New RT188 Thoughts

[FloridaFlyer]

So... my motor warranty is running out. I like having the outboard under warranty. This has had me looking at a new RT and thinking of trading...

I want to stay with the RT188. It suits me fine and is a great boat to fish from....it does smallish water and bigger water both. I really like the boat ----- I am just getting the itch to trade for a new boat...

So, I look at them and shop and look at pricing. I cannot believe what they are costing now. A new one fairly loaded with goodies is pushing $40,000. Not quite 40 but pushing it. Maybe even over that when you figure taxes and all that. I mean... FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR AN ALUMINUM RT ?????

I am stopping even shopping or looking. I will gamble on the motor and stuff and I have it like I want it. My itch for a new boat has stopped itching.

[tcesni]

So... my motor warranty is running out. I like having the outboard under warranty. This has had me looking at a new RT and thinking of trading...

I want to stay with the RT188. It suits me fine and is a great boat to fish from....it does smallish water and bigger water both. I really like the boat ----- I am just getting the itch to trade for a new boat...

So, I look at them and shop and look at pricing. I cannot believe what they are costing now. A new one fairly loaded with goodies is pushing $40,000. Not quite 40 but pushing it. Maybe even over that when you figure taxes and all that. I mean... FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR AN ALUMINUM RT ?????

I am stopping even shopping or looking. I will gamble on the motor and stuff and I have it like I want it. My itch for a new boat has stopped itching.

I’d keep what you have but admittedly I don’t see boat prices coming down. Maybe the prices will flatten but one can hope. Be sure you take a close look at the new RT188 as I think you have one of the early ones. The new ones look like the original but there are a lot of small changes that may or may not be important to you. For example. It’s a bit narrower beam at the front.

[rangerman942]

I’m a former Ranger dealer from way back…..keep what you have as long as it’s running good. Save up your “new boat” payment and re-power yours if the motor goes. But that’s just me. When I sold my dealership in 2006, you had to work really hard to spend 60k on a new glass boat and 18-20k on a new tin rig. Now that won’t touch one.

[Grizzly]

I had my old 2006 Mercury for 16 years and it never had an issue. I made sure I kept up on maintenance which really wasn't that much.

[GeauxTide]

With my recent health challenges, I haven't been fishing as much. My 2015 Opti has 105 hours and the warranty runs out next year. My dealer advised keeping my motor because they have a 1500 hour life, and my use of 89 octane fuel, Star Tron Conditioner and Ring Cleaner has my induction system pristine. I'm looking for a warranty extension with the cost of a new 115 at 15-18k.

[ncbass]

Contact Don at European Marine and see if you qualify for an extended warranty (protection plan), if so Don can save you some $$ if you choose to go that route

[Bill Reynolds]

I just Re-powered my RT188. I had a 115 Optimax with almost 700 hours. It ran great and was in good shape but I felt that I should trade it while it had value.
I traded it for a new 115 Merc 4 stroke with 5 years Platinum warranty. Love it.
I have a lot of custom mods on my boat and trailer and now have it
just like I want it. I looked at a new one yesterday and the price is almost double what I paid in 2013.

[Johnnyred]

Keep the motor, insure yourself with your own cash, and treat your motor gently

[rangerguy35]

I would keep it. What I am doing. My motor has until the end of this year I believe similar to you. But I am always looking at boats just cause. Ever since my hull cracked on my 198p I feel like it's going to do it again. But its been almost a year now with no issues. I don't know what I am worried about lol. The new ones are so much now I really don't think they are worth it. Pricing isn't going to get any better either like mentioned above. I'm going to just enjoy what I have and when it's time for a new one, I guess I will deal with that when the day comes. But no way I am going to pay almost 50k for a new 198p. I feel like an aluminum boat cannot cost that much to make and this newer pricing is ridiculous and pure greed.

[FloridaFlyer]

What did they do to fix your 198...reweld or replace the hull??

In my first post, I said I am through shopping. I will still look, but my fever to buy a new boat has passed.

I would not worry about your 198 if it has been a year.

[javjoe]

I would keep your boat and not worry about it. Yeah, it's going to be a new boat but it won't perform any different. Save the money and enjoy what you have!

[rangerguy35]

What did they do to fix your 198...reweld or replace the hull??

In my first post, I said I am through shopping. I will still look, but my fever to buy a new boat has passed.

I would not worry about your 198 if it has been a year.

Luckily I caught it before anything major. The keel had a tiny crack in the weld on the driver side. They rewelded the keel. My dealer also installed these "braces" 3 of them to be exact where the keel likes to crack on these boats. It's kind of ugly if we are being honest but it's held up great. I just think the 1st owner beat it up some. I slow down when it's windy and baby it like my old fiberglass. And I have had zero issues with it. Absolutely love fishing from my boat.