ranger aluminum boats

anyone have one of the ranger alum boats? fiberglass models are too expensive! am considering rt178 ; wonder if they handle moderate rough water?

I’m sure you’ll get some responses but this has been a popular topic before. Search within the last year and you’ll get plenty of good info.

I, personally, was thinking about a tin rig before I settled on glass because someone with a lot of experience in both said aluminum just doesn’t handle running big water very well in our typical 15+ mph winds. If you’re gonna stay shallow and in the creeks then tin is the way to go. Otherwise, I would find a good used glass boat that’s been maintained properly and potentially still under warranty.

I had an 18’ z7 that was painful to run in rough water so I don’t see how aluminum could even be comparable.

A lot to like about those boats. I had a RT188 with the Merc 115 Pro XS 4 stroke. A little chop and wind, no problem. Very stable and fun to fish in. However, for me, when conditions started leaning towards the rough and/or windy side I didn't enjoy it.

Well said. Chop to moderate waves these are great boats and well worth the money. Big decks and can easily fish 3. Great fishing platform. Add an Ultrex and it’s hard to beat. But running winds 20+. Forget it. Can’t beat glass. That’s the one place these boats will struggle. Everything else is very solid.

I have an RT188 and really like it for smaller lakes and days when the wind is below 20 knots, or when I'm fishing a lake with a lot of creeks where I can fish mostly out of the wind. I've had it on Squaw Creek and Joe Pool in 25 knot winds and it wasn't a lot of fun, but I still caught fish. Then again, I was on Sam Rayburn last week in a 22' fiberglas boat and crossing the main lake wasn't any fun in that boat either! Fortunately I have a lot of friends with bigger boats that I can usually fish out of when it's too windy for mine. If it's more than 20 knots, I'm probably going to stay home or find something else to do... I'm just not mad enought at 'em to risk life, limb and boat to catch a fish I'm going to throw back anyway.

There are a couple of videos on youtube of one in rough water (didn't look like wind was as strong as they stated). It looked like it was a rough ride in open water. The videos in moderately rough water didn't look too bad. I guess it depends on your definition of moderately rough. I bought a Champion just to get a smooth ride in rough water but find that I stay at home when it gets above what I consider moderately choppy stuff anyway.

If you have the right expectations of the boat, it looks like a decent boat to own. The price is sure nice.

I have the RT 198P with 150 evinrude and the Ultex I-plot and Love it But if you Tournament Fish and must fish Big Water wait until you can spend the other $ 8000 to get a 20' or bigger Glass boat
If that's out of the question then buy the biggest Ranger aluminum you can afford, I've owned everything from 14' Jon boats to 27 footers and the RT198 handles rough water as well as any 17 or 18 foot glass boat I've ever been in

How would the ranger rt 188 fish in a lake like eagle mountain? I consider that lake a good size with open water that gets good wind. Especially in let’s say 18 mph wind

I own a 2018 rt 188 fished today in some stout wind . My first aluminum I think it handles wind very well
And is stable as heck . Have no complaints.
J D

Enough ramps on EM you can launch where you want to fish for the most part.

I've fished EM in my boat and haven't had major issues up to about 15-20 knot winds. I can usually get behind the island or fish in the marinas or creeks with boathouses. Wind direction and which part of the lake you plan to fish determines where I decide to launch so I can minimize long runs on windy days. When I have to make a long run, the boat handles it fine. The ride is definitely rougher than a 20' hydroblaster and I will get some spray in crosswinds. For me it's a good fit and I'm perfectly content with tradeoffs.