aboout to pick up a skeeter wrangler

[djrascoe]

Hello, Im new to the boating world and next weekend Im hopefully picking up a skeeter hp 120 wrangler. Is there anything i should be aware of with these boats? Im curious if theyre a good boat to start with and is there basically anything i need to be on the lookout for, or any issues with them. Thank you in advance for any advise or input

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: aboout to pick up a skeeter wrangler

Welcome to iboats.

Take an approved boating safety course.

Get a shop manual for the motor from http://www.outboardbooks.com/ do not get a cheap aftermarket manual and you will thank us later

Find out when the last impeller was installed. I would plan on a tune up.

Inspect the boat for soft spots, check all the plumbing in the live wells and bilge pumps.

Repack the trailers wheel bearings! Check your lights.

Do not neglect the maintenance and it will serve you well.

Go catch some fish!!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: aboout to pick up a skeeter wrangler

As I recall the Wrangler was short, like 16' and had a very deep V front half back to a high deadrise with a pad. A 120 on it would be "modest" hp in the world of BB's. Friend had one, back in the '70's with a 150 Johnny, when we had the Arab fuel embargo. Recall that one day he brought it to work and some of the workers didn't take lightly the fact that here he was with this gas consuming "toy" when they had to wait in line to get gas, what there was of it, to get to work.

I saw one in action and it was fast and smooth riding. Only thing I wonder about is it's lateral stability at rest. Guessing that there is a lot of side to side motion.

HTH,
Mark

 

[djrascoe]

Re: aboout to pick up a skeeter wrangler

I think its a 15 or 16 foot if i remember correctly. Im trying to learn all that I can before I bring it home. The guy said it has a 120 evinrude on it. The issue that Im having is that I cant really find alot of information about these boats anywhere. The guy that Im getting it from seems to be up front about it, he said that the reason he's parting with it is because in the winter months he gets laid off of work and he really needs to save money over the summer. I hope everything he has told me pans out to be true. from the pics he has sent me, the only issue i see with it, is that its going to need a good buffing when i get it home. The only other boat that I owned before was a 12 foot montgomery ward shallow v, so i have alot of learning to do with this thing. But im hoping this will be a good stepping stone to hopefully some day get my nitro z9.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: aboout to pick up a skeeter wrangler

Skeeter is a respected name in the industry and as I said, may have built the first bass boat back in the '60's It was narrow and sort of like a kayak in that the sides folded over the deck and there was this little isle that you and a buddy sat in. Bow just came to a point so that you could work your way through brush and standing timber. Used stick steering.

Just a couple of days ago a guy was showing off a Skeeter BB he bought used with a Mariner 150. I couldn't tell it from a ranger till I saw the skeeter (mosquito) on the seat backs and I consider Ranger the Cadillac of BBs.

Mark