbook.

[Steve Ediger]

I don't believe I have ever heard a fisherman come in off the water and say "Boy, I sure wish my boat was smaller, all this extra storage space is sure a waste and I really miss bumping into my fishing buddies when I try to cast." I suggest going as big as you can afford and garage.
SE

[cast_and_blast]

I went through this too this past Spring. I was looking at late model 619's and 620's in the MN and WI area for use in MN, WI and Canada.

I was moving from a 1998 690vs and wound up in a 2007 619vs with full windshield and 225 HO E-Tec.

Storage: I fish Bass and Walleye and have LOTS of tackle. I have storage compartments that are virtually empty in this rig.

People: I fish with 2 buddies or my wife and 3 boys (11, 9 and 2) and we have not trouble with space. Plenty of room for all plus their gear (PFD's, rods, toys, lunch, drinks, etc.).

Launch: I can launch my 619 anywhere I launched my 690. I would presume the same goes for the 620.

Power: Lots of torque, plenty of speed (60 gps). Can pull multiple tubes or multiple skiers with ease. Cruises nicely at about 4000 RPM. Have a 9.9 Johnson 4-stroke tiller kicker hung on the back too.

I liked the 620, but it was quite a bit more $$ for not a lot more room or storage. For me, the 619 made more sense (especially considering the deal I found on one). The 620 was HUGE one the front platform - almost (don't tell my wife I said this...) too big. Plus, bigger motor to gulp more fuel on the 620. Top end on a 620 is ~65 based on the performance reports.

So - I think either of them would work fine, but I wouldn't say you are handicapping yourself with a late model or new 619vs.

Scott

[manitou8500]

Well it's done! I was away for a couple days, looked at a couple boats, and tonight i came home with a 2003 619. The bottomline in the decision as mentioned by some of the previous posts was money and garage size, and to be honest the 619 is still plenty big and i think satifies my size needs. I feel fortunate that the wife was onboard so i could get the 619, but she wasn't signing off on the extra money for the 620. Besides i don't think it would have mattered as the 620 wouldn't have fit in my garage. I just opened the swing tongue on the 619 and i think i have about 6-8 inches to spare so a 620 would have been really tight. I want to thank everyone for the helpful advice. The only problem now is i have to daydream and stare at it all winter long. I think i'm going to get it out this sunday for one ride before storage.

One problem i think i'm going to have with this boat is the trolling motor.
It's equipped with a 74volt universal sonar powerdrive (with auto/copilot). I've only ever used maxuums and this doesn't look like it was made for agressive bass/musky fishing. I've also heard that they're not very responsive. It is kind of neat that you can control it from anywhere in the boat, though. I'll try it out on sunday, hopefully working into some heavy chop and see how it works.

Thank again.

[Ruddiger]

Howdy,

For what its worth, I am a heretic who fishes for Musky and bass WAY more than I fish for walleye and I would be totally lost without my auto-pilot. I do not have the co-pilot and absolutely love the autopilot foot controls. Not having to be married to the foot control is a HUGE bonus for me. I have used it al over the US and Canada and would never be without one. Keep in mind too that I am a caster at heart and fish in a lot of different environments, weeds, rocks, etc.

Give it a try, you may be surprised how much you like it.

PS-Congrats on the new rig!!

Take care,

Ruddiger