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Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
#12474638
10/22/17 02:22 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 104
Paths
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 104 |
Does anyone have experience with these? Trying to make up my mind and haven't been able to talk to anyone who has owned or been in one. Thanks
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Paths]
#12474703
10/22/17 03:12 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 256
FACSR
Angler
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Angler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 256 |
My son owns one and I have fished out of it with him on a few occasions and all in all I was impressed it. although it was a bit of a rough ride in waves but it fished plenty big for 2 people and has a good deck layout.But don't get one with the evinrude 115hp on it because his has been in the shop more than in his garage because of heating issues and not starting after shutting off.
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Paths]
#12474718
10/22/17 03:38 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 105
Kansas Basser
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 105 |
I have a 2013, It's a good Boat, I fish Lake Fork 3 or 4 time a year, It not a speed Boat, My run about 47,
Kansas Basser
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Paths]
#12474723
10/22/17 03:47 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1
samwise2u
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1 |
I bought a Triton 18TX Feb 2017, love it. Supposedly the same design as the Ranger RT 188 except for a few differences with seats, consoles and trailers. For sure the same deck layout. Got the Mercury Pro XS 115 with CT (Command Thrust), love it. No problems out of the boat or motor. Have a friend that has a Ranger RT188 series, he loves his also, has a Mercury 4 stroke on it also.
Have had an Evinrude 60, it ran like a top also.
@Paths - @FACSR is right on with the impression I have of this boat/deck/hull design other than I would have said "big waves" (white capping) rather than "waves".
@FASCR - bummer you son is having a problem with his Evinrude.
sam
samwise2u
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Paths]
#12474724
10/22/17 03:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,509
Slade
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,509 |
I have considered getting one, I fish by myself a lot and never fish tournaments. But I also fish off shore most of the time and don't think one of these could handle 15-20+ mph wind. It's hard enough sometimes in a fiberglass boat. But I like the features of getting in smaller places, easier to move around by hand, drinks less gas, etc. but the comfort of a fiberglass boat makes a difference on those long, Uncomfortable days I would think.
PB 10.58 Joe Pool
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Paths]
#12474728
10/22/17 03:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 38,565
Frank the Tank
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 38,565 |
I have heard of guys adding an Ultrex to these and they are a game changer. Don't miss their Fiberglass rigs with an Ultrex. Makes sense to me.
Jesus loves all of us
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Frank the Tank]
#12474760
10/22/17 04:24 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,769
basscaster46
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,769 |
I have a 2018 rt 188 merc ct 115 pro xs love it. First aluminum I ever owned I use it more than any boat I ever owned. 47 gps it is a little rougher than fiberglass in rough water but with trolling motor down it is the bomb. Im a big guy and so are my fishing buddys this boat does not rock side to side. It is easy to handle and a breeze to load and unload. Mine is single console and fishes three people with ease lots of room. J D
Last edited by basscaster46; 10/22/17 04:25 PM.
I got all day I’m retired
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Paths]
#12474805
10/22/17 05:10 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,294
mudd
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,294 |
I fished out one of these earlier in year. I would own one for right price
93 Ranger 482vs 95 Bullet 20cc
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Frank the Tank]
#12475098
10/22/17 10:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,781
Outdoor Therapy
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,781 |
I have heard of guys adding an Ultrex to these and they are a game changer. Don't miss their Fiberglass rigs with an Ultrex. Makes sense to me. Like who Frank?
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.- Thomas A Edison
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Paths]
#12475203
10/23/17 12:47 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 487
gatoreyes
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 487 |
I have a 2016 RT 188 and love it. Mine has a Merc 115 four stroke and 80 lb Fortrex, both are great. The boat is stable, well-built and economical. My only complaint is that it is a little hard to center the boat when putting back on the trailer.
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Paths]
#12475534
10/23/17 01:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 486
etexbasser
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 486 |
I have the Triton 18cTX and could not be happier. 115 merc 4 stroke, cruise at 36, had it up to 46 one time. (I am not a speed demon, it scares me on the lakes) The boat rides and fishes great. No complaints.
Don Chumley If I ain't fishing, I ain't happy. But mostly I'm happy. I love being retired, the check is in the mail. Mt. 6:33
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: gatoreyes]
#12475541
10/23/17 01:13 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,521
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,521 |
I have a 2016 RT 188 and love it. Mine has a Merc 115 four stroke and 80 lb Fortrex, both are great. The boat is stable, well-built and economical. My only complaint is that it is a little hard to center the boat when putting back on the trailer. Looks like we may be neighbors if your in Keller. Not to be a know-it-all but if you are having issues getting the boat on the trailer centered, you may be backing the trailer in too deep to start. Most folks do. Try this: Have your partner back in about 80% of what you think you need to get it on the trailer. There is a sweet spot. This may take a little experimentation so go to a ramp that is empty so you can practice. Once you are straight, have your partner back up about a foot, (make sure the motor is at the top of the TRIM cycle so your prop doesn't hit the ramp) and then power it up until the bow hook hits the bumper.
Last edited by Ken A.; 10/23/17 01:15 PM.
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Ken A.]
#12475713
10/23/17 03:11 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,466
kscatman76
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,466 |
I have a 2016 RT 188 and love it. Mine has a Merc 115 four stroke and 80 lb Fortrex, both are great. The boat is stable, well-built and economical. My only complaint is that it is a little hard to center the boat when putting back on the trailer. Looks like we may be neighbors if your in Keller. Not to be a know-it-all but if you are having issues getting the boat on the trailer centered, you may be backing the trailer in too deep to start. Most folks do. Try this: Have your partner back in about 80% of what you think you need to get it on the trailer. There is a sweet spot. This may take a little experimentation so go to a ramp that is empty so you can practice. Once you are straight, have your partner back up about a foot, (make sure the motor is at the top of the TRIM cycle so your prop doesn't hit the ramp) and then power it up until the bow hook hits the bumper. I have a 17 ft Tracker and Ken hit the nail on the head. with these aluminum boats (which are awesome and I love them) you don't want to back the trailer in very far at all, nothing like a fiberglass. if you are alone and don't get it all the way up to the winch cause your too shallow they are a breeze to just use the winch to winch up cause they are so light but again Ken is correct, try backing the trailer much shallower and it will center a lot better.
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Paths]
#12475864
10/23/17 05:03 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 258
tin man 55
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 258 |
I have a 2015 model with a 115 Mercury Pro-XS. Agree with most of the other comments: harder to load than my old fiberglass skeeter; top speed of 47 or so; pretty good ride even in small white caps (you will get wet if you have to go crosswind, but what boat will not get you wet in a crosswind); plenty of storage; a little tight with 2 fishing on the front deck.
I would not recommend for a tournament fisherman. might not be able to get safely to where you want to go with the wind howling. as a non-tournament guy, this doesn't bother me because I pick days with lighter winds. I also fish a lot of private ponds, and can easily launch it off the bank.
I have an ultrex on mine, and that is a big improvement. The wind really blows you around since the boat is light; but the ultrex holds it so that you can concentrate on fishing instead of positioning.
2014 Ranger RT-188 115 Mercury Pro-XS Lowrance Gen-3 units Ultrex
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Re: Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats
[Re: Paths]
#12475895
10/23/17 05:28 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 28
NETXcrappiehunter
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 28 |
here is a short video from this past weekend of me and my brother in-law in my RT188 you can see all the room on the front deck and with us both in the boat there are hardly any rocking. I let him drive it and he even said he felt the difference on the stability and heaviness compared to his G3. Another buddy has a Triton and says mine appears to have more deck room than his. Mine is a 2015 model with a 2015 115hp evinrude with no issues at all so far and I love it but I'm also not one who is out for speed either. https://youtu.be/hZTphO9iiUo
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