Ranger Aluminum Test Ride

[WHARFRAT]

just a note for you. I've had my RT188 for a month now. As far as an aluminum boats go, Its the best riding one I've owned (and older 16' Lowe, forgot model, & fisher Marshhawk 170), or that I've ridden in. And I've ridden in some of the models mentioned. I thought it cut through wakes pretty good.. I owned a Stratos Fish n Ski 19' fiberglass and it beat the heck out of you.

I agree what you are saying about the controls, it was a little weird at first, but haven't really thought about it since I read your post. Not really an issue with me. And being short, an adjustable drivers seat would be nice. I would even like the bow seat a little closer to the foot pedel on the trolling motor.

Fishability is fantastic. I've had myself, my son-in-law and an 85lb lab up front and you wouldn't even know it. I bought an 80lb thrust MK Fortrex and that thing is a beast. I would recommend that motor to anyone.

Love the storage

I haven't had any problem with porposing. I got a 115 Merc 4 stroke with a 19p SS Solus Prop. Does the job I need. I'm not much of a speed demon. In fact I've only had it WOT a couple of times. I'm content with running around 4500 rpms max. One of the times I did open it up, it was just me and less than a half a tank of gas, and I did hit 50mph on the gps. I think it was around 6000 rpms. So it did a bit more than the dealer said it would. I didn't make any sharp turns at that speed, so I can't really comment on that.

I bought the 4 stroke for 3 reasons, one, its very quiet. Two, easy to maintain, and three it will get down a troll really slow.

To me, it does have a different feel than any other aluminum boat I've had the chance to ride in. Now it doesn't compare to large glass bass boats. It's still aluminum, so you really can't compare them. Although I do like this ride better than my old glass fish n ski.

Wind still effect the boat while fishing, but the 80lb Fortrex sure makes it better.

I priced 3 different boats and rigged the same way, and it was insignificant, the price difference, and the Ranger wasn't the highest.

[Fish24/7]

Thank's for posting this J, Wharf, I've been doing hours of research myself into these Rangers and several others.

I appreciate the detailed review/info it helps a lot.

[J-Doc]

Thank's for posting this J, Wharf, I've been doing hours of research myself into these Rangers and several others.

I appreciate the detailed review/info it helps a lot.

Exactly why I wrote this up and started it. It's a new boat and there is not enough "collective" information gathered into a single place.

[WHARFRAT]

One thing that I wouldn't waste my money on, but my wife insisted, was a passenger console. I don't think it cuts the wind that much. I still see her crouching real low to get out of the wind. Although it does have a nice storage box for small things like phones and paperwork and other odds n ends. But if it wasn't for her insistance, I would not have gotten it.

[J-Doc]

just a note for you. I've had my RT188 for a month now. As far as an aluminum boats go, Its the best riding one I've owned (and older 16' Lowe, forgot model, & fisher Marshhawk 170), or that I've ridden in. And I've ridden in some of the models mentioned. I thought it cut through wakes pretty good.. I owned a Stratos Fish n Ski 19' fiberglass and it beat the heck out of you.

I agree what you are saying about the controls, it was a little weird at first, but haven't really thought about it since I read your post. Not really an issue with me. And being short, an adjustable drivers seat would be nice. I would even like the bow seat a little closer to the foot pedel on the trolling motor.

Fishability is fantastic. I've had myself, my son-in-law and an 85lb lab up front and you wouldn't even know it. I bought an 80lb thrust MK Fortrex and that thing is a beast. I would recommend that motor to anyone.

Love the storage

I haven't had any problem with porposing. I got a 115 Merc 4 stroke with a 19p SS Solus Prop. Does the job I need. I'm not much of a speed demon. In fact I've only had it WOT a couple of times. I'm content with running around 4500 rpms max. One of the times I did open it up, it was just me and less than a half a tank of gas, and I did hit 50mph on the gps. I think it was around 6000 rpms. So it did a bit more than the dealer said it would. I didn't make any sharp turns at that speed, so I can't really comment on that.

I bought the 4 stroke for 3 reasons, one, its very quiet. Two, easy to maintain, and three it will get down a troll really slow.

To me, it does have a different feel than any other aluminum boat I've had the chance to ride in. Now it doesn't compare to large glass bass boats. It's still aluminum, so you really can't compare them. Although I do like this ride better than my old glass fish n ski.

Wind still effect the boat while fishing, but the 80lb Fortrex sure makes it better.

I priced 3 different boats and rigged the same way, and it was insignificant, the price difference, and the Ranger wasn't the highest.

If I may ask, is your motor mounted on hole #2? That seems to be the most common setup. It reduces the propose affect from the aluminum props and the stainless steel props also reduce the proposing affect so I've read. The alum. props flex and won't hold the lift, rpm, and load.

I've also read 50mph is common on the 2-stroke. Not so much for the 4-stroke so if you're getting that with your Solas, it's just further proof that a stainless prop is going to get you to the 50mph mark and alum prop will not. At least for the Merc motors. THe only guys running mid-50's have had custom props and a jack plate. Jack plates WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY on all alum boat manufacturers except Xpress boats. The prefer them. It's not a strength issue at all. It's a "choke hold". WHy would someone buy the glass model with a 150 pushing only 60mph if you can get an aluminum rig that's longer and will push 55 if speed is your thing and affordability?

I've done my homework I promise.

Also, I think my ergonomics issue with the controls is quite exaggerated by the fact that I'm used to a small boat with the steering wheel much closer to me and the controls mounted much higher. It's just a "different" feel and I'm sure it would become normal after about 3-4 trips out. I was only in the driver seat 2-3mins. I believe it will cross wakes better than most. It's a bit heavier than most due to the extra foam fill. With it not having a pad hull and more bow lift, it's going to feel the chop. All boats will. My current one included. Once it's up a bit more on pad, all of that goes away. Again.......pad hull vs. modified V hull. Again, why would Ranger make a pad hull when they can sell you a Z118? It would kill their smaller glass boat line-up. The intent is to get you into the Ranger family at a Bass Tracker price.

[J-Doc]

Way ahead of you there. My wife said she wanted it to keep the bugs off of her. I laughed profusely. I said I'll save that money for the prop.

When you ride 70 behind a console, my face mask starts to lift off frequently. Passenger consoles are over rated.

[WHARFRAT]

It was nice that you got to test ride the model. I think what actually sold me was the stability of the boat in comparison to other aluminums. I bought it for that reason. My old Fisher, while a good boat for me, if the person on the back moved suddenly, you knew it up front.

Yeah I was surprised I got it up to 50 mph, not for long, and I doubt I'll ever run her that hard, I think they said 47 would probably top speed. And, I'm not 100% sure! but I do think it is on hole #2. When I get back to the lake this weekend I'll check, and if it's any different, I'll let you know.

I'm real happy with the merc 4 stroke. I originally wanted the etec, but the dealer said they would have to mount the oil reservoir in one of the front storage compartments, so that was a deal breaker. They really sat me down, a discussed what I expected, and said I would be happier with the merc 4 stroke or Yamaha. They sell all three, mercury, evinrude, and Yamaha.

[J-Doc]

I heard the 4 strokes in general are very maintenance prone if you do not keep them maintained regularly. I like the quiet and the added fuel mileage but a similar boat with almost the same hull design between 2 strok and 4 stroke had less than 1mpg difference on the Merc performance bulletins. That's a pretty tight race. The 2-stroke is also pretty quiet for trolling. Works great for Feathers&Fins as he trolls about 99% of the time. If you heard my old Rude' idling........you'd laugh your pants off. Sounds like a small hot rod! lol

[kjackson]

But is that at idle? Most of your trolling will be very close to that. F&F trolls bit faster than idle with his two-stroke but uses the electric for slow speeds. Gas is easier for trolling.

I'm not experienced with Merc four strokes, but Yammies are very quiet. Hondas are quieter.

[rps]

I run a Evinrude 75 ETEC. My oil reservoir is under the motor cowling. I need to refill so infrequently I forget to schedule it. When the siren screams, I slow down, stop, and refill. Very simple.

The trade off? I do not have to pay some one to break down and service the motor every season.