Help me pick between lund renegade and ranger rt188

[pharmfisher]

I'm looking at buying a new aluminum mod v bass boat. I've really narrowed it down to a lund renegade or a ranger rt188. My main question is about the recent quality of ranger boats. Has anyone noticed any decline in quality since ranger is now under new ownership? I like the layout of the ranger better, but I am hesitant to buy from a company that puts their name behind tracker. thank you. 

[Dirtyeggroll]

Buy whatever one that has the most accessible dealer.

[Shimano_1]

I own a 2019 triton 18tx, exact same boat as the rt and I've been quite satisfied with it.  Someone else owns ranger, hardly means they're trash now. Still some of the finest boats made. Too many people caught up in Johnny morris owning everything and it usually turns negative.  Ive done the same.  Also hard for me to believe tracker doesn't make a fine boat as well considering how many you see everywhere.  Personally I'd go with the rt but admittedly I have no knowledge of the lund. I would feel confident in ranger handling it if you did have any problems.  Buddy has the rt and loves it. I've had no issues with mine except for a couple minor things that were addressed quickly and made right by my dealer. As mentioned I'd definitely take into account the dealer for each and their reputation as well as location.  Either boat I'm sure would serve you well. Good luck!

[slonezp]

Lund

[Teal]

Lund must be a northern thing.  I just dont see a whole lot of them down here.  

[MN Fisher]

21 minutes ago, Teal said:

Lund must be a northern thing.  I just dont see a whole lot of them down here.  

Ya - Lund got it's start in MN.

[slonezp]

37 minutes ago, Teal said:

Lund must be a northern thing.  I just dont see a whole lot of them down here.  

Most popular brand up north.

[12poundbass]

Lund or Vexus

[Michigander]

If you're a big person, avoid the Ranger.

12 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Lund or Vexus

Vexus.... 

[12poundbass]

3 minutes ago, Michigander said:

If you're a big person, avoid the Ranger.

Vexus.... 

Yep

 

Sure are purdy boats. 

[slonezp]

1 minute ago, Michigander said:

If you're a big person, avoid the Ranger.

Vexus.... 

A buddy of mine who is 6'4" has an Xpress 19 and fished out of a Ranger aluminum and said there is no room for tall people behind the helm

[Michigander]

1 minute ago, 12poundbass said:

Yep

 

Sure are purdy boats. 

I feel like a lot of the boat companies have been phoning it in for the last few years, I crawl around on all their new boats every non-pandemic year. Vexus gives me the impression that they think about every square inch of their boats.

2 minutes ago, slonezp said:

A buddy of mine who is 6'4" has an Xpress 19 and fished out of a Ranger aluminum and said there is no room for tall people behind the helm

The Rangers are not built for the big boned among us, myself included. At best, I'm looking at bruised everything in a rough water run.

[12poundbass]

1 minute ago, Michigander said:

I feel like a lot of the boat companies have been phoning it in for the last few years, I crawl around on all their new boats every non-pandemic year. Vexus gives me the impression that they think about every square inch of their boats.

I have a Vexus dealer 5 miles from my house. I haven’t been there yet, I probably shouldn’t go either. 
 

1: I can’t afford to get one right now

2: If I saw one up close it would probably make me want one even more

[Michigander]

1 minute ago, 12poundbass said:

I have a Vexus dealer 5 miles from my house. I haven’t been there yet, I probably shouldn’t go either. 
 

1: I can’t afford to get one right now

2: If I saw one up close it would probably make me want one even more

I'll believe you on #1 and you're probably right on #2. ?

[slonezp]

2 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I have a Vexus dealer 5 miles from my house. I haven’t been there yet, I probably shouldn’t go either. 
 

1: I can’t afford to get one right now

2: If I saw one up close it would probably make me want one even more

Don't go

 

Now that I'm looking,, I'm more confused.

[12poundbass]

8 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Don't go

 

Now that I'm looking,, I'm more confused.

I’m pretty dead set on a Lund Renegade (I’d really like a Pro-V Bass) or a Vexus AVX 1880 or AVX 1980. 
 

I have a while before I’ll be able to get one so maybe things will change. We still have up to 4 more years of tuition for 6poundbass and at least 7-8 more years before he flies the coop so I’ll remain a broke man until then. 

[ToeDrag62]

This is my very first post.  I did a ton of research and bought a Renegade 1775 last year.  Great boat. 

[Bluebasser86]

Seems like the Lund is quite a bit less expensive?

When I was shopping, I looked at the Ranger, but that price tag scared me off. That's a ton of money for a tin boat that really seemed like a lot of it was going towards the name. I've fished out of one of the 17' RTs, they're not bad, but it didn't wow me for the money.

[S Hovanec]

Unless your dealer has the Lunds on order or on the lot, I wouldn't expect to have one in your driveway this year.  They aren't taking orders and their 2021 build schedule is full.

[ToeDrag62]

The Lund was about $2,000 less than the comparable Ranger.  I upgraded to the 75 Mercury and put an Edge 70 on the front.  I'm already looking of the Ultrex/24V/80/MDI/IPilot for another upgrade.  Can't find it anywhere yet.  I also looked at Crestliners and a few others.  Some of the compartment lids, especially on the Crestliner, flexed when I stood on them.  They didn't seem sturdy.

I spent about $24K, which included the travel cover and the upgraded trailer.

[gim]

I have a 2015 Ranger RT178.  If my garage was a little bigger, I would have gone with the RT188.  They make one with a pad hull now too.

 

The Renegade series wasn't available until after I bought my current boat.  But had it been, I definitely would have considered it.  The Renegade 1775 can handle a 90 hp motor whereas the Ranger RT178 can only handle a 75.

 

I also looked at Crestliner and Tracker.  The Tracker was about 4 grand less but the customizable options sucked.  I don't care for the console layout either.  Plus the dealer/service center was twice as far.

 

I have no intention of upgrading at this point but in the future I am quite sure I will be going with another Ranger aluminum or a Lund Renegade.

[Deephaven]

1 hour ago, ToeDrag62 said:

 I also looked at Crestliners and a few others.  Some of the compartment lids, especially on the Crestliner, flexed when I stood on them.  They didn't seem sturdy.

Seriously confusing since the Crestliner is made in the Lund plant.  I know they are trying to rationalize the difference, but no matter what you make you should take care in it.

 

Here is one, a bit of a drive but not too bad.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/717775588875143/?ref=search&referral_code=undefined

 

[E-rude dude]

Lund would be my choice. Ranger is a very nice boat but $$$$

[BurrStone]

If you prefer the layout of the Ranger I'd say that's some pretty important criteria. It's one reason I rarely go out on my buddy's boat.

[texex92]

I have 2020 Vexus 1980 and love every inch of it.  They carried over some of the really nice features from their ranger days. for a boat in this price range you get a lot for your dollar.   Only minor complaint is i feel they put the wrong prop on it.  I have the 150 pro xs.   It has a tempest plus  22P on it.  I am thinking about going with a 23P.  Currently i am getting 51MPH at 6000 RPM.    Higher pitch should get me a little more top end.    Would love to get the bow up a bit.   Working through  all the decision points  now.  Has anyone changed their props?