Boat for newby…

Would appriecate an opinion. I’ve been searching hi and low for a boat for the Mississippi and lake Rathbun and I’d like to try some lager lakes. Nothing like Erie. I’ve kinda narrowed it down to two. A 1998 1775T Skeeter with a 75 2 stroke Merc and a 1995 690 Ranger with 90 4 stroke Merc. Both are the same price. The Ranger is a little more used but has a 2002 engine and some eletronics. The Skeeter is really clean and been sitting several years, no eletronics? Both are tillers.

Should I flip a coin or is there a more scientific approach?

Thanks much,

Mark

I’d be leary of any motor that has been sitting for a period of time, at minimum it would be good to do some fluid and a new waterpump, the Newer motor and electronics, seems a better route to me. Check into the maintence of the motors and boat, not knowing anything specfic about wither boat the Ranger sounds like a little better option to me, carpet and fiberglass can always be freshened up.

I don’t think I’d be too worried about a 2 stroke 75hp sitting for a couple years. Whichever motor you do get, have it checked over or at a minimum do a compression and leak down test.

Without seeing either boat and given your descriptions, I’d go with the Ranger and the 90 4-stroke. You are going to be sitting right next to that motor all the time. You want it quiet and not smokey! Plus, Rangers sure do hold their re-sale value and that 690 was a popular model.

Good luck.

Do both of these rigs have the max HP that the boat is rated for?

Yes they are both maxed out and thanks for the response’s

That’s the most important thing IMHO to max out your motor, I agree with Jon I would go with the Ranger

I agree with these guys. Newer motor, more HP and not breathing in fumes all day is nice. As far as the boat goes, there’s products out there that can bring back that shine, clean carpet, etc. A little elbow grease with good products works wonders.

BIRDDOG

I’d say Ranger and some work. Furthermore, you’ll appreciate the work you did when it gets all cleaned up.

Ditto and agree with the Ranger. It has newer motor and electronics. Les smoney spent later. The boat being a tiller I would want either a DFI 2 stroke or a 4 stroke, not a older 2 stroke model for reasons stated earlier (fumes, smoke, noise). Giving a boat a good clean up makes you feel good when you are done.