Lund owes Ranger &

so do most of the other boat companies. Ranger created the “image” for high quality, high costs fishing boats. Years ago all the choices were tin or fiberglass. The fiberglass was more or less pleasure boats with the main exception of Ranger. Tin boats were all chasing Lund for market share. At that time it seemed there was a large distance price wise between tin & fiberglass. If you could afford to buy Ranger people did. If not then tin became most peoples option. Weight was the most common reason listed as why people didn’t buy fiberglass.

Flash forward to todays boats. Many manufactures have entered into the fiberglass market for fishing boats. Seems there are less tin manufactures today( although I have no facts to back that up)Amentities in the boats have increased, weight has decreased. What I do know is Ranger set the bar for quality boats at a premium price. Seems all the manufactures, both tin and fiberglass improved the quality and also jumped the pricing considerably.

I love the looks of all the new boats, however when you start talking over $30k for a boat that mostly only gets used a few months I lose interest.

Oh well, a new boat would be down on my list if I win Powerball anyway. No sense thinking about it I guess.

Ahhh, Ranger is for the cake eaters! Go tin Lund go…

You’re pretty much right on brother. Paying in the 30-60K range for a boat is outrageous. I have to buy used to get a boat that has what I want on it also.
Don’t feel too bad. Most of the guys with those spendy rigs are taking 10-year loans on them. Also, it ain’t that boat that catches fish, remember that.

Most times the boat is less than 1/2 the cost of the total package price. Motors often cost more than the boat/trailer combined. Why? Government regulations for fuel economy and emissions levels. Same goes for the cost of a car these days. However, the engineering improvement in quality come into play also.

So, even if there were a boat or motor company that wanted to offer cheap products, many times it is not possible and stil be in compliance with federal laws.

BTW, once you do own a Ranger, you would have a real hard time going with another boat company. They do earn their customer loyalty – that’s for sure.

-J.

I’ve seen people who have 60K boats and are pulling them with a 20 year old pickups. Just a case of priorities. I have a whopping 5K into my boat and it has outfished quite a few more expensive boats on our walleye trip to Red Wing, muskies up north, cats down here. It is never the boat that catches the fish, it is the operator. That said I would love a ranger boat but I would look super funny fishing cats out of it. I am in the market for a bigger boat, I have been for about 6 years it seems. My family is too young and our belts are too tight to buy anything that isn’t a necessity.

What does this have to do with the Twins? I’m lost here

the cost of aluminum quadrupling and fiberglass remaining, well fiberglass, had alot to do with it. Glass is pretty and says “I have arrived” aluminum is ugly and floats too

The boat doesn’t catch fish. Expensive equipment doesn’t make a good fisherman. However I have a Lund they build a good boat next will be a ranger. I just don’t see why the cost has gone up so fast. But if I can get a good glass boat for the same as aluminum I will. Lund has gotten a little out of line on cost. So has ranger.

If people are willing to pay it then the prices will stay up. If they were to double the price and only lose half the client base they now make the same amount with half the work. Motors are getting out of hand to, a 300 yammi off shore pushes almost 30k for an outboard or you can go buy a brand new 4 wheel drive pickup for almost the same. Seem like an outboard is a bit inflated because they can…

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Motors are getting out of hand to, a 300 yammi off shore pushes almost 30k for an outboard or you can go buy a brand new 4 wheel drive pickup for almost the same…

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While motor prices are very high a 300 Off Shore is right around $20k, not $30k.

Buy used, the bugs and depreciation are already gone. Best thing I ever did jerr

Alot of people dont own a boat and still get their fishing fix from shore or in their buddy’s boat. I am sure if any of us run the logical financial pencil anaylsis versus buying a fish dinner,we probably know how that compares too! But certainly not near as much fun!

however, it is shocking of what you can buy for less then $5000 on ebay. there have been some real steals.. as long as the boat has a good transom , age isn’t a factor..

I am sorry but my priorities are straight. I am one of those guys driving a older Suburban (99) with a brand new Lund 1975 ifs which happens to be an aluminum boat. The suburban looks nice pulling the new boat. All the newest fancy equipment on the boat does in fact help me catch fish, locators and such. I fished out of a 14 ft jon boat for many years until I saved my money and started buying and selling fishing boats. I suppose I can answer the other sterotyping question purposed: no, I dont have a 10 year loan on the boat. I am a guy with a low budget that has his priorities straight and managed to save my money up for something I wanted. So while others bash guys for buying something they wanted maybe just try adjusting your own lives to get what you want on your own budget and be thankful for what you have. I did!I can only have my weaties pissed in so much before I need to speak my 2 cents.

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Motors are getting out of hand to, a 300 yammi off shore pushes almost 30k for an outboard or you can go buy a brand new 4 wheel drive pickup for almost the same…

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While motor prices are very high a 300 Off Shore is right around $20k, not $30k.

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Sorry just ball parked it off the average msrp values of the different models of the 300 and seams closer to 26.5 but I’m sure there always marked down to make a guy feel like there getting a deal.

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Motors are getting out of hand to, a 300 yammi off shore pushes almost 30k for an outboard or you can go buy a brand new 4 wheel drive pickup for almost the same…

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While motor prices are very high a 300 Off Shore is right around $20k, not $30k.

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Sorry just ball parked it off the average msrp values of the different models of the 300 and seams closer to 26.5 but I’m sure there always marked down to make a guy feel like there getting a deal.

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Please don’t take my reply as being contrary. I just hate the idea of someone spending $6k on a motor they wouldn’t need to spend. Loose motors are right around $20k. All day, every day. SBC sells them for +/- the same price. Nobody should be paying anything close to $26k for a 300 Off Shore but I suppose people make questionable choices with their money all the time.

http://www.boats.net/outboard_motor/Yamaha/300HP/Y-F300XCA.html

Mercury Verados are about the same.

http://www.boats.net/outboard_motor/Mercury/300HP/parts.html

Again, just trying to be helpful. $6k is a lot of money that should go towards electronics.

Proud Ranger owner here! Owned 3 of them in the last 5 years a 617, 619, and 620. Not a wealthy person by any means and proud I have earned what I have worked for. The proudest factor (besides my wife and daughter), Im 35 years old owned 3 Rangers and my reward for working hard…no payments…all of them have been paid for. Never will own a new one but you can find deals.

It can be done boys!!! Chase your dreams

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so do most of the other boat companies. Ranger created the “image” for high quality, high costs fishing boats. Years ago all the choices were tin or fiberglass. The fiberglass was more or less pleasure boats with the main exception of Ranger. Tin boats were all chasing Lund for market share. At that time it seemed there was a large distance price wise between tin & fiberglass. If you could afford to buy Ranger people did. If not then tin became most peoples option. Weight was the most common reason listed as why people didn’t buy fiberglass.

Flash forward to todays boats. Many manufactures have entered into the fiberglass market for fishing boats. Seems there are less tin manufactures today( although I have no facts to back that up)Amentities in the boats have increased, weight has decreased. What I do know is Ranger set the bar for quality boats at a premium price. Seems all the manufactures, both tin and fiberglass improved the quality and also jumped the pricing considerably.

I love the looks of all the new boats, however when you start talking over $30k for a boat that mostly only gets used a few months I lose interest.

Oh well, a new boat would be down on my list if I win Powerball anyway. No sense thinking about it I guess.

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Who pooped in your Cheerois?

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The boat doesn’t catch fish. Expensive equipment doesn’t make a good fisherman.

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It might not make you but it sure does help you get better. Saterday morning I caught eyes on a wing dam that I coulnd’t even see because of the fog. Would have spent alot more time getting the boat in the right place with out my gps sonar and i-pilot trolling motor.

I just don’t get the reasoning behind judging a person by the type of boat they fish in, or truck they drive.
I’ll fish in mine… you fish in yours… seems awful simple to me.

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I just don’t get the reasoning behind judging a person by the type of boat they fish in, or truck they drive.
I’ll fish in mine… you fish in yours… seems awful simple to me.

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It is called JEALOUSY. Some people would rather tear people down than build themselves up.

I can stay out longer and in worse conditions in my Ranger than MANY other boats AND have better boat control while doing so. I value my free time and don’t want to be blown off the water.

That said I can promise you I don’t have any less respect for a person in a 14′ Lund wc than a guy in $50k Ranger.

We are all doing something we love.

What’s next bass vs walleye argument?

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I just don’t get the reasoning behind judging a person by the type of boat they fish in, or truck they drive.
I’ll fish in mine… you fish in yours… seems awful simple to me.

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It is called JEALOUSY. Some people would rather tear people down than build themselves up.

I can stay out longer and in worse conditions in my Ranger than MANY other boats AND have better boat control while doing so. I value my free time and don’t want to be blown off the water.

That said I can promise you I don’t have any less respect for a person in a 14′ Lund wc than a guy in $50k Ranger.

We are all doing something we love.

What’s next bass vs walleye argument?

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Well stated both of you, couldnt agree more EXCEPT by a Yarcraft and your feet wont get wet I never understand how people can forget the past, who can remember cutting their teeth/ biting their tongue learning to fish walleyes in a smll tin boat? I can! Thats why I run a biggger glass boat now!

I’d rather have my Alum boat, my ATV, my Cabin, my hunting land, my many guns and too expensive bow, my trips out west hunting and to fly in remote fishing…. dang I could have a damn nice boat, but it’s choices

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I’d rather have my Alum boat, my ATV, my Cabin, my hunting land, my many guns and too expensive bow, my trips out west hunting and to fly in remote fishing…. dang I could have a damn nice boat, but it’s choices

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I thought you just bought the Yacht parked at Hunters?

To each His own. That’s the way I look at it. I have middle price Croix rods and average price reels, but I don’t think less of the guy with Zebco 202 combo from Wal-mart. Think positive.

We all have to pay something to play. That being said, fishing can be one of the most affordable hobbies and one of the most expensive. That is probably why it draws from such a diverse group of people.

FDR