Ranger RT178 It Is!

[Quarry Man]

I am considering a new boat. I have never owned anything bigger than my 14' hull with only two trolling motors. i don't even have a fishfinder. I am looking at the Ranger RT178. I usually fish small lakes but want the option to go big if need be, not 4 footers on erie, but a little rougher water. I think i might want a 75 horse merc and maybe a motor better than the stock 45lb edge. I am totally new to the boat world so i need any help i can get. most of my lakes are electric, but i do want to have the outboard for the bigger water. if i buy new, i won't have to worry about maintenance because ill hardly ever use the outboard. you never know. any advice on outboards or electronics would be great. also stuff you recommend i buy with the boat like a specific cover or upgrade too. and how to pay for it since I'm only 16. sorry if i seem excited because I'm pumped. thanks.

[Further North]

20 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

if i buy new, i won't have to worry about maintenance because ill hardly ever use the outboard.

Unused outboards still need to be maintained...

 

...stuff that sits unused can go to crap much faster than you'd expect.

[Quarry Man]

What is the difference between 2 and 4 stroke and which is better and easier to use and more cost effective? i realize those won't all fit on one side because then they'd only make that one and not the other. a little pro/con list would be nice.

[Further North]

For new motors, there's little difference, IMO.

 

...in fact a good case could be made that a motor like a 2-stroke E-Tec that "self fogs" would be an advantage.

 

All of the new motors are great, don't get wrapped up in the hair-splitting details.

[Quarry Man]

Just now, Further North said:

For new motors, there's little difference, IMO.

 

...in fact a good case could be made that a motor like a 2-stroke E-Tec that "self fogs" would be an advantage.

 

All of the new motors are great, don't get wrapped up in the hair-splitting details.

 

good point, i am so new to this that I'm a bit overwhelmed. i think ill be happy either way. ill probably go the least expensive route, if not then the easiest to maintain.

[Russ E]

Just now, Further North said:

For new motors, there's little difference, IMO.

 

...in fact a good case could be made that a motor like a 2-stroke E-Tec that "self fogs" would be an advantage.

 

All of the new motors are great, don't get wrapped up in the hair-splitting details.

agree the difference is small anymore. I will say a 4 stroke is usually quieter.

@Quarryman I noticed in another post you mentioned driving slow a lot with the outboard.

one difference I have noticed is a 2 stroke generally does not like to idle much.

[Quarry Man]

Just now, Weedwhacker said:

agree the difference is small anymore. I will say a 4 stroke is usually quieter.

@Quarryman I noticed in another post you mentioned driving slow a lot with the outboard.

one difference I have noticed is a 2 stroke generally does not like to idle much.

sorry for my lack of knowledge, but does idle mean to sit in place with engine on? or like moving slow in a no wake. I don't really care about top speed, but faster would be nice, not something id pay a lot more for though. like i already said. I'm not going to be using the outboard too much only every so often, but enough thats its worth having. if that makes any sense. thanks again every body. this forum is so helpful i can't thank you guys enough.

[Further North]

Think of idle as slow speed trolling, or no-wake zones.

[Quarry Man]

that makes more sense, might make me go with 4 stroke then. any other differences?

[slonezp]

2 strokes are generally faster, lighter and louder. They require oil mixed with fuel for consumption. 4 stroke has a crankcase and requires oil and filter changes like a car.

[Russ E]

in cold weather every 2 stroke I have ever owned was hard to start.

my 4 stroke starts like a car engine. turn the key and it is running.

newer 2 strokes may be better. my last one was a 2006.

 

my biggest drawback with 2 strokes was, I always forgot to buy 2 cycle oil. Get ready to take off early in the morning and realize I had no oil and no one was open, besides convenience stores and they did not usually sell 2 cycle oil.

[Further North]

1 minute ago, Weedwhacker said:

my biggest drawback with 2 strokes was, I always forgot to buy 2 cycle oil. Get ready to take off early in the morning and realize I had no oil and no one was open.

 

Been there, done that...have a 4 stroke now...but learned to have a gallon of 2 stroke oil on hand at all times back when I had them...

[Russ E]

5 minutes ago, Further North said:

 

Been there, done that...have a 4 stroke now...but learned to have a gallon of 2 stroke oil on hand at all times back when I had them...

not really a problem of the 2 cycle. Just my forgetfulness in action.

[Turkey sandwich]

From what I've heard, that boat's a great option to get you onto more water.  A few things to consider - towing (what kind of vehicle do you have?), what kind of water are you fishing? (that's an aluminum hulled boat and could be fit with a jet for fishing rivers like the Susquehanna, Juanita, etc), and ultimately budget.  You're 16, so a job may be an option to cover some cost, and while I don't know your parents' financial situation or willingness to help, if you're going to get a loan, you're going to want their help.  Also mind that if you plan on going away to college in a few years, that's going to have a big impact on how much you can work.  Are you planning on buying new or used?

[OperationEagle]

Congratulations on being only 16 and being able to buy such a boat.

 

Without knowing anything about you, here is my unsolicited advice.

 

If there is not a plan for paying for college, rethink this purchase and put at least the majority towards that.  If this is taken care of...move to the following...

 

If you have the $16-$20,000 that this boat will cost, think about investing that money for the long term instead.  $20,000 at a return of 8% gets you to be a millionaire by age 67.  Make yourself very comfortable with the math concept of compounding. 

 

Actually in either case, take $1,000 and buy yourself a really nice fishing kayak.  This allows you to still save for college or pushes your millionaire status to the age of 68.

 

If this 16-20,000 is a mere pittance to your overall wealth...God bless you.  Enjoy what you have, understand that you are blessed, and enjoy the RT178.

 

Maybe take the time to take others that are less fortunate with you.  You could make a positive impact for life.

 

To your question about the RT.  Its a great boat.  I have a 60HP and it does great.  75HP is probably quicker out of the hole but top end speed is one to two mph more.  This 4 stroke is crazy smooth, quiet, and smokeless.  Quite a change from the old 2 strokers of the past.

 

As for fishing kayaks...the world is your oyster...many great options.  I love my RT but also miss my kayak.  Nothing lets you stalk a big bass like a stealthy kayak.  Good luck to you.

 

[Further North]

10 hours ago, OperationEagle said:

$20,000 at a return of 8% gets you to be a millionaire by age 37.

 

We might have a decimal in the wrong place, I get >$100,000

 

...but it's sound advice none the less.

 

...particularly when you begin to add in about 10% of your wages about the time you turn 23...

[OperationEagle]

Further North .  Nope sorry meant to say 67.  Ridiculous typo!  Will correct that! Thanks for pointing that out. 

[Further North]

I figured it was something like that.  I have fat fingers too, and the 3 is right below the 6...

[3crows]

BOAT. B-O-A-T! Break Out Another Thousand (dollars)!

 

Appropriate alternatives = kayak, jon boat, bank fishing.

 

Engines need to be run. If not run, see the definition of the acronym BOAT.

 

If run, see the definition of the acronym BOAT.

 

Boats must be cared for, garaged or covered, maintained and fed and for the boat to be of any value, towed by a vehicle of sufficient capacity. This again see the definition of the acronym BOAT.

[Further North]

On 9/25/2017 at 8:13 PM, 3crows said:

BOAT. B-O-A-T! Break Out Another Thousand (dollars)!

...I keep seeing that, never experienced it...my boat costs way less than my cars do to maintain.

[Quarry Man]

15 hours ago, Turkey sandwich said:

From what I've heard, that boat's a great option to get you onto more water.  A few things to consider - towing (what kind of vehicle do you have?), what kind of water are you fishing? (that's an aluminum hulled boat and could be fit with a jet for fishing rivers like the Susquehanna, Juanita, etc), and ultimately budget.  You're 16, so a job may be an option to cover some cost, and while I don't know your parents' financial situation or willingness to help, if you're going to get a loan, you're going to want their help.  Also mind that if you plan on going away to college in a few years, that's going to have a big impact on how much you can work.  Are you planning on buying new or used?

I recently saw a "train of opportunity" that was leaving the station and jumped on it. I am at no financial risk, with no money invested, and will only gain knowledge and experience and my resume. I just got a whole lot more business, so Im under a ton of pressure, being that I am a three sport athlete, a junior in high school, a teenager, and also a mobile app developer with a full time job. My life has been great these past few weeks, and I hope it continues this way. 

 

 I do plan on going to college. I am not interested in a loan for a boat  because i will be tied down to that while I'm in college. I am only going to buy the boat if I have the mien up front. I only have a few hundred dollars in my spendings, but I have some in my saving, not much though. If I am somehow able to afford the boat, I will likely have gained a small reputation in the area and in my industry, so it is very plausible that business will only increase. Of course I could be wrong, but then I'd just end up with a payed off boat and a whole lot of experience. I wasn't expecting a success, just something to say we tried. 

 

Sorry for getting off topic:

 

I will be inheriting my mother's Toyota FJ Cruiser with about 125k miles on it. My dad also has a truck that i might be able to borrow for big trips. I want to go aluminum, because the overall price is cheaper with gas, and i can get shallow, and not have to worry about beating up the boat too badly. My friend has the 2016 or 15 RT188 and we love it. I am looking at the 17 because its a little but smaller. I fish a lot of sub 250 acre lakes, and most of them are electric only. But on the ones that do allow outboards, i need to have the extra oomph to get around. Owning a bigger boat will allow me to learn to fish bigger bodies of water. It will also serve as a great entry to boating and learning all about it. Thanks for all the help. 

[Quarry Man]

11 hours ago, OperationEagle said:

Congratulations on being only 16 and being able to buy such a boat.

 

Without knowing anything about you, here is my unsolicited advice.

 

If there is not a plan for paying for college, rethink this purchase and put at least the majority towards that.  If this is taken care of...move to the following...

 

If you have the $16-$20,000 that this boat will cost, think about investing that money for the long term instead.  $20,000 at a return of 8% gets you to be a millionaire by age 67.  Make yourself very comfortable with the math concept of compounding. 

 

Actually in either case, take $1,000 and buy yourself a really nice fishing kayak.  This allows you to still save for college or pushes your millionaire status to a ripe old age of 38.

 

If this 16-20,000 is a mere pittance to your overall wealth...God bless you.  Enjoy what you have, understand that you are blessed, and enjoy the RT178.

 

Maybe take the time to take others that are less fortunate with you.  You could make a positive impact for life.

 

To your question about the RT.  Its a great boat.  I have a 60HP and it does great.  75HP is probably quicker out of the hole but top end speed is one to two mph more.  This 4 stroke is crazy smooth, quiet, and smokeless.  Quite a change from the old 2 strokers of the past.

 

As for fishing kayaks...the world is your oyster...many great options.  I love my RT but also miss my kayak.  Nothing lets you stalk a big bass like a stealthy kayak.  Good luck to you.

 

 

Thank you for your very thoughtful advice. Unforunatlely though, 20k is not a mere pittance to me. boy do i wish. I definitely need to start thinking about college payments. I am pretty sure my parents are going to help me with that. Actually, my family is really smart with their money. we don't go around buying boats because they look cool. I have to work hard for my money, so it is important that I know what I'm buying. The same goes with buying a boat. The ranger seems to be the best deal for the money. Before I started fishing, I was into coins. I invested my life savings into that hobby. It payed off tremendously, when I met a man who wanted to sell his entire collection for 686$. those 686 coins are now worth over 10 000 dollars. I still have that in the bank safe. I hope to someday give that collection to my kids' kids. they will hopefully be able to live off of that money for a long time. My grandfather also did this with my family. growing up with a family of well educated consumers has greatly benefited me in ways i can't even describe. i wouldn't be in the financial position i am in tomorrow without them. Like i have said a thousand times. I have no promises if this will end up working out, but if it does I'm ready. I'm also prepared for it to not work out, and can still appreciate the experience.
 

I too believe in help the less fortunate. I like to consider myself a generous person. Hopefully the new boat will allow me to take other people fishing as well.

 

thanks again for the help!

 

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RT178 AND THE 178C?

[gim]

The C is the crappie edition.  It has a second livewell up front.  To my knowledge, the C edition does not have a recessed pedal area in the front deck for the bow mount either.