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  1. #1
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    2015 RT188 Pro XS 2 Stroke

    Looking at a couple of 2015 RT188's with Mercury 115 2 strokes. The ones I have looked at have lower hours of 60 to 80 range.
    I have had 2 stroke my whole life so that does not bother me at all but I wanted to get the opinions of others.
    Is the 115 Pro XS 2S a good dependable motor? Would you hesitate buying a 2 stroke for whatever reason?
    Also if anyone has this setup what kind of speeds and hole shot can I expect?
    Thanks in advance for any replies.

  2. Member
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    Dec 2005
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    #2
    Sold my 2015 RT188 w/ Merc 115 2 stroke about 6 months ago for $20,000. It had about 400 hrs on it and still ran great. Ran 42 in the summer and 45 in the winter. Added a 6 inch jack plate but made no difference in speed. Can't remember what prop I had but hole shot was fine.


    Have a good one and thank God for it!

  3. Member
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    #3
    Thanks for the reply. 42 sounds low to me. Is the 4s faster?

  4. Member
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    #4
    Quote Originally Posted by mark620 View Post
    Thanks for the reply. 42 sounds low to me. Is the 4s faster?
    I don't know. Maybe someone here will know. I did take off my trim tabs and got 47 but wouldn't recommend it. Boat slide in curves. Had to trim down a lot taking curves.


    Have a good one and thank God for it!

  5. Member
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    Oct 2012
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    Pelham, AL
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    #5
    I've an Opti ProXS with about 100 hours due to some health issues the last few years. According to my Dealer, a CSI multi-year winner for Merc and Yamaha, this motor is good for 1500 hours. With 4s at over $11,000, I'll keep it. I would not hesitate on one with 80 hours. I added a Port Console, so Summer is 43 and Winter is 45 with a Spitfire X7 at hole#3. It is also very easy on oil at 4500-4800rpm. One thing my dealer was specific about - don't run anything by Merc Optimax DFI oil in this motor. I've had it 5 years with no issues.
    2015 Ranger RT188 DC; BassCat Storage Box; Mercury Optimax 115ProXS;
    19" Spitfire X7; Vessel View Mobile; Minn Kota Ultrex 80; GForce Handle;
    TM Eliminator; Helix 7 G2N SI Combo F/R; HydroWave KVD; BBT 4" Angled Bow Mount; Durasafe Locks for Electronics and Ultrex;
    Twist Step Boarding Ladder; EZEE Step ES1; BAC RAC Rod Storage; Motor Mate Transom Saver

  6. Member tcesni's Avatar
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    Apr 2005
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    Smith Mountain Lake, VA and a cottage in Ontario
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    #6
    My 2014 RT188 has a 90 hp Optimax (same block and intervals as the 115) and has 750 hours on it. It’s been an excellent motor. I’d have no problem buying a low hours 115 ProXS 2-stroke, they were a very popular outboard.
    2018 Ranger RT188 SC Black/115 hp Yamaha SHO 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - north
    2018 Ranger RT188 DC Black/115 hp Merc Pro XS 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - south
    14' Mirrorcraft tin boat (ancient) with a 9.9 Mercury 4-stroke, no electronics; catches fish anyway

  7. Member
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    #7
    When looking at used RT188's are there any problem years prior to or during change over to JM owned? Are the 2015/2016 solid model years?

  8. Member Bill Reynolds's Avatar
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    Aug 2013
    Location
    The Diamond State
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    #8
    My preference is 2015 through 2019. By 2015 they had worked through most of the porposing problems and added features like automatic bilge, step to front deck, live-well recirculate and they painted the full side of the hull instead of leaving part of it aluminum.
    I lost track after 2019 but that is about the time frame where JM moved production to MO and changed the hull shape to fit into his production processes (robot welding). He made several cosmetic changes as well but the most negative was eliminating the aluminum extrusion center keel. For me that is a deal breaker.

    I try to drive as if my 16 year old Grandson is following me
    Speak as if he is listening and act as if he is watching

  9. Member
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    #9
    The 75-125hp 1.5 liter Optimax motors are very reliabe, they seem to have less problems than the bigger Optimax motors do. My 2010 model still runs like a top. As for speed you will get around 45-47 MPH if set up right.

  10. Member tcesni's Avatar
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    Apr 2005
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    Smith Mountain Lake, VA and a cottage in Ontario
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    #10
    Quote Originally Posted by mark620 View Post
    When looking at used RT188's are there any problem years prior to or during change over to JM owned? Are the 2015/2016 solid model years?
    2015 and 2016 should be solid. My 2018 seems as well built as my 2014 plus a few items that weren’t available in 2014 like the recirculating livewell pump. Something they both share is the Buss bar under the trolling motor tray that did not stay attached. I’ve had to fix that in both.
    2018 Ranger RT188 SC Black/115 hp Yamaha SHO 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - north
    2018 Ranger RT188 DC Black/115 hp Merc Pro XS 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - south
    14' Mirrorcraft tin boat (ancient) with a 9.9 Mercury 4-stroke, no electronics; catches fish anyway

  11. Member
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    Feb 2010
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    Mars, PA
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    #11
    Had my 2015 since new. Only repair was the trim motor leaking, replaced under warranty. Great boat, no issues. Top speed around 42,43 miles per hour. Around 200 hours.
    2015 Ranger RT188
    2015 115 PRO XS

  12. Member
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    Feb 2017
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    ohio
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    #12
    Can you explain the Buss bar under the trolling motor tray ? Also should the 2015 have trim tabs??
    Appreciate all the input before I spend the cash. LOL
    One more thing does the 2015/2016 have the Vault hubs?

  13. Member
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    Dec 2012
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    Paris Landing at Ky Lake
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    #13
    The 2015 model I have has Vault hubs and trim tabs. I remember the terminal block coming loose. I just zip tied it to one of the rod tubes to keep it in place.