Going to be interesting to see how this plays out.
http://www.platinumequity.com/news/965/platinum-equity-to-sell--fishing-boat-business-to-bass-pro-group
Yes it could
Well played by Jonny Morris
I'd like to see the Champion brand come back
The online wires are already buzzing. Lots of speculation. Not even much rumor beyond the press release yet. Guess we'll wait and see, and all find out together.
The human way is always take the negative, the sky is falling attitude. Probably be years before you would see any huge changes. Not going to affect my 12 year old Ranger.
I'm looking at this in a positive light until I see otherwise. I would guarantee you see one of those brands vanish, and I'm guessing its Stratos. I'm also thinking you will see the best of "both worlds" be put together to produce even better boats. I also see Legend, Phoenix, BassCat and Skeeter getting a boost in sales over the next few years as people in the market for a new boat might be leery to drop tons of cash on a particular brand just because of the unknown.
In my book there may be some unknown, but seeing what Johnny Morris does makes me believe that the sky is the limit. Isn't going to be any question that the line, Ranger that is, will be better than ever.
This was shocking news. My guess is that Stratos or Triton might go away. Everybody says nothing is going to change, but it always does.
Like Steve said.... This won;t hurt my 11 year old Ranger.
No confirmation of any changes yet. In the last sale they just combined the lines into one factor - the original in Flippin Arkansas. They changed Champion to Stratos Elite. Maybe similar will happen this time too?
I'm more curious how this works out for Cabela's since they sell Ranger.
Think it was a good move got no other choice :D Look at it this way John L is in the fishing business big time and did not make all the bucks by making bad moves. Ranger/Triton is now owned by a man "IN THE FISHING BUSINESS" ;) not a holding company looking for a quick flip. Hope I'm right. Just purchased a new Ranger Z520C :D
Quote from: YpsiBass on December 15, 2014, 06:01:34 PM
I'm more curious how this works out for Cabela's since they sell Ranger.
All is well Rick they could more over to another brand like Skeeter now....lol
Quote from: LAPORTE on December 16, 2014, 10:24:16 AMAll is well Rick they could more over to another brand like Skeeter now....lol
I'd be good with that (as long as they don't charge Ranger prices for Skeeter boats)...
interesting numbers on market share now that BPS is buying Ranger. Looks like they will have 70 % of the market. With Ranger being the leader. Smart guys at BPS.
http://bassblaster.bassgold.com/2-many-dq-qs-bps-now-pwns-boat-market-fish-pale-in-winter
I'd say BPS owns allot
But I don't think it's 60% of the Bass boat market
Just FYI
The whole bass boat market is 8,000 or less boats per year for all the brands
(it's allot less then I thought)
It used to be higher but Rangers were the number one boat sold most years for bass boats. Ranger used to sell more alone than the entire market today.
I think they are going to phase a brand out. Last week or so I got invited to a survey that was based on perceived quality and value of Ranger, Triton, Nitro and Stratos boats. The reward for complementing it was a gift card to Bass Pro.
I hear you Dan
For Bass boats it would seem they have all most stopped going forward on design
There was a huge jump in the design (size) from the 80's to 90's
And then a smaller jump from the 90's to 2000
And all most nothing from 2000 to 2010
Were stuck on 20' boats with 225 to 250 HP
Whoa I can see it now, new commercial by KVD " I can fish any boat in the market, but I chose Nitro...I mean Ranger, because that's the best boat made".
My bet, Stratos will exit, believe Triton has garnered much of the Stratos market since introduction.
just my 2 cents.
capt charlie
The new Ranger Z521 is an amazing fishing and driving machine - monster of a bass boat! If you haven't been in one or fished out of one you should find someone how has one and do so. Ranger is constantly tweaking their boats and hulls. Every time I've been to the factory they have changed things in processes, materials, design, you name it. I'd go every year if I could just to see what's new this year.
I have no idea about what will happen but some people I trust say things are going to be okay. I'm going with that.
The Z521 is a nice boat
They had one in the pool last year at the show
Good looking boat I think they were asking 70 or 80k for her
The new Z521 this season is even nicer. It's bigger and badder. Yes, bass boats are expensive but Ranger Boats do last a lifetime, thank goodness.
Quote from: djkimmel on December 20, 2014, 03:34:54 PM
The new Z521 this season is even nicer. It's bigger and badder. Yes, bass boats are expensive but Ranger Boats do last a lifetime, thank goodness.
Sweet
I'm not in the market.
But I would like to check it out at the show.
Heard Nitro has a New Z21 coming out, 21-8", So it's 5" longer then a Z521
Saw some pic's, in the bow you can flush mount a HDS 12 (didn't even know they made a 12")
Maybe 21' boats are the new standard
The New Z521C is 21' 7" and 96" beam! It's a monster of a boat while still being fast and maneuverable. I've fished out of and run around in one a few times. I LOVE it! Your measurement is for the old Z521 of a year ago.
Check out http://www.rangerboats.com/models.cfm?gid=5&mid=7228
It's the boat I would buy if I could in a heartbeat. Great for small AND big waters. 8' and 8' 6" rod lockers too!
Wow,
It's sharp
A few things I don't understand
8-6" rod locker? In any tournament max rods are 8'. And there very few Bass rods over 8' for that reason
And then a max rating of 250hp. Yes I know that's a max HP for any tournament
But a boat that big. Some folks might what a 300
So what speed are they getting
It's darn close to the weight of my current boat
Quote from: Manxfishing on December 22, 2014, 05:33:56 PM
So what speed are they getting
Not much if the speedometer only goes to 60 MPH ;)
or Ranger said hell with it, since they know everyone's speedometer is broken after the first trip on the water anyways...
High 60s to low 70s with a tournament load in the one I've been in. Pretty wicked for a boat with the fishing stability, and ride I know and love. I also like the 8' 6" rod locker. Nothing worse than a rod locker that is 1 inch too short...
Dan,
I looked it up last night
With the new E-tec and a test load (light), 1/2 tank of gas and a 26p prop turning 6100 they ran 70.8
So they might run high 60 's with a tournament load. But I don't think to many are going to see low 70's on the GPS
Add 2 power poles, 4 batt's, Tournament load and a heavy partner it's low to mid 60's
I'm sure it's stable, Rangers are know for that, And it's wider then the last Z521
Nice boat, I'll check one out at the show
Price wise, Saw there 55 to 60-70 grand depending on the options
I was 2nd person in the boat with all our gear and everything on the boat, plenty of gas and we were pushing 70 without a lot of room to get things sitting pretty through adjustments. Mid-60s were easy and it didn't take much to get into the 68-69 range.
Estimates are one thing but I was in the boat and saw the GPS. The Z521 is an awesome bass boat. That's fast enough for me considering that I love fishing out of Ranger Boats more than burning gas...
Quite a few for sale on another site. Some are pro staff boats that have been refurbished by Ranger. 50,000.00 to 55,000.00 with all electronics and power poles.
Everyone cares about speed. On the largest inland lake it would gain you maybe 30 seconds crossing the lake. On St-Clair you may get to run that fast a few times a year.
To me if you want speed buy a new Corvette for about the same price.
But thats just me with my old slow Ranger.