The Ranger VS1780 aluminum Deep-V!

[Pro's Choice Pete]

This boat has been a long time coming, and I can tell you first hand that it was worth the wait! Jerry and I had the opportunity to test, video, and photograph the first one to roll through Angler's Port Marine last week. I have been waiting patiently since last December when I saw one for the first time, and I was not disappointed!
First, here are the specs:
CAPACITIES

• Overall Hull Length.......17' 8"
• Beam.......96"
• Engine Shaft Length.......25"
• Maximum HP.......135
• Hull Thickness....... .100"
• Chine Width.......80"
• Inside Depth.......23.5"
• Fuel Capacity (gal).......24
• Approximate Boat Weight.......1300
• Total Persons.......6

ROD BOX LENGTHS

• Center Rod Box Length8' 6"

TRAILER

• Trailer GVWR (lbs.)SM2995

I towed it to Truman State Park, and I can tell you that it towed like a dream. This trailer was equipped with surge brakes, and the boat featured a rear deck extension w/jump seats. This was the very first deck extension that Ranger has produced on these hulls, and they built a winner.



Large front and rear livewells!


The big center rod locker. The trolling motor batteries are stowed under deck in here:


Optional snap-in carpet:

A very large, very wide front deck with ample storage:

[Pro's Choice Pete]

There was a pretty good chop on the water Friday night, and after some break-in time on the motor we put the hammer down. With Jerry and I, livewells full, camera gear, and almost 1/2 tank of gas we broke 43mph several times with the 125HP Optimax. I wish we had more time, I would have loved to had the chance to try some different props.
The ride was noticeably DRY. When we got to the lake after work the wind was blowing pretty good and then died down as the evening wore on. I saw spray on the windshield twice, and those two times were during the 1st hour of motor break-in when we had the motor trimmed way down while we driving through a cross chop or doing a U-turn.
The boat was noticeably QUIET. There was very little hint of aluminum sound while driving in this boat, and that is thanks to all of the flotation foam that Ranger is famous for. This boat was solid, had a very soft ride, excellent holeshot (see video), and took corners without sliding or blowing out.

[Pro's Choice Pete]

Video, in HD:

[jigncraw]

Great looking boat!

[Bitman]

Awesome rig. How much are they going for approximately. Thx

[LikeToFish]

Thanks for the quick review and the pics. It looks very nice. Does this hull come in a longer length? Do you think the rubber gasket on the storage compartments will keep the contents dry?

[PolarKraft195]

Do you think the rubber gasket on the storage compartments will keep the contents dry?

My Competitor 175 has the same type rubber gaskets, and they have NO leaking issues at all, not a drop!
i will say that when I bought the boat, I took the rubber gaskets off, and applied a marine waterproof silicone to them, and re- applied them.

[ontariobasser]

For the first time boat its a nice start.

[Junk Fisherman]

Looks good.

Make it a foot longer with a 150 HP rating and make it a single console and I think it might be my next boat!

[Pro's Choice Pete]

Thanks for the quick review and the pics. It looks very nice. Does this hull come in a longer length? Do you think the rubber gasket on the storage compartments will keep the contents dry?

Currently this is the longest deep-v they are producing. Maybe one of these days we will see a bigger one though. Ranger did an excellent job of making the compartments dry, which is very hard to do in an aluminum boat.

[Pro's Choice Pete]

Awesome rig. How much are they going for approximately. Thx

Mid to upper 20's totally depending on equipment. There are side console, dual console, and walk-thru configurations, and you know how equipment can change the price of a boat FAST. Put one HDS-12 Touch on it and she goes up $3200!

[LiveToDrive76]

I like the layout, looks like it would make a fine walleye harvesting rig.