need some quick opinions on deciding between new boats

[RyanK1]

Originally Posted by KTurner

Ummm, help me out here - Tommy Skarlis, Tom Keenan, Nick Johnson, Scott Steil, Dean Arnoldussen, Jason Przekurat, Brian Bjorkman, Eric Olson, Rick Nascak, Pat Byle, John Gilman, Steve VandeMark, Dave Kolb, etc, etc, etc won all that money by luck alone? No boat control was needed to win a 4 day derby? Yeah, pass me some of that..... You might want to open your mind a bit....

Buy the boat that fits your fishing style and budget from a dealer you can trust. Once the boat arrives go have fun. Nothing better to alleviate today's rat race stress.....

I didn't say the ranger wasn't a nice boat. He just said he believed there were boats that had better fishability. I never stated they had bad boat control. Not sure what your trying to say. It was just someone's opinion.

[mh454]

Originally Posted by BW

I am gonna bet the Lund dealer filled you full of that 60 grand crap? I can tell you personally that an 1860 Ranger would be in the same price range as the proV your looking at! Might even be less if you find a decent dealer and Ranger still lets you pick what motor you want instead of telling you what you get for a high price! Your choice though......

I was quoted $37k for a new Ranger 1860 with Yamaha F150 and MinnKota Terrova 80lb. An 1875 aluminum Pro-V with a 150 4 stroke Merc would be very similar in price.

[j77]

Ok.. When I mentionef the 60 grand I was kinda refering to the fisherman series.... Havent really checked prices on the anglers.... I guess I dont see any anglers.around .... But If someone has a ballpark on the price on a new 1860 angler I would incltined to hear.

[hoytshooter]

Okay this is getting good, just like I wanted great opinions on alot of different boats. I've always been a lund guy and have had zero problems with any of them, from my 1st 1985 pro angler with a 40 hp jonhson through all my pro-v's. love the pro-v's with a passion, best "WALLEYE FISHING BOAT MADE" as far as I'm concerned, until now....possibly. My current is a 1900 pro-v double bubble, but here lies the problem. Lund has "priced me out" as far as im concerned, not saying at all I can't afford one thats not the problem. The new pro-v's are not as good as the olde ones...bar none. I wouldnt even think about a 1875, but have considered the 1975. Let me remind you Im a diehard lund guy but im having a very hard time with this 5-10-15 thousand dollars more for what i feel is a very comparible boat in some other brands. Im going to go look at some stratos boats tomorrow and see what they are like.
please someone tell me I'm wrong I dont wanna stray away from lund but its looking like thats not an option. Mine will be up for sale shortly if thats the decision I make, and someone will be a very very happy lund owner, no question.

[T Mac]

Originally Posted by hoytshooter

The new pro-v's are not as good as the olde ones...bar none. I wouldnt even think about a 1875, but have considered the 1975.
.

Why do you say that, Hoytshooter?
I ask, because I have been hearing the opposite.
Folks I know who got newer new ones say they keep getting better every year...so I'm curious?
Thanks in advance.

[BW]

Basically, in my opinion, if you are going aluminum, Lund is at the top. Glass Ranger is up there, but there are a lot of good boats on the list. Just gotta go check them out and see what fits you best! Everyone has their own style of fishing or wants in a boat. You really can't go wrong with any of the boats on the list.....

[BW]

Originally Posted by j77

Ok.. When I mentionef the 60 grand I was kinda refering to the fisherman series.... Havent really checked prices on the anglers.... I guess I dont see any anglers.around .... But If someone has a ballpark on the price on a new 1860 angler I would incltined to hear.

I guess if you are gonna compare the fisherman series, than you need to compare a 619 to a 1975? As said above, the 1875ProV and 1860 Angler are similar in price. Two of the top boat manufacturers out there, so you can't lose! Part of the fun is the shopping and rigging. Go and sit in both boats and compare for yourself.......

[REW]

Ryan,
I have to respectfully disagree on the post that it is NOT important when buying a new boat to consider - smooth and dry in the equation.

This is especially true, if you do a lot of marine work in rough off shore conditions.

It is pretty tough to go fishing if you have just dislocated your back from the great fishing boat that has a terrible ride.

No, in today's world, all of the new boats DO NOT ride nearly the same and all of the new boats do NOT have the same level of dry ride.

Also, consider the ability to shed big waves from the standpoint of NOT spearing waves, if you are going to be doing a lot of work in these conditions.

Ride, try, check the layout.

All things are important when considering a new boat purchase.

Be safe and have a great season.

REW

[eyesbme]

Hoytshooter,

Just my 2 cents here...i just got a 186 gl fisherman this past April and have been enjoying it the past few months. Like everyone else, a new boat is what i had planned, but with the way new boat prices are these days, that was not in my budget. Prices are insane!!

I patiently waited many years and looked at many boats here on WC til i found the gl fisherman and jumped on it. The boat fits my needs and is the right size for me and my family for fishing both the inland lakes and great lakes. The boat is an '08 and had only 67 hrs on it, which was one of it's selling points and it came fully rigged with what i wanted...175 Vrod, 9.9 pro kicker, MK I-Pilot, electronics, rod holders, etc..The glass boat performs well in rough water. While in 3-4 footers never did i feel worried i would spear a wave, unlike with having a ranger, which are notorious for doing. The boat offers a good amount of storage, is a dry ride and get's up and go with a top speed of around 52-53mph. Personally, the ranger's sit way too low to the water for my liking(kind of like a flat bottom boat) and with having a 2 yr old that was something i didn't like. If you have younger kids this should be a something to think about it. The lund gl has higher sides and believe it sits higher in the water and offers just as much as some of the other 18.5' glass boats out there. I would definitely get a glass boat in the 18.5' size vs a 18.5' tin boat.

It seems like everyone and there brother owns a ranger or a tin lund, thus i wanted something different, to which i decided on the glass lund and have been very happy so far. To all the people that have bad mouthed the glass lund's probably have never owned one or even rode in one, so don't listen to the nay sayers until you have taken one for a drive. Only YOU can make the decision on whether it fits your criteria.

Each company offers something different good/bad with there brand to each of his own liking/disliking. If your ok with buying used, then that might be an option. Price is always a concern, but hey, if it's well taken care of and in new condition, then you will pay a bit more that's just the way it is. You just need to decide if it's justifiable to over pay for a new boat vs mayb over paying for a newer used boat. Ranger, Lund, Skeeter...there are reputable company's with a good history of making good solid fishing boats. You're going to pay top dollar either way no matter which company you choose, yet will get something a bit different with each model you choose also.

[1860Angler]

I wouldn't waste your time looking at a Stratos. They aren't even in the same league as the other boats mentioned above from Ranger, Skeeter and Lund. A buddy of mine has a Stratos 386 and I guarantee you that your 1900 ProV rides just as good if not better, it's been two weeks since I've been in it and my kidney's still hurt from the pounding!! His is a 2010 and doesn't even have 150 hours on it and there is spider cracks everywhere!! They cost considerably less for a reason. Stick with Ranger, Skeeter, Lund, Yar-Craft and you can't go wrong!!