boat choice

[antlertwo]

I am getting ready to purchase another ranger boat and I am curious to hear what you guys think. The last Ranger I had fit in my 23 foot garage and was never stored outside for longer than a day. I am considering a 520 dvs and I don't think it is going to fit. I live in the northeast and need storage for the winter. How do you guys store your boat and did you purchase your boat somewhat based on where you are going to store it?

[Illinois Trooper]

After I ordered my boat I realized it wouldn't fit Cost ne $8,000 to have my garage made 10' longer. Oh well at least it's asleep in a nice heated garage.

[freeze]

Garage space is a huge problem for me. I live in Ohio and inside storage is a must for me also. My garage is only 21' feet deep so I even have to angle a 188VX because of the 8" JP. There's no way of increasing the size of my garage wihtout messing up the looks of the house. I wish I could have a 20 foot boat but the garage stinks!!! So yes, my gagage is decisive in my decision...

[CaymasRodney]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by antlertwo2 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I am getting ready to purchase another ranger boat and I am curious to hear what you guys think. The last Ranger I had fit in my 23 foot garage and was never stored outside for longer than a day. I am considering a 520 dvs and I don't think it is going to fit. I live in the northeast and need storage for the winter. How do you guys store your boat and did you purchase your boat somewhat based on where you are going to store it? </td></tr></table>

Garage space is what a lot of guys have trouble with for the size of boat that they want. I know down here we have several places that rent out storage places that you can get to 24/7 and have electric hook ups to keep ur batteries charged, might look at that option if you want a bigger boat. Personally it would drive me crazy not knowing my rig was not setting in my own heated garage in it's own little space made for it

[Whiteboat]

I built the garage for the boat 30' deep. I still have to deal with a tight turn due to a side entry garage.

Go Jacks are a god send for tight garage space as they allow you to move a dual axle trailer by hand. If your space is real tight, you will need two sets.

[Rangerz520Chad]

You have got to keep your boat in the dry. It makes everything a lot nicer. I built my house with a basement big enough to keep my Z520 and truck hooked up together at all times. You can't never tell when you have a couple of extra hours to run to the lake.

[519DVX]

I bought my boat before I moved out from my parents (Hey, at least my priorities were straight! ). Their garage was only 20' and they were nice enough to let me park it in the garage all summer, but it had to go in diaganol, even with the motor down and the swing tongue. That is the primary reason I went with the 19' and single axle trailer. When I bought my house, one of my major requirements was a deeper garage. Mine now is 24' and I can keep the motor up on the stick and just swing my tongue and she fits straight in.

I store it in a buddy's barn in the winter and pay $11 a foot for the season. Plan is to build a new house in the next couple years on our land (6-3/4 acres). House is going to have a 3-car garage and then build a barn at some point. My family has 4 boats, so we give that guy a LOT of money every winter.

[FEARTHETURTLE210]

I feel your pain. bought my boat knowing it wouldnt fit garage. I rent out space for winter but this is last time, I am either moving or building garage for boat. If you can add on the garage or do a bump out(engine hut) on current garage, do it. Dealing with a cover is a royal pain in the a$$ and affects your fishing cause sometimes you just dont want to be hassled especially if you only have a few hrs to fish or might rain.

[jc2bg]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by antlertwo2 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I am getting ready to purchase another ranger boat and I am curious to hear what you guys think. The last Ranger I had fit in my 23 foot garage and was never stored outside for longer than a day. I am considering a 520 dvs and I don't think it is going to fit. I live in the northeast and need storage for the winter. How do you guys store your boat and did you purchase your boat somewhat based on where you are going to store it? </td></tr></table>

You'd be surprised how many people purchase their *house* based on whether their boat will fit.

Seriously, at my last two homes I've had a 28' deep garage built as soon as we closed on the house [and before we moved in] just to store my boat and tow vehicle. Otherwise, it sounds like you're limited to a 19 foot boat. My Z119, for instance, is a touch under 24 feet with the motor down and the trailer tongue *not* swung back. So you have room for a 19'6" boat with the swingaway tongue, and that's a lot of boat, rated for 225 and in the low 40s with some goodies on it. Not a 520, but within a few inches in most dimensions and still quite a lot of boat.

JC

[Tonyc]

If you like the boat, get it! Go with the outboard hut on the backside of your garage, you could design it to be a rake/garden shed maybe. When you're on champlain up north you'll be glad you have the bigger boat. Good luck with your purchase.