After much debate...decided

After selling my 97 Skeeter ZXdc 185 and deciding on going to an aluminum rig..my head has been swimming for the last 3 mos. on what to get. Went and looked at about 20 different boats..3 Crestliner models, 3 Lowe models, Tritons, Numerous Bass Trackers, PolarKrafts, Xpress's and many more...There are great used deals out there and a person with cash in hand has MANY options.
I found myself fishing smaller lakes and fished with a buddy of mine a doxen times last year at a private lake. Loved it so much I bought a lake lot for fishing rights at the same lake this year. I really felt that my Skeeter was too much. I have to trailer my boat, so gas prices were considered. Tow weight, outboard size, stability, model year..but most of all price. My boy is playing baseball this year....so my fishing will be limited..so I didnt want to drop big $....but still wanted the ability to fish a tournament now and again.
A couple of people on here really hit the nail on the head when they said stay away from trackers...the late model years are just a crap shoot if you're buying used...tons of issues reported and tons of lawsuits. I found a couple of Tritons and Xpress's but I felt like I didn't want to invest too much dough into one of those top of the line rigs.
I also took the time to read all I could on the stability of each fishing platform. I'm a big guy 6'2" 280...so I needed a good stable casting decks that wouldn't rock side to side too much.
After several "tire kicking" sessions.....I went with this....I hope it serves me well!

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...all/Ranger.jpg

01 Ranger Cherokee 217b with Merc 125.

Sweet lookin' boat Joseph. And it looks like it has been approved by your co-anglers http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

SevenPin

Thanks! yes..they are begging to get out on the water...but its a little chilly at 31degrees today. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

You made the right choice;)

And you are correct in your thinking!

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Thats a Crestliner in a Ranger wrap. Several die hard Ranger locals have a Cherokee as a second rig to fish our power plant tournaments which have a 25 HP restriction. You still qualify for the "Ranger Cup" - and yes, these also get passed alot after takeoff http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif

It will work perfect for the 300 acre private lake I fish. Solid, stable and will do around 50mph with the 125hp. Plus the decks on it are flush with the gunnels..not like a Lund or Crestliner typical deep V. with the higher gunnels. Suprisingly its wider than my 97 Skeeter.

Nice rig. Glad you finally found one. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

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