Ranger Reata -vs Skeeter WX

[sparkyaber]

I relieved my triton fs 190 of her fishing/watersports duties (for my family) earlier this year. I am having a hard time dealing with life without having a boat. Fall fishing on the river is rapidly approaching, and I think I might have to pull the trigger sooner than later on a new boat. I have two boats in the front running, and one more alittle ways back. I am really intrigued by the Reata 1850, and the WX 1880. The new Lund fiberglass is also in the hunt, but I have recently heard some bad things about them. Now for the questions.... Anybody have some first hand experience with either of the above boats? Some of my concerns with the Ranger are: price, the lack of storage (compared to my triton) speed, (again, compared to my triton), the rear jump seats,(I have heard that they are very uncomfortable while on the lake), rod storage in the floor, (does it fill with water, or get wet in any way during a normal day on the lake, or in a brief shower?)

Now for the skeeter: No removeable carpet, no swim ladder, amount of rod storage (how many and how big of rods are we talking about here?). speed?, I do like the fact that I can get a 200 hp motor on this rig.

I also have a concern about mounting down riggers on each boat. What are my options? never had to mount down riggers before, let alone on a glass boat. I have a feeling that I will be wanting to go salmon fishing in this boat.

Any and all opinions are really helpful, so don't be bashful, don't start any brand wars though .

I will be splitting my time between fishing and water sports pretty evenly, so I like to be able to remove all fishing gear from the boat to accomodate goofing off, and load it all back in to fish.

Thanks in advance.

Abe

[setterguy]

I was actually just comparing these two boats, I found the 1860 angler was more applicable to fishing. I decided on going with another aluminum boat but almost pulled the trigger on the skeeter. Shoot me an email, I know of one at a very good price.

[email protected]

[bassNspear]

if you liked the triton, there coming out with a boat for 2008 that there building right now, that is comparable to the reata with few more options. New boat for Triton for 2008.

[ChuckN]

Personally, I think the Skeeter 1880 is not really a watersports boat compared to the Reata. IMO, the Skeeter is primarily a fishing boat and the Reata is a watersports/fishing boat for the reasons you mentioned (jump seats, storage, swim ladder, rod storage might be different in both boats).

I own a Skeeter hull similar to the 1880. It's a relatively deep hull and getting in and out of this boat isn't the easiest when I enjoy watersports.

Downriggers are possible on the 1880, a friend of mine has riggers on his and he may chime in to this post...

[scaup]

I was also comparing the two boats and ended up with the 1860 Angler instead. The angler is a little more geared for fishing rather the boating/recreation. However, it has worked really well as a family boat this summer. Both the Reata and 1880 are very nice boats. When I was pricing them in the spring I did not see a big price difference. I talked to a Reata owner a couple of weeks ago and he used his boat for water sports and also fishes big water with it and he was really pleased. IMO if you want a fish and ski go with the dealer you feel the best about becuase the boats are really similiar. If you fish more that ski/tube etc.... Go with the Angler. Good luck..........

[sparkyaber]

I really like the angler's rod storage, but part of me getting a new boat intails haveing one that is fully capable of watersports. As for the dealer, Same one- they sell both Rangers and Skeeters. They also sell Triton, but I don't know for how much longer.

I have also heard a rumor that skeeters have had a problem with stress cracking, is this true, or just a rumor. I really don't know many people with skeeters, so it is hard to get a feeling one way or the other on the quality of the build of these boats.

Thanks

[PerchJerker]

I have the 1850 Reata, and I've spent several days fishing out of my buddy's 1880 Skeeter (and he's spent several in my boat). Both are nice boats.

If you have no interest in water sports or family time cruising around in the boat, then the 1880 Skeeter or 1860 Angler is probably a better fit for you.

If you will be spending some time with watersports or family cruising, the Reata is probably a better way to go. I would definately go with the Reata again, my buddy would definately go with the Skeeter again.

As for the Reata, it fishes great, even better than I thought it would. I mostly walleye fish (trolling, rigging, casting), or throw for muskies, or panfish with the kids. Storage has not been an issue for me. We haven't used the jumpseats all that much, they function okay but aren't overly comfortable as you can see for yourself in the showroom. The skeeter definately has more storage and more comfortable jumpseats.

The skeeter with the 200 is definately faster, and not a bad ride. But the Ranger is a noticably smoother and drier ride when you get in choppy water.

There is a lot of discussion about rod storage between the two styles of both. Other than having to get down to my knees to use my in-floor storage, I prefer it over the "pro-style" storage in the 1880 and 1860. You can fit more rods in my 1850 than in the 1880.

Hope some of this helps, have fun shopping.

[sparkyaber]

WOW!! Perch, I think you hit everone of my concerns! How many rods are you able to fit into your rod locker? The skeeters? How able is the reata to pull skiers out of the water? Multiple skier possible? Have you ridden each boat in rough water? how do they compare? Ranger still drier? The storage was a big concern for me, because I had my triton filled to the gills with stuff. Also, can you grab rods with the front deck extended?

Thanks again. It is great that you have had first hand experience with both of these boats. If you have any other thoughts or comments, feel free to jump on the soap box and let them fly, I am looking for all of the imput that I can get.

[PerchJerker]

Glad to help.

With my in-floor rod storage you can get 6 rods in the tubes and at least six more in the middle, maybe 8. Nothing over 7 feet long though. A big help is putting rod socks over them so they don't tangle and are easier to slide in and out.

You can also store rods in the port side gunnel although I usually do not. But I have heard from a couple guys that took the rod tubes out of the port side gunnel to store more rods over there and leave the in-floor storage for other stuff. I've also heard from guys that put stuff in the port gunnel around and behind the built-in tackle tray. I haven't done this either, although I might move some stuff over there.

I'm not sure how many rods you can fit in the Skeeter. My guess is that we had 10 rods in socks in there and it was plenty crowded.

I haven't pulled skiers, only tubers. I have a 175 Opti with a 4 blade, it would pop up skiers with no problem. I've been in 1850s with F150s on them, they are definately slower out of the hole unless you prop for holeshot. But there is no way a 175 on the 1850 will compare to a 200 on the 1880 (my buddy has 200 HPDI). The 200 is noticably quicker, and he's probably 5 mph faster than me with comparable loads.

I have been in each boat in very rough water. The Ranger is noticably drier and smoother, the Skeeter kicks up more spray. But the Skeeter has a higher bow and won't take water over it as much in fishing situations as the Ranger. The Ranger hull is more stable, in the Skeeter you will notice the lean when people move around or get on the same side of the boat (not a problem, but it's there). You don't notice that in my Ranger. But the Ranger is not as fast of a hull.

You can easily get rods out of the in-floor storage if the front deck is extended, you just can't open it all the way. If I have the front deck extended I usually stuff tackle bags or other stuff under the deck and on top of the rod storage, but you need to move them to open the rod storage. I have grab rails with rail mount rod holders all around my boat, and I tip them up to vertical and store my rods in them when running from spot to spot.

My wife and young kids go out in the boat with me a lot. The retractable front deck was a huge feature for my wife, she likes to ride in the front and it's much more comfortable with the deck retracted than with it extended. And I find myself using the deck retracted more than extended in many fishing situations, for example when trolling I leave the deck retracted and put all the tackle bags up front. That way you have them a knee level instead of shoe level, so there's less bending over to find things, and it's more comfortable to sit there and retie, etc.

[jerkin'm]

I've got the Skeeter WX and can't imagine how I survived so long without it.. I am a gear junkie and even I can't fill up all the storage compartments..Rod storage is good, not great...I usually keep my spinning gear in the front storage and baitcasting gear in the side locker on the passenger gunnel..I have the add on platform in the back that also adds a huge livewell..for me it's used as storage..I have the f150 on it and have never wanted more..I chose it over the 200 since I didn't think I wanted to HAVE to buy a T8 kicker..The 200 only gains you 4-5 mph topend..It sips the gas too...I can troll everything from cranks to riggers with it, even live bait rigs with a sock out...I mounted downriggers on it this spring and mounted them to the add on deck in the rear..Just used them for a few days in Canada and they work great in that location..I have never noticed a wet ride as previously mentioned and I have had it in plenty of wind on Mille Lacs before...As stated it's kind of a pain getting in and out of from the water level as the hull is deep..a ladder would rememdy this..The boat has seen a lot more recreational use than fishing use so far and it's been great..Even on busy days on tonka you don't get destroyed..I fish mostly bass and walleyes and was a little concerned coming from bass boat ownership prior to this...It has been a great boat to fish out of...I should mention I have the 06' and it's the single console model...Oh, I forgot, I think the Reatta's looked a little too girly for me..

[sparkyaber]

Perch- thanks again for the info. Nothing compares to first had experience. How slow does your boat troll down to? Do you have a kicker?

Jerkin'm- I bet your boat has a ton of storage! with the second console removed (storge put in it's place)and the two jump seats removed, more added storage!.

[PerchJerker]

I have a kicker which will crawl along well under 1 mph. I almost never troll with the big motor but would guess it does 2.7 or 2.8 mph.

[sparkyaber]

I am really leaning to the ranger now, infact going to look at one this morning. Sooooo..... all of you reata owners, what are the dislikes you have with your boat, so I have no suprises if/when I go that route.

Thanks

[sparkyaber]

UPDATE: made and offer on a 2006 reata with a 175 suzuki this morning. Accepted, so barring any problems with the bank, I will again have a boat, just in time for fall bite on the Croix! I really owe the wife one now

[polarsusd81]

I was in PerchJerker's boat on Mille Lacs for the fall frenzy at appledorn's. Let me tell you, that is one nice boat and you will not be disappointed. Very nice ride and he has that thing rigged the way it should be. With the Suzuki 4-stroke, you will be happy with the noise level. Perch has the Opti and he told me the only complaint he had at all was the noise level when he brings the kids out. If I had another chance to fish with him, I would in a heartbeat. Guy knows how to put fish in the boat too.

[PerchJerker]

Polar - hunting was a bust this weekend, we should have gone fishing. Water temps are finally dropping too

Sparky - congrats on the boat and I hope it works out great for you.

[blueroof]

Sparky, I run a reata primarily on the Croix. Sweet river rig, you will love it. Lot's of boating left this season.

LB

[sparkyaber]

Got the boat yesterday, loaded it up and took it to the lake to see how she runs. That suzuki sure is quiet! Two problems, had a few blow outs on sharper corners, and I can only get about 46mph out of her. Just my wife and I, full tank of gas. Turning a 25p rev4 prop, all of the vent holes sealed. This boat gets out of the hole really well! Being so excited about the new boat, never checked the RPMS at wot. I will be checking that later this week. Any one know if this is what to expect out of the boat? Any one with a similar set up?

[PerchJerker]

I don't know much about propping suzukis, I know they have deeper gears and turn bigger pitch props because of it but I can't help you with prop suggestions for your motor. But for mine I am running a 19 pitch Rev 4, I get more speed than you, and I don't blow out. You may want to give Ranger a call, I've talked to 2 prop guys there and they've both been very helpful. Good luck.

[bassNspear]

was this a used boat?

[sparkyaber]

Quote:

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was this a used boat?

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Yes.

[marine_man]

It sounds a bit to me like the prop pitch (at 25) is a bit much... but without a RPM reading every reccomendation is a guess...

marine_man

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I think I 23p Suzuki prop would be perfect for the 175 on that boat. The Suzuki's have a lower gear ratio, thus the need for the high pitch props. I have a 150 Suzuki and I'm getting 6000 RPM's with a 21p Suzuki stainless prop.

I do know a couple guys that run 175 Suzuki on 2090 Warrior's and they are running 23p Mercury Tempest props. Mercury supposedly makes the best stock props and they out perform the Suzuki stainless prop. You need a hub kit if you want to run a Merc prop and they cost about $40.

[sparkyaber]

The boat really didn't have a problem getting out of the hole, so I don't think that I am running to big of a prop pitch, but like you said, I really need a rpm reading. I am already running a mercury prop on the boat, so I should be able to reuse the hub kit out of the rev 4 if I try a new one. I am going to try to talk the wife into going to the lake right now.

[sparkyaber]

Took the boat out, different lake, (longer) water like glass, got the boat to 48 mph @5900 rpm's trimmed as high as it would go. Sound about right?