Sold my boat last year with intentions of taking a year off to get new home. Well, we are not moving, cant replace what we have. I had a couple of 20 foot glass boats. I am wondering if something like a Ranger rt198 would work? I like the price of 32K for a new boat but I have never been in an aluminum boat. Does anybody have any experience or advice, I believe a few have had similar? Thank you for your help, Brian LeFrancois
I like aluminum for everything except big waves and high wind. With the new ultrex type motors, powerpoles and spot lock the control isn't as bad as it used to be. Big waves and wind can be real challenging even in a glass boat. They are making some very nice bassboat style Lunds these days that I like and would buy if I were in the market. I had a Tracker tv-17 a few years back which wasn't bad except in wind and control was tough if you were trying to fish tight to cover etc. Good luck in the search.
Fart proudly. Author, Benjamin Franklin.
1998 SKEETER ZX 202-C
150 V-Max TRP
MinnKota Ultrex-112. All paid with cash of course!
Do you mean it was hard to manuever in tight spots when calm or only when windy? I'll have to see if there is a Lowe to look at it NH
yes, it kind of acts like a sail and you can get pushed around more than in a glass boat. Look at the new Lund bassboat too. I saw some pic's of it in the Lounge a few months back, very spacious and well thought out. I'm not familiar with Lowes boats.
Fart proudly. Author, Benjamin Franklin.
1998 SKEETER ZX 202-C
150 V-Max TRP
MinnKota Ultrex-112. All paid with cash of course!
Only drawback to aluminum was when it was windy. Tough getting around Winni, but not so bad with a 24V TM in the wind. I ran a Tracker PT 190 for 6 years.
Jim was the stability horrible compared to glass, or not too bad. I am becoming a fair weather fisherman anyway, no tournaments anymore
Wasn't bad at all, plus I think they are wider now. I would buy a PT 190W with the highest rated outboard and a 24V TM
The further the aluminum boats stick out of the water.the worse they are in the wind.
Like Jim says,put the biggest motor you can in the back to increase the weight back there.
It's no problem controlling the front with a 24v trolling motor,but the back will always want to be moving with the wind.
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PROCRAFT 170B/FORCE 120
This is true, my tv-17 acted exactly like that as it was a v-bow, the tx is more of a modified v and sits lower in the water.Originally Posted by cyclone70
Fart proudly. Author, Benjamin Franklin.
1998 SKEETER ZX 202-C
150 V-Max TRP
MinnKota Ultrex-112. All paid with cash of course!
I loved my aluminum. I ran a Triton Magnum 186 for years and loved it. That Triton hull was essentially the design that everyone else (Triton, Ranger, Lowe & Crestliner) took as the footprint for their current aluminum lines. At rest it was a comfortable platform to fish from and not as tippy as the Trackers....the new trackers are now wider. Realistically, that boat was fine for almost every lake that you would want to fish with the exception of Champlain and Winni on a bad day where you need to use some discretion. I never felt like I needed more boat until I moved to Texas and had to make a 12 mile run in 40 mph winds....again discretion. I never found it hard to control in the wind and I loved the fact that I could get as shallow as I wanted without worrying. It is not as smooth or dry as glass in anything better than 3' waves but again, it doesn't have the weight of glass. I would go back to that rig or the current Ranger aluminum in a heartbeat.
5 Short of a limit
Reach out to Chris Martin - he runs an aluminum boat series for tournaments and he has had a Ranger RT-188 for the last couple years. He fishes all water, any time of the year (i'm sure he has some challenges), but he and Mike Vining would be the go-to guys about it.
Scott Doughty
2022 Skeeter ZX225 - 2022 Yamaha 225 SHO
Salem, NH
I've had two G3's and a Tracker PT190. You will get your ass kicked in the PT190. No comparison to my G3 as far as ride, stability and quality. IMO.
I was at Cabelas looking at the Ranger RT and the Lowe. The Ranger quality is much better than the Lowe but one important factor was the width of the boat. Measuring the width just before it tapers to the front. The Ranger was only 54" Lowe measured 58" and my G3 measures 62". All 3 boats have an "85 inch" beam. supposedly. The quality is there with the Ranger and from what I can see is similarities to Xpress Boats which is a great thing. The G3 just changed their boats to the Sportmens models. The Eagle Talon was the previous model and I would highly recommend looking for a leftover. Check with Craig at NECC boats in Rochester NH.
2018 G3 Sportsman 17 90 SHO
Thanks for the help. Not sure if I really want aluminum. I like the option to afford new, but not sure if I will be disappointed after having 20 foot glass boats. My father and I weigh about 500, so that will matter! I'm not rushing in as much as I want to, Ill see how long I can last. I will check into the G3 though, I assume there are other dealers around. I'm afraid this time around after hearing of so many "new" motors blowing up the last few years, especially Yamahas. Cant imagine a 10 year loan and a few years of warranty.
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