Ranger aluminum RT 188 series boats

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

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.

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,

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

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.

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.

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.
I’m a big guy and so are my fishing buddy’s 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

I fished out one of these earlier in year. I would own one for right price

Like who Frank?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Thanks for all the replies.

Thanks for the advice Ken. I have started to back it in less and it does help. May go in even less since it is easy to winch up.