▓ The Legacy of Ranger Boats: From a Small-Town Garage to a Fishing Empire

If you’ve ever set foot in a bass boat—or even just walked past one in a Cabela’s showroom—there’s a good chance you’ve seen the Ranger name. It’s more than just a brand. For serious anglers, it’s practically a badge of honor. But how did Ranger Boats become the name in bass fishing? Let's dive into the story—starting in a little town in Arkansas, with a man named Forrest Wood and a dream made of fiberglass.

◆ From Gas Station Garage to Boat-Building Pioneers

Back in 1968, Forrest Wood and his wife Nina weren’t setting out to create a boating empire. They were running a fishing guide service and a small service station in Flippin, Arkansas. Forrest, who’d grown up fishing the rivers and lakes of the Ozarks, had a pretty clear idea of what a boat should be—and what didn’t exist yet.

So what did he do? He started building it himself.

Literally. Behind the gas station. So, this is another case of solving their own problem, and creating pull demand.

The first “Ranger” boats (named after both the Texas Rangers and Army Rangers—Forrest liked names that sounded tough and trustworthy) were just six fiberglass hulls. But they were different. These boats were designed for bass fishing. And Forrest had a knack for understanding what anglers wanted—because he was one. Authenticity…

✳ Innovation That Changed the Game

Ranger didn’t just build boats—they changed how boats were built. Forrest and his team introduced things we now take for granted in fishing boats, like:

• Aerated livewells (to keep your catch alive until weigh-in)

• Foam-filled hulls (unsinkable, and made for safety-conscious anglers)

• Stronger fiberglass transoms (able to handle the bigger, badder outboard motors)

A fire nearly burned the whole business down in 1971, destroying the plant. But, imn fairness, Forrest didn’t flinch. He literally saved customer orders from his desk, secured a loan, and restarted production within 40 days. That tells you everything you need to know about his grit. I love to say that resilience is a super power…

◉ The Tournament Era

In the early '70s, tournament bass fishing was taking off—and Ranger was right there, riding shotgun. In fact, Ranger became the official boat of the Bassmaster Classic in 1972, a partnership that lasted decades. If you were watching big-time bass fishing in the '80s or '90s, Ranger boats were front and center. You literally could not miss them..

Importantly, they weren’t just on the water—they were winning.

By the mid-1970s, Ranger was expanding beyond bass boats. They introduced the Fisherman Series for anglers chasing walleye, musky, and salmon. Whether you were casting in a lake, trolling on big water, or later even heading to the flats for redfish, there was a Ranger for you.

⬢ Changing Hands (and Growing Fast)

Like a lot of great American companies, Ranger eventually grew big enough to catch some attention.

Here’s how ownership changed over the years:

• 1987: Forrest and Nina sold the company to the Thompson Company in Dallas.

• 1991: Ranger was scooped up by Genmar Holdings, a big name in the boating world.

• 2009: Genmar filed for bankruptcy after the financial crisis hit the recreational market hard.

• 2010: Platinum Equity bought Ranger and a few sister brands for around $70 million.

• 2014: Enter Bass Pro Group. Yep, the same folks behind Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s bought Ranger (along with Triton and Stratos) and made sure production stayed right in Flippin, Arkansas.

Today, Ranger is part of this massive Bass Pro outdoor empire—but it’s still got that small-town, made-by-anglers-for-anglers soul.

☰ Big Numbers Behind the Boats

Some quick stats to show how far Ranger has come:

• In 1970, they sold about 1,200 boats—not bad for a garage-born brand.

• By 2007, revenue had hit over $200 million.

• The company grew to nearly 850 employees, though that dipped after the Genmar collapse and bounced back under Bass Pro.

• Ranger’s boats are sold globally—from the U.S. to Australia, Japan, and even parts of Europe.

Quick Poll..

✪ Forrest Wood: The Man Behind the Brand

We can’t talk about Ranger without giving proper props to Forrest Wood and his wife Nina. He wasn’t just a founder—he was a legend in the fishing world. He qualified for multiple Bassmaster Classics, mentored hundreds of anglers, and even had a tournament series (FLW Outdoors) named after him.

When Forrest passed away in 2020 at 87, the entire fishing community paused. He wasn’t just an innovator—he was the heart and soul of modern bass fishing. Authenticity again..

His wife Nina, by the way, helped run the business from day one and played a huge role in keeping things together during tough times. The real under-stated power couple.

▣ Ranger’s Place in the Market Today

Ranger's still doing what it does best: building high-performance fishing boats that blend cutting-edge tech with a classic look and feel. Their Z-Series bass boats and aluminum RT Series are staples for tournament pros and weekend warriors alike.

Thanks to its connection with Bass Pro and Cabela’s, Ranger now enjoys better showroom access and expanded brand recognition. You’ll find them packaged with Mercury or Yamaha motors, ready to fish straight from the dealer lot.

They're definitely not the cheapest boats on the market, but ask any die-hard Ranger fan—there’s a reason they hold their value and command loyalty. A kind of loyalty that takes decades to build…

▤ What’s Next?

So what does the future look like for Ranger?

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Innovation: Will Ranger dip its toes into electric boats or “smart” tech? This seems inevitable as it has started to happen in the overlanding world.

• Sustainability: As regulations increase, watch how they adapt their materials and designs. And adapt they will.

• Dealer strategy: With boat shows shifting online and new buyer habits, will Ranger lean more into digital and showroom experiences? Watch this space.

Regardless, one thing’s clear: Ranger has never chased the competition—it’s still setting the bar.

☍ Quick Timeline Recap

░ Final Thoughts

Ranger Boats didn’t just invent a better bass boat—they helped define an entire sport. What started as a garage project in rural Arkansas really became a global force in fishing. And even though it’s changed hands a few times, it’s never lost that core identity. That’s key. We so often see the opposite.