Ranger 188vs

[yetti462]

I am currently in a 462vs. I'm looking at a couple 188vs boats, lil wider, lil more room with pass console gone. Both 188 have 175's. Merc proxs And Vmax hpdi.
I have no experience with Yamaha. Which is better? Less maintenance? Cheaper Parts?

Any 188 owners want to give advice on boat, buy or run?

Thanks

[XingEyeballs]

Ran a 2003 185VS with 150 Yamaha VMAX in the OX66 for many years. Overall loved the boat, if properly maintained the Yamaha’s were very reliable and marine mechanics should be well versed. Mine was very stable fishing platform but not going to win a drag race with a 150 on it, low 50mph range top speed.

[besnyde]

Had a 2010 188vs with an optimax 175 that was a great boat. With no jackplate it ran 60, had no trouble with the motor in the 3 years I had it. Boat fishes well, I had no complaints. Traded it in on a 119 just to get a little bigger and faster for tournament fishing.

[Big J Mac]

Had a 188 vs with a 175 HPDI it is a very nice boat. Moved up to a Ranger Z519. Make sure there’s a Yamaha certified mechanic in your area Yamaha it’s funny about selling parts and things like that if you’re not a certified Yamaha dealer.

[Bassmada]

Have an 07 188vs single console with a 150 Yamaha vmax I wanted the same things as you and this did it for me without costing a fortune. I wanted a 175hp but this deal was too good to pass on. I've had it for 3 years now and it's run great since I've owned it. Co-angler likes it too. Solo I can probably hit 60, with co-angler 53, with a Yamaha prop, so with a 175 you should be in the high 60's. Boat is stable. It's a single gas tank but with the prices of gas these days I'm happy with that.