Ranger 618Tiller

I would like to get some feedback on a Ranger 618t. The tiller model. Any comments?

It looks to me like a phenominal rig (I’m a tiller fan) and I heard of a lot of people planning to get one, but I still haven’t heard from anyone that did. I, too, am really interested in comments on this boat!

John

I test drove one with a 90 Suzuki on it last summer.

I was hoping for a rough day, a good 2-foot chop, but it was only about 6 inches so I can’t comment on the ride.

Overall I liked the boat. It has plenty of storage, a big front deck and nice clean lines. I would think it would make a good musky boat too with the way the deck is set up. It got on plane nice and seemed stable. Your typical Ranger, very nice esthetically, great fit and finish.

I didn’t care for how low the bow sits. I wonder how it would handle a crosswind in 3 footers. The drivers seat seams to be close to the transom making me wonder how dry a guy would stay back trolling even with splashguards. The instrument panel is too far back, making it a little harder to take a quick glance down at the gauges.

I think it comes down to personal preference. I ended up buying a Skeeter 1790T. A little smaller, only rated for a 75 hp motor, but seems to fit me better than the 618T did.

I have a 1790T skeeter.. and by far this is the best big water tiller available in my opinion!! skeeter could have re-designed this boat a little better, but the ride and handle in 3 footers cannot be beat. If anyone is looking for a good tiller boat I recommend this skeeter model. In fact I will sell mine to anyone interested!!!!!

Without sounding like a dinkus, why are you selling it if its so great? Maybe buying a new one?

I do like my Skeeter, but they do need to change a few things.

I think the more you spend time in a boat, you can always find things that could be improved.

Your right Skindog, but I am going to a bigger console boat for tournament fishing, my skeeter at 33 just doesn’t compare to a 620 Ranger at 61mph!!!
” Get in and hold on”

If I’ve foound out one thing about tillers after 15 years… There is no such thing as a “dry ride.” There is always that rogue wave with the right cross wind that is going to land right in your lap. But I still own one, Alumacraft tp175 w/ 90hp suzie, and will continue too.

Heck…there isn’t a dry ride out there…I rode in DeeZee’s 620 Ranger out on Erie last year and if it wasn’t for Cabelas Guideware and Rocky Boots we would have had to turn back with in the first 15 minutes out of the bay…

but on the other hand we wouldn’t even had gone out if we were in a tiller…

oh yea…one more thing….”get in and hang on” is right !!

Hey Dave,

I just want to ask about your comment about not going out if you were in a tiller. Please don’t think I’m being a dink, but why not? The reason I’m asking is that I currently have a tiller, and I’m thinking about a new boat and can’t deceide about the big “tiller vs. wheel” question. Could you please let me know what you think? Thanks.

Hey Jason,
I have no experiance in a “Big Tiller” but in the waves we were in on Erie I don’t think I would have gone out in a tiller…I don’t like the idea that all the weight would be in the back of the boat hittin 3,5 and 8 foot waves…I like my chances in the middle of the boat…

But now there are lots of big tillers out there and they are way more experienced than I am….But that would be a choice of what you like and trust…

Jason,

I was out on Erie in my tp175 tiller with some friends the same week DeeZee was out. There was one day we delayed going out into an area called the triangle because the wind was turning up some tough waves from the s.w. We played it smart and fished the islands until things calmed down a bit. I think if my boat had a wheel I would have made the same decision. When out on big water like Erie there isn’t much of a margin for error and you need to know your limitations. On the other hand we spoke w/ some guys who were out in a 620t, in the middle of no mans land, and they were 100% confident in their decision.

My advice in buying a tiller is buy the largest hull that will fit in your garage, and budget, and max out the hp. If you do that you will be able to fish most of the water in MN 95% of the time. As a side note: I think Erie is a unique situation, in that, few will trailer to from MN. But, I’m going back next year w/ the same boat and group. Just adding an extra day for blow days.

Thanks for the advise guys. I should have been more specific. I have a warrior with a 90hp tiller right now. I have never been to Erie, but I haven’t been too white-knuckled on any Minnesota water. I’m just having a really hard time deciding between a Ranger 620 and the new Warrior 2090 XST with the 175hp tiller. I really love the control of my tiller, but for tournaments maybe the Ranger….I hate this part!!! Thanks again.

lure rat Would you please tell us about the performance of your 90hp susie? Top end speed and slow speed? What does it idle at RPM wise? Is the idle RPM adjustable? Would you buy another one? Thanks in advance Plasticman//////////

Jason_N –

I switched from an 18′ tiller to a 19′ dual console when I started fishing a national circuit. This year I ran a 20′ dual console. I am still a tiller man, run a tiller kicker, had a splashguard on my 19′ – routinely backtroll with my main engine (200 on the 19′ and a 225 on the 20′) – I just use a suicide knob on the steering wheel to overcome the ‘slowness’ (for a lack of better wording) of a wheel boat.

If you are going to fish tournaments in MN where live baiting is one of your main presentations, keep your tiller. If you are going to start fishing larger bodies of water where running 20-40 miles or for up to 3 hours to get to your fish and then use open water trolling techniques – get a console.

When I am done fishing national circuits and only fishing local in MN I will be back in a large tiller – you can’t beat a 19′ or a 20′ hull for the ride.

email me if you have more questions,

[email protected].

ted