Ranger RT 198 P Review after one year of ownership!

[raisinrat]

I recently put this review together on the Ranger RT 198 P after I have owned it for a year and the new shiny thing syndrome wore off.

Enjoy

[Casslaw]

Wow, I had no idea that boat was THAT big! It looks like you have customized your boat to suit your needs perfectly and I’m gonna guess you’re a little OCD about your boat? LoL. The clip system is really nice and you carry a lot with you! Super impressed with that boat...and the quality of the video!

Great Job! I could never dream of leaving soft plastics outside in south Florida...they melt on my hook sometimes! I’m going to guess your boat is stored in a climate controlled garage of some kind?

[raisinrat]

Wow, I had no idea that boat was THAT big! It looks like you have customized your boat to suit your needs perfectly and I’m gonna guess you’re a little OCD about your boat? LoL. The clip system is really nice and you carry a lot with you! Super impressed with that boat...and the quality of the video!

Great Job! I could never dream of leaving soft plastics outside in south Florida...they melt on my hook sometimes! I’m going to guess your boat is stored in a climate controlled garage of some kind?

Nope in the driveway with the cover on most of the time. My driveway doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight in the daytime and it's on the north side of my home. I do leave my bilge door open to allow for air flow while the battery charges. and if I get water in the hatches I do prop them all open so they can dry out and not get any mold build up in there. I still have some things I want to do to the boat also.

I store panfish tackle and rods, muskie bass and walleye rods in it in the spring. I can really load this boat up. In that video that is maybe the less amount of tackle and rods in the boat all year. I live on Lake St. Clair so we have world-class everything within a short drive so it's nice not have to change out what the boat has in it at certain times of the year. Just hook it up and go. I am thinking a nighttime sturgeon trip is due in the boat soon. So I have to figure out an anchor that will hold this boat and not be huge. I will be anchoring in very deep water with very fast current.

FYI not super OCD I just straightened things up a little for the video lol

[Tim Kelly]

Great film, very good production values. Glad you're enjoying your boat.

[Casslaw]

Wow that surprises me greatly! In central Florida I take EVERYTHING out of my boat before I put the cover on. The humidity and water in the carpets freaks me out. I do open all the hatches and keep them open...yesterday and today it’s 95 or so...feels like 99-101 and even with low 56% humidity it’s hot and sticky here!

It does sound like you have a huge variety of fish to go after. Down here it’s largemouth or panfish. Great video, I’ve been looking into a live action camera but you have it down! Even the drone view while catching a fish?! Bravo sir, bravo!

[n2bassn]

Thanks for the review. I also have a RT 198P that I have had since November of 2017. I totally agree with your review when it comes to the positives. As far as negatives, I agree that two back compartments are just to small. As a matter of fact right now both of them are empty in my boat. I just pretend they are not there. I put a large waterproof storage container in my bilge area that I keep prop wrench, spare hub, tool box, tow rope, flares, spare trolling motor prop and a few other small items. I wished Ranger put a lock on the step storage. I suppose I could also do that myself. You didn’t say anything about the trailer. I will put in my two cents.
The trailer is absolute perfect especially the fact that it comes standard with Vault hubs. Leaf springs are good considering the weight of the boat but I have wondered if torsion type suspension would be better. Don’t forget that trailer has armor guard finish, swing tongue, hydraulic brakes and ratchet tie downs.

[raisinrat]

Thanks for the review. I also have a RT 198P that I have had since November of 2017. I totally agree with your review when it comes to the positives. As far as negatives, I agree that two back compartments are just to small. As a matter of fact right now both of them are empty in my boat. I just pretend they are not there. I put a large waterproof storage container in my bilge area that I keep prop wrench, spare hub, tool box, tow rope, flares, spare trolling motor prop and a few other small items. I wished Ranger put a lock on the step storage. I suppose I could also do that myself. You didn’t say anything about the trailer. I will put in my two cents.
The trailer is absolute perfect especially the fact that it comes standard with Vault hubs. Leaf springs are good considering the weight of the boat but I have wondered if torsion type suspension would be better. Don’t forget that trailer has armor guard finish, swing tongue, hydraulic brakes and ratchet tie downs.

I was going to put the trailer in there but went against it due to time. My coating has some issues. I haven't been able to take it to and leave it at my dealer yet for them to deal with it. These issues where there since day one of when I picked it up but just didn't notice them until I gave it a really good cleaning in March when I unwrapped it to go walleye and pike fishing. So until I can live without the boat at the ready for a week or so it can wait. I am thinking maybe over the winter I will have it delt with then since I will be working my butt off at the tackle store selling ice fishing gear. We are way busier in the winter at the shop then the summer and the summer gets pretty busy. My day job is the buyer and product specialists for the largest family-owned tackle store in metro Detroit. We have two shops the big store 10,500 sqft and the other smaller one is 3,500.

[raisinrat]

Great film, very good production values. Glad you're enjoying your boat.

I am thinking about doing a custom tin boat build for small water hoping, maybe next year. Maybe a 12 or 13 footer just a decked out one man rig. There are some very small lakes and rivers that would be great to get into and this boat is too large for it. You know those put the wheels just in the water and push it off the trailer kind of place. lol Then winch and muscle it back on lol

[figueira]

Nice video review.
I think that the reason for the small compartments on the back is the fact that they put a lot of foam in there to give the boat more buoyancy.
But yes bigger compartment would be great
Also two poles been allowed.

[SOONER*REDNECK]

[pabasshawk]

Great video. I have the same boat but with an E-tec. I love the boat so far. I added 2 10 inch birds and a power pole on mine. The only thing I hate is that I did not order the adjustable steering wheel. The cockpit is tight and I have skinned my knee on the edge of the console getting out from behind the wheel several times.

[Fitzh20]

Nice rig !! Ranger must have listened the 2019 models have larger rear storage, a new console and you can run dual power poles.

[King_Fish]

Nice video; however, it neglects to discuss important things like performance, handling and trailering...

Love my 198p and my Pros and Cons are consistent with yours. My performance, top end 60-61 w/ optimum conditions, prefer to cruise comfortably at 55, which is no problem w/ a tourney load. As w/ all aluminum boats, they ain't-a-gonna handle the wakes and waves like a glass, but, you just need seat time to learn how to negotiate that stuff. Fishes nice in wind and high current, but as w/ all aluminum rigs you gotta stay on the TM to keep 'er straight. Trailers great, no issues there...

Oh, and BTW, one more important thing - she catches fish!

[CastingCall]

Great review, and excellent video/production work!! Very enjoyable to watch - I like your transitions between shots. I marvel at some of your guy's production skills.

Couple questions:
1. Do you get any flexing of the smaller compartment lids when you stand on them? Noticed there was no reinforcement on any of the smaller ones.
2. Are gas struts an option on the lids? I'd be adding some if they weren't available as an option. Especially the bilge access - it's a pain having to work around a block keeping that large of a lid open (I've done it on my boat before, and have the bruises to show for it).

[raisinrat]

Couple questions:
1. Do you get any flexing of the smaller compartment lids when you stand on them? Noticed there was no reinforcement on any of the smaller ones
I haven't really notice any the front deck.
2. Are gas struts an option on the lids? I'd be adding some if they weren't available as an option. Especially the bilge access - it's a pain having to work around a block keeping that large of a lid open (I've done it on my boat before, and have the bruises to show for it)
Not that I know of ,I want to add one to that hatch and the port rod locker tackle storage hatch.

[raisinrat]

Nice video; however, it neglects to discuss important things like performance, handling and trailering...

Love my 198p and my Pros and Cons are consistent with yours. My performance, top end 60-61 w/ optimum conditions, prefer to cruise comfortably at 55, which is no problem w/ a tourney load. As w/ all aluminum boats, they ain't-a-gonna handle the wakes and waves like a glass, but, you just need seat time to learn how to negotiate that stuff. Fishes nice in wind and high current, but as w/ all aluminum rigs you gotta stay on the TM to keep 'er straight. Trailers great, no issues there...

Oh, and BTW, one more important thing - she catches fish!

Empty I got 62 when I 1st got it. I fish on the great lakes a lot and end up in a lot of rough water and water does make its way into the boat. I haven't spared a wave yet fingers crossed. lol Loaded up fully 55 to 58 is my best speed. I get my best gas mileage somewhere around 35 to 40 mph on the GPS. I like the ride of the boat with a 22 pitch prop also with a 21 RPM got to high.

I am going to do a second video answer all these questions I have gotten here, facebook and my youtube channel so if anyone has anymore ask away.

[raisinrat]

For those wanting to know how she handles big water. It can do the drive does play a big roll. I didn't get the camera turned on for the really big waves I turned it on after I hit some monster sets. I didnt go out there to make this kind of video that day.

[n2ratfishin]

Hey that looks like a few days I’ve spent on KY Lake. About all you can do is back off and read the water trying not to spear em. The RT188, and it appears the 198 is VERY responsive to throttle input! I know I can speak to the 188. I may only be able to make 25 mph on some days out there and I’m going to get wet, so I’ll clear decks and don rain gear. It’s gotten me back every time and if you can drive rough water with any kind of common sense it isn’t near as bad as you think coming out of glass.

[hornedfrog21]

Great vid! I subscribed...

[raisinrat]

Hey that looks like a few days I’ve spent on KY Lake. About all you can do is back off and read the water trying not to spear em. The RT188, and it appears the 198 is VERY responsive to throttle input! I know I can speak to the 188. I may only be able to make 25 mph on some days out there and I’m going to get wet, so I’ll clear decks and don rain gear. It’s gotten me back every time and if you can drive rough water with any kind of common sense it isn’t near as bad as you think coming out of glass.

The 198 rides as good if not better in some ways from my buddies skeeter. But his is also an older skeeter so that may play a role. Plus I have been told many times the driver matter a ton!.