Ranger VS1780 Review

[West6550]

2016 Ranger VS1780 single side console
2016 Evinrude 115 H.O.


Had my boat for a few months now and I love it more than the first day I got it. This is the 5th boat I have owned and I will give you a little history of my fishing style and experience.

I am writing this review to help people looking in the future and out of pure love for the sport and my boat. Aka nobody paid me. It's an honest opinion from a normal working guy that loves to bass fish recreational with the occasional tournament.

I fish Central Florida and fish from small lakes with dirt ramps to big name large lakes like Kissimmee or Istokpoga.

I have owned a 12' v john boat (TM only), 19' center console bay style boat with a 115hp, a newer 19'6" Stratos bass boat with a 200hp, and a 15' Alumacraft mod v with a 40hp before owning this boat.

Now some info on the boat. All the stats are in the link below.

Here is the original "New Boat" post: http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=130169.0

Let me just start by saying I read reviews about this boat prior to buying it and saw a guy mention his transom cracked under normal use. I have to say that must be a one in a million or he lied about how it happened.. like a car crash or something.

I say that because I hit a sand bar on Poga that took us from 40mph to 2mph and not a crack. The engine was fine other than a little paint missing and the prop lost some paint. I have also fished in rough white capping water (slaming the boat down) and made some sharp corners in it with a full load and 4 adults with zero issues. It did not hit the bottom of the boat. The sandbar grabbed the skeg and prop only.


The boat is perfect for the style of fishing I do and cruising alike and loads very easily on the trailer.

Ranger is known for making a great boat and this one is the same. Little details makes it stand out. Like how they use zero wood. The foam fill makes it ride like a glass boat. The trailer is excellent and well made. Small things as well like the chrome cover for the engine cords, the beautiful fiberglass console with LED light, the cubby on the console is excellent as well for a hand towel and to hold your phone or keys and such. Look under the console and they put an aluminum shield in under. Look down in the boat and you see beautiful wields and they zip tie cords to keep it clean looking.


Crusing:
It cruises around perfectly with a full load and 4 people at 4000 rpm at 35 mph. The engine is quiet and it handles rough water great. Easy to chat while cruising. Pull up to a spot and jump in the water. The ladder is easy to haul my 230lb butt up it and some of my "healthy" friends as well lol. I also turned my front bait well into a cooler. Did a how to post on here.

The flip down rear seat is a must and everyone who has seen it loves it (fishermen and rec boaters alike)


Everyone also loves the higher sides and drop down cockpit area that has plenty of room. Several mentioned it is probably safer for kids as well.

The boat is very easy to drive and very forgiving on where the trim is. You could put the trim on the middle, toss the keys to someone with zero boat experience and they could leave it that way and drive around.


Fishing:
I like to fish shallow and the only problem I have had with draft is my TM hitting lol aka no issues!

The rod locker is perfect and the front deck can hold 2 flipping with no problems.


I added a tool holder and mounted a Humminbird on the front as well.


The 70lb trolling motor is perfect for the size of the boat and plenty fast as well. I fished hard 8 hour days in windy conditions. I then came home and fished a few hours on a local smaller lake. Had 75% after that on the TM digital reader.

The boat is very wide even compared to a big fiberglass bass boat. You can walk around with zero problems. I store all my tackle and bought more as well lol

I use my little space on the pass side to slide my tackle bag in under the deck extension. That way if I go with anyone else I can grab it, toss in some plastics and go. I used the front small compartment for plastics and organized it with little bens.



Other little things:
I really like how the back drains out if some comes over when you stop quickly.

The windscreen although probably great in bad weather. I removed it because I think it looks way better without it.

The Evinrude sips oil and is decent on fuel usage. The torque is awesome and once cruising if you decide to trim up a little and put the hammer down the Etec  kicks in and it gives you plenty to get moving and put a smile on your friends face.


Did I mention I love this boat?!!

[Lipripper]

Thanks for the great report on you boat west.   It looks great and glad you didn't do any damage to it from the sand bar

[Bigwrench]

Thanks brother for posting that ! That was a great write up on your new rig and glad you are enjoying her !

[Mike Cork]

Outstanding write up, thank you for taking the time to type it up and share it!

[West6550]

Thanks guy the report I read before buying the boat was on some forum, honestly can't remember and had a lot lot lot of views so I was hoping this will bring activity to the site and provide an actual review from a real person. Not a sales man or random guy who posted pretty much no info and said the transom cracked.

[j102]

Great review West! You definitely have a great boat.
I am still undecided because I am looking for a bay boat for saltwater fishing, but Ranger (for freshwater) is always in the back of my mind.

[Deadeye]

I'll add to this review, first by saying West is spot on with what he is saying.

I got to fish with West during our Classic on 'Poga some calm water and some flat out nasty stuff! His boat handled it great. Yes there was some splashing while running in the big waves, but what boat doesn't have that?

West and I combined are not "two small guys" and the boat hopped up on plane and ran great with no effort. It was also very stable while fishing. I had lots of room to fish from the back deck comfortably.

The Fit and Finish is what you would expect from a Ranger. Everything was neat and clean.

IMO, this is a PERFECT boat for anyone that is looking for a boat that can crossover from Fishing Machine to Family Run-Around Boat. The high sides would make it a great boat for those that bring smaller children with them fishing.

Anyone looking at a new Aluminum Boat, or any boat for that matter, would do themselves a favor to take a look at this boat. The only thing that MIGHT make it better is if they offered it in a 18 ft class model, although it really has a ton of room for a 17 ft class boat.

Great choice of boat West!

[West6550]

Thanks Fred, I agree if they had a 18ft with a 150 I would love it more lol but I am more than happy with what I have.

[cojab]

Great review West.
I love the boating aspect of fishing as much I as I enjoy the fishing. These reviews keep me excited throughout the winter when the crazy people are drilling holes in our water!

[Capt. BassinLou]

I was fortunate to go fishing with WEST this past Tues on his VS1780. I have seen and rode on this boat this past October and it was very nice. But... I got to fish on this boat for 9 hours on Tues. All I could say is WOW..  . WEST, I congratulate you my friend. I was able to fish comfortably in the back all day.The beam of this boat is so wide that I took 4 steps to reach each side.  That's pretty wide!! The beauty of this is that with both of us moving around, and the boat never shifted. I never lost my balance the entire outing. I was also amazed at how shallow this boat can draft. We were fishing in some areas that was 2ft deep and the TM had to be readjusted and the boat never touched  the bottom. Another highlight is the  Evinrude outboard. It runs really quiet. We were able to carry a conversation without really having to raise our voices. Amazing that the outboard is a 2 stroke!!

WEST was gracious enough to let me pilot the boat at one point, and I was impressed. The boat got on plane very smoothly and cruised comfortably at a pretty good clip. I did notice however how a hydraulic steering could have its advantages.

My only con on this boat was the TM. I am not use to a digital TM. But watching WEST maneuver the boat, he made it look pretty easy. The 70lb thrust on this TM looked like it was plenty. When West put the TM on full throttle, you can feel and here the pull on the water. Very impressive power to say the least.

In closing, if you looking for a boat that will serve as pleasure and fishing boat for the family, this boat will address both needs.

WEST congrats again. Great boat!!

[West6550]

Thanks Lou I definitely still love it it!

[West6550]

Update*

Wife and I decided to full time RV and I am selling the rig.

It is still my favorite boat and will be missed. It is just easy to drive, trailer, and you can cruise and talk, shoot over to a spot or troll for days in shallow water and hammer the fish.

The only thing I would change about the boat would be the trolling motor. Had to get a new foot pedal, covered under the warranty, but still not my favorite. The Powerdrive is just not a great system in my opinion. It has its pros and cons. But the foot pedal apparently are known for not lasting long and I have found almost a year and this one went out. It is just a $99 pedal, no major issues. Still aggravating.

[West6550]

Well the boat is gone, I owned it for one year to the day.

It was a great boat and honestly I would buy another.. might even if we stop traveling :-)

[Lipripper]

I know you sad to see it go but are ready for the next chapter in your life so go get that yak and get it started.