What would you get, Ranger vs Lund

[karpbuster]

I have a 2003 Lund Pro Angler 16 with a 60hp Merc tiller, I have a friend that wants to sell his 1998 Ranger R80 18' boat with a 150hp Merc Opti. I think I can sell my Lund for more $ than the Ranger costs I believe. The Ranger has been maintained with the highest level of care, and is in great shape.

My boat 16' 6" beam 88" Deep wide boat

or a Bass boat 18' beam 88" flat bass boat style

I will be retiring to Sam Rayburn lake a huge lake in Texas 114,000 surface acres. So I am wondering if I should have a Bass Boat, in place of my Lund.

What do you see as the pluses and minuses to each boat. I have been told the biggest safety deal at Sam Rayburn is getting off the lake quickly.

Thank you in advance,

karpbuster

[prov1900]

Good question. Getting off the lake quickly is an issue but if you have ever seen the beating that bass boats take in "walleye chop", you might want to stay with your own. Bass boats serve the purpose of having huge casting decks and shallow(er) drafts to go through skinnier water. I doubt that the draft of your Lund is all that much different. I have a 19 ft IFS and can get through some skinny water, but when the bad stuff hits I would rather be in the walleye boat. I know Texas can get pretty windy like anywhere else.

Even though his bass boat is bigger, think about how easy it is to fish and travel out of your tiller, as it relates to the amount of people you take with you. I bet it is easier. Just my 2 cents. Bass boats are pretty cool though.

[lundeepv]

For fishing water that big............I would stay with the Lund. I know the Ranger you are talking about and it is a real nice rig, but I agree with the previous post about walleye chop and bass boats.

[dutchboy]

I have both a tiller and a Ranger multi species. Here is the difference that you want to check out. The Ranger will have a molded fixed drivers seat. It will be real comfy! However there is no adjustment. One of the reasons I bought a second boat was it was getting harder to pull myself out of the lower seat that the Ranger has.

Take the boat and run it all day. Move from spot to spot. Do some trolling. See if it is hard for you to get in and out of that seat all day. I did a lot of Bass fishing, lots of run and gun type stuff. At the end of the day the seat started to become an issue. Most likely it's not enough to sway your decision one way or another but it may factor in.

[bardern]

You will be simply amazed at the ride and build quality of the Ranger. I have the same model all be it older and I have been out in some gnarly conditions and the Ranger always gives me a great dry ride. Is it a dual console or single? If you some fishin friends or a significant other the console will be almost a necessity but does take some fishing spare out of the boat. Don't forget that the Ranger is solid fibreglass construction, probably most solid of all Bass Boats, this will give you a better ride then the smaller lighter Lund. If you had a bigger Lund I would say you should stay with the Lund that but given what you have and the build quality of the Ranger I would pick up the Ranger in a second. Another thing is that Rangers hold thier value like nothing else (other than Lund maybe!) and after you buy and deside it is not for you turn it over with no loss.

All that being said I am thinking on moving the Ranger and picking up a Stratos 219 Walleye rig.

I have fished on Rayburn a few times and you will get some funny looks running a Lund on that lake. Everyone runs bass rigs. Who knows, maybe you will start a trend.

[BW]

Bardern,
You might want to re-evaluate that decision? I have owned a Stratos 219 and now have had several Rangers (617,619, and now 1850 Reata). Although the Stratos is a fast boat, they are not as stable in rough water and the only way to stay dry is to own a good rainsuit!!! The Ranger's are far superior to the Stratos in my opinion. If you can find an onlder 619 or even the 690/692 I think you would be better off.

[Hot Runr Guy]

Looking at a map of the lake, there's a lot of places to hide. Sure, if you're at one end, and your trailer or dock is at the other, it could be a long ride back. I'd keep what you have, and give it a try, before you make the swap. Of course, the closest Lund dealer IS 230 miles away!
HRG

[karpbuster]

Some really good points, here is a picture of a boat like it, not the actual boat. I think it has one console, I know the guy (Jeff) has taken his wife and daughter out towing the tube for fun (so room for three), about the same for me for ... fishing, I think my boat is easier for three. Jeff is the same build as me. I will be living in Veach Basin there are boat ramps within 5-10 minutes (Powell Park, Five Fingers), but once I have launched I have a ways to go to the house, 7-9 miles from Powell I think.

I haven't had any serious issues in the Lund, I get very wet and take my time getting back I am not slamming the waves. I see other Bass Boats at the lake roaring off to the ramp while I take my time in the waves, they look out of control some what. I wonder what the ride is like in the Ranger, are the bench seats comfortable, versus an air ride pedestal?

The getting in and out of the seats is a good point too. I stay in my Tiller seat all of the time.

Thanks everyone, excellent points to ponder.

karpbuster

[dutchboy]

It would be far easier, ride wise to go from the Ranger to a tiller. Then from a tiller to a Ranger. When up on pad the Ranger will have a very soft comfortable ride. But, no matter what anybody tells you they are not anything like a air ride seat. Bass boats are meant to either go balls to the wall, or slide around with the trolling motor. Nothing in between. Either go or stop!

If you are a tiller guy find someplace you can get a bass boat for a full day. Take it out and fish the way you would normally fish. Fly around the lake. Stop, cast for a while. Fly around the lake, stop............you get the idea.

As I said I have a Ranger so I'm not bashing Ranger or bass boats. It's just going to be a totally different beast then what you are use to.