Tracker 195 TXW vs. Ranger RT188

[AB7R]

Looking for a new boat and think I have it down to these two. The Tracker is 1 yr old and used...but unused by the original owner. I may be able to transfer the warranty for $200 but the boat is on consignment and the think the consignment dealer may count as the second owner. Tracker has a 12V Terrova and a Lorance 5" FF, Vinyl floors throughout which I like and a ProXS 150 Merc. 34K OTD. Basically the cost of a new one.

The RT188 is new so new warranty, I am getting the 9" UHD Garmin and the 6" Garmin along with an 24V Ultrex TM. Has Merc ProXS 115 and the boat has the pad hull of a 188P. The 195 is about a foot longer and has a large bow casting deck.

When inspecting, the tracker welds did look suspect or sloppy and I found about 5 pinholes in the welds. The welds on the RT188 looked good. Also, the 188 has the boarding ladder and pop up cleats.

The price OTD on the 188 is 38K. Prices are rediculous!!! I think I am better off with spending the extra 4K for the Ranger. What do you all think??

Trailers are the same.

Thanks
Greg
USN Ret

[E-rude_Dude]

My Ranger cracked threads in the tin boats section. May be worth a read to you.

[Mcjenson]

I owned a tracker 195, and it was a pretty low quality boat to be honest. Vinyl flooring starts peeling almost immediately, and that 12v trolling motor is way undersized. I’d lean towards the ranger, but at those prices I’d rather look at used fiberglass rigs.

[Casslaw]

The difference between a 115 and a 150 is pretty huge on a tin! I’d get the Tracker and upgrade the trolling motor and electronics.

Then again, I’ve had a tin for almost 3 years now and I can’t wait to go back to a glass boat! I’m tired of being so weight sensitive, blowing around like a sailboat and just being slow! None of those things help in a tournament! But for what I originally got my boat for, fishing smaller lakes, it’s perfect.

[Slicefixer]

Can't add much to what's been said above, but, the Ultrex (or something comparable) is going to set you back $2.5k +.....graphs.....etc. That'll eat up your $4k, or most of it.

Honestly, it all depends upon your mission, etc. I looked hard to find a tournament class Al boat (I'd classify mine as "semi-tournament class" nowadays) to rebuild like I wanted it. That was my mission and it's turned out A-ok.....and I saved over $20k+. I'd really think about your primary use and go from there. (Or maybe you've long ago done just that)

[Mechanic Bob]

I would think the tracker will give you a better ride in the chop, if you fish areas prone to chop. All depends on your fishing style? As stated above you can always upgrade the tracker with better FF and trolling motor.
Now that I am older and have taken a un-wanted swim in the winter, a boarding ladder is a must on my boats.
My Ranger has some crappy looking welds too.
What boat do you feel comfortable in? That's the one I would get.

[Mcjenson]

I would think the tracker will give you a better ride in the chop, if you fish areas prone to chop. All depends on your fishing style? As stated above you can always upgrade the tracker with better FF and trolling motor.
Now that I am older and have taken a un-wanted swim in the winter, a boarding ladder is a must on my boats.
My Ranger has some crappy looking welds too.
What boat do you feel comfortable in? That's the one I would get.

I wouldn’t guarantee a better ride on the 195, mine was pretty bad with that hull style.

[Mechanic Bob]

I wouldn’t guarantee a better ride on the 195, mine was pretty bad with that hull style.

That surprises me as I would have thought the Vee on the 195 would cut through the waves better?

[Mcjenson]

That surprises me as I would have thought the Vee on the 195 would cut through the waves better?

Any kind of rough water and you are basically idling. The design just doesn’t do well in rough water.

[PolarKraft195]

That surprises me as I would have thought the Vee on the 195 would cut through the waves better?

it does!!!

[PolarKraft195]

I wouldn’t guarantee a better ride on the 195, mine was pretty bad with that hull style.

My Polarkraft TX195 Pro has a hull VERY similar to the Tracker Revolution Hull that's on the Tracker 195, and it handles rougher water GREAT!!! ( I run Lake Erie!)
below is a picture off the web of the Polarkraft 195 hull from bow. Notice the deeper deadrise in the bow. Cuts through 3 ft'ers like my fiberglass Champion I owned! i owned an Xpress, and they are not good in rougher water!

pk.jpg

[ReefOctopus]

You should just be a walking advertisment for Polarkraft. Everything is "great" lol

My Polarkraft TX195 Pro has a hull VERY similar to the Tracker Revolution Hull that's on the Tracker 195, and it handles rougher water GREAT!!! ( I run Lake Erie!)
below is a picture off the web of the Polarkraft 195 hull from bow. Notice the deeper deadrise in the bow. Cuts through 3 ft'ers like my fiberglass Champion I owned! i owned an Xpress, and they are not good in rougher water!

pk.jpg

[PolarKraft195]

You should just be a walking advertisment for Polarkraft. Everything is "great" lol

what can I say...................pk decal.jpeg

[FloridaFlyer]

You should just be a walking advertisment for Polarkraft. Everything is "great" lol

I see these posts a lot....
This is the issue... very common.

What Is Post-Purchase Rationalization? Post-purchase rationalization is a cognitive bias whereby someone who has purchased an expensive product or service overlooks any faults or defects in order to justify their purchase. Post-purchase rationalization is often called “Buyer's Stockholm Syndrome”.

And I see the posts a lot...Yes, his PK might ride better and be a better rig than my RT.... BUT a PK is far far far from being the best aluminum boat out there...far far from it. There are a LOT of better ones. But you have to ignore the problem above to see it.

[ifishinxs]

'The price OTD on the 188 is 38K. Prices are rediculous!!! I think I am better off with spending the extra 4K for the Ranger. What do you all think?'

For that Price your better off buying a Vexus 1880.

[AB7R]

'The price OTD on the 188 is 38K. Prices are rediculous!!! I think I am better off with spending the extra 4K for the Ranger. What do you all think?'

For that Price your better off buying a Vexus 1880.

Closest dealer to Idaho is MN. :(

[KMariano]

I bought a RT188C this May. It came with pop up cleats, hydraulic steering, a storage bin in front of the driver console, and a stepped transom. I don't know if the bottom shape of the "pad" hull is different or not.

[Tinman90]

I bought a RT188C this May. It came with pop up cleats, hydraulic steering, a storage bin in front of the driver console, and a stepped transom. I don't know if the bottom shape of the "pad" hull is different or not.

I believe ranger is possibly using the same hull as the trackers now from what little I've seen online about them at least when it comes to the non pad hulled rangers.

[ttranger]

The only thing I see as a possible advantage on the Tracker is the 150 HP as opposed to a 115. The overall quality on the Ranger is superior, it appears to be much better equipped, and resale value on Trackers is lousy. This would be a no-brainer for me.

[FloridaFlyer]

The only thing I see as a possible advantage on the Tracker is the 150 HP as opposed to a 115. The overall quality on the Ranger is superior, it appears to be much better equipped, and resale value on Trackers is lousy. This would be a no-brainer for me.

More good reasons. And regarding the wood debate. . The Trackers have wood. Wood will rot...plain and simple.

I think they are the only aluminum manufacturer and maybe ANY boat manufacturer left that puts wood in the bass boat. There may be one more I think.

I thought the poster might not know so I brought it up... say what you want --- it has wood and if it is in the Tracker I figure it is just cheaper...plain and simple