Ranger RT 188p, anyone else?

[Wil Holmes]

There is some guys sharing and talking about the new RT 188p. It brings up a conversation about the performance change and how it would potentially be more efficient, being that the hull is out of the water. Ranger maybe paying attention and willing to have better aluminum offerings. What is everyone’s thoughts or frustrations? Borrowed the photos from the FB Ranger Aluminum group.

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[GeauxTide]

Dang,wish they would have brought the pad hull out first.

[tcesni]

Two Power Poles on the transom? Say it ain't so! I wonder how much more this will cost over the regular RT188.

[Wil Holmes]

Two Power Poles on the transom? Say it ain't so! I wonder how much more this will cost over the regular RT188.

I read $5,000 from one of the guys on FB. That could be off or close.

[Wil Holmes]

Dang,wish they would have brought the pad hull out first.

I agree 100%. The boat will ride a bit more comfortably and allow for more options like twin poles.

[Tim Kelly]

What are those ridiculous looking bits of carpet under the console and in front of the passenger seat all about? They look like a bit of an afterthought Are they at an angle or just an odd way of finishing the vertical surface? Nice looking changes otherwise. I like the side rod box option. Shame the console seats aren't mounted forward a hair so you can store a net in the gap behind them.

[Skeeterbait]

They are anatomically correct foot boards. And yes they were obviously an add on.


Not an advantage here for me but that is just my style. I am sure many will love this design. But for my use, I much prefer the shallower draft and level at rest nature of the Mod-V model. I am not in a race and never in a hurry so I do not mind slowing down a bit in rougher water. Really don't want to beat me or the boat so not looking to go any faster in rough water. Seldom open the engine up full anyway. Also not a fan of flush mount electronics console or bow.

[Mr. Derek]

I read $5,000 from one of the guys on FB. That could be off or close.

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.

[Bill Reynolds]

I wonder if Ranger is thinking of market expansion?
For example:
Take 12 inches out of the 198P and keep the 150 Hp rating. (If that is possible). Now they are competing with Express.
Add 6 or 8 inches to the 198P and rate it at 175 or 200 HP. again going after Express.
Retain the existing RT mod V hull for the existing market.
This could also be a response to the Vexus boats challenging their market share.
Whatever the reason, I like what they did to the RT188.

[G4bama]

I see no performance value with the addition of a pad. These hulls have no defined keel line and flat bottomed. Trimming up to get on pad is a mute point because the whole transom is still in the water

[Pagregss]

Not too thrilled to see what looks like the cooler from the RT198 in front of the driver console. I would much prefer the storage space there that I have now. That "block", for lack of better term, at the bow with the graph in it looks like a child designed it.

[Xpress1]

Could be an interesting boat but they better not increase price too much. Especially for a 115 rating...

[G4bama]

I don't get the Mod V hull design. These hulls are in no way a Mod V, Semi V, any V as far as that goes. They are flat bottom hulls with a ridge line down the middle. I own one so I am not bashing the brand or design, just trying to understand why its called a Mod V hull. To me the Tracker hulls are a Mod V with a pad the way its meant to be.

[Tim Kelly]

I see no performance value with the addition of a pad. These hulls have no defined keel line and flat bottomed. Trimming up to get on pad is a mute point because the whole transom is still in the water

It looks like the transom is stepped back from the pictures, so presumably there would be some pad effect, though I agree that it's unlikely to add significantly to the top speed of the hull. It looks from the pictures that the bow rides higher, so it would make idle speed boat maneuvering more difficult potentially and doesn't look like it would be as stable as the existing 188, but time will tell. Once they're available it will be easier to find out more about them.

[GeauxTide]

I see no performance value with the addition of a pad. These hulls have no defined keel line and flat bottomed. Trimming up to get on pad is a mute point because the whole transom is still in the water

Until I owned a Lowe 18HP, I would have disagreed with this statement. I can confirm that it did NOT lift past the console. My Ranger lifts better, but is trim sensitive. Only tins I've been in that handle correctly is an Xpress X17 and X19. I'll also predict that you'll get 2mph for the 5K.

[Wil Holmes]

I wonder if Ranger is thinking of market expansion?
For example:
Take 12 inches out of the 198P and keep the 150 Hp rating. (If that is possible). Now they are competing with Express.
Add 6 or 8 inches to the 198P and rate it at 175 or 200 HP. again going after Express.
Retain the existing RT mod V hull for the existing market.
This could also be a response to the Vexus boats challenging their market share.
Whatever the reason, I like what they did to the RT188.

That is my first thoughts. Vexus has taken away Rangers market share and this is their answer. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 198p goes up in price and has the option for a 200hp. Could be way off too

[G4bama]

"It looks from the pictures that the bow rides higher, so it would make idle speed boat maneuvering more difficult potentially"

Without a doubt. I loved the ride of my Tracker 175, but the high bow made for very bad slow speed maneuvering and forget backing down.

[fishon396]

Not worth 5 grand more to me.

[Tim Kelly]

Hard to imagine it's really going to be a 5k premium.

[Trusty Rusty]

"It looks from the pictures that the bow rides higher, so it would make idle speed boat maneuvering more difficult potentially"

Without a doubt. I loved the ride of my Tracker 175, but the high bow made for very bad slow speed maneuvering and forget backing down.

I agree . Coming out of a 17 ft Xpress , I liked the pad hull ride but that booger was hell maneuvering around docks and ramps trying to keep the bow pointed in the right direction while backing up . The RT188 is like night and day different with it being level at rest . Not to mention the fishing stability