Ranger or Vexus

[RSteed]

Looking at a Ranger RT 198 and a Vexus AVX 1980. Beam on the Ranger is 92” and the Vexus is 95”. Both are 19’10”. Both run a 150 HP. Vexus is $5000 more base model. If you seen my posts I’ve been in a Triton 18 TrX.
Looking for a little more length without the price of glass. From y’all’s experience will one of these boats be as stable as the 18 TrX?

[javjoe]

I have a 2018 Ranger 198P and I love it! But if I was buying today I'd give Vexus a serious look. I think the fit and finish on the Vexus is better overall

[RSteed]

Thanks. One issue I have is I’m in Mississippi and there are no Vexus dealers here according to the website.

[Bill Reynolds]

There are a couple things I would investigate:
1) Moisture in lockers: This is a problem inherent to all aluminum boats resulting mostly from condensation.
It is helpful if the underside of the compartment lids are covered with felt or thin insulation but this alone does not solve the problem. I would not buy another aluminum boat without insulated lids and vented lockers are even better.
2) Aluminum Thickness: both of the brands you mentioned started with .100 thick aluminum and spent the first 5 years dealing with cracks in transom and hulls.
I think Vexus changed to .125 but not sure. This would be a deal maker for me.

EDIT: I just saw your post about no Vexus dealers in Mississippi, that would be a deal breaker for me. I bought the RT188 in their second year of production and had lots of problems. My dealer was a huge help, he had good contacts at the factory and was willing and able to make things happen for me.

[Boat4Life]

When I compared Ranger to Vexus aluminum boats, I decided to spend the extra money for the Vexus. I prefer the larger fiberglass rear storage compartments, better fit and finish, seats, just general quality seemed better on Vexus including the trailer. But I also have a local Vexus dealer if ever needed. I would have bought the Ranger if there wouldn't have been a Vexus dealer within 100 miles.

[catdude28]

You are talking about a mod V vs V hull. Ride from the Vexus will be better. The choice would be a no brainer for me, and that would be the Vexus. I climbed all over one recently, and am seriously considering moving from my Lund Impact to a Vexus AVX. The Vexus is really well built, as is the trailer. Fit and finish is beautiful. But i hear your concern about a nearby dealer. On the other hand, isn’t the Boat Warehouse a dealer in Memphis. Not that far from you.

[GeauxTide]

I have a 2015 RT188 and love it. I would go to the Vexus today because of BPS owning Ranger.

[Jfish]

There are a couple things I would investigate:
1) Moisture in lockers: This is a problem inherent to all aluminum boats resulting mostly from condensation.
It is helpful if the underside of the compartment lids are covered with felt or thin insulation but this alone does not solve the problem. I would not buy another aluminum boat without insulated lids and vented lockers are even better.
2) Aluminum Thickness: both of the brands you mentioned started with .100 thick aluminum and spent the first 5 years dealing with cracks in transom and hulls.
I think Vexus changed to .125 but not sure. This would be a deal maker for me.

EDIT: I just saw your post about no Vexus dealers in Mississippi, that would be a deal breaker for me. I bought the RT188 in their second year of production and had lots of problems. My dealer was a huge help, he had good contacts at the factory and was willing and able to make things happen for me.

Good all around advice

[Rebelkris76]

I had a 2020 RT198 for 3 seasons. Was a great boat, didn't have any major issues with it. But I would not put it in the same category as a Vexus. Might also want to give Avid a look, especially since you're in Mississippi. They're made in Amory and come from a strong lineage of boat builders. I took a factory tour last summer - before they moved in to their new factory - and was impressed. They're putting a lot of thought in to their design. Supposedly coming out with a new 20 footer called the Velocity but I have not seen any recent updates.

[zaprod71]

Back in late 2019 when I was looking at was pretty sure I was getting an RT188. Until I saw the Vexus 1880 and it was a no brainer. A lot more storage and the finish was much better. My wife even said, " You get whichever one you want, but the first one (the vexus) is much fancier". Her way of saying little things caught her eye that made the Vexus better.

[PatriotAW4]

I would keep your Triton or get a Tracker 195 if you want an aluminum boat with a 150 hp. The Ranger RT198 and Vexus 1980 are both too big to only have a 150 on them. Look at Lowe and Crestliner as well, the Stinger 188 and XF 189 are both good 150hp aluminum boats, a used Xpress X18 with a 150hp would be a great option as well.

[RSteed]

I would keep your Triton or get a Tracker 195 if you want an aluminum boat with a 150 hp. The Ranger RT198 and Vexus 1980 are both too big to only have a 150 on them. Look at Lowe and Crestliner as well, the Stinger 188 and XF 189 are both good 150hp aluminum boats, a used Xpress X18 with a 150hp would be a great option as well.

Are you saying the 159 is too small because of speed. I’m not concerned about about how fast it goes. Just how good it rides.

[PatriotAW4]

Are you saying the 159 is too small because of speed. I’m not concerned about about how fast it goes. Just how good it rides.

Speed, handling, efficiency, holeshot, etc. A 150 is too small for a bass boat over 19' in length even if it is aluminum.

[bigmike260]

I run an AVX 1980 the build quality and customer service is unbeatable. My buddy has the 18 trx as you do and I think my vexus is just as stable if not better. Very comparable for sure. I would pay the 5000 extra simply for the build quality and customer service.

[RSteed]

I run an AVX 1980 the build quality and customer service is unbeatable. My buddy has the 18 trx as you do and I think my vexus is just as stable if not better. Very comparable for sure. I would pay the 5000 extra simply for the build quality and customer service.

What do you think about the above opinion about the 150 being too small?

[BigEasy]

I’ve got a 2020 Vexus 1880 with a 115 Suzuki, not known for blistering speed motor, and it hops on plane lickity split. I imagine the 1980 with a 150 would as well.

I traded my 98 Triton TR-18 for the 1880. The Vexus rides as well as the TR and fishes great. It is lighter and has more sail area so it does suffer in the wind but I have an 80 pound Ultrex and it cures most of that.

The customer support from Vexus was spectacular. I say was because since everything has been sorted I haven’t had to contact them. I see no reason that would have changed.

[catdude28]

What do you think about the above opinion about the 150 being too small?

AVX 1980 with a 150, loaded, will be 55-56 mph. Light load, a couple of mph faster. In your post #12, you mention that ride, not speed, is imortant to you. All of the above mentioned boats are modified V hulls, but the Vexus is V hull. I already mentioned that the ride from the Vexus should be much better, especially if you get into a little chop.

[Crankinh20]

I own a rt 188 if I was buying another probably be vexus because of the ride.
nothing wrong with ranger pad boats.
Mine has been problem free. It damn sure ain’t no tracker.

[Extremeboating]

I would keep your Triton or get a Tracker 195 if you want an aluminum boat with a 150 hp. The Ranger RT198 and Vexus 1980 are both too big to only have a 150 on them. Look at Lowe and Crestliner as well, the Stinger 188 and XF 189 are both good 150hp aluminum boats, a used Xpress X18 with a 150hp would be a great option as well.

I agree with this statement. I love my Lowe Stinger 178. Same setup as the 188, just in a shorter package. 17'10" vs. 18'10". Rides great even in the rough stuff, incredibly stable when at rest and remains stable even during winds. The wide 96" beam all the way through from front to back is probably a huge reason for that.

Every boat will inherently have factory defects or shortcomings in some way shape or form.. so pick what you want, pick what dealer support network you got within a comfortable travel distance to you and full send!

[Highcentered]

The fit and finish on the Vexus seems better so I'd go with them BUT have you considered Avid because of likely having a dealer close in your state? Looks to be very similar to Vexus on hull design.