Hey guys new to the site and was wondering if any of you have pros and cons of the Lowe stinger series boat and the ranger rt series boats.
Hey guys new to the site and was wondering if any of you have pros and cons of the Lowe stinger series boat and the ranger rt series boats.
Sorry, don't know those boats but....
:welcome to Crappie.Com. Let's hear those T'bird reports (and any others.)
I have a Lowe Stinger 175. I purchased mine new in 2008 and used to use it quite frequently. The last 2 years, after having 2 kiddos, I have not been using it as much. That isn't the boats fault though.
I really like the stinger. It's a really stable boat that will float in really shallow water. Never afraid to take it out on lake eufaula even on a windy day. It has more than enough room for 2 200lb+ guys to sit side by side up front. Has 2 livewells with bait buckets in the livewell (really handy). if you can get a 4 stroke I would highly recommend you do so. They are so much nicer than a 2 stroke. So quiet and easy to start even the first time out.
The only downside is that it's not a fast boat. With me and a buddy and all of our gear I can usually go about 34mph with a merc 60Hp 4 Stroke on it. On a really good day with just me and my gear I have had it up to 39mph. Really it is plenty fast to get around anyway. The only other thing I can think of is if it's a really windy day and you are angling into waves you will get some splash on you. I haven't ever been soaked, but you will get a little wet.
I would definitely purchase another stinger once the kids get older.
I am considering selling mine since I have only used it 5 or 6 times a year for the last couple years.
I appreciate the info. It's good to know you like the 17ft boat. I hoping to get a test ride in the 17 ft and 18 ft lowe stinger and see what the difference is. I am definitely going to get the 4 stroke although it is more expensive It's a much better motor. Shoot me a pm if you are interested in selling.
Thunderbird is a tough lake at time. I haven't been there in about 6 months. I will say that draper lake has a very healthy population of large crappie.
Duble, welcome! I have a Lowe 180W dual console and it is the predecessor to the Stinger series. It has a Yamaha 115 4 stroke and I absolutely love the boat. Curious thing about it is that it has 3 livewells. 2 small ones up front and 1 large one in the rear. Boat rides good and is stable enough for a tin boat. I'm a big guy and it will certainly lean when you stand on the gunwale. If you get me and my other big buddy on one side....well.... I mainly fish Grand Lake and smaller creeks. Once the big boats and drunks start roving the lake, it gets pretty dicey for me. 40 mph wind spring days are tough too. The boat will go about 40 on a glassy water day at full blast. It can handle a 150 max but I bet that would be quite a rodeo. I'm not a speed freak so it doesn't bother me.
Definitely get the 4 stroke. They are so quiet and so nice that first trip out. You don't spend time tinkering with it to get them to run right. They just work.Quote:
Originally Posted by DubleBobrRig
Where are you located?
From what I have seen the Ranger is a really nice boat but that Stinger model has so much more room up front not funny. For crappie fishing it is the one I would have to give a real serious look at.
If you can get up to Tulsa today, you can see both of those boats and more side by side at the bassmasters expo, also Triton had their crappie rig on display. Bobby Garland is there, Mr. Crappie, etc. I got some questions answered about prop ventilation from Mercury and met Bill Dance. Fun times!
Thanks guy for all the expertise. I also really like the Lowe.