Originally Posted by
toadhead
Just getting back into the bulletin board and noticed this so my response is for those that have yet to make a decision...here's my experience...
I began my tin boat experience back with the RT178C loved it but after two years I decided I needed a bump it up to the RT188 (mainly bass fishing) though I was contemplating the RT198P but disliked that they painted the hull because one of my favorite nearby fishing lakes doesn't have a dock and just a launch ramp and didn't want to have a hull that showed a bunch of scratches so I opted to just go with the RT188 instead; have a rough start from the onset as there were quality issues with the fit and finish that couldn't be overlooked and not the experience I had loved and promoted with my former purchase. After working through those issues I finally had the boat I could be proud of. It was a great boat (VMAX engine) but after another 2 years later and a decision that I really needed to be on a pad hull with a faster engine I elected to evaluate the current state of Ranger boats (including entry level glass boats) and the new Vexus boats which I had been hearing about. To be frank one of the issues I have despite fishability of the boats is their appearance...if I am gonna buy a new boat I want it to look like it's a new boat and not an afterthought. I was unimpressed and frankly taken back by Ranger putting out a boat (both of my past boats were Charcoal Gray) that would have new "green decals" and seat color trim and yet still have the motor stay red trim (assuming Yamaha VMAX or Merc)...looking closer at the paint, I still saw imperfections in the paint process and again contributed to my decision process. I was impressed by the Vexus fit and finish (not quitely without flaws as my first Ranger boat was but they were tiny and not show stoppers). The space, the appearance, and conversations I had with others were later proven out...THERE IS NO COMPARISON between RT188 and AVX 1980 and are night and day different. You could argue that wouldn't be a fair comparison, I will grant you that but most people compare against what they presently own and what they intend to step up to...that's my yard stick and frankly I view my decision tree as gates to pass; the Ranger RT198P didn't pass the fit and finish gate nor the appearance gate and the Ranger glass boat once I loaded it with what I wanted, price me out of what I was willing to spend so I ended up with the Vexus AVX 1980 Summit White with the matching Evinrude Etec G2 150. This thing is a beast, it's very stable, every time I get on a lake I always get compliments (as I did with my former Ranger Charcoal Gray boats) and above all it's night and day when comparing on boats up on water. With regard to compartments and storage there are trade offs but I still lean toward the Vexus design. You give up under seat storage but get better seats that are way more comfortable for long fishing days. If I had a complaint about the Vexus its that I have to be more careful weaving between stumps to avoid banging against my Vexus logo appliqués. All in all, there is no comparison and if anyone was truly evaluating Vexus, go and knock tap on the boats you are evaluating and notice the difference in metal thickness, look at the paint finish, and think about the layout and fishability of the boat. Have them show you the battery compartment and think about serviceability.
Owned Ranger RT178C, RT188, and presently enjoying my Vexus AVX 1980 Summit White Bass Boat with matching Evinrude Etec G2 150
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