ranger z118

[ranger1]

Does anyone run an 18' bass boat in Lake St. Clair ? I am looking at getting a ranger z118 it is 18'8" with a 150 pro XS . This is all that will fit into the garage. Would this just be a waste of money? I know that you have to pick and choose your days on the water (weather wise) But when you fish a tournament sometimes it gets nasty and you have no choice . If you don't fish St Clair, maybe Erie If have a 18' bass boat how does a boat like this handle the rough stuff ? I know sometimes even a 20'er does not seem big enough , Any input would be welcome

[Bender]

I have an 18'6" Stratos and go on the big water sometimes. I've only had one scary experience and that wasn't on Saint Clair or Erie, but I don't go out there if the wind is blowing too much. I think a lot of it comes down to how well you drive the boat, more so in a smaller boat like this, and I'm not the best driver in the rough stuff. 

[BryanP]

I used to run my old Ranger 482v (exactly 18') on Erie and St Clair all the time, and even made the run from Erie to St Clair a few times and it was fine.  Not as comfortable as a 20 footer, but definitely doable if you take your time.  One of my old tournament partners had 361v (17'10") and we made the run to Pelee many times in that thing in some really rough stuff.  We didn't get there fast, but made it without breaking anything.  Years ago, thats all everyone had were 18' bass boats with 150's.  You should be fine with the 118.

[Waterfoul]

I've been on St. Clair several times with my triton 186 (17' 10") and as long as you take it easy you can do it.  As was said..  not as smooth a ride as a bigger boat but it can be done.  It will definitely improve your boating skills.

[bigjc]

I run a 19 footer on both Erie and St. Clair quite a bit.  With a little common sence and some experience driving it, you'll be fine.  Especially if you intend to be on St. Clair more than Erie.

My Legend LE-195 is plenty enough boat for St. Clair 99% of the time.  The other one percent of the time, its just not worth being out there.  LOL  There are days on Erie, when I would rather not run very far w/ it, but even 20 footers take a beating out there on those days. 

I have decided that there is no perfect Bass Boat for Erie.  At least not until someone makes a 23 footer w/ a sharper deadrise and a deeper V.   

[mikesmiph]

My antique is 17' 10". I'm not out there all the time, but I get out in it. Been in some 5-6 footers. Like was said, I dont go fast, but I feel safe. Biggest difference I've noticed is not getting there and back, its actually fishing in it. The bigger boats ride the swells better.

[Mike S.]

I had a Nitro Savage that was 18' 3".  I had it on LSC once.  It got windy and rough in a hurry.  Real rough.  Thought I was on Lake Michigan for a minute.  But as everyone else has said, you have to be careful.  It will definitely teach you something about driving a boat in rough water.  And, if you get to upgrade in the future to a bigger boat, you can go a little faster in the rough stuff.  If that is all the boat you have room for, you can make it work for you.

[djkimmel]

Ranger Boats are designed to be a great combination of ride-ability and fish-ability because both are real important, especially to Great Lakes anglers. That's why I own one. That, and I needed boat that could hold up to a long, long life on our big, bad Great Lakes. There are some days out there that no bass boat is built for, but those are the days you either fish the river or the lee side, or you plan on taking it slow and steady.

Make sure you have all the safety equipment, plenty of oil and gas. Don't make choices you aren't pretty comfortable with (for real) and you can fish the Great Lakes most of the time.

[Dan]

I fished a BFL out of Sandusky, Ohio and rode with a guy that had an 18 footer. It was an old boat as well. He was an experienced Erie angler though and I felt very safe with him. We went all the way out to the Chick Islands from Sandusky in it with four to five footers. He got a kick out of me napping in those conditions on hour hour and a half ride out. What else you gonna do. Take it easy, know how to handle a boat in rough water, throw in some common sense, and say a little prayer every night and if you go down let us know if there are any rocks on the bottom.