Ranger Aluminum?

[Old plug]

Igot a 19 ft BP Targa. Its a big deep boat. I have had it 11 yrs. Only problem i have had is with the front live well. I suspect one of the there is a crack somewhere in the front line well line. I could fix it by going through a whole lot of trouble( anything under the floor is real real tuff undertaking) but all I do is fill the front live well and pump out the warer that came thru the crackwith the bilge pump.

I have looked at the new ones down at BP and am not thrilled about them. They have set the console farther up and the front deck is smaller. The livewells are and the minnow bucket is in one of the live wells. Mine is different. I have a 50" real decided live well , a 15 or 20 gal front one and two seperate individual fill compartments for minnow buckets are big enough to be used as a small live well. I do not know about other models but my Targa does not have ribs. It has bulkheads both longitudinal and accross. It is a strong boat and needs to be around here.

[WHARFRAT]

I've been looking pretty hard at the Ranger RT188 too. I do like the set up with the center rod storage. I looked at one at the Collinsville boat show a couple of weeks ago. They seem like they are very well constructed, real solid. Also wanted to look at Crestliners VT19. Seems similar, but there were no Crestliner dealers at this boat show. They had a Triton X17 up there, They said the Triton X18 is almost identical in set up as the Ranger RT188. They are nice and wide aluminum (92" beam) should help with the stability. I think my fisher is like 74".

I figure the Triton and Ranger are comparable in price, b/c there wasn't much difference in the $ of the X17 and the RT178.

The big question I had was the outboard. I want to be as low maintenence as possible, thats why I'll probably stick with the Merc Pro XS or Evinrude ETEC. Go on some of the other forums and you can really get confused. I've owned both before, so I don't really have a preference. But I will still probably stick with a 2 stroke.

[Old plug]

You better look for something bigger tan17 ft if your going to play around on LOZ

[rps]

I run an Alumacraft Navigator 165 tiller. 16' 8" V hull. I love it. I suggest you look at and ride in the Lund, Crestliner, Alumacraft, G3, and Xpress. All quality build boats with different price points and power options. Pick the one that suits you and your fishing style, and you will have a great boat at a much smaller price.

[Feathers and Fins]

Ok does this look like something you want. It hunts waterfowl, Trolls for all species, Bass fishing if I want or running planers to give many presentation and lets not forget it now has two spider rig mounts on its bow.

Bow shot, Wireless trolling motor I can control from anyplace on the boat, Two forward rod holder, Two down riggers Plenty of rod storage and tackle storage. Not shown in Bow pic is the spider rig mounting brackets.

Cockpit view. Two rod holders plenty of storage under seats

Back end has plenty of storage 90merc during duck season 8 12slot decoy bags ride on it nicely.

[J-Doc]

I looked at the new Ranger this weekend in Ft Smith. I like the quality. Ranger has an eye for detail and wants to always make a better product. Good sized front deck, up to 8'-6" rods in middle rod locker, storage is good, had a 115 4-stroke Yamaha, (I prefer Merc) and price range was around $25k.

I'm in the same shoes and looking at a boat but not really near future. I have found that my needs have changed dramatically. I no longer have the Tom Cruise Syndrome (feel the need for speed like my head is on fire and my a$# is catching). I used to want a Skeeter with a 200hp outboard SO bad. But mounting downriggers on it.......that's just wrong!! Lol!! She wasn't made for that.

Here's where the Ranger has lost my vote....

Hull design. Plain and simple. It sucks. (My opinion). Granted I have NOT ridden in one so that completely discredits my opinion. I simply cannot see how it will not ride very similar to a flat bottom Jon boat. There is little to no V in the hull (barely at bow). This is MY opinion and personal preference. I want a boat I can run to Cliffty in from Prairie Creek in 20mph winds and not feel beat up or in danger. After doing this in a 18ft catfish flat bottom, lets just say I never want to again.

Compare a Tracker and Ranger on the front hull and you will see what I mean. I rode in Feathers&Fins with him and was quite surprised my first trip out. It cuts through waves better than my heavy glass tri-hull. Granted, my tri hull is not a performance boat and it IS a tri-hull! They never ride good on rough water or cutting wakes. F&Fs boat surprised me. It can cut through big wakes pretty well for an aluminum ride and you stay dry about 90-95% of the time. I would bet my shorts the Ranger alum. rig is as wet as a ducks butt. Just my initial opinion mind you. I haven't test drove one.

My advice, research research research and then take a test ride in any contending models.

If you're not hunting from it or worried about shallow draft, a deep V is hard to beat for trollingand multi species on a big water lime Beaver. A Tracker or other rig is hard to beat for all around use. You can fish all day in the summer and keep up with the ski boat traffic and fee safe and comfortable. That Ranger will have you going home and glad to be on dry land once its rough. Rough as in 3-4ft rollers due to traffic.

Crestliner. Everything I've heard read and investigated says top notch fit for me. Lund......well if you can afford it. Lol!

Look for details on fit and finish of any manufacturer. That's where you will have your first problems. Things breaking, coming apart, etc. If it's visible or can be visible, it had better be top quality and long lasting. If they pay attention to small details, they care and want a top quality product. That's where Ranger will ALWAYS shine in my opinion after TONS of research and touring their plant. Forest wants to build a legacy and a safe product. As long as he is around, you will get that. He's a terrific guy.

I know F&F is mire than willing to talk boats and show you his. He's trying to get me in one as soon as the wife lets me off the leash. Lol!!! (Okay, that's not funny)

[J-Doc]

Oh and me and F&F in his ride will do about 45-47 with an alum. prop. I think he could get a quicker home shot (which is already darn quick) and maybe 1moh with a Fury prop.

Love his 90hp Merc. A quiet powerhouse!!

[ozarkgunner]

My triton new was 25,500 with a trailer, upgraded graphs front and back and came with 150 optimax pro xs. It runs 60 mph and sips gas. I would have a hard time paying 24k for a tin rig with a 115. I looked at tin boats but the numbers don't work for the high end ones. A few thousand more gets you a glass boat with higher resale and better preformance.

[J-Doc]

Most smaller glass boats like Triton, Nitro, Stratos, with a150 are starting around $25k range. By the time you get really good graphs your are at $30.

Regardless of glass or tin, it's about what fits your needs. Most glass boats are not suited for trolling (especially a 150.....too much power and needs a kicker motor for trolling).

I'd love a glass boat with a 150. It still will beat me to death on rough water where a deep V will ride better and cut wakes because of hull shape and ability to cut (think knife blade).

A 90hp outboard is max size for trolling on any boat under 18ft unless it's something crazy like a big center console rig of some type. Like a Mako.

[J-Doc]

kjackson,

Have you looked at a walleye boat? That's a big jump but a great rig. There's a forum member here who was selling a Ranger walleye rig. Really nice boat and around your range I think. Garage kept, top quality. Super clean.