WTB - Ranger Banshee or Banshee Extreme

[srssrs]

Trying to buy my first flats boat/skiff. Need leads or help finding one of these. Or, comments from those of you that have fished one. Planning on recreational trout, reds, etc. - spinning rod fishing.

[RalphKramden2011]

It is hard to understand why you'd like to begin so cheaply?

[srssrs]

Hmmmm......I guess that's not really a serious question.......would prefer to have real help.....read posts that these were nice but are probably out of my budget.

[Rainman]

Not sure, but check what the IFA Redcup series is using as a prize... A couple years back folks were winning the Banshees, not the extreme, and people were selling their prize for a great deal. I saw some going for as low as 10K. Just a thought... I've seen one on the lot and it looks like a great flats boat, just take care crossing open water.

[onefishtwofish]

boattrader, iboats and even ebay. I would go and sit in a couple at a dealer's lot and make sure that is what you want. Half the fun of buying a new boat is the hunt for it. When you are at the coast, have a look at all the boats, read online reviews and think about what you want to do with the boat. I wanted a dry ride, one that could handle a little bit of weather but still go shallow, live wells, power pole. I ended up with a Ranger Cayman 184 and love the boat. It is an 01 and while it is far from new, it is well kept and very comfortable to fish. Has the speed/dryness and comfort that I wanted. I looked at a lot of boats, so I had a good feel for what a deal was and actually bought mine on Ebay. I set a price range before I started looking and just did not look at boats out of my price range. My budget was 14000 max. I ended up spending 12,500 and had money left to tweak it and put some things on it did not have. If you look at $30,000 boats on a $10,000 budget, the ones you can afford will look like junk. Also, be wary of really really really good deals. They are almost always not good deals.

Rainman is right, if you are set on that model, there are some guys that will unload a non-titled new boat for cheap. I looked at a few of those online, they were just out of my budget-not the right boat for me.

[onefishtwofish]

Oh yeah, go on forums and read the complaints/problems with the boat you are thinking about. No boat is perfect and the guy that tells you his is perfect is not really the guy you wanna ask. It may be perfect for him, but every boat has got something on it that someone would change. Plus, if the one you are looking at is a little more, but has all the toys you want on it, get that one. Once you start pricing things like Power Poles, VHF radios, trim tabs, etc - they add up quick. Bare boats can be expensive to outfit and you will want the toys eventually.

[srssrs]

Thank you onefishtwofish! That's some great advice. I feel good that I have been doing most of the things you suggest & have been thinking much the same. Thanks again....Steve

[Chalk]

Goto the store and look at a Coors light bottle...regular bottle, not a 40

Now imagine that bottle being taller than the front deck...very little freeboard.

The extreme has very little room to maneuver around with rods in the horizontal holders and limited storage.

It is a great boat for floating in skinny water and scouting....would hate be in it and have to come into the St. Marks river with a 15kt north wind and an incoming tide.

Owned two one on paper and this one for a little while...fun boat, but not for around here in my opinion.

[silverking]

Been out of town for a few days, but Capt. Mike McNamara of St. Marks Outfitters might still have a Ranger skiff for sale. Not which model it is.

Shields Marina also has a pre-owned Mako skiff for sale that might be in your price range.

[FarhFrumWurk]

i have one that i use out here in st. marks, absolutely love it. been caught in a the channel on those 15kt windy days and its still a dry ride, but its a light skiff made to get around in shallow water. drafts about 5-6" off plane and in spit on plane with the jackplate up. gets about 10mpg at slow cruise 23mph. PM if you have any questions or want to test it out one weekday.