It痴 been a long time since posting here. I sold my Ranger dealership back in 2006, sold my Z21 in 2012 and forgot about fishing for a while. I知 ready to start again. I am looking at the RT series. From the specs, it looks like the 178 and 188 are the same beam, I assume the 178 is just a foot shorter. Does anyone know if they are 5he same width up front?
Yes they're the same. Only difference in the hull is the length and the hp rating. The front deck layout is quite different.
Thanks,I knew the deck layout was different, was curious about the size.
Last edited by rangerman942; 06-13-2019 at 08:58 PM.
Not saying the 178 doesn't fish well, but that extra foot in the 188 makes a world of difference, at least it did for me.
Unless there is a good reason for going to the 178....like price or garage space, I would definitely go with the 188 myself. You never know when you will fish bigger water, and I would lots rather have the 115 and the extra length on large reservoirs. They make one heck of a boat for fishing when you sit up front with the troller down.
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The bitterness of poor quality is remembered
long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten - Benjamin Franklin
2013 RANGER RT188 - YAMAHA F115 - ULTREX - LOWRANCE GRAPHS
LOCK-N-HAUL Transom Saver, ALL ABOARD Emergency Ladder
1996 RANGER CHEROKEE - 40 YAMAHA
RT188, Helix, and Ultrex make a magnificent package. With your favorite 115, it can't be beat. With a full load and 2 fisherman, I burn about 5 gallons in a day's fishing. Cruise faster than the 178/75 at WOT.
2015 Ranger RT188 DC; BassCat Storage Box; Mercury Optimax 115ProXS;
19" Spitfire X7; Vessel View Mobile; Minn Kota Ultrex 80; GForce Handle;
TM Eliminator; Helix 7 G2N SI Combo F/R; HydroWave KVD; BBT 4" Angled Bow Mount; Durasafe Locks for Electronics and Ultrex;
Twist Step Boarding Ladder; EZEE Step ES1; BAC RAC Rod Storage; Motor Mate Transom Saver
That is exactly what I did to mine and I agree totally!Originally Posted by GeauxTide
2016 Ranger RT188 Charcoal Metallic Dual Console
2017 Yamaha 115 VMAX SHO SS Prop
Lowrance Elite 7Ti in console
Humminbird Helix 10 SI on BBT Bow Mount
Humminbird Helix 10 SI on a BalZout @ Console
Minn Kota Ultrex 80 - 24V i-Pilot Link
Transducer Shield Mount
Custom step in place of center seat
Trick Step
I have a RT178 with a 75hp Mercury and can tell you a little bit about what you can expect from one. I have a 17p spitfire X7 4 blade prop and my boat is loaded heavy in general with a lot of gear and 4 batteries. With two people my top speed is 35 MPH at 4500 rpm and by myself top speed is 38 sometimes 39, it seems like my rpm is a little low to me. At 35mph cruising around the motor does not seem stressed at all still very quiet but I generally drive around between 28-32 just because I am not in a hurry and checking things out. I may be more sensitive to motion than others because I do get vertigo seldom or motion sickliness also my fishing partners are not light on there feet my any means so with the trolling motor down I can feel the boat rock a little sometimes but it does not bother me. I had the boat 3 years and have been very happy with it the boat handles well sips gas the ride is dry and I do fish bigger lakes Barkley, Dale Hollow and even been on Erie over to Kelley's island watching the weather of course. If I move south I will keep the boat move North maybe a RT198 or a Lund.
I ended up purchasing a custom Rt188 with a 150/105 jet. I’m picking it up next week. Photos to follow. Thanks for all the information.
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