Ranger or Vexus

[velvetskilett]

Smith Marine/Motor Company in Hattiesburg has been a Vexus dealer for several years now. I bought my Vexus from them, nice folks to deal with, few minor issues were handled quickly. They also have Avid and Express so you can compare the build quality at the same lot. https://www.smithmcmarine.com/--inve...omSearch=vexus

[ifishinxs]

Do alot of research before buying a Vexus tin. They look pretty buy have had a serious cracking issue. They may or may not have figured out the problem.

[goodman_fishing]

Curious to see where this goes! I'm headed to the Vexus factory in a few weeks to check things out.

[wash-n-lures]

Do alot of research before buying a Vexus tin. They look pretty buy have had a serious cracking issue. They may or may not have figured out the problem.

They fixed this issue several years ago.

[catdude28]

They fixed this issue several years ago.

Yes they did. I believe that one of the things they did was increase the hull aluminum thickness to .125 in 2022.

[spinningreel]

I really like the Vexus finished fiberglass compartments and live well.

[ifishinxs]

They fixed this issue several years ago.

Might want to look again.

I have personal experience.

[King_Fish]

Ranger all the way...

Vexus if you want to look pretty, and be a-scared to take it in skinny water.

[Bill Reynolds]

If I were making this decision, the trailer design and build quality would be an important consideration.
The Aluminum Rangers now have a tube style Tracker trailer while Vexus builds a channel trailer like the ones on Ranger and BassCat glass boats.

[catdude28]

Ranger all the way...

Vexus if you want to look pretty, and be a-scared to take it in skinny water.

Says a Ranger 198 owner

Bill brings up a good point. When I was crawling all over a Vexus a few months ago, I did pay a lot of attention to the trailer. It certainly looked well built. My tin Lund has a tube style trailer under it now, and uses cheap components also. Tube trailers tend to hold water inside and rust from the inside out over time. I would much rather have a channel trailer. It is also easier to work on the exposed wiring of a channel trailer.

[King_Fish]

Says a Ranger 198 owner

Bill brings up a good point. When I was crawling all over a Vexus a few months ago, I did pay a lot of attention to the trailer. It certainly looked well built. My tin Lund has a tube style trailer under it now, and uses cheap components also. Tube trailers tend to hold water inside and rust from the inside out over time. I would much rather have a channel trailer. It is also easier to work on the exposed wiring of a channel trailer.

Agree on the trailer. Fortunately my rig is Pre-Johnny, with the C-channel, etc... If I were buying today I would look hard at Xpress.

[sclark]

Agree on the trailer. Fortunately my rig is Pre-Johnny, with the C-channel, etc... If I were buying today I would look hard at Xpress.

Not to rain on your parade.
Actually Ranger was acquired by Bass Pro in December of 2014
Ranger Senior Management Left Nov 2015
So your 2018 boat is defiantly not "Pre-Johnny"

Your boat and trailer were most likely built at the Ranger Trailer Plant and the Ranger Aluminum Facility, by the great guys at Ranger.

[Jfish]

Agree on the trailer. Fortunately my rig is Pre-Johnny, with the C-channel, etc... If I were buying today I would look hard at Xpress.

Agree on the Xpress part.

[King_Fish]

Not to rain on your parade.
Actually Ranger was acquired by Bass Pro in December of 2014
Ranger Senior Management Left Nov 2015
So your 2018 boat is defiantly not "Pre-Johnny"

Your boat and trailer were most likely built at the Ranger Trailer Plant and the Ranger Aluminum Facility, by the great guys at Ranger.

Thanks for the correction.
The best thing about Ranger though, it's not a Vexus... (I'm joking, they are all good...)

[Highcentered]

Agree on the trailer. Fortunately my rig is Pre-Johnny, with the C-channel, etc... If I were buying today I would look hard at Xpress.

Only knock I have on Xpress (the Hyperlift series anyway) is the plastic tubs they use. The rod box is done right but it looks like they ran out of time and just said "eff it we'll do plastic tubs everywhere else". I bought mine because I wanted a floating tank and that's exactly what it is.

[King_Fish]

Only knock I have on Xpress (the Hyperlift series anyway) is the plastic tubs they use. The rod box is done right but it looks like they ran out of time and just said "eff it we'll do plastic tubs everywhere else". I bought mine because I wanted a floating tank and that's exactly what it is.

The X19 with 200 SHO is an eye-catcher. I wonder what kind of speeds they see with that?

[Fyarf]

The X19 with 200 SHO is an eye-catcher. I wonder what kind of speeds they see with that?

I think its a 70mph ish boat. Flash that 200 with the 300 SHO map and guys are seeing 80+. Or you can go with Nizpro tune for 332hp, I'm sure its a rocket

[n2ratfishin]

My 2017 RT188 has a c channel trailer, BUT it's for sure the weak point on an otherwise great boat. It could have been built like the other Ranger trailers I have had under my glass boats. Vexus was just getting off the ground when I bought my RT new August 2016. If I were buying today I'd give them and Express a look.

[Johnnyred]

My 2021 tube RT trailer has been reliable and the coating is great. The wench stand on the older trailers seems to be a failure point. I only use mine in freshwater. Saltwater and the tube trailer would not be ideal.