A Well-Equipped Fish-N-Ski for the Whole Gang

By Capt. Bob Smith

Ranger extends the line of fish-n-play boats with the 1750 Reata. This boat maximizes interior space for storage, has an ultra-wide beam for stability, and unbelievable floor and fishing room. Ranger packs the 1750 with fishing features you need to comfortably chase fish near shore and across the lakes while making sure it has the power and punch to pull skiers. We tested this model on Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas in some pretty strong winds yet found she was a stable riding, model that kept us dry in almost every run and turn. At winds up to 35mph, you expect to get wet, but we only got a few sprays.

Starting at the Bow

The 1750 Reata has a standard Minn Kota 55 Power Drive trolling motor wired with 6 gauge heavy-duty wiring. The remote switches in the bow make it easy to raise the big motor out of the water or lower it in. Up here there is tons of storage. The port and forwards lockers boxes are gasketed to keep the water where it belongs. The center floor locker has room for 6 ½” long rods. Room for the beverages and sandwich meats is in the starboard forward cooler locker with the livewell/baitwell just aft. A neat system converts the bow area from room for the kids to sit and enjoy into a large casting deck complete with a pedestal chair. The deck extension lifts out and drops into place very easily and stores away just as easily. By having a slot to live in, you don’t have to scrounge around in the storage boxes looking for the extension. A high, wraparound windshield protects the cockpit from the morning air and the walkthrough is plenty wide to save your elbows as you move to the bow or back into the cockpit.

Cockpit

In the cockpit, on the port side is a companion station with a pedestal seat with custom upholstery. The dash has a large glove box to keep your wallet and other articles dry, but accessible. The Clarion stereo is mounted to the left side of the glove box. Between the two pods is a large sole locker for rods and long boards/skis. The cockpit has three seat bases for the third seat fishing seat as well as one in the forward and another in the aft decks. Rod lockers are inside the port and starboard gunwales with top-opening lids.

The Controls

The helm of the 1750 Reata comes with a competition wheel with standard anti-feedback steering. The standard instrument package includes analog gauges for speed, tach, fuel, trim and water pressure. Since our test model had a Mercury engine, we also had the SmartCraft gauge for additional engine information. Leg room at both the helm and companion station was great. Adding to the seating on the 1750 are two flip-down seats at the stern on the starboard and port sides. Access to the oil reservoir and batteries are below the seats. There is a removable hatch in the sole at stern for additional access to the bilge pumps. Between the two fold down seats is a large livewell with aeration, automatic timer, and filter screen.

The stern offers another perch for casting. Over on the port side, the 1750 has a concealed telescoping boarding ladder with two well-positioned handles so your skiers can easily get themselves back on board.

Specifications

The 1750 measures 17’5” length overall with a wide beam of 94”. She weighs 1,650 pounds dry without engine, is rated for up to 130-hp outboards, and carries 28 gallons of fuel. She is designed to add a kicker on the port side for the serious fishing fiend in the family. We tested with a Mercury 115-hp outboard with Mercury Trophy Plus 17P prop.

Performance

Testing, as I said, proved she delivered a dry ride in rough conditions. We found some hard-to-find calm waters for the speed runs where she cruised around 3000 rpm for a fuel burn of 2.8gph and a full tank range of 144 miles. When we pushed the throttle full forward, we registered a speed of 40.6 mph for a range of 104 miles on a full tank. She is breaking plane in 3.3 seconds and up to 30 mph in 8.1 seconds. She handled smoothly at all speeds and made tight turns without losing much speed or cavitating. Running through heavy chop, the seats proved to be very comfortable and I noticed very little hull noises. She docked easily and was simple to put up on her standard RangerTrail trailer.

If you enjoy fishing and skiing or just trolling along your favorite beaches, the 1750 Reata wraps it all up in a neat package that has the fishing features you need and the power to have the fun you want.

Speeds measured with Stalker ProSports radar gun. Fuel consumption (gallons per hour) measured with Floscan digital fuel-flow meter on gas inboards, sterndrives, and outboards, TechMate electronic scan tool on gas EFI inboards, Caterpillar digital fuel-flow meter on diesel engines, or permanently installed fuel-monitoring equipment. Range is based on 90% of published fuel capacity. Sound levels determined using Radio Shack digital decibel meter on A scale. 68 dBA is the level of normal conversation.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions