YES RANGER!

[ratkiller]

Re: YES RANGER!

My first boat was a 1986 Ranger 320V Commanche. I traded it for a 1991 Ranger 374V Commanche which I still have. Bought it at Greene's in NC back when they sold Rangers.
Ratkiller

 

[proanglerwannabe]

Re: YES RANGER!

Hello everyone, new guy here. I bought my 1986 373V BMC a couple years ago. I got a great deal but had work to do. I could not afford a 150hp nor could I find one for the bout. It had no controls, gauges or cables. I bought a 1996 Force 120, 25" shaft. I ran the boat once with the 25" shaft on it. Not good for rivers. I decided to take the motor down to a shorter shaft. This was cheaper than buying another motor. I cut the drive shaft, shift shaft and the water tube and had them welded. I removed the 5" housing extention and replaced the studs. Then reassembled. I have run the motor a few times since then, so far so good. It runs great and I got it to around 45 mph pitot. I think I need to adjust the motor up or down a little.
Anyway, sorry bought the ramble. I rigged everything, wired everything else and it is doing great. My family and I love the boat. It is my first bass boat and I love it. It is freakin awesome.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: YES RANGER!

And to think that Triton bass boats are now being made in the same Ranger Flippen, AR factory--side by side.

That's like Ford building Chevy trucks in the same factory.

 

[clevecan]

Re: YES RANGER!

1987 Ranger 393 V Commanche 200 HP Mariner, the best boat I have ever owned, what a ride, and easy to fish.
Glad to see a few Ranger owners here at Iboats A great site!

 

[Ranger320vNOOB]

Re: YES RANGER!

Bought my 86 Ranger 320v From a guy locally, Had a blown Johnson V4 Motor, Thought i could rebuild it but too much damage occured when the guy kept trying to fish a tourney early this year with a dead cyclinder, anyways i bought my 320v for $800 cash, it already had new carpet, and seats , everything else worked except the front live well, not sure but i will figure it out, Anyways , Paid $800 cash for boat, sold the blown johnson for $450 for parts to local guy, Bought a 82 Skeeter with a nice running merc 140hp , paid $400 cash for the skeeter, Took Mercury off the skeeter installed on my 320 v , Sold the skeeter for $200 cash and I got me a Super nice, Super Fast 320v Commanche for $550 , lol, I still have some work to do, I ordered a aftermarket tach just to be safe, Amd im gonna install a brand new motor guide troll motor, but other than that, i think i did pretty well! Here is a Pic i attached, should be a little link right here somewhere, let me know what you think

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: YES RANGER!

Just picked up my first boat from my dad. It's a 1991 Ranger Comanche 354V with a 1993 Mercury XR6 150HP. I have ran a few boats before but this is my first to own. It was set up for almost two years when I got it and took it out last Tuesday and it ran like a top. Needs new carpet and a few electronics fixed but other than that I am very happy. I will post pics later and give more info. Just happy to have a few other Ranger people to talk with.

 

[adabrooksa]

Re: YES RANGER!

Ranger 360v with a 150 Mercury XR4. Love it.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: YES RANGER!

I have read a few places where Ranger was not good in rough water. Well I can say that it is the smoothest riding boat I have been in.
I was out this weekend (with my wife) and the wind was up to 18 to 20mph and white capping. The boat road so well even my wife was comfortable. I am very pleased with this boat. I just wish Forest Woods still owned the company.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: YES RANGER!

The Rangers are relatively heavy bass boats, and they ride better than the lighter hulls. They'll never be the fastest bass boats on the lake, but they'll certainly be one of the more comfortable rides out there.

I have a friend running a Ranger/Merc on the Bassmaster Elite circuit, and he absolutely loves the boat/motor combination.

I see where all of the above boat owners are buying used Ranger bass boats. There's a used 2011 Ranger model Z521 for sale in East Tennessee with a 250 XS Optimax Mercury motor--for only $50K. None of the top quality bass boats come cheap.

 

[ratkiller]

Re: YES RANGER!

I see where all of the above boat owners are buying used Ranger bass boats. There's a used 2011 Ranger model Z521 for sale in East Tennessee with a 250 XS Optimax Mercury motor--for only $50K. None of the top quality bass boats come cheap.

Nope. My second Ranger both were bought brand new. My 374V was ordered from the factory in the color I chose. Rigged the way I wanted it and I still have it. 20 years ago it wasn't cheap either but it has served me well. Back then B.A.S.S. had a 150 HP limit regardless of what the boat was rated for. It wasn't the fastest but has handled any condition or body of water I have put it on from Alabama to Maine. Be my guess that of that $50k probably 20K is motor. 2500-3k in electronics. another 1k for a trolling motor. maybe another 500-1500k in other accessories and that leave 20-25k for boat and trailer.
Ratkiller

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: YES RANGER!

Very good deal. And to me they are very fast. Mine is a 91 354V with 150 Merc XR6. Luckily my dad gave me his--otherwise no boat
for me. Mine needs carpet replaced and a few small things--but this thing is awsome!! Still haven't posted pics yet--everytime I think
about it I have it covered already--will be taking some this weekend and will post.
Man yours looks very clean--it must have been covered all the time.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: YES RANGER!

The Rangers are relatively heavy bass boats, and they ride better than the lighter hulls. They'll never be the fastest bass boats on the lake, but they'll certainly be one of the more comfortable rides out there.

I have a friend running a Ranger/Merc on the Bassmaster Elite circuit, and he absolutely loves the boat/motor combination.

I see where all of the above boat owners are buying used Ranger bass boats. There's a used 2011 Ranger model Z521 for sale in East Tennessee with a 250 XS Optimax Mercury motor--for only $50K. None of the top quality bass boats come cheap.

No way I could afford that!!! I think per the specs on the 354v weights 1050 dry--is that pretty heavy for a 18 footer?

 

[ratkiller]

Re: YES RANGER!

Covered all the time yes. I do need to order a new cover though as the original is also 20 years old and has seen it's better days. But my boat is taken care of. This boat has been fished, I gave up tournament fishing 5-6 years ago. I make the repairs as they are needed. I re-glue carpet if it starts to lift. Contact cement works wonders. This boat is all factory original and does look as good as the day I bought it. I have had some engine issues as of this year but hey it's 20 years old. I re-carpeted the trailer steps this summer and replaced the storage compartment gas cylinders this year as they weren't holding any longer. I purchased carpet from Ranger they had the original order I placed and got the correct carpet for my trailer. These boats cost too much to replace. Taken care of they last a lifetime. Looking forward to seeing pictures of that 354V. I remember when that model came out to replace the 350V.

The spec's on your boat are:

Length 17' 10"
Beam: 82"
Transom Height 22 5/8"
Inside Depth: 171/2"
Approx. Boat Weight: 1050 lbs
Total persons and gear: 1250lbs
Maximum HP: 150 HP
Two 14 gal fuel tanks

Ratkiller

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: YES RANGER!

Covered all the time yes. I do need to order a new cover though as the original is also 20 years old and has seen it's better days. But my boat is taken care of. This boat has been fished, I gave up tournament fishing 5-6 years ago. I make the repairs as they are needed. I re-glue carpet if it starts to lift. Contact cement works wonders. This boat is all factory original and does look as good as the day I bought it. I have had some engine issues as of this year but hey it's 20 years old. I re-carpeted the trailer steps this summer and replaced the storage compartment gas cylinders this year as they weren't holding any longer. I purchased carpet from Ranger they had the original order I placed and got the correct carpet for my trailer. These boats cost too much to replace. Taken care of they last a lifetime. Looking forward to seeing pictures of that 354V. I remember when that model came out to replace the 350V.

The spec's on your boat are:

Length 17' 10"
Beam: 82"
Transom Height 22 5/8"
Inside Depth: 171/2"
Approx. Boat Weight: 1050 lbs
Total persons and gear: 1250lbs
Maximum HP: 150 HP
Two 14 gal fuel tanks

Ratkiller

Excellent--your boat is awsome. I like to tinker a bit and will be referbing my boat--carpet, seats, etc. I'd like to do all through Ranger
if possible to keep it original. One thing that will be the flasher that is dead and they dont make anymore--will be hard to replace with something else is it is huge and would have to replace the dash. I do have a couple of problems at the moment that you may have exp with. One is the rear seat--it won't come out. The pedistal is locked tight. The second is the front fish finder. I can not seem to find why I am not getting 12V to the panel on the bow. The trim works, the bow lights work--just cant get the power to the finder.

 

[ratkiller]

Re: YES RANGER!

Don't want to hijack this thread. I'll Pm you.
Ratkiller

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: YES RANGER!

Finally got some pic--not good ones--just from my phone--normal camera is busted.

 

[ratkiller]

Re: YES RANGER!

There ya go. Nice boat at a better price.
Ratkiller

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: YES RANGER!

There ya go. Nice boat at a better price.
Ratkiller

Yep--I am so happy and THANKFUL. Went out today just to run around a bit with the wife (trying to burn off 2yr old fuel before the end of the season) and wouldn't you know it--the trim switch on the bow panel didn't work--I am starting to think I have a blown fuse in the panel by the shifter--port livewell didn't work either--stern did though. Front trim worked last week (although I have been in that panel alot) It is strange since there are only a few wires running to it. I'm not fretting about it--I have plenty of time to work it out. Also do you have any suggestions on where to mount the onboard charger? I wias thinking the rear deck lid or the starting motor plate (the one between the two fuel cells.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: YES RANGER!

There ya go. Nice boat at a better price.
Ratkiller

All problems solved. Checked the wires per the diagram today--found a bad 10amp fuse in the fuse panel by the quad--think it went bad while I was fixing a c.b. in the back hole. Plugged in the finder and bam--worked like a charm. Thanks again for the diagrams.

 

[ratkiller]

Re: YES RANGER!

All problems solved. Checked the wires per the diagram today--found a bad 10amp fuse in the fuse panel by the quad--think it went bad while I was fixing a c.b. in the back hole. Plugged in the finder and bam--worked like a charm. Thanks again for the diagrams.

Glad it worked out for you. Happy to help.
Ratkiller