I need help ordering my new boat please!

[rmccl]

I’m finally in a place financially in life where I’m looking to get into a real bass boat. I’ve been fishing from an old 11’ Basstender/6hp Mercury with a Minnkota 45 handle trolling motor for years with no electronics or anything fancy at all. I’m looking to purchase a new aluminum boat and plan to keep it for many years. 
 

I live in South-Central Florida and the only dealers within a reasonable distance are Ranger and Tracker. 

I’ve been eyeing the Ranger RT188P. There are so many options when ordering and I really have no idea what to get. I need a little guidance as to what’s worth spending extra for and what’s worth sticking with how it comes standard. 

Any and all advice is much appreciated. 

[InfantryMP]

I would spend extra for a trolling motor with spotlock or anchor mode if it is not standard. In Florida, I would invest in power poles or talons as well because of the shallow water you may fish. 

 

I would also get a travel cover, one mistake I made was not getting the travel cover. It makes a world of difference if you can get it from the dealer. 

 

Depending on what you want for electronics, you may need to upgrade one graph for FFS if you are looking for that.

[J Francho]

Pick your electronics.

Add power poles, cover, setback, passenger console, front deck step, remote drain, upgrade to Utrex, retractable tie downs and trailer brakes.

[TOXIC]

Also, max out the motor HP rated for the boat you buy.  Get extended warranties on everything you can especially big motor.  

[J Francho]

They only offer the 115 on this boat, and that sounds about right for the hull.

[TOXIC]

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

They only offer the 115 on this boat, and that sounds about right for the hull.

That’s good.  There’s always the temptation to go smaller to save $$.  

[InfantryMP]

Oh, if padded carpet does not come standard, I would look in to it. I love the padded carpet I have. 

[MickD]

I like the fact that my Lund doesn't have carpet on the floor, just on the upper surfaces.  Agree on the retractable tie downs.  They take a 3 minute job with the possibility of broken nails and bruises and make it into a 15 seconds easy job.  Also spot lock, wouldn't want to do without it.  Another really nice feature to me is the remote stowing and deploying of the trolling motor.  I can do it with the remote control from anywhere in the boat.  At my age it is a real bonus.  

 

Finally, don't be tempted to skimp.  It's a long-time investment and with inevitable inflation, if you decide to add later it will cost a lot more.  

[WRB]

All the above is spot on with the possible trailer with brakes.

Florida is flat no mountains so it depends on your tow vehicle if trailer brakes are needed.

Depending on where you store the boat the overall length including trailer tongue can be an issue. If this is a concern look into folding trailer tongue. If you fish in salt water get a galvanized trailer with bearing Buddy style axial lubricant.

Up grade the batteries to AGM’s. If you add power poles think about adding an extra house battery or group 29 to 30 AGM cranking battery. Spot lock should essential.

Tom

 

[Tennessee Boy]

I have a 2018 RT188.   You’ve got a lot of recommendations here that aren’t Ranger options.  I would encourage you to think hard about how you fish and what’s important to you.   Go to the dealer,  get in a boat and imagine yourself fishing.  How many rods will you have on the deck?  Where will you store your tackle?  Ask questions here about specific options if you need to.  
 

Put a lot of thought into your trolling motor.  I had the dealer install an Ultrex 80 lb thrust I Pilot link for me because it was not a factory option in 2018.    I fish offshore most of the time and the Ultrex is great.  It’s not great for fishing shallow in lots of cover.   You need a boat that fits your style of fishing.  The RT188 is light so 80lbs of thrust with two decent batteries will get the job done.  I’ve never come close to draining my TM batteries.

 

I’m into high end electronics and didn’t like the Ranger options so I bought my boat with no electronics and installed my own.   My biggest problem BY FAR is the lack room for a house battery.   It’s possible to put 4 lithiums where there are currently 3 batteries and that’s what I would do if I was buying an RT188 today.  If you’re not going to spend $8000 on electronics then you should be fine with 3 batteries.  You might want to get a top of the line cranking battery since it will be doing more than starting the motor.  
 

I’ve never wished I had trailer brakes. The boat is not heavy and trailering is easy with a six cylinder truck.  

 

I would not get any options that increase your speed.  Spending $1500 to increase your top speed from 46 mph to 50 mph seems like a waste of money to me.   If you want a fast boat you need to look elsewhere.  
 

I would sit in a boat with a passenger console and one without and see what works for you.  I don’t have one and don’t want one.   I use the space for other things but you may have different priorities.
 

I got the coin box instead of the center jump seat and I’m glad I did.  It’s a great place to store stuff you need often.
 

Remember,  a good dealer should be able to install additional things you want that are not Ranger options.  
 

Good luck with the new boat!

 

 

[Jig Man]

You really need to spend a lot of time in a dealership inside of a boat.  You need to do research on electronics, motors and trolling motors.  All of us have opinions based on our experiences or lack there of.  For example several items mentioned are for me must haves and several I’ve had and were a waist of money.  Only your research and questioning will get you where you need to be.

[BigAngus752]

7 hours ago, InfantryMP said:

I would spend extra for a trolling motor with spotlock or anchor mode if it is not standard. In Florida, I would invest in power poles or talons as well because of the shallow water you may fish. 

 

I would also get a travel cover, one mistake I made was not getting the travel cover. It makes a world of difference if you can get it from the dealer. 

 

Depending on what you want for electronics, you may need to upgrade one graph for FFS if you are looking for that.

 

7 hours ago, J Francho said:

Pick your electronics.

Add power poles, cover, setback, passenger console, front deck step, remote drain, upgrade to Utrex, retractable tie downs and trailer brakes.

 

Power POLE.  Not poles.  Unless something has changed, two Power Poles voids the Ranger hull warranty (RT188).  Ranger will allow a single Power Pole only if installed by a Ranger dealer.   

 

 

[Tennessee Boy]

4 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

 

 

Power POLE.  Not poles.  Unless something has changed, two Power Poles voids the Ranger hull warranty (RT188).  Ranger will allow a single Power Pole only if installed by a Ranger dealer.   

 

 

It has changed.  You can buy the boat with two poles now.

[BigAngus752]

Just now, Tennessee Boy said:

It has changed.  You can buy the boat with two poles now.

Spectacular!  It's about time.  

[WRB]

Looking at the RT188P the only additional suggestion is use external sonar units mounted RAM style removable mounts. Built In sonar units are very difficult to see under bright glare and can’t adjust or remove them.

Nice bass boat?

Tom

PS, you have 3 Xpess boat dealer in your area.

[Chris Catignani]

I personally like a Hot-Foot and trim on the steering column.

[cyclops2]

Do you have a total /  maximum price ?  Helps to then prioritize order of options.

 Have BOTH dealers TAKE YOU OUT in the model you want.  Get a copy of any boats costs.   You will find out what each is charging for options.  Also what year each boat AND the motor will be.  There are several year old boats & motors being sold as new. But could be dry rotting parts .  Avoid any Evinrude motors. They are being phased out in some sizes already.  NO DEPOSITS on anything !!!!!!!!!!!  No pay for the gas on a test run.  

 

Some dealers do take advantage of everyone.  

No rush to sign anything.  If you feel pressure from a sales man ? Tell him You are leaving & get his business card. Then leave !!  You have the money they want. Let them treat you on YOUR terms.

 

 

 

[J Francho]

Most replying didn't go to the site and build a boat. The options I picked are what I'd want, and they are actual things. You can probably have other options than what is in the boat builder, but you'll have to go to the dealer and get a quote. 

[cyclops2]

I just came back from the site. You MAY get a boat some year ?  DUUUHHH  No mention of any warranty on anything ?  No haggle price ?  

 

 I can not give you advice on this ...Take it or leave it price .  Probably they want a massive deposit for a year or more ?

 

 I would look at other companies.  You did leave the door open for that.  A used in great condition might be a far better deal.

 

Company mottos are.  How can we give them less for more money?  

[Glenn]

Definitely watch this video.  It covers a ton of useful information.