Ranger RT188

Have a 196 Triton that I love, but the last few years have had to have some fiberglass work on it a few times! Thinking about an aluminum boat since I don't fish very few bigger tournaments! This is a good looking boat for anyone wanting to down size a little! Anyone have any thoughts on these?

Love mine..

Check out bbcboards.net there's a tin boat section with lots of rt188 owners

I have a Triton 18 on order, going from a Ranger 188 to tin, for the same reasons you mentioned and then some other reasons also. I am excited, but a little sad also, have been through a lot with my ranger, but looking forward to new experiences in my Triton. I went Triton instead of Ranger for a couple of reasons, but they are both good boats and I think you will be happy with either one.

later...don

Thanks guys! Would like to fish out of one! If your ever around the Tyler area, shoot me a PM! I'll pay for gas! Thanks!

And lunch!

I've had my RT188 since May. I love the boat, especially since it's just me most of the time. I had a 20' skeeter before, which was overkill for my needs. it is so easy to tow, especially if you don't have a big pickup.

only 2 issues so far. first, it can be a little bit of a challenge to load. the raised sections on the hull can very easily get on the wrong side of the bunks, which puts the boat crooked on the trailer. it's hard to tell when you are by yourself, and the only fix is to back off and start over again. I'm going to take a look the next time out and see if I can make any adjustments to the bunks to make it easier to load. the other problem has to do with the transducer mount on the transom. the screws worked loose and allowed water to enter the bilge on my last trip. hopefully I fixed it by removing the screws and adding a bunch of silicone sealant (there was some already there; maybe not enough)to the holes in the hull and to the outside. I'll know this weekend when I'm on Fork.

with the optimax 115, I can almost reach 50 mph, and I do believe the boat is as smooth running, if not better, than my 20 foot skeeter. I think it has to do with the hull; the rt188 is much more of a V hull than the skeeter.

man the rt188's look incredible and have the happiest owners for the most part... it's the only conventional styled aluminum boat I have really looked into much, but in my heart of hearts I still really want to find a nice used Tracker Avalanche with 150-175 on back and just rock the heck out of it, I love the construction and style of them and feel like I could keep the boat forever and really justify doing nay mods I wanted to it.

Texas Boat World has both the Ranger and Triton in stock. Don't buy until you check with Cliff. This will more than likely be my last boat in a few years when I get to that point.

http://www.texasboatworld.com/default.as...;d=on&t=new

I've looked at a couple of new ones up close and they are really sharp looking boats! The detail is really nice! I sure like those camo ones!

These are really good boats. I've looked at them really close and the only gripe I could really pick it for was the live well divider doesn't look like it would take much to knock it out of its slot. Here is the construction video.......very impressive to say the least......
http://www.rangeraluminum.com/?utm_sourc...mpaign=ALUMINUM

might look at crestliner while you are shopping.

I haven't seeen the Triton aluminum counter part in person yet but looking at them on the internet they look earily like the same boat as the Ranger. I've wondered if they are in fact the same boat with different badging......Anybody know anything on this?

Believe they are made in the same facility.

Built at same factory then sent to the triton/ranger facilities to be finished. Console, carpet, seats, all the wiring and stuff.

When I was at the factory a couple of years ago they were side by side and everything was done in the one facility. Consoles, seats and decals are the major differences. Texas Boat World has both come look.

One of the main differences is that Ranger has added the pultured (spelling)fiberglass board to the transom, while Triton has its own board on the transom. They are the same boat, but as mentioned above, the seats, carpet and console are different. Both have the foam filled hull which helps with the ride and quietness. Mine should be in next week, I hope so. Getting mine from Jasper outboards in Jasper, Texas. They seem to be good people and have done right by me.
I am getting the crappie version. I chose this setup for various reasons over the bass setup.

later...don