We bought a new Ranger 800 EFI in July and it only has 16 hours on it so far. Some health problems prevented it from being used much until just recently. We hunt an 11 acre wetlands property and it's started filling with recent rains. We have areas that are overgrown and need to be opened up. I'm a little nervous about running the Ranger in there for the first time. The water depth ranges between sheet water and maybe 24" deep in spots. The bottom is not unreasonably soft as I can usually walk most of it flooded without sinking in. The pics below give you an idea of the open water and that which is overgrown and needs to be opened. Suggestions? What to avoid?

Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks ...

General rule of thumb is 2" below the bottom of the seat. If the water is less than that deep you are good. I've pushed it a time or two but that is a great rule of thumb. It is amazing how awesome they are in the slop...aftermarket tires will help if you experience more spinning slipping than preferred. One thing I will say is my aftermarket tires dig more than push at times and I am not a huge fan of them but they are better than stock.

Cappy, Matt here, long time no talk. Remember Sugar my dog? Anyway, been using a ranger in flooded rice fields for a long time. I run 27 inch tires, water over tires is fine. I try and keep below seat. Never had any issues. Check diff vent lines, keep Them high

Best $200 I have spent on my crew.

http://snorkelyouratv.com/SIDE-X-SIDE-SNORKEL-KITS.html

You bet I remember, Matt. I had my share of grief after your Sugar passed when my Cappy boy crossed also. It's still difficult to talk about him.



Without doing any modifications (I want to sell the Ranger), am I generally safe in water just below the floor board?

Yes you are safe with water to the floorboards for sure. I agree with Judd and even discussed the seat rule with my dealer. The air intake is about even with the seat.

Hehe ... you guys can easily confuse an old man, ya know ... If you mean seat CUSHION ... then I understand. The "seat" is from the floorboard to the removable cushion. That's why I asked "floorboard", to minimize any confusion.

Seat cushion. If your butt is wet you are too deep, if not you are good

Cappy, like they say above. If your butt is dry on the padded cushion, you are ok. I say this, but I dont have a new 800. I have an older 500 and again, water up and over middle of your calves while riding ok.

If water gets to the blades on the electric fan behind the radiator, it will self destruct almost instantly. I have not done it to mine but I have seen it happen twice.

I have a 800 also, and for the money I spent im not taking any chances I wouldn't go any further than the floorboard any higher than that is asking for trouble

If you go above the floorboard, water will eventually get into the clutch/drive belt area and you'll experience some slipping. But everything will be fine after it dries.