Ranger RT198P hull welds failing?

[Highcentered]

Having fished out of an Xpress X17 and X19 for many years, I would never buy a tin boat with .100 gauge hull and transom that hangs a 450# 150hp motor on it.

Yeah my Xpress with .125 aluminum feels like a tank compared to the Tracker I had before it. Someone got a really well looked after Tracker when they bought mine but I knew it was just a matter of time before my home lake caught me off guard and got a little too moody for it. Fun fact...my home lake is Lake Maumelle and Maumelle is a Native American term for "large breast". Named after Pinnacle Mountain that you can see from all over the lake. Pinnacle looks like a large breast. Being built in a wind tunnel in the mountains it's fitting because the lake can turn into a pissed off woman at any given time.

[Highcentered]

You got that right.

Got my CX18ss with a 150 for way less then the AVX 1880 with a 115.

I even priced out the new Vexus rated for a 75hp last year and wanted to know what they were smoking. NOT a price point boat that's for sure. There's one with a 70hp Yamaha on it in my area and it's owned by what appears to be their target customer. Older guy who just wants something nice and really easy to handle.

[Coastal Mountaineer]

Since I've owned a Ranger aluminum since 2020, I've been on the lookout for bad hull problems posted on line. What I've noticed is the problems are predominantly with pre 2020 Ranger RT hulls. I believe they have changed something in the manufacturing process that has strengthened the hulls. I've not seen any postings on hull separation on Ranger aluminums in the past 4 years on BBC or Ranger face book groups.

[Johnnyred]

Since I've owned a Ranger aluminum since 2020, I've been on the lookout for bad hull problems posted on line. What I've noticed is the problems are predominantly with pre 2020 Ranger RT hulls. I believe they have changed something in the manufacturing process that has strengthened the hulls. I've not seen any postings on hull separation on Ranger aluminums in the past 4 years on BBC or Ranger face book groups.

Ranger re-designed the RT198p hull for the 2021 model year including additional bracing in the bow area. The instances where the hull was splitting open at or near the keel in the bow area were caused by welds failing on internal braces. The brace then popped thru the hull exterior.

[exFirefighter]

I have an 2021 Xpress X19 Pro for sale in Gainesville VA. 13.5 hrs and new electronics in March "24. Add on Boats4Sale section and more pics on CL DC to NVA. $48.5k

[Johnnyred]

I have an 2021 Xpress X19 Pro for sale in Gainesville VA. 13.5 hrs and new electronics in March "24. Add on Boats4Sale section and more pics on CL DC to NVA. $48.5k

Curious as to why your selling your boat? It seems like a good one.

[Saint1974]

The problem with the welds in the bow were from the ribs not contoured or fiT to the light plate aluminum they use . Look at it like this you push the rib"hat section "down with force to make it contact the bottom then it's welded. This creates high stress then it breaks and the plate relaxes. No means a catastrophic failure. Please forgive my grammar but I build boats for a living and have repaired em all. Problem with these failures is it has to be done from the inside which requires removing floor in rod locker and the foam.
ure

[Johnnyred]

The problem with the welds in the bow were from the ribs not contoured or fiT to the light plate aluminum they use . Look at it like this you push the rib"hat section "down with force to make it contact the bottom then it's welded. This creates high stress then it breaks and the plate relaxes.

That makes sense Casey. Thanks for posting your explanation on how the weld failures are happening.

[basshole51]

Yeah my Xpress with .125 aluminum feels like a tank compared to the Tracker I had before it. Someone got a really well looked after Tracker when they bought mine but I knew it was just a matter of time before my home lake caught me off guard and got a little too moody for it. Fun fact...my home lake is Lake Maumelle and Maumelle is a Native American term for "large breast". Named after Pinnacle Mountain that you can see from all over the lake. Pinnacle looks like a large breast. Being built in a wind tunnel in the mountains it's fitting because the lake can turn into a pissed off woman at any given time.

they should really sell I (heart) Maumelle shirts at the local tackle shop.....

[exFirefighter]

Johnnyred, I currently have 2 boats, one has to go. The other boat is a 2021 RT188P. It currently meets my needs since I fish by my self 90% of the time. The X19 is a better boat, if it doesnt sell I may keep it and sell the RT188P.

[Highcentered]

they should really sell I (heart) Maumelle shirts at the local tackle shop.....

That would be amazing. Doubt many would get the true meaning but would be one of those deals where if you know you know. Maumelle is what I would call the perfect size lake. Not too big or small and she only puts out for you if you know how to hit the spot just right. Even a prude of a lake can be freaky if you know how to unlock her secrets.

[Johnnyred]

Johnnyred, I currently have 2 boats, one has to go. The other boat is a 2021 RT188P. It currently meets my needs since I fish by my self 90% of the time. The X19 is a better boat, if it doesnt sell I may keep it and sell the RT188P.

Both good boats