2015 Ranger RT178 w/75hp Etec

[Joespy]

Ok. I have had a full season of fishing in my 2014 Ranger RT178. Loved every minute on this boat

80# fortrex trolling motor

Elite 5x with GPS at console

Lowrance 5x at bow

Micro power pole

SS prop

We were not the fastest boat in the club that's for sure. In fact we are the slowest. But we have found ways to get around that. If your looking for speed this is probably not the boat for you. If you are looking for a rock solid fishing platform this is a boat to consider. Plenty of storage. Very stable. Handles chop good rough water not great but we haven't been forced off any fishery here in Idaho yet by waves. 39mph at WOT 5400rpms. 2 boaters, too much gear, and 3/4 tank of gas. Seen all the G3, Triton and Tracker bass boats and frankly to me there is not even a comparison.  Considered the RT188 but wanted the boat to fit in one place in the garage.  My son would tell you he wants to go faster. I just tell him to fish better. Haha. Take a look at these Ranger aluminum  bass boats. They are incredible. 

[carlm01]

Doesn't matter how fast you go , At the end of the day it's how many fish are in the boat ,and how happy you are with your boat .........

[OperationEagle]

Thanks for this report out.  I am looking forward to getting my 2015 w Merc 60 out this coming spring.

My attraction to this boat was its wider beam, lending it greater stability.  W the 60 it will obviously be even slower than your 75...but coming from a kayak this thing will feel like lightning. 

I fish alone w minimal gear, so mid 30's at WOT will probably be fine.  Chose aluminum as it keeps the costs manageable and it suits my fishing style as I like to fish shallow at times.

Ranger seemed to have the most consistent fit and finish when shopping across the few brands I looked at. 

Would like to hear more from your perspective on this boat's pro's and con's from this season.

 

[Joespy]

As for the pros and cons I will start with the pros

Cost of ownership:

Fuel consumption. Run all weekend on one tank of fuel. 21 gallons

Dry storage

92 inch beam makes it extremely stable

Really solid feel in choppy water

Operates awesome in shallow water

Micro power pole hold boat in place in shallow waters. 

Rod storage

Fit and finish

Evinrude Etec 75hp is quiet and efficiant

Comfortable

Great looking aluminum bass boat

As for the cons it is speed.

With a hull rated for a 75hp motor it performs great. We get 39mph on a good day.

Rough on rough water due to shorter hull

 

Overall a great boat. Extremely happy with performance.

 

[PAGreg]

I'm glad to see yet another stellar review. I just placed the order yesterday for a rt188 with the yamaha sho 115. Cannot wait until March!

[Tim Kelly]

Good choice. A friend of mine, who also lives in Danville PA, has one and we spent a great week fishing off it last summer up at his cottage in Ontario. Very good fishing platform and will go amazingly shallow. Very stable, comfortable boat.

[thomas15]

I think that 30-40 MPH is not bad on a lake and if you need to be at a certain spot on a lake at a particular time it would be cheaper to either leave to ramp earlier or find a ramp closer to your honey hole.

Now if you want to go faster and you have the cash to do so then that's a different matter.

[WRB]

No one ever caught a bass with the boat on plane!

If the garage is limited look into a swims tongue trailer, saves a few feet?

Tom

[gim]

I am new here posting.  I've been reading this post and thought I'd offer my opinion on the subject.  I just bought a 2015 Ranger RT178.  It has a 75 Merc 4-stroke outboard and Ranger Trailer with Armor and swing away tongue, which saves about 18 inches in the front.  I live in Minnesota so I haven't had the boat on the water yet.  I upgraded the bow mount from a 12 volt MK Edge to a 24 volt MK Maxxum.  I have a Lowrance HDS7 (GPS/Sonar) at the console and a Lowrance Elite 3x (Sonar) at the bow.  I have the polymer non-stick coating interior instead of marine carpet.  I also had a 12 foot MK Talon mounted to the stern.  I hope to get it out sometime in April depending on the weather.

I looked at Bass Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW and Crestliner VT17 as options in addition to the Ranger RT178.  I will put in a more thorough review after I get it out fishing a few times later this season.