Ranger Reata -vs Skeeter WX

[PerchJerker]

I'd guess you're in the ballpark, although I don't know the specs for your motor or what the max rpms should be. You could drop down to a 23 pitch prop but my guess is you'd gain rpms (maybe too many rpms) and probably loose speed.

My boat has a 175 Opti with a 19 pitch Rev 4. The only way I can get it over 50 mph is to go by myself and with a light load. Heavily loaded with 3 or 4 guys and lots of gas and gear I run 47 to 47.5, with 2 guys it's 48 to 49.5.

The speed-demon prop guys at Ranger told me the 175 Opti is the fastest motor for that boat (now it's probably the 175 Pro XS). So based on what they say and what I'm running I'd guess you're in pretty good shape with your motor and prop. However, I still think a call to them would be a wise idea, if for nothing more than to reassure you.

[Mille Lacs Guy]

The max rpm's on your engine is 6000 so you are in the ballpark. Once you load all your livewells down and get a full load of people and gear you will probably get a few 100 rpm's lower. If you got good hole shot the boat is probably propped right. When you add more weight your hole shot may suffer and you may want to consider a 23p. Also, with the cooler water temps we have this time of year you will also run more RPM's than you will in the middle of summer when the water temps get up there. Don't ask me why but that's what happens.

[PerchJerker]

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with the cooler water temps we have this time of year you will also run more RPM's than you will in the middle of summer when the water temps get up there

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This is true. I'm not exactly sure why either but I think it's due to cooler and less humid air than in the summer, it allows the motor to run more efficiently and make more horsepower. Same situation but opposite effect if you run at high altitudes, the thinner air hurts your horsepower because the engine could burn more air than it's getting.

[sparkyaber]

Thanks guys, I figured I would be really close. I have heard you really don't get much over 50 with these boats no matter what prop/motor setup you have.

Now a change of speed: literally, how slow can you troll down the big motor, I am getting about 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 at idle. How to slow it down? Sock? Trollplate? I have even heard to put the trolling motor down to drag in the water? or even buy a vantage, run it in reverse, against the big motor? Or bite the bullet and buy a kicker?

[Dhenry]

I put a Yamaha T8 on my Reata about a month ago. it's a great motor and allows me to troll under 1.0 mph. I have a tiller model vs the trollmaster at the wheel.

[sparkyaber]

I would really like to put a kicker on, but I dropped a load on the boat, and the wifie was sweet enough to let me do that. It may be the end of a marriage .. I think I will try for that next year.

Another question, where does a guy find the bait bucket for the bait well? Let me guess ranger only .

Thanks

[PerchJerker]

Bait Bucket -- Ranger only, and probably not even there anymore. Frabill changed the mold a couple years ago and I don't think anyone is making that size any more, and I think Ranger has sold through their stock. It's worth a phone call but don't get your hopes up.

Trolling speed -- nothing is going to compare to a kicker (I have a Pro Kicker on mine). Given how fast you are going now, drift socks are probably your only option to slow you down as much as you need. Look for the setup that uses 2 smaller bags (1 for each side of the boat) and attaches to the cleats up front.

[sparkyaber]

Thanks for the help Perch- I had the boat out last weekend on the St.croix, loved the electronics, trolling motor, and the layout of the boat wow!! Just love it. The only problem was a minnow bucket that had tipped over on the drive down to the river. With the carpet removed, and below freezing temps, made for a slippery situation. (Just about fell on my arse). Will be out there again this weekend dodging dead heads!

Thanks again.

[sparkyaber]

Two other concerns: went to the landing this morning, and the motor would not trim up for a while, then started out of the blue. Also, makes a weird shudder when I shift it into reverse (lasts about 5 seconds), also, when I come off plane, after a wot run, it does the same thing last about 10 seconds, then stops.

Any ideas?

[blueroof]

Sparkyaber, not too sure on your trim issue. Could you hear the pump while using the trim switch? My Suzuki 150 runs a bit heavy and shudders at minumum throttle in forward and reverse at times. It goes away like you say, or can be cleared by throttling a bit up, then quickly back down. If you ever want to compare shudders, I fish the Croix quite a bit.

My front baitwell came with a Lindy 1 gal. bait tamer. Nothing from Ranger or Frabill.

LB

[knoppers]

sounds like you should have bought the skeeter

[sparkyaber]

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Sparkyaber, not too sure on your trim issue. Could you hear the pump while using the trim switch? My Suzuki 150 runs a bit heavy and shudders at minumum throttle in forward and reverse at times. It goes away like you say, or can be cleared by throttling a bit up, then quickly back down. If you ever want to compare shudders, I fish the Croix quite a bit.

My front baitwell came with a Lindy 1 gal. bait tamer. Nothing from Ranger or Frabill.

LB

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Deal: Do you have an alumacraft? That is the only suzuki I have seen on river besides mine.

As for the trim, happened again today after fishing. Can't hear the motor making any noise. Also does not matter where I try to raise the motor from, bow, console, motor switch, none of them work.

One other question, what is the deal with the extra hook and strap attached to the hook on the strap used to crank the boat onto the trailer? I am assuming that it is used to secure the boat to the trailer in case of the crank strap failure?

What is it suppose to be hooked to/

[LMITOUT]

Yep, the extra strap and hook is your safety if the winch fails. Look under the bow roller and you'll see a hole on the frame brace that you can clip the hook into. Done!

[blueroof]

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Deal: Do you have an alumacraft? That is the only suzuki I have seen on river besides mine.

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Sparkyaber, black, sliver w/ red pinstripe 1850. LB

[sparkyaber]

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Deal: Do you have an alumacraft? That is the only suzuki I have seen on river besides mine.

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Sparkyaber, black, sliver w/ red pinstripe 1850. LB

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A reata? That is scary, Same colors as mine, same motor. Where do you fish mostly?

As for the safty strap, it is to short to reach that open hole, so I just wrapped it around the metal bracket for holding the roller.

I do have another question, What the heck is the oval shaped metal holder (round in the center) with the black cover on it? Near the back of the boat in the black plastic covers near the boarding ladder. it looks like some type of rod holder, maybe a flag holder? I am at a loss.

[LMITOUT]

The strap is too short? Which hook are you using to attach to the bow eye? If you're standing beside the trailer with one hook in each hand, you should be using the one closest to the winch for the boat, and the other one for the safety hook.

[PerchJerker]

And make sure you're getting your boat far enough forward on the trailer. Bow eye should be right below the bow roller when done. More important, check the transom - the trailer bunks should stick out a couple inches past the transom - for sure the transom should not hang over the bunks.

[blueroof]

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Where do you fish mostly?

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I usually launch from either Boomsite, Bayport or Afton. If the weather turns out as forecast, I will be out Friday and Saturday for sure. There is another Reata with the same color/motor that launches out of Hudson too.

I don't know what the black oval covered hole is for. I've heard rod holder before. Flag holder makes just as much sense. It has to be for something other than holding a rod, it doesn't do that very well .

LB

[PerchJerker]

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I don't know what the black oval covered hole is for. I've heard rod holder before. Flag holder makes just as much sense. It has to be for something other than holding a rod, it doesn't do that very well

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It's a net holder. Works ok when running planer boards but I don't like the location when running flatlines.

[sparkyaber]

Checked the strap tonight, did I say to short???? I meant it was too long . I don't know what I was thinking, I did put it in that hole, and it seemed way to long.

I should be out fishing Saturday early morning, I usually fish between the kinni and prescott.

[sparkyaber]

Net holder! Should have know .