r71 review

[t-colo]

Looking to purchase a 01 r71 with a 125 merc and im looking for a little feed back from some owners. I currently own a 175 pro team tracker and its a good boat for jersey but i've recently been experiencing problems with the hull.

[nightbasser]

Its a great boat!! I had a 2000 model I bought brand new with the 125 merc. Fished great and with the 2 plus 2 125 I could troll for walleye too.

[slim]

Had a 99 and it was an awesome boat. Plenty big for two people to bass fish. Won several tournaments from it too..

[RangerRic]

'94 R72 and a '97 R70 - like 'em both.

[Mitch H]

Great little boats but tight for three. It is really amazing how well mine has held up for 22 years without any kind of repairs/issues with the hull itself. Dash looks as good as day 1 and the carpet is in good shape. The seats have had a hook or two in them but still look nice. And believe you me, my boat has been used way more than average and I decided long ago that it is not a show boat and have not babied it a bit. The durability is really impressive.

[Cestratton]

We had a 97 with a 115 and it was a great boat for its size. They changed them up around 99 or 2000 (don't quote that), my buddy had one of the styles after mine and I believe they were a little wider (or seemed that way) and the console was different. I also don't think the newer style had the livewell up front like my 97 did. I still say my older one was faster than his but its all is fun as with a 17' boat with 115 who's really harping on speed lol.

[slim]

Mine had a 115 Johnson. GPS 58mph once haha

[Locknload59]

Had a 2001 R73 and it was a great boat! A little tight on rod storage but the boat performed well.

[Crankb8]

The first Ranger I owned was this exact boat. Bought mine at 1 year old and was very pleased with it. Would probably still have it if it hadn't got totalled in a car accident. As stated, It was a great 2 people boat, but got tight with 3.

[Dahlonega Jim]

I've had this since new in 2000. Love it and just re-powered to Merc 115 CT. Had the funds to buy a new boat, but just didn't want to let it go. Fishes well with 1 or 2 a great little boat.

[omcforever]

Mine had a 115 Johnson. GPS 58mph once haha

Yep, once on a trailer,,,

[omcforever]

Love my R72 with 115 Johnson. Motor has boyesen reeds/ported intake, hi comp early 140 heads, re-jetted carbs...and a 4 inch jack plate. runs 52-53 all day long on the GPS. Dont like the dual console, kills rod storage and deck space. All in all, a great little boat.

[omcforever]

48-52 mph realistic speed depending on motor,,,130 hp max.

[slim]

Yep, once on a trailer,,,

Garmin handheld. Ran 55 allday everyday.

[slim]

48-52 mph realistic speed depending on motor,,,130 hp max.

What year was yours. Mine was a 1999. Empty and i weigh 150lbs. 58 on GPS only thing in the water was the Raker.

[coreynov902]

Had a '97 R72. Enjoyed it a lot and it was a nice, smaller bass boat. My only two issues with it was the lack of rod storage (it was a dual console, maybe the single console has better rod storage) and mine had a 115 Merc and felt very underpowered on takeoff. Took a long time to get on plane. However, I don't remember what prop I was running and that could have been a big part of the problem. Very solid built boat, as most all Rangers seem to be. And you don't get blown around by the wind like you do with an aluminum boat. Mine had a 12V trolling motor on it and I would definitely recommend upgrading to a 24V one if it only has a 12V on it right now. Good luck!

[Iowabass3826]

Had a 94 R70 and loved it. Some days I still wish I had it.

[Dahlonega Jim]

What year was yours. Mine was a 1999. Empty and i weigh 150lbs. 58 on GPS only thing in the water was the Raker.

Max 56 GPS on mine with the 115 Merc SX CT and Fury 3

[Locknload59]

48-52 mph realistic speed depending on motor,,,130 hp max.

This is exactly the range my boat would run with a 125 Merc.