Ranger RT 188p, anyone else?

[Scuba Scott]

I don’t know that it is a “big deal” , a few inches or not, but ranger boats in general have always been know for how well they track with the trolling motor down. If the newer P models ride higher then I assume they may not track as well. I think we understand that aluminum will get blown around versus glass. It was just a question about the newer pad style hulls with which I have never been in.

[Stratovarius]

The thing that I don't understand is, how do they expect 115 hp to lift that hull? A true pad vee boat needs power to really pack air under the strakes and lift the hull out of the water, but with only 115 ponies on the back, I can't see this rig breaking 50mph? Seems a little sad for "pad hull" hype.

[xpress monster]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t this hull design the same as the Triton Magnums?

[Stratovarius]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t this hull design the same as the Triton Magnums?

It DOES look a ton like the old Triton Magnum Hull. Just de-rated and sold for more?!?!?

[TritonTRXV8]

The thing that I don't understand is, how do they expect 115 hp to lift that hull? A true pad vee boat needs power to really pack air under the strakes and lift the hull out of the water, but with only 115 ponies on the back, I can't see this rig breaking 50mph? Seems a little sad for "pad hull" hype.

Same here. Especially with dual power poles loaded down with gear it wont be any faster than the mod v just not enough ponies. Idk why it just looks heavy in the pics. Sharp boat tho i like alot of the changes. Should run a 150 on this hull and a 175 on the 198p. The sky did fall for some tho cuz the nose sits a couple inches higher tho so sales probly gonna go down wont be the best boat ever “with the trolling motor down” anymore.

[Stratovarius]

Same here. Especially with dual power poles loaded down with gear it wont be any faster than the mod v just not enough ponies. Idk why it just looks heavy in the pics. Sharp boat tho i like alot of the changes. Should run a 150 on this hull and a 175 on the 198p. The sky did fall for some tho cuz the nose sits a couple inches higher tho so sales probly gonna go down wont be the best boat ever “with the trolling motor down” anymore.

"With the trolling motor down" that's so silly. My Gambler is pointed sky high when I'm behind the console, but when I climb up on the front deck, especially with a buddy, it levels right out. I imagine this boat would do the same. I agree, in that it does look sharp, it looks more like a true "tournament" boat to me-but hey, that's just my opinion.

[xpress monster]

I can almost guarantee it’s the old Magnum hull. In one video, The dude says “Ranger redesigned the back of the boat.” LOL! No, I’m not bashing Ranger boat company. Not sure why Triton stop selling the magnums, but they’re very nice boats.

[Tim Kelly]

I can almost guarantee it’s the old Magnum hull. In one video, The dude says “Ranger redesigned the back of the boat.” LOL! No, I’m not bashing Ranger boat company. Not sure why Triton stop selling the magnums, but they’re very nice boats.

I expect he was talking about moving the fuel tank under the seats to create more space in the back for batteries and pumps.

[JCWbassmaster]

Were all the speculations and theories correct about the new hull being more unstable and slower? Really looking hard at the 188 and 188P. What is the real world verdict?

[AlumaPro]

Never seen anyone mount the transom tie down directly to the jackplate/transom

[texoma]

Boats looks great. Looks like it will be a good rig with the 115.

[ILbassin]

I just fished my 188P at lake of the ozarks big bass bash last weekend. Surprisingly handled the lake fine and fished as stable as any other aluminum bass boat out there. Of course, I would of preferred glass on that lake but the 188P works best for me with my nearby lakes at home. Its still good enough to handle bigger water as long as a guy drives with some sense and works with the current conditions. Even with all the weight sitting off the transom and in the bilge I have, I don’t notice the bow high instability that seems to be a hot topic.

[sni-per]

According to the Ranger website, the difference is about $1,700.

The current rt188 and rt198p are $5k difference in base price. Unless the price of the rt198p is going up significantly I can't see how the rt188p could be priced 5k more than the current rt188.

[John Haggerty]

I never understood some peoples big deal with how the bow sits. If the nose sits a few inches higher it does absolutely nothing to the fishability of the boat its a tin youre gonna get blown around period. If i liked the layout better of the p model the fact that it may sit a few iches higher at the bow would certainly not be the reason i settle on layout

As one who flips and pitches almost always, the closer I can get to the water the better my presentation.

[Pagregss]

Back from the dead!

[n2ratfishin]

Standard 2017 RT188 Dual Console with a 115 ProXS 4S, no jack plate turning a 20 LaserII. I have not seen where the "P" is faster. It should ride better with more dead rise up front but a whole bunch of that will depend on the driver. I took this picture about a month ago.

[FloridaFlyer]

Same here. Especially with dual power poles loaded down with gear it wont be any faster than the mod v just not enough ponies. Idk why it just looks heavy in the pics. Sharp boat tho i like alot of the changes. Should run a 150 on this hull and a 175 on the 198p. The sky did fall for some tho cuz the nose sits a couple inches higher tho so sales probly gonna go down wont be the best boat ever “with the trolling motor down” anymore.

I know, right... I agree. You would think that they could figure out how to make a boat easy to balance where the front does not feel like you are standing on a hill. It sort of reminds me of the Tracker problem they have with the nose sitting so high at rest. Like standing on a hill all day and fishing. I like to be closer to the water. Easier to fish and the wind does not blow you around as bad with the front end lower.

Mt RT188 sits about perfectly level at rest. I have not fished out of this exact boat but I fished out of a Tracker 190 a pretty good bit and it looks similar. I am a pretty big guy but that thing still had the nose up with me up front. My RT is like standing on the floor in my den....level as can be.

[bassin74]

Never seen anyone mount the transom tie down directly to the jackplate/transom

those tie downs are for the travel cover. it's same thing on my rt198p