New Boat

[wildirishrose]

Don't want to start WW3 here but the wife has given me the green light. I've looking and researching and have my picks down to the Lund 2025 Pro-V Magnum LE or the Ranger 620. My budget is enough to afford a 2002-2003 of either model. Would like to here from owners of both rigs.

[PerchJerker]

I know this isn't one of the models you mentioned ........ but have you seen the Ranger Reata 1850? It was a new model in 2005 and the pricing might fit your budget and put you in a new boat instead of a used boat. 620s had my eye for years but I ended up with an 1850 because the layout was better for what I wanted, most notably a smaller bow platform and more room behind the consoles compared to the 620.

Regarding Lund vs. Ranger, I'd go fiberglass. Given the boats you're looking at I assume you're fishing big water / big waves and the glass boat will be much smoother and drier. Make that much much much much much smoother and drier. Other than that they're both great boats and I'd go with whichever one has the layout, finish, features etc. that you like the best.

Good luck and have fun shopping.

[HARPOON-OR-BUST]

JUST MY OPINION.........

I OWN A 2025 PRO-V, I LOOKED AT A FEW GLASS BOATS BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS ONE JUST TO BE SURE BUT I KEPT COMING BACK. I HAVE BEEN AROUND LUNDS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND MY DAD USED TO SELL THEM SO I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT A WAS PARTIAL TO THEM TO BEGIN WITH. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED IT IS BEST LAYED OUT, FISHABLE BOAT YOU CAN BUY. THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT THAT SINCE THAT IS WHAT YOUR BUYING IT FOR. THATS NOT EVEN BRINGING UP SOME OF THE NEW FEATURES SUCH AS: IN FLOOR ROD STORAGE , THE WASHDOWN SYSTEM, SNAP OUT CARPET. MINE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE THAT COOL STUFF

I HEAR THE ARGUEMENT ALL THE TIME ABOUT THE GLASS BOATS BEING DRIER, THEY ARE. HOWEVER THE NEW LUNDS ARE GETTING A LOT BETTER THAN THEY USED TO BE WITH THE IPS 2 HULL. SURE IT ISN'T GOING TO BE THE DRIEST RIDE BUT GET YOURSELF A GOOD RAIN SUIT AND YOU SOLVE THAT PROBLEM. A GLASS BOAT MIGHT BE THE DRIEST RIDE GOING FORWARD ACROSS THE LAKE BUT THE PRO-V TRANSOM IS GOING TO BE DRIER WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR DESTINATION AND YOUR BACKTROLLING/HOLDING THAT EDGE WITH THE KICKER MOTOR PULLING FISH IN THE BOAT WHILE THE WAVES ARE SMACKING OFF THE WAVE WACKERS.

I HAVE YET TO HEAR A TOURNAMENT ANGLER SAY IT WAS A ROUGH DAY ON THE WATER TODAY SURE GLAD I HAD THIS GLASS BOAT TO KEEP ME DRY! I GUESS IF I WANTED TO STAY DRY I WOULD STAY ON THE COUCH.

ONE OTHER THING, I WOULD LOOK AT THE SE. THE LE GETS PRETTY TIGHT BEHIND THE CONSOLE.

[Northlander]

Im a big Lund guy and love my 04 Explorer but the ride in a Ranger is far softer and dryer than any tin boat out there. The tracker Tundra may be close.

If you dont fish big waters when they get rough than the Lund is more fisher friendly. Lay out is nicer and I like the higher freeboard.

If you often go out in rough water and run fast in it I would go with the Ranger. My partner has a 620 and it is a joy to ride in when the conditions get tuff. You will spend a ton of $ on gas though. A 225-250 2 stroke really goes threw the gas.

1 other thing is the Ranger trailers are the best out there. Smooth trailering on the road and the boat seems to always be on the thing straight every time. Something about the bunk design I guess.

[bobO]

I have a 1999 explorer, and have never had one regret about buying a lund, it was definitily worth the money, and after 6 years I don't have any reason to get rid of it. The only reason I would sell it might be to get a 4 stoke motor and if I did that I would strongly consider keeping the boat and just upgrading the motor. Good luck

[catman71]

I have an 04 Explorer as well. I have a 150 Suski 2-stroke on the back and love it. One point about the Ranger that nobody has made yet is the chic appeal. Girls really love those fiberglass boats and trailers with shiny wheels! You can pass off a nice fishing boat for a "speed boat" almost every time! If this matters to you, I have never picked up any babes with the Lund.

Just kidding...kind of.

I don't think you can go wrong here.

[CodyDawg]

I had an 01 Lund ProV and the livewell system was absolutely terrible. Two dealers tried to fix it (some type of vapor lock problem) and the factory wouldnt help me a bit, even though they acknowledged the problem. So, from a livewell standpoint I would not recommend a Lund. I also HATED the painted gunnels. They get hot, slippery, and they scratch. The ride was good...and I fish big waters. Storage volume was fantastic, but all but one of the compartments got wet easily. I liked the big fuel tank...although the gauge was worthless. Those are my comments from 5 years of ownership.

[ChuckN]

Quote:

---

I HAVE YET TO HEAR A TOURNAMENT ANGLER SAY IT WAS A ROUGH DAY ON THE WATER TODAY SURE GLAD I HAD THIS GLASS BOAT TO KEEP ME DRY!

---

-You've obviously never fished next to me, because I say that all the time (not only dry, but not beat to death).

It's personal preference. I owned aluminum boats until I went glass....and the only aluminum boat I will own is for the ducks.

Just my $.02

[PerchJerker]

I hear the same all the time too ... sure am glad I had glass

Another thing you hear a lot ...... sure wish I had glass

[Kevin Turner]

Can't help with you choice, but I do have a friend in your area with a 620 Ranger for sale. If you would like, give me a call for details. 314 378 2685 cell. Kevin

[wildirishrose]

Thanks for all the great responses and opinions guys!!

[Windy]

I know this isn't one of the models you mentioned but I know where there is a Beautiful Tracker Tundra in the same size with all the goodies on it. It also has a custom Tandem Trailer that matches the boat.

[JohnMickish]

This came out of the 06' Lund Catalog. "When you see an old boat, not only is it aluminum, it's a Lund". Use that for what it's worth.