Ranger Fishing Boats

Modern American tournament fishing would not be the same if it wasn't for Ranger Boats. Ranger essentially invented what we think of as a bass boat. The company has had a history of building premium quality advanced engineered boats since the late 1960`s. The history of Ranger is the history of angling, from the simple days of basic cane poles to today`s era of space age technology. Today Ranger produces 40 some models of boats that span a range of 5 series and they continue to expand every year.

Ranger Boats reputation today is the result of its founders Forrest and Nina Wood. The married couple ran a fishing guide service in the Sixties and used cumbersome and heavy wooden boats at that time. Using these unwieldy crafts they got the sense that a better boat was possible and they learned which features worked and which ones didn't. Forrest set out to dream up a more comfortable and efficient boat that would stand up to the demands of sport fishing.

He also wanted to create a name for the boats that would remind people of their quality and strength. He was a fan of military and cowboy culture and chose Ranger based on his love of the US Army Rangers and the Texas Rangers.

Forrest started out designing his plans in a very simple way by writing them on paper and scraps, but he knew the visions he had for these boats was powerful. He spent hours listening to fishing enthusiasts and trying to get a better sense of what their needs were in an ideal boat. He began to engineer designs that lived up to those specs and he quickly gained a reputation in the fishing community.

His first manufacturing facility was a humble building that is now the city hall of Flippin, Arkansas. He made his first 6 boats there and then moved the operation to an abandoned dance hall outside of town. By 1969 he had 600 orders and the company was well on its way. The next year the orders doubled to 1200 and each boat sold for $1,000 complete with lights and steering. The business was taking off.

But then tragedy struck in 191 and the factory burned down in a fire. Luckily, many of the order documents were salvaged and the factory was rebuilt and back up and running in incredible 40 days! It was around this period that Forrest started to participate in bass tournaments that were just being created. His appearance at these tournaments helped get publicity for his products and company. Pretty soon the orders stared rolling in quicker than ever. The company again expanded and Ranger became an important presence in the newly developing tournament bass fishing industry.

Ranger was a pioneer in the use of heavy gauge wiring and more efficient trolling motors. They were also the first to utilize fiberglass seating for greater strength, and the first to use fiberglass trailer fenders. Their computerized balancing and alignment systems were revolutionary too. They introduced the use of disc brakes on trailers as well. The list of firsts and advanced innovations introduced by Ranger at that time I staggering.

Safety has always been at the forefront of Ranger`s designs. From nearly the beginning they manufactured their models to Coast Guard standards for flotation. Catch and Release was much more practical thanks to Ranger as well. This was the result of their innovative aerated live-well designs that kept fish fresh and alive for longer. This has made the company a favorite with the conservation movement.

Today the company employees nearly 900 people. It attracts the best and brightest engineers and loyal and devoted craftsmen. This atmosphere is reflected in the superior boat models Ranger continues to produce. A Ranger boat is an investment that no true angler would even regret.

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