Lund Renegade 1975 vs Ranger RT198p

[abcomer]

Looking at buying an aluminum bass boat, not looking at the big lakes but more regional to GA/AL/SC/TN area. I have narrowed it down to the Lund Renegade 1975 and Ranger RT198p. Any input would be welcome, looking at similar options so really interested in comments on experience on quality/warranty/service. One difference is the possibility of buying from Cabelas/BSP vs a private dealer.

Any upgrades that are no-brainers? Lithium batteries?

Thanks in Advance!

 

[Texasmark]

Having had a popular hulled 17' alum. BB. I find the hulls very hard on the buttox/backbone. Any chop of a foot or more will beat you to death at any kind of speed.
I would suggest that you reconsider your objectives and look at a deep V alum boat...plenty of nice ones out there made by the same companies.

Last, before you plunk down your bucks, have the dealer give you a test ride ....when a little bit of wind is blowing. Good luck!

After thought: Pull up Craigs List boats or other owner sales sites and look at the number of newer boats for sale in the 17' aluminum area. In my area, most of the aluminum boats in that size range have the hull to which I am referring........so, the obvious question is.......why are so many of these boats for sale?

 

[cyclops222]

The bottom of most high power & speed Bass Boats made of Aluminum is almost a flat bottom.
Bass Boats fill when rough water comes up. They go thru the waves at a almost level slow speed. The Great Lakes take a lot of bassers for a MAYDAY ride.

Do the Texasmark test ride in different wave heights and DIFFERENT DIRECTIONs. The boat dealer will call off the test ride. to prevent filling the boat.

 

[cyclops222]

I have been caugt in a SUDDEN wind squall condition In the narrow St Lawrence River near Clayton , N Y. On a sunny day. In 5 minutes the wind whipped up 4' with a foot of white foam. I was 1 mile from finishing the crossing. Had 5 big seniors in the 19' X 3' foot high Deep V hull, deep V Chaparral bow rider. I moved people around to get the bow way up. Trimmed the drive to raise the bow more. I could not risk turning around & rolling the boat over or filling it with water. All experienced boaters. No one said a word as we docked & unloaded at the parking lot dock. The deep V hulled boat saved us all. 15 to 30 minute of high wind an waves almost drowned us all. It is the only trip none of us mention.
Your boat HAS to be able to handle sudden wind squalls.
Boats are not like cars. You can not stop, crawl out and lay down on the safe ground. Until the waves drop back down.

 

[JimS123]

I never felt the need for a bass boat, but now after reading the comments in this thread I sure won't get the urge.

We have been plying the waters of the mighty St. Lawrence around Clayton, NY for the past 32 years, so I can attest to it's changeability. What is seemingly a quiet inland stream can be viscous at times.

We used the little tinny in my signature for many years and always felt comfortable. But now, IMHO, a Whaler CC is about the best fishing boat out there. The only positive about a BB is it's high speed. But if you're not in a tournament, what's the need?

 

[briangcc]

Having ridden in my uncle's Sylvan (aluminum) and then my Bayliner, it's night/day difference between the two. The Sylvan beat the ever living stuffing out of me in a slight chop. With more weight, the Bayliner was nice and smooth. Same sized boats too.

I'd take a ride in one during rough waters to see if its something you're comfortable with. Maybe you are, maybe you say nuh-uh.

And as for buying one...I'd stay away from the big box chain store and get the boat from an actual marina. I've seen the "prep" work that the chain stores do to their boats - water in compartments, fittings chopped off with a hacksaw, etc. No thanks.

Other thing I'd mention is this...you don't need a bass boat to catch any fish. Sure you might get there in a nano second but it's a one trick pony kind of boat.

 

[abcomer]

Having had a popular hulled 17' alum. BB. I find the hulls very hard on the buttox/backbone. Any chop of a foot or more will beat you to death at any kind of speed.
I would suggest that you reconsider your objectives and look at a deep V alum boat...plenty of nice ones out there made by the same companies.

Last, before you plunk down your bucks, have the dealer give you a test ride ....when a little bit of wind is blowing. Good luck!

After thought: Pull up Craigs List boats or other owner sales sites and look at the number of newer boats for sale in the 17' aluminum area. In my area, most of the aluminum boats in that size range have the hull to which I am referring........so, the obvious question is.......why are so many of these boats for sale?

Thanks for the feedback!