Attention Tiller Drivers!!!

[Focker]

Well since this is the is the lifelong question that keeps those in my circle awake at night I'll apologize now for this not being short:"It was at that time that I had the Right to remain silent....but I didn't have the ability"-Ron White

What I have:
1890 Warrior F115 yamaha pro-tiller steering

What I like:
Standard stuff: Boat control. Boat control. Boat control. Open layout. Power tiller steering(more on this later)

What would I change:
Oh boy. Not a lot, but.....
There's really 2 schools of thought that I keep hearing over the years on this one. Those who prioritize the layout or "cockpit" design and therefore how it fishes once you've made it to the fishin hole. And those who want the softest driest ride to get to the fishing hole.
I gues that answers what I would change right there, I'm not sure I know anybody absolutely thrilled with both in their rig. For example:
Ranger 618T vs my warrior 1890bt. Here my ranger brothers have a better layout for the purebred fisherman, and the cockpit and how it handles at the fishin hole is better, I concede that. Getting to the spot, warrior wins, not question. Yet, neither crowd willing to give up there persnal favorite. And neither myself or these particular ranger boys have found the 20ft. version of either of these boats to be quite what thrilled us either, at least not for the size and expense.

If it were stolen:
Round up what spec ops folks I know and hunt him down like Bin Laden himself--ok, reality....
Enter the 2095BTX AND the original Tim Merten Eginsteer, yes the original, not the merc version. Talk about 'if it aint broke, dont fix it'.
I still know this boat as the 1895 Storm, and consider it a slighter longer, fatter 18 footer done right. While still not the ranger interior, it is a little bit softer, a little bit drier(in all directions i might add) than my current boat. If your in the hull first, layout second crowd, this is the boat for you.
Power tiller steering. Ah, the good ole days. When we had those few short years when we could pick what motor WE wanted and have have the fingertip magic that enginsteer is/was, it was the slickest trick since the invention of the tiller boat itself. Exhibit A: it was so good merc bought it.

So, I want an 1895storm hull, Ranger cockpit, Merten's original enginsteer, and for me a Suzuki motor. That's all.

great question!

[billfish1984]

Great answer Focker.
For me cost/value along with functionality reign supreme, and this led me to the Lund Alaskan 2000. I also love its' relative light weight, very large fishing space, solid build, and good storage (although not particularly dry). If I wanted to spend more, the Lund 2010 Pro Guide would be next in line, but what I would gain there would be maximum HP and speed, rod and other storage, another well, rear deck, carpet on sides, electronics center, and thicker aluminum. I would lose on money, trailering weight and maybe just a little bit of fishing space with the rear deck. Speed is not very important to me: going a total of 15 miles in a day at 30 mph avg takes 30 minutes; going 15 miles at 45 mph takes 20 minutes. Saving 10 minutes isn't worth $15K or whatever to me. Normally I'm driving 2-6 miles anyway. I don't care about the other amenities. So I think I have the right boat me now.

[jjunge]

1995 Voyager 1650 open Jon 1996 Mercury 40hp Sea Pro MC 35TM left of the Merc. older MC bow mount. Eagle fish finder bolted to the seat. On the windy days its a little hair raising but just have to go slow when on the reservoirs.

[Jack680t]

Just heard about Ranger's new 175T - that would be sweet with a Yam 75/ titan steering or a Merc 75 with hydraulic big tiller.
Waiting for an update on Ranger site
Good season everyone... j

[Mak51]

Originally Posted by Jack680t

Just heard about Ranger's new 175T - that would be sweet with a Yam 75/ titan steering or a Merc 75 with hydraulic big tiller.
Waiting for an update on Ranger site
Good season everyone... j

Me too!! Waiting to hear back from a prostaff member if the boat will be officially introduced at the Minneapolis Northwest Sportshow next week.

[Mak51]

Ranger 680T with 60hp Evinrude Etec; great boat.

My only issues are I wish I could go a tad bit faster and wish the gas tank was in the front of the boat. The boat was designed with the gas tank and batteries in the back which makes the bow a little light IMO and not balanced. I added a rear casting deck which has been a great addition. I spend a lot of time casting so having the rear casting deck for friends is an added plus. The boat is very economical to operate, easy to tow, and easy to fit in my garage... additional bonuses. The bow design and overall package of the boat makes it fishable from small to big waters. I spend most of my time on big water and have still managed to fish in some outright wicked conditions on Mille Lacs and Vermilion.

[jigntroll]

I have a Ranger 681T, wouldn't change a thing. Room and versatility rule. Fishes great and well balanced. The new 175T is nice but not the same layout. Will work for some. The 681 is hard to come by now. I grew up watching Joe Bucher and others fishing/guiding out of the exact boat I have with the 60hp Merc. It's obvious to me why it was popular.

[joetc]

2011 Lund Pro Guide with a 90 4strk Merc. I love the boat control and open space. One great improvement from my windshield boat is that I can stop at a spot and be fishing in no time with a quick drop of my transom mount trolling motor. With a wildshield boat I would have to open the windsheild, walk up front, then deploy the bow mount and turn on the bow electronics. Then it all had to be stowed when I wanted to move.

I love the boat and wouldn't change much but if I could I would want the rear livewell door to open in two like the 2012 model so I could access the baitwell without opening the whole livewell which interferes some with the tiller handle. A titan stearing system for merc would be nice as well but I've had no issues with stearing so far.

Joe

[bigbear40]

I have a Lund 1725 Pro Guide with a 60 HP Yamaha Tiller. Have a MinnKota Vantage 24 volt 80 pound thrust set up on the starboard side and two Lowrance HDS 7 units at the command center. One is used for sonar and the other is used for chart with the Navionics chips. Have structure scan and the 4000 sonar antenna setup. Up front I have a MinnKota Terrova 24 volt 80 pound thrust with iPilot and a Lowrance HDS 5 which is networked into the structure scan. I have been a boat owner for over 40 years with dozens of different boats and this is the very best fishing set up I have ever owned. Granted I do not fish real big water like Erie but on the Mississippi and lakes in Wisc. and Minn. it fishes great for me. The only change I will someday make is to upgrade from the 60 to a new Yamaha 70 tiller. The newer tiller with the adjustable rpm button will be great for big motor trolling. I love fishing out of the back of the boat and all of the control I have using the big motor, the Vantage or the Terrova. The spot lock on the Terrova is a great tool for my style of fishing.

[tony k]

i miss my 690t but love my f 150 that combo would be the best in my book
they dont make the boats like the used to.

i would get another ranger forsure.