Bass Boat Owner (1st Time...!)...?

[1st Time Ranger]

Getting a used Ranger with 200 merc.

Again 1st time bass boat owner, have some experience with standard
vhulls, jon boats, & zodiac operations.

Great info on this site after researching some, but trying to direct
specific to my situation.

Just requesting bass boat operations, 101 material (i.e. motor trimmed down
at lift off? then gradually trim out until "sweet spot?") from hole shot
to running on plane.

Thanks for all you assistance during this time of learning the thing.

Sincerely,

1st Time Ranger

[javelin225H.O.]

Don't forget to wear the vest and kill switch.
Take an easy, learn the feel and the way the boat reacts when planing off and cornering. Watch out for backwash when coming off of plane.
And best of all enjoy it.

[1st Time Ranger]

Words of encouragement, thank you for replying.

I just have nightmares of the time I attempted to operate my buddie's 471 and the
bow was way north while hole shotting...

[Kentucky]

I did that first time out too. I learned to leave the trim down a little more

[Chico and the boys]

Welcome to the #1 source of boating info. Definitely keep the trim down at take off and your finger on the trim tab. Adjust as soon as your on plan. And yes be very cautious about sharp turns until your comfortable with the rig.

I keep an extra life jacket, just in case...
I keep a small tool pouch, extra fuses, extra light bulbs for the running lights.
I called Ranger Parts dept and ordered replacement bearings for my trailer (cool Hubs).
If you have a spare tire, make sure the tire is in good shape and fully inflated.

[Skeet05]

If your not blinded by brilliance or baffelled by bullchit then your in the right place. Congrats on the boat

[bdunn3]

Great advise above. Have fun!!!!

[datilus]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Skeet05 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If your not blinded by brilliance or baffelled by bullchit then your in the right place. Congrats on the boat </TD></TR></TABLE>

Speaks the truth! Grats on the new rig!

[fieldsj66]

1st is a ranger? woo hooo!

not sure if you were asking but yes motor trimmed all the way in for take off. you can fudge that a little as you get used to it. don't start trimming the motor up until you hit 25-30mph or so and then start trimming it slowly. run it WOT as you trim slowly. this will let you learn how it feels once it starts to chine walk a little and then you can get backed down/back into as you get used to it. if you do it at partial throttle you won't ever get really used to it. but of course if you don't want to get max speed then you wont care.

if you don't like to go fast and want smoother driving get a four blade prop and you'll find it lots easier to drive.