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Started By
Message
Ranger or Express
Posted on 2/15/16 at 8:31 am
Posted on 2/15/16 at 8:31 am
Starting to shop for my first bay boat (aluminum). Was thinking an express but looked at a Ranger and really likes it and some of the features. Was curious if anyone had any experience with the Ranger? I've talked to a few people that have the Express already
5
Posted on 2/15/16 at 8:41 am to Run up middle
I have the RT188. The fit and finish of my boat is second to none. The bay boat actually has a pad hull which is a nice improvement. However, Ranger only offers the center console in a 18ft boat. Which you can get the Xpress in 20ft and larger models. I wouldn't want anything under 20ft an 18ft CC just seems cramped to me when you have that console right in the middle of the boat.
The Ranger CC is still brand new so probably not many people have them yet.
The Ranger CC is still brand new so probably not many people have them yet.
Posted on 2/15/16 at 8:46 am to Run up middle
I don't know much about the ranger aluminum bay boats but the bass boats are top notch.
as a former xpress owner I have likes and dislikes. I had a h20b with 115 Yamaha. it was the hyperlift v hull and rode great. they also have the hd flat hull which I do not recommend.
Good:
good on gas, easy to maintain, nice layout and comfort, can take out to islands and fish or fish inshore with ease
Bad:
all the compartments are not dry at all..i had to modify the seals to keep water out.
the factory gps and trolling motor aren't that great but can be upgraded.
lack of room for rear icechest under lean post.
user seapickle has one as well. he may chime in. I liked it for the money for sure. I have since upgraded to a fiberglass bay boat. you see a lot of them on the water. they are a good all around boat for south la.
as a former xpress owner I have likes and dislikes. I had a h20b with 115 Yamaha. it was the hyperlift v hull and rode great. they also have the hd flat hull which I do not recommend.
Good:
good on gas, easy to maintain, nice layout and comfort, can take out to islands and fish or fish inshore with ease
Bad:
all the compartments are not dry at all..i had to modify the seals to keep water out.
the factory gps and trolling motor aren't that great but can be upgraded.
lack of room for rear icechest under lean post.
user seapickle has one as well. he may chime in. I liked it for the money for sure. I have since upgraded to a fiberglass bay boat. you see a lot of them on the water. they are a good all around boat for south la.
Posted on 2/15/16 at 8:56 am to WHODAT514
Thanks. I was pretty sure I wanted the Express until yesterday and seen rangers new RP190. Just seems like it has lots of little things in it that would be nice
Posted on 2/15/16 at 9:14 am to WHODAT514
Will echo what WhoDat said. Have a H20B with hyperlift and 115. Like it so far, but the hatches are not completely sealed. Like everything else though.
Posted on 2/15/16 at 9:24 am to Run up middle
you love or hate xpress. I've seen my buddies get sent back to the shop multiple times for paint peeling and other issues. I've also seen welds crack and a hole put in the floor from a broken fishing rod.
Posted on 2/15/16 at 9:27 am to maisweh
After looking at the ranger rp19 on their website i would choose it over the Xpress. Same features basically just more options from factory. Looks like a nice rig.
Posted on 2/15/16 at 9:29 am to maisweh
quote:
hole put in the floor from a broken fishing rod
Still don't understand how a graphite rod puts a hole in aluminum. There has got to more to this story, floor was already weak or something.
Posted on 2/15/16 at 10:03 am to civiltiger07
quote:
I have the RT188.
I have the same boat and love it. I've had it for 13 months now and have ZERO complaints.
Posted on 2/15/16 at 10:06 am to civiltiger07
quote:
Still don't understand how a graphite rod puts a hole in aluminum. There has got to more to this story, floor was already weak or something
No clue, but its back in the shop because paint is peeling by the console and the welds by the eye in the front broke.
he probably got pissed and threw it at the floor
still doesn't explain how it happened though
Posted on 2/15/16 at 11:10 am to Run up middle
Whodat got it nailed down. My h20b gets the job done but doesn't have all the creature comforts a glass boat will - no cookie cutter alum boat will. Xpress will need some work to get to run right from the factory (prop and jackplate). I have mine topped out. I've since upgraded trolling motor and GPS. I've tweaked things that get over looked from a QC standpoint. Over all really good boat. If you have any detailed questions or need set up help if you buy Xpress email me at seapickle09@gmail.com
Can't speak for ranger but make sure it's at least .125" thick alum hull and a 30+ gallon tank or it's worthless.
Ice chest storage/location is the biggest gripe I have
If you really want the best out of the Xpress pad hull get the next bigger motor. Now a days it's about affordability so they stick a 115 on a 20' boat. I had to add jackplate and lots of prop tweeting to get 45mph and have the hull ride up on pad. 20' = 150hp no questions asked.
ETA : I've seen Xpress boats with paint peeling but neither one I or my FIL owned has had this issue and we both run in shallow marsh. I also beat my boat in open water and have no welds bust.
Can't speak for ranger but make sure it's at least .125" thick alum hull and a 30+ gallon tank or it's worthless.
Ice chest storage/location is the biggest gripe I have
If you really want the best out of the Xpress pad hull get the next bigger motor. Now a days it's about affordability so they stick a 115 on a 20' boat. I had to add jackplate and lots of prop tweeting to get 45mph and have the hull ride up on pad. 20' = 150hp no questions asked.
ETA : I've seen Xpress boats with paint peeling but neither one I or my FIL owned has had this issue and we both run in shallow marsh. I also beat my boat in open water and have no welds bust.
This post was edited on 2/15/16 at 11:25 am
Posted on 2/15/16 at 11:29 am to Run up middle
I have the H18B. Should've went with at least a 20', but ya live and learn. Mine did have to go back for the paint peeling issue, and was told they really only had that problem with the 2013 models.
Posted on 2/15/16 at 11:31 am to civiltiger07
quote:
Still don't understand how a graphite rod puts a hole in aluminum. There has got to more to this story, floor was already weak or something.
My guess is this although I'm still not convinced a rod could do this: aluminum was thinned by electrolysis from batteries and salt water.
My last Xpress (11yr old hand me down from my FIL) formed a hole in the hull where the boat rested on a carpeted trailer bunk. I put the boat on a overhead crane and looked at it with my company's boat mechanic. Over the years of sitting on a wet trailer bunk the batteries (no perko switch) and salt water eroded a thin spot and a hole opened. Had to cut back a good bit of the hull to weld a patch.
A hyper lift hull is double hulled so for a rod to do this, it would have to be thinned on the top cap but is possible (or be a HD single hull)
This post was edited on 2/15/16 at 11:35 am
Posted on 2/15/16 at 11:33 am to bootlegger
quote:
ssue, and was told they really only had that problem with the 2013 models
My boat and FIL boat are '13 with no paint issues. I guess we got lucky
OP, I'll add the an 18' with no under the leaning seat ice chest or insulated locker will be a PIA for ice chest. My 20' I can fit a 100qt Coleman up front with my 48qt igloo but it's tight and kind of annoying. Forget 2 ice chest with a yeti or larger "standard" size chest and even worse with an 18' (that's where they will cut the footage difference)
This post was edited on 2/15/16 at 11:38 am
Posted on 2/15/16 at 12:48 pm to WHODAT514
The ranger rep was there and showed how the whole boat is injected with foam between the wall except where the bracing runs length wise. You could hit in the boat anywhere and never got the hollow aluminum sound. Seemed really solid. Comes with jack plate and hydraulic steering. Not sure if express had the steering from factory
Posted on 2/15/16 at 1:02 pm to Run up middle
Xpress doesn't come with hydraulic steering unless you upgrade the motor or ask for it. I think the 22-24' (20' w/ 150) come standard with it.
Xpress will offer jackplate on some packages (6-8" manual) or as an individual add on - again unless requested and $$$. Cheaper to get it on your own and the right size set back.
It also has foam filled cavities.
Xpress will offer jackplate on some packages (6-8" manual) or as an individual add on - again unless requested and $$$. Cheaper to get it on your own and the right size set back.
It also has foam filled cavities.
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