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  1. #1
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    2021 RT188 Wavy Hull from Factory

    I received my new Ranger RT188 and think the sides of the hull are very wavy. I might be a bit too particular, but when you look down the side, it is very wavy and looks almost dented at spots. I didn't expect this from Ranger, but this is my first new aluminum boat I owned in over 20 years. So with the thinner hulls, maybe they are all like this.

    Can anyone with a newer RT 188 let me know if their boat is like this as well? I didn't notice this on the showroom model, and of course the dealer doesn't have any more in stock for me to compare.
    2021 Ranger RT 188 w/ Mercury Pro XS 115, Lowrance Ghost, Lowrance HDS 12 Live, HDS 9 Live & Elite FS 9

  2. Member
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    #2
    I bought a new RT 188 in February and it is the same way. I know it is from where they welded the stringers in, but it looks like crap.
    I expected better from Ranger.

  3. Member
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    #3
    That’s how they look.

  4. Member
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    #4
    ... yep my RT198P has those distortions where the internal stringer welds meet the side of hull. I only see it when looking at the right angle in the right light just cosmetic.

    John Walker - Matthews NC

    2021 Ranger RT198P - Mercury 150 4S - Enertia Eco
    VesselView Link - MotorGuide Tour Pro - Lowrance Carbons

  5. Banned
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    #5
    that's normal..........you want to see that. It means proper welds!.......my Polarkraft has them all the way down the sides.

  6. Member Extremeboating's Avatar
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    #6
    Yep. Some waviness is normal. As mentioned it's a stringer thing. If you don't see that, that's probably a bad thing. Does it look sort of crappy? Well, yeah, but I'd rather have a boat built right over it looking nice but not being able to hold itself together.
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  7. Member
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    Oct 2012
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    #7
    It's called metal FABRICATION. No tin boat comes out of a mold. It's a feature. I've had riveted boats and welded boats over 40 years and all have been "wavy".
    2015 Ranger RT188 DC; BassCat Storage Box; Mercury Optimax 115ProXS;
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  8. Member BOATS's Avatar
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    #8
    Same with my Xpress.
    XPRESS H 18 SS, YAMAHA 115

  9. Member tcesni's Avatar
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    Apr 2005
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    Smith Mountain Lake, VA and a cottage in Ontario
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    #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Linc515 View Post
    I received my new Ranger RT188 and think the sides of the hull are very wavy. I might be a bit too particular, but when you look down the side, it is very wavy and looks almost dented at spots. I didn't expect this from Ranger, but this is my first new aluminum boat I owned in over 20 years. So with the thinner hulls, maybe they are all like this.

    Can anyone with a newer RT 188 let me know if their boat is like this as well? I didn't notice this on the showroom model, and of course the dealer doesn't have any more in stock for me to compare.
    Its normal and how visible it is depends on the color of your boat and how the light hits it. 0.1” aluminum is reasonably stout, my first tin boat was made of 0.049” metal!

  10. Member
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    #10
    Yep nothing wrong with that.

  11. Member
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    #11
    Thanks for all the replies and confirming that it is normal. I love the boat and most things about it.
    2021 Ranger RT 188 w/ Mercury Pro XS 115, Lowrance Ghost, Lowrance HDS 12 Live, HDS 9 Live & Elite FS 9

  12. Member
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    Dec 2018
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    Livingston County, Michigan
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    #12
    My 2019 RT188 has them all the way down boat sides. It's a big tin boat don't sweat it, you got the new boat buyer's remorse. After you fish on it for awhile you will be saying damn I'm a lucky man.

  13. Member
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    Jun 2021
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    #13
    You will most likely find that it changes in different temps. Aluminum expands and contracts significantly compared to other materials.

  14. Member
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    Jul 2017
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    st petersburg fl
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    #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Linc515 View Post
    I received my new Ranger RT188 and think the sides of the hull are very wavy. I might be a bit too particular, but when you look down the side, it is very wavy and looks almost dented at spots. I didn't expect this from Ranger, but this is my first new aluminum boat I owned in over 20 years. So with the thinner hulls, maybe they are all like this.

    Can anyone with a newer RT 188 let me know if their boat is like this as well? I didn't notice this on the showroom model, and of course the dealer doesn't have any more in stock for me to compare.
    yep my 2016 has the same thing so build process remains the same

  15. Member
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    Jan 2018
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    Georgetown, Kentucky
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    #15
    I'm a welder by trade. I own a triton tx18 which is the exact same hull as the rt. As these guys have said you really want to see that. Mine has it. The only way to get them out is to sand/buff the blister down and as thin as these hulls are you'd be asking for all kinds of trouble if you took material away. It bugged me at first but I love the rig and ive gotten used to it.
    Derek McCarty

  16. Member
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    Sep 2018
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    Texas
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    #16
    I could see mine until I repainted with Raptorliner. Now they no longer show due to the texture of the paint.