2020 Xpress x19 or Ranger RT 198P Opinions

[SwiftE]

If you have experience with either I appreciate your opinion. Your thoughts on resale, fit and finish, performance, durability, ETC. Ranger will have 150 pro xs 4 stroke and Xpress will have 175 SHO.Thanks in advance.

[PJ-Rohlf]

IMO I think the express is a better deal. If I recall the xpress may have a thicker hull as well

[froggerbass]

Xpress. No question

[RFSims]

Xpress. they have a pad hull like a glass boat. my dad had one and it rode and handled as well as my glass boat.

[BassmanZF6]

Xpress but get it with the 200hp motor, the 175 is undersized for that boat.

[BBW]

I have owned a ranger 188 ,vt18 crestliner,and a x19 over the past 4 years I made the choice between the x19 and the ranger 198p , i sold my x19 this summer , i didn't like the way is handled after reading about all the cracked hulls on these welded boats if i was going to buy again i would give serious look at lund, i am waiting to see what changes they are making on there 1875 I picked up a 2004 tracker 175 with a 50 mercury my neighbor had stored in barn very little used and decided to fish smaller water until later i kinda like the old tracker fishes and handles pretty good for four thousand dollars added 2 garmins and livescope does everthing the xpress did except 30 mph instead of 60 mph. by the way if i had to go back and choose between the 3 boats i owned it would be the ranger 188

[BassmanZF6]

I have owned a ranger 188 ,vt18 crestliner,and a x19 over the past 4 years I made the choice between the x19 and the ranger 198p , i sold my x19 this summer , i didn't like the way is handled after reading about all the cracked hulls on these welded boats if i was going to buy again i would give serious look at lund, i am waiting to see what changes they are making on there 1875 I picked up a 2004 tracker 175 with a 50 mercury my neighbor had stored in barn very little used and decided to fish smaller water until later i kinda like the old tracker fishes and handles pretty good for four thousand dollars added 2 garmins and livescope does everthing the xpress did except 30 mph instead of 60 mph. by the way if i had to go back and choose between the 3 boats i owned it would be the ranger 188

You can fish any water in TN out of a Tracker 175 if you operate it safely just like any other boat.

[BoatBuggy]

I have a 2018 RT198p with a 150 Opti that gets 95% of its use on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. It's a very fishable boat for two people and I'm quite satisfied with it but on big water you'll get your teeth rattled pretty good if the winds pick up. If you're of "above average size" the cockpit will be a little cramped and the tilt steering option is really a must. The back deck is pretty roomy but the storage back there is very limited. There's plenty of storage in the bow. I get about 53'ish MPH if I'm alone, 50'ish with a passenger.

That said, if there was an Xpress dealer in Canada I'd probably be in an Xpress. I've crawled around in a few and I thought they were a fine boat.

[PJ-Rohlf]

Xpress but get it with the 200hp motor, the 175 is undersized for that boat.

X19 with a 175 is a fine ride honestly. I have run a friends boat with that setup and saw 62-65 out of it.

[BassmanZF6]

X19 with a 175 is a fine ride honestly. I have run a friends boat with that setup and saw 62-65 out of it.

Once you get it loaded down with gear, power poles, and 1 or 2 more people you will wish you had that extra 25hp.

[Mechanic Bob]

A lot depends on your size. I found the Xpress was jut too tight behind the helm for me. I thought is was an awesome boat otherwise.

[Rangerdeepv]

Lund...........never like the welded boats.

[PJ-Rohlf]

Once you get it loaded down with gear, power poles, and 1 or 2 more people you will wish you had that extra 25hp.

Will politely disagree. My numbers were loaded with 2 people, gear, and a 12' talon.

[BassmanZF6]

Will politely disagree. My numbers were loaded with 2 people, gear, and a 12' talon.

That's my point, you only got 65mph out of a 70+ MPH boat. Step down to the X18 if you want a 175 hp.

[kondan]

Xpress. they have a pad hull like a glass boat. my dad had one and it rode and handled as well as my glass boat.

The Ranger rt198p has a pad hull too, hence the "P" after the 198

[ReefOctopus]

I have owned a ranger 188 ,vt18 crestliner,and a x19 over the past 4 years I made the choice between the x19 and the ranger 198p , i sold my x19 this summer , i didn't like the way is handled after reading about all the cracked hulls on these welded boats if i was going to buy again i would give serious look at lund, i am waiting to see what changes they are making on there 1875 I picked up a 2004 tracker 175 with a 50 mercury my neighbor had stored in barn very little used and decided to fish smaller water until later i kinda like the old tracker fishes and handles pretty good for four thousand dollars added 2 garmins and livescope does everthing the xpress did except 30 mph instead of 60 mph. by the way if i had to go back and choose between the 3 boats i owned it would be the ranger 188

This hurt my brain

[madmurph]

This hurt my brain

[Cajunhunter67]

They both have their pro’s and cons.
The down side of the Xpress is the lockers usually will take on water in rain.

I can’t speak for the Ranger on that issue.

Don

[Marty1656]

I personally would go with the express after all the stories I’ve read about cracked ranger hulls.

[unknown angler]

Go to the tin boat forum and read about cracked Ranger welds and wet compartments. Also what used to be a good trailer isn't that way anymore.