Ranger 617 - Good "young family" boat?

[Mille Lacky Dinero]

Does anyone out there have 2 small kids, say a 4 yo and 1 yo with any expierence with this boat? I would like a bigger boat, but the price goes up substantialy with every foot. A local dealer has a 617 with a Merc 125 2-Stroke. Dissapointment is a realative term, but would this boat be OK with a 125?

[perchjerker]

I would get a boat with as high freeboards as you can. I dont think that boat has them.

[Das Boot 3]

My kids/grandkids range from 24yrs to 9 months and my last two boats have been Crestliners (Superhawk 1600 and Sportfish 1850). Both have been extremely family friendly and kids don't get out unless you want them to. If you aren't set on fiberglass, they are worth a look. Any fish and ski model usually has sides high enough and ample area to act as a kidde corral and provide space for gear and goodies.

[1850 Crestliner]

I bought my boat when my kids were 1 and 5 and they are now 5 and 9 and have spent a great deal of time in my 1998 Crestliner 1850 sportfish. it has high sides which keeps them in the boat and it has a very good and dry ride. I use the boat for fishing about 75% of the time and it works great for either fishing or playing. I hope that helps.

Bow

[BTH]

I have a 617 and love the boat but I would tend to agree with Perchjerker. Have you looked at the Lund 1800 Pro-V? It is a nice deep boat and it should be in the same price range, maybe even a little less expensive.
Bill

[Nick_MN]

I was in the same boat as you, literally, looking for a boat and having two small kids. I looked real hard at the 617 but was concerned about the lack of freeboard. I ended up going with a 1775 Skeeter. I really liked the high sides and the wide open back end for the family and my style of fishing.

I was at the Walleye Expo this last weekend and looked at the 617 that Frankie's had on display. Looking at the 617 re-affirmed my decision to go with the Skeeter. Don't get me wrong, Ranger makes a very nice boat. I may own one when my kids get older, but the lack of inside depth really concerned me.

I know you were looking for a response from 617 owners, but I just thought I'd throw in 2 cents from someone who did a lot of research and test-riding before I bought.

There are lots of great boats out there, look at as many as possible and buy what's best for you. Good luck.

[fishhunter]

For one I dont think a 125 on that boat is enough. To the person saying to look at the pro v, that boat would be no better than the ranger, they have low freeboard also. I would look at a Skeeter or Yar-craft(laccannes has a real nice used 1785). The skeeter will be cheaper and is a lot deeper boat, the yar-craft will be about the same if not a little more money.

[fishnutttttt]

Are you considering the 617 specificaly beacuse its fiberglass? Or would you go aluminunum?

If Aluminum is an option, consider the Crestliner Superhawk or Alumacraft Trophy.

If fiberglass is the way you wabt to go, I would recomend you check out the new family friendly Stratos 386. I saw this at the boat show and it looks to be a nice set up for a family/fishing rig. Plus the price will be considerably less.

When I bought my boat last fall I considered the 617. For my situation (Kids 5 and 2) it just didnt make any sense to consider that boat. Lack of storage and space being main considerations.

Good luck with your efforts.

[Mille Lacky Dinero]

I've been looking at this model to upgrade my current Ranger. The floor plan on the 617 would be better suited for me than my current ride. Really looking for a fiberglass boat,and want to stay with Ranger. I've had good luck with my current boat, so thats why I want to stay with Ranger. I'm thinking I might just have to keep saving up and get a 619.

[fshrman-r72]

I have a 617 and agree it would not be a good family boat for the simple reason that it does not have alot of storage. It is not deep but I would not base my decision on that. The storage for a family with small children would present a problem.


My Dad always said
"When everything fails read the directions"

[fishhunter]

What makes you think the 619 would be better for kids, they still have no sides.

[Dave Landahl]

I can't speak on the 617, but I run the Ranger 619. Besides being an excellent fishing machine, my two little girls have plenty of room in the back. The bow is not as deep, by design, so with little ones make sure you keep your eyes on them, but that is the case with any boat.

Dave Landahl
Operations Manager
Walleye Central

[Stacker1]

If you really want a boat the kids have room to play with toys in while on the water check out the Warrior. And yes, 1 yr and 4 yr. old kids have the patiences of 3 mins tops. I know you want to stay with Ranger but they are a modified bass boat and if you get into some rather rough conditions unexpectedly you will want the children to feel safe. If they get scared you may loose your partners for a long time. This is not just from a guy who sells Warrior, but one who owns one and has 4 CHILDREN. Go ahead and join the Warrior Family, you wont regret it.

[Dave34]

I can't speak to the 125's performance on the 617, but in reading some of the replies I see some comparisons have been made with other boats cockpit depth. I looked closely at the 1800 Pro-V prior to buying the 617 and noticed it appeared to have a higher floor than the 617. I run the boat on Leech Lake in some fairly rough conditions and the cockpit depth and freeboard height are very adequate (it also has a full windshield). I previously ran a Crestliner 1750 Sportfish and feel just as safe to have kids in the 617 as the Crestliner. The major difference I've found is that the glass boat is heavier in the bow than the aluminum and it tends to "spear" waves easier. As Dave Landahl mentioned, the bow is not as deep as some others, so use extra caution with the kids if they are going to be up front in rougher water. If you keep this in mind you shouldn't be concerned with having kids in the 617. Also, the floor space in the 617 is very adequate - it doesn't have the storage compartments like the 619 that intrude on the floor space which results in a nice large floor area in the rear of the boat. The extra floor space in the 617 may be a reasonable trade-off for the greater storage capacity in the 619. It just depends on what your preference is.

Dave34

[Otter]

No kids, just me, my wife and dog, but I do own a 617. It's not the deepest boat in the world, but it's plenty deep as far as I'm concerned. No matter what boat you buy, you will have the kids in a life jacket, and you will have to keep an eye on them. Knowing kids, I don't think an extra few inches is going to keep a kid on board if he decides that isn't where he wants to be. Regarding storage, I use the cooler as additional storage and there is plenty of storage for my walleye gear. When I plan to fish muskies also that day, I just bring a Cabela's carry on bag and store it under the rear deck. Regarding, horsepower, it would be best if you max it out, particularly for water skiing. I have the boarding ladder, just in case I wind up taking an unexpected swim and it looks well engineered (can't say from practical experience - haven't had to use it yet). I fish big waters and have never felt uncomfortable - it is a very seaworthy boat.

[Big Sky]

For what it's worth, I have 3 kids (8,6,4) and fish with an adult and sometimes a dog. I love the boat personally. Like others have said, you always have an eye on the kids so any boat can be a concern. I'm not suggesting you buy based on my crazy adventures, but the boat and kid situation works for me when I need it to and in the right conditions.