The Boating Forum - Need advice - 2012 Ranger 220 Bahia

I live in San Diego and am in the market for a boat that pulls double duty for our local reservoirs for bass/striper fishing as well as our local San Diego Bay, kelp beds just offshore and an occasional run out to the Coronado Islands (about 9 miles offshore). I was originally looking at the Pacific Boats aluminum but they are out of my price range. I came across the Ranger Bahia 220 at a local shop and they had it priced new with a 150hp Mercury motor, trailer and Minn Kota for $38K (not including taxes and no electronics or accessories). Is this a solid boat? Is this a good deal?

I am familiar with Ranger boats being very highly regarded for freshwater but rarely do I ever see any Ranger boats in the saltwater. I was poking around on the internet after visiting the showroom and read something about Ranger buying the molds for the Wellcraft 220 to allow them to make a lower price offering. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated as this would be my first boat ever.

Thanks,
Jeff

Anyone?

I have a 2011 Ranger 2410 bay. Ranger builds a VERY SOLID boat. This is my 3rd Ranger salt water boat, and I could not be more pleased. I am not familiar with the 22 Bahia, and the Wellcraft association. A little suprised to hear that, Ranger has always been pretty in house on their deisign. Their reputation is certainly in the bass boat side. I looked at several more top tier 24 bays before my purchase, I don't think you are going to go wrong, it's an unsinkable hull, no wood, and it's one downside is it's not a speed demon due to weight/heavy build. When I shopped my 24 bay - it was by far the heaviest bay in it's size by quite a bit. A good thing for ride and structure but you drop 5 to 10 mph because of it. I have a pro xs 250 (which is really more of a 275 hp motor) and with non hard top - t-top. I max @ 45ish gps I know their are plenty of same sized bay that I can't run with, but the boat is a tank, in a good way. Great company and customer service.

Thanks Jon! It has the Ranger warranty so I guess they will stand behind it.

If it's the Wellcraft 220 Sportsman, it's a well laid out crossover type boat. It has a large cockpit, decent sized fish boxes, and tons of seating for family outings. As far as the hull, it is a nice ride and sonciderably dry. It's a pretty big boat taping out 22.4 overall and 3,500 pounds. With a 250 4-stroke, expect right around 50 mph top end and a good cruise around 32 burning 10 gph.