Absolutely cool. I wish they still made the non-skid models.
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Absolutely cool. I wish they still made the non-skid models.
Good stuff Mark. I'd like to order a Bug and see part of it get built some day.
Might be cool to make this a Sticky Thread at the top. Hint. Hint. Great images or add Marks link to another thread so we don't lose it.
Maybe if you get time can you add comments to images so others can understand what stage or stations the boats are in at the factory.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Doug Vahrenberg »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Might be cool to make this a Sticky Thread at the top. Hint. Hint. Great images or add Marks link to another thread so we don't lose it.
Maybe if you get time can you add comments to images so others can understand what stage or stations the boats are in at the factory.
</td></tr></table>
http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif
Great post Mark!! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/bows.gif
I did the tour in summer 2003 before the SOT...interesting....probably a lot different now though.
Great Pics Mark - Thanks! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif
OUTSTANDING http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif Thanks.
So I have some questions and I don't want this to start a flame war or negative comments. Please understand that I am trying to learn more about Skeeter boats. Not personal testimonies of how tough your Skeeter is. I know they're tough, fast, look good, etc. I'm already a Skeeter fan guys. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif I'm simply trying to find out more detailed information from this tour on how Skeeter boats are made
A) I've loved the look of Skeeter boats since I was in high school
B) I've always wanted a Skeeter
C) I plan on purchasing a new boat in about 2-3 years and Skeeter has always been my choice.
So I was fortunate enough to tour the Ranger plant in Flippin, AR recently. I have to admit, I've never been a big "Ranger" guy until I took the tour. I was really impressed with the facility, the people, and the boats themselves. After I saw how they were built, and now that they are making Stratos, Champion, and Triton, I was able to compare durability side by side. One Stratos bottom hull was next to a Ranger bottom hull and you could not only see the difference, you could feel it too. If you bumped the side of the Stratos hull, it wobbled a good bit. The Ranger hull hardly moved. The Ranger hull was far thicker than the Stratos. I also saw the very first Triton that was produced in Flippin so it was pretty cool. Kind of a historic deal....
So anyway, I learned that Ranger does not use any composite materials. They use a patented reinforced/pressed fiberglass "board" or plank material that is as solid as steel but way lighter. They can even tap-thread the material with machine screws and it holds! It was way more durable than the other manufactured boats that they are producing there.
(Part of the deal was each manufacturer will keep it's identity, product quality, parts, materials, etc. The only difference is that they are now made in Flippin)
So..... long story short, I would like to know more about
- the legendary transom reinforcement that Skeeter has
- how the seat posts are reinforced
- I see the livewells and storage materials are composite, are they very durable or very lightweight
- are the electronics made in house
- do they use solid state electronics and push button starts with coded/keyless ignition
- are the boats tested before they leave the plant
- is each boat made to fit an order or do they simply roll out stock inventory (I'm assuming each boat was ordered)
- does Skeeter offer a lifetime warranty on the hull/boat itself? (excluding seats, carpet, electronics, only the fiberglass materials)
Thank you for your post. I was just telling my bud today that I would love to tour the Skeeter plant as a comparison. I've always wanted one and since they've been around for so long, I'd love to see how they are made. It would be worth the road trip.
Thanks Mark, great pics http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Ozark Angler »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">So I have some questions and I don't want this to start a flame war or negative comments. Please understand that I am trying to learn more about Skeeter boats. Not personal testimonies of how tough your Skeeter is. I know they're tough, fast, look good, etc. I'm already a Skeeter fan guys. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif I'm simply trying to find out more detailed information from this tour on how Skeeter boats are made
A) I've loved the look of Skeeter boats since I was in high school
B) I've always wanted a Skeeter
C) I plan on purchasing a new boat in about 2-3 years and Skeeter has always been my choice.
So I was fortunate enough to tour the Ranger plant in Flippin, AR recently. I have to admit, I've never been a big "Ranger" guy until I took the tour. I was really impressed with the facility, the people, and the boats themselves. After I saw how they were built, and now that they are making Stratos, Champion, and Triton, I was able to compare durability side by side. One Stratos bottom hull was next to a Ranger bottom hull and you could not only see the difference, you could feel it too. If you bumped the side of the Stratos hull, it wobbled a good bit. The Ranger hull hardly moved. The Ranger hull was far thicker than the Stratos. I also saw the very first Triton that was produced in Flippin so it was pretty cool. Kind of a historic deal....
So anyway, I learned that Ranger does not use any composite materials. They use a patented reinforced/pressed fiberglass "board" or plank material that is as solid as steel but way lighter. They can even tap-thread the material with machine screws and it holds! It was way more durable than the other manufactured boats that they are producing there.
(Part of the deal was each manufacturer will keep it's identity, product quality, parts, materials, etc. The only difference is that they are now made in Flippin)
So..... long story short, I would like to know more about
- the legendary transom reinforcement that Skeeter has
- how the seat posts are reinforced
- I see the livewells and storage materials are composite, are they very durable or very lightweight
- are the electronics made in house
- do they use solid state electronics and push button starts with coded/keyless ignition
- are the boats tested before they leave the plant
- is each boat made to fit an order or do they simply roll out stock inventory (I'm assuming each boat was ordered)
- does Skeeter offer a lifetime warranty on the hull/boat itself? (excluding seats, carpet, electronics, only the fiberglass materials)
Thank you for your post. I was just telling my bud today that I would love to tour the Skeeter plant as a comparison. I've always wanted one and since they've been around for so long, I'd love to see how they are made. It would be worth the road trip.</td></tr></table>
Speaking about ranger. How will spreading their resources thinner affect their product? You don't become an expert working on a lot of things a little, you become one working on a few things a lot. I know what its like having new work thrown in on top of what I already do, quality goes down or it takes a lot longer to do.
After seeing the fine folks in the plant, I am not worried about Ranger's quality going down. That company is like a family and they are all perfectionist. Each boat it highly tested and inspected before it goes on the trailer and out the back door.
I would think the others will incdease their quality over time. Also, they are expanding their plant by about double to house more moulds and increase thier production area. New folks will be brought in so it's a good deal for the small sleepy town of Flippin since Ranger is a major manufacturer in that town.
I really love the look of a Skeeter. Looks fast sitting on the trailer in a parking lot. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif
Sadly compared to my ranger it's true on the trailer or on the water. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/doh.gif