Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Ish takes Ranger's new aluminum fishing

Seriously considering getting one of these. And it looks like I should also be considering a trip to Camanche soon.

EVERYTHING EXCEPT A PRICE RANGE ..

Aluminum boats are great! Their only drawback is that they are light, so the wind moves them, and you have to stay on the TM all the time. But I caught a lot of fish out of my old 2003 Tracker 175, and it's still going strong somewhere, according to Jordan at Angler's.
If you buy an aluminum boat, invest in a 24 volt TM, and you won't be sorry. Also, learn to use a wind sock.

I just got the RT178, the 17'8" model (guess I gotta change my user name ) Great little boat, plenty of storage, a little different from the 188 Ish was talking about. It has the conventional rod locker on the left side instead of in the center of the deck. The underseat storage runs the entire width of the boat. Handles nice, runs 43-44 mph with the 75hp Evinrude E-Tec. I also have the 24v. MinnKota Edge trolling motor, and two bank charger. So far I have only had it out three times, but no problems so far.

I'd love to get one of these Ranger aluminums some day, a perfect upgrade for me.

I have been running a 18' G3 for the last year and a half and I don't know if I will go back to a glass boat!
It may take me extra time to get to the other end of the lake but when I get there I am able to get into water that is pretty skinny and I don't worry scratches and dings that I did with the glass boat.
Now the best part and the part I like most is that I do pass the big boats, not on the lake but at every gas station on the way to the lake! lol ....I fuel up about every fifth time to the lake and it runs me about fifty bucks, the big boys fuel up about every other time and it runs well over a hundred and that plus the extra gas it takes in your tow vehicle to pull the rig.
You can really save some money using Aluminum and I think they are all built pretty well weather its a Tracker, Ranger, Yamaha G3, Triton or what ever they are a great way to fish.
Rick Clunn even fished out of one a few years ago during a major televised tournaments.

I have never caught a fish at fifty miles per hour! Oh wait, I fished with Tom Tiwater about fifteen years ago and he had his trolling motor on high throwing a blade and I think I did catch one out of the back of the boat while we were doing about 35 mph!!! lol

george

I had a 99 Tracker PT185 until I bought a PIV in 2006. It was a beautiful boat and I just had to have it. Looking back I realized that I didn't catch anymore fish in the glass boat but the cost of fishing quadrupled at the minimum. The gas to run it and tow it plus the insurance and maintenance was crazy. Being boatless helps you see the big picture I guess.

DeltaBassBuster wrote:I'd love to get one of these Ranger aluminums some day, a perfect upgrade for me.

I had one of those Valco's. My newer 14' Lowe (my spare boat, my 'real one' is a Skeeter) has a deck built in, could not live (fish) without it.

I know the feeling. I find it a little hard to let go (first boat), but also thinking about a future grandson some day to pass it off too.

I would like to reply to Mark.

Owning a new Ranger Aluminum Boat, you will not have the issue of the wind blowing you around as much.
Ranger builds these boats to fight for you, not against you. The keel and chines are made in a way to help stop side movement. The RT178 and RT188 both have a 92'' beam. I'm sorry to say there is no comparison to a Tracker, except in price. For a few more bucks you get Quality, Performance, Innovation, Safety & Resale Value.

Thank you all for your time,

Richard C & C Marine