Trying to decide on new boat (Ranger or...)

[Kdawg1966]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and am considering a ranger 1850. I KNOW that rangers are nice boats, as are skeeters and other glass boats. When I look at the ranger, my question is: How are these boats for back trolling in bigger waves? Do you have to buy backsplashes for the 1850 in order to do this? (Are backsplashes even available for this boat?). Lastly, is the ride difference THAT big -vs- a nice aluminum walleye boat (Pro-V)? I'm coming off two aluminum boats with no regrets but have been thinking about giving glass a try. Again, I know they're a nicer ride, but are they 5-10K better? If money were no object, I wouldn't even be asking this question, but unfortunately, it is. I was hoping to have already bought a boat by now, but the finances have dictated I hold off a little longer. I will be buying used when the right boat/right price comes along. Right now it's very slim picking. I could buy a very nice, late model tin boat with the package I want, used, for 25K. Every glass boat that I'm finding which is comparable is in the 30K+ range. Thanks for any and all input.

[tzonetom]

Rangers are GREAT boats, but for my money, and good back trolling, a Pro-V is where its at.

and yes, the rangers are worth the extra cash over most of the others. I'd take a Yar-Craft 1785 tiller over a 618T....I think.

[cast_and_blast]

Probably better choices for backtrolling than the 1850 Reatta. Not that it can't or won't, it's just not it's forte.

In general, your high end glass boats will ride better than your high end aluminum boats. Some of this has to do with driver skill, but they can shape fiberglass differently than they can shape aluminum hulls.

Whether that is worth $5K (used) is up to you. I did see a 1850 in the classifieds not long a go (week?) that was $24,900 and it was setup nicely and appeard to be mint. Sold right away.

So - good luck with your choice. I made mine...my 619 is in the garage.

Scott

[eye4aneye]

A 1900 ProV with a 175 Opti (think weight) is the best backtrolling wheel boat I've been around. I've got a 1860 Ranger, they don't track well at all when backtrolling (you have to use a drift sock), are way too heavy in the rear when the livewell is full.

[Pezman38]

I back trolled with my 2050 last year in Canada into 2 footers and kept suprisingly dry. If a wave hit perfect we would get a little splash but not much at all. I was using the 9.9 to keep us right ontop of the fish in heavy wind as well. We just sat and jigged until our 6 doz minnows were gone, about 3 hours.

I would ask a dealer for a test drive on a rough day in both types of boats and see what you prefer to back troll. The Ranger is by far the best ride I have experienced trolling forward into the wind and waves.
I responded because my assumption is that since you are looking at a Reata you will be doing more with the boat than just fishing. If that isn't the case i would look into a 619.

[mattm2632]

I had a lot of the same questions 2 years ago when in the market for a new boat. The 1850 was one of my choices and the boat I had at the time was a wheel boat with splash guards/ Minnkota Vantage that I back trolled out of a lot. I was told, and now agree with the fact that the 1850 is not a backtroller. If you backtroll in even a small chop you will get water over the transom. I checked with the owner of whitecaps spalsh guards and was told he has tried, but cannot make splashguards for the 1850. I just had to learn to fish a little differently than I had been. Move forward instead of backwards.

I absolutely love my 1850!!!!! I think it is the most versitale boat out there (even though I use it for fishing 95% of the time).

From what I have seen on this website I dont think you are going to find to many bad things said about the 1850.

Matt

[Kdawg1966]

Thanks for all the replies - they all were really spot-on. The ranger in the classifieds for 25K?... yeah, I called on it and it was gone, as are most boats this time of year that are reasonably priced. I really think, being that I do most of my fishing on Winnie, and find myself back trolling into 3 footers OFTEN, I'm probably going to stay with the tin boat. I really would like to feel the difference of a glass boat when beating the waves at speed, but in all honesty, I don't fish near as often as I would really like and am having a very hard time justifying the extra money spent for a sport that I only get to enjoy a half dozen times a year or so. If my wife and/or kids were into boating/fishing, it'd be a lot easier, but I've had boats for over 10 years now and just couldn't get anyone near as interested as I am.

Again, thanks for the info. and I look forward to doing some chatting on this site. It really looks to be a great site for sharing and learning info.

Keep the lines tight,

Kdawg

[BW]

If you are all about fishing and backtrolling, why are you not running a tiller?? That would make the most sense to me. There are some good deals on 1850's out there, but it seems you need to re-evaluate the boat you fish out of. The price difference you are seeing on used boats is, in my opinion, that glass boats hold their value a little better. Maybe you should be using one of the bigger tillers out there?? The Lund pro-guides are nice looking boats. There are some nice glass tillers too. Just a thought.......In my small experience, if I want to go slow forward, I am running the T-8 at around 1mph. If I want to hover over fish, I use the Terrova on the bow. Just the way I fish or have learned to fish.

[fish4trophy]

3 footers, I've been in a Warrior and you will get wet backtrolling into them without spash guards. So if that's the kind of water you're in, I'd say you'll need spashguards on any boat.

[Auggie264]

I agree that you need splash guards. I've tried back trolling in my 209 TFX and have gotten wet. When the livewell is empty I pop the lid open and that helps. I've seen wave wackers on rangers (619 or 620) and it was a single pane that went the entire length of the boat.