Ranger boats sold to Bass Pro Shops

[dartag]

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

[Manxfishing]

Yes it could

Well played by Jonny Morris
I'd like to see the Champion brand come back

[djkimmel]

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.

[dartag]

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. 

[TimH]

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.

[Dan]

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.

[Victor Cerabone]

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.

[djkimmel]

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?

[YpsiBass]

I'm more curious how this works out for Cabela's since they sell Ranger.

[Rangerman]

Think it was a good move got no other choice 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

[LAPORTE]

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

[YpsiBass]

All 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)...

[dartag]

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

[Manxfishing]

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)

[djkimmel]

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.

[justinhahn88]

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.

[Manxfishing]

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

[capt charlie's charters]

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

[djkimmel]

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.

[Manxfishing]

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