Best all around Musky Boat?

[Musky Buck]

White,

[scsavre]

I now know to avoid a white tiller classic, Just kidding, I will have to keep my eye open for you this year, RK as well. I think you are just 2-3 lakes down river from my cabin.

[RK]

Yep

[Musky Buck]

savre lol, when I mount the m-60 in the front then look out, jk. I like the fuel tank, done with mixing or carrying gas cans around. Speaking of OT I almost hate to post this but I saw a musky in there about 20 years ago. Relatives saw 4 or 5 this winter, almost want someone to delete this one after posting.

[scsavre]

Delete delete quick, what are you thinking MB. HAHA. There are a couple old musky lakes not far away, anything is possible.

[scsavre]

What do you guys think about the Tuffy Osprey?

I have never seen one in person, but man that looks like a sweet rig in pictures. Carries a hefty price tag though.

[cbrooks]

That and the Warrior were two boats that I would like my next one to be. I never rode in one but I like how low they are to the water compared to other boats. Its got alot of room on the front deck for casting. The only thing I don't like about it is there isn't a dealer up in the GF area.

[scsavre]

The warrior is what i always wanted too, another huge price tag. They used to have a few at cabel's, for the dreaming.

[cbrooks]

Yeah the pricetag is high is one reason I might not ever get one but I think they might be done for good but there isn't a official word yet. The main plants been close since November from what I've been told. Too bad if its true:(

[dobiel]

From a dollars to function standpoint, you can't beat the used market on Alumacraft Navigators and Crestliner Fishhawks. Roomy, stable, inexpensive, easy to maintain, and a decent used market to choose from because of their popularity.

[Silver Scale]

Anyone have any experience with the new Crestliner Raptor? Looking at a 1850 TE model.

[TODDY]

RK,

I've looked into the Tundra's for the last few years and now notice they don't make them anymore. I've considered a used one; but service (if needed) on a discontinued boat? Any insight as to why they don't make them anymore?

TODDY

[Joe Pallardy]

Personally I am a Ranger man myself, my family has a 180 VS Reatta built on the same platform as the Ranger Angler 1860. Both the Reatta and the Angler are less expensive than the fisherman series, but someday I will be in a 619, they just suit my needs best at this point. I'd like to mention a couple other boat companies, Recon boats is an up and comer, they look pretty slick on the water, check them out. I saw them in a couple of tournaments I fished in this year. Yarcraft- Joe Bucher is now using them on his show, he has previously fished with princecraft. I'm hoping some of these other companies start to develop the kind of boat that can compete with Ranger, maybe drive the price down a bit on Ranger's but that is likely just hopeful wishing. I check craiglist, walleyecentral classified, and a few other sites almost daily. I'm obsessed with getting my own Ranger soon, but a graduate student income doesn't come close to paying those bills. Good luck in your search.

[Esox_Magnum]

Tuffys are a sweet rig, so are the Skeeters. I was just at Bass Pro on Saturday they had Tundras on the showroom yet. We run a Targa 17 not a bad boat for tin.

[MNMak]

I too am obsessed with Ranger boats and faced the quality vs. $$$ dilema. A few years ago I purchased a Ranger built in 1990 for under $10k. The boat is awesome (Ranger 680T) but I have issues with the old engine it came with. The engine is just getting old and needs some shop time.

As stated by others, when purchasing the old Rangers you typically get stuck with old 2 carb engines which may be unreliable and near the end of their life. If you have experience working on engines or you don't mind re-powering the boat this shouldn't be a problem. I love my boat but never feel comfortable making long runs on big water because I question if I'll get stuck with a dead engine. I will never purchase another boat that doesn't have a newer/reliable engine on it. For me, piece of mind is worth $$.

There are some good deals on Rangers in your price range (maybe a little higher) and not too old. Have you looked at the 681, 617 & 618 series? The 681vs and 681T should be within your price range, the 617 (tiller & console) & 618vs (console) series pushing the high side. I haven't seen many 618Ts under $20k so I'd imagine they are a no.

[jigginjim]

I am going into my second ranger this year. I bought amy first 680t Ranger(1988)with 50hp Johnson in 1997. I repower to 60 suzuki 1999, I fished until last July. I traded up to a 1998, 690t Ranger with 90 mariner.

Went to the larger boat for my guide service, more room for clients. I plan to repower this Ranger to a 4stroke soon. For muskie fishing, you may want to try fishing from different boats, keep looking, great deals on Rangers always pop up. My 680 was $6000, My 690 was $9000.. My 680 sold for $5500

My brother loves fishing muskies from my Rangers. Wide open, you can walk around the side of the boat. He has a 17ft lund with console, and now would like a Ranger.

[Muskie maniac]

I currently have a 681 and love the boat. It is small enough that it easily fits in my garage but big enough for rough water on MN lakes. I added a deck extension in front that runs from the main deck back to the console. The extension makes it possible to fish three and adds a ton of storage space for baits, raingear, etc. I just upgraded to a 75 lb Motorguide wireless trolling motor and HDS 7 on the bow.

[ole matty]

Anyone ever fish out of tuffy esox/ esox mangnum?

[Musky Buck]

1660 classic tiller Lund, partial reasons when you've had as many relatives that have or still do work for Lund it's hard not to go with one. I also grew up in the Lund town. I'll support whatever is primarily made and based in MN. There's a lot of good quality boats out on the market.

[chief]

Matty,

Three years ago, over the course of a season on the Chippewa Flowage, I spent at least ten days in a good friend's 17' Esox Magnum powered by a 60hp Suzuki. (This is the loooooooow slung, snubnose, tiller model.)

The rig was highly fishable, and particularly well suited to casting jerk baits. It was very stable and quiet, drew less than a foot of water, and seemed very well built and finished.

This rig was quite at home on the "Chip", and other, smaller, lakes in the area. Launching, loading, and trailering were a breeze. It didn't strike me as an ideal boat for trolling, or making long runs in heavy seas, but all boats represent a compromise of some sort. I'd describe this particular rig as a superb multi species boat well suited to all small and midsize waters. Using this rig on big water requires prudence.

My buddy always received topnotch service from a local dealer. He used the heck out of this rig--and loved it.

[ole matty]

I want one older esox so I can do interior renovation on it. I was hoping if it's ideal for metro lake and some low water level launch.

[chief]

I think any similar Esox model would be perfect on any metro lake. Lots of other lakes, too.