Finally got the 198 ranger out yesterday

[Phoenix#1]

finally got to take my ranger 198p out yesterday and wow what a nice boat. i also have a phoenix but i like the feel of this boat. super smooth to say the least. i have a few questions

1. my ultrex seems to make more noise on this tin boat vs my 112 ultrex on the phoenix. Its like there is alot more vibration. i have never had a 80 pound ultrex or a tin boat so i am not sure if the 80 for some reason makes more noise or if the tin dont obsrob the vibration as well as a fiberglass? or maybe there is somthing wrong with the ultrex?

2. My rig has a hydraulic plate and a 23 tempest. half tank and one person ran 60 at 6000 rpms. is that about right? i was expecting a little more speed maybe is the reason i ask. maybe a different prop? thanks all for any responses

[Bill Reynolds]

With respect to the noisy trolling motor:
On My first RT188 Hull, the trolling motor had a noisy vibration. It was like it built up a resonance. I had to put a piece of 3/4 plywood under the deck to quieten it down. Ranger replaced that hull in 2015 and moved everything over from the old hull, but they did not move the plywood. However, I did not have the noise like on the old hull.
I recently replaced the 80# MAXXUM with an 80# Ultrex and the Ultrex is much more noisy than the MAXXUM. part of it was related to vibration from the prop, I had to replace it with the prop off my MAXXUM. I have read several complaints on this forum about out of balance props on Ultrex’s.
My general observation after many years of using all the brands is that Minn Kota’s have more motor noise than MG.

[pabasshawk]

If you are running at 60 you are right in the ball park. You might get a couple more MPH out of it after you are broken in but 60 is about right. I don't have any noise issues with my Ultrex.

[javjoe]

60 is about right for these hulls, i wouldn't expect much more!

I have an 80lb Fortex on mine and don't notice any vibrations. I've seen complaints about vibrations from earlier Ultrex's. Could be the motor?

[Gsmith223]

What engine are you running?

[Phoenix#1]

150 merc four stroke

[Gsmith223]

150 merc four stroke

is it the ProXS of just the 4s. either way you are not propped quite right.

[Phoenix#1]

just regular four stroke no pro xs

[Gsmith223]

just regular four stroke no pro xs

Okay you only want to turn 5800 RPMs on that motor. I would send that prop to Mark Croxton and add some cup I bet you can get 62 MPH.

[Phoenix#1]

thats not smart craft just the dash gauges.

[Casslaw]

I’m glad you got your new boat out! Sounds like a winner! I’m sure these guys will know how to get that Ultrex quieted down.

[Wayne P.]

finally got to take my ranger 198p out yesterday and wow what a nice boat. i also have a phoenix but i like the feel of this boat. super smooth to say the least. i have a few questions

1. my ultrex seems to make more noise on this tin boat vs my 112 ultrex on the phoenix. Its like there is alot more vibration. i have never had a 80 pound ultrex or a tin boat so i am not sure if the 80 for some reason makes more noise or if the tin dont obsrob the vibration as well as a fiberglass? or maybe there is somthing wrong with the ultrex?

2. My rig has a hydraulic plate and a 23 tempest. half tank and one person ran 60 at 6000 rpms. is that about right? i was expecting a little more speed maybe is the reason i ask. maybe a different prop? thanks all for any responses

Check the trolling motor prop. Some are getting ones with props that have the hole off center.

[Phoenix#1]

[QUOTE=Casslaw;9881610]I’m glad you got your new boat out! Sounds like a winner! I’m sure these guys will know how to get that Ultrex quieted down.[/QUwi

will do wayne thanks...........wow your everywhere on here huh

[lineman42]

On my 198 my 80# MK was giving off vibs. thru the hull, so I put a 1/4" thick piece of rubber cut to the same size as the base and put it between the TM base and the top of the boat, it took about 90% of the vibs. out. Got the rubber sheet a Menards in the flooring dept.

[Phoenix#1]

mine has a noticeable wobble out of the water. i can see visible and feel it when i push the button and place my hand on the foot. I rotated the prop but i dont see any change . i took the prop off and the vibration stopped so i think it has to be in the prop?

[tcesni]

Check the trolling motor prop. Some are getting ones with props that have the hole off center.

Geez, how hard can it be to make a prop? Not exactly a high tech piece of plastic. I also was surprised when I switched from MG to MK this summer that the motor was noisier than I expected as I'd heard about how quiet MK was supposed to be. It's quiet up to 30 on the dial then gets a bit noisy.

[GeauxTide]

My Ultrex makes noise when turning due to electrical vs. cable. I have no vibration from the motor because I have a TH Marine Eliminator. Get one.

[AFCal88]

I have been looking into upgrading from my Maxxum to an Ultrex but i cant seem to wrap my head around having to spend $2000+ and then having to address vibration issues.

[TritonTRXV8]

Is the ultrex prop any different than the fortrex prop? Or they just have a bad batch in general?

[Lowerider58]

I believe they're the same prop for all the 24 volt motors. The 36 volt motors have a larger diameter motor housing so the prop is different. I imagine they may have gotten a bad batch of props. The prop that came with my Ultrex has been fine.