Ranger Aluminum Boats RT 198 P One Year Boat Review

ADVERTISING

LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard

Shop now »

NOCO Genius GEN5X2, 2-Bank, 10A (5A/Bank) Smart Marine Battery Charger

Shop now »

RHINO USA Boat Trailer Transom Straps (2PK)

Shop now »

LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder

Shop now »

Seaview 180 V3 Full Face Snorkel Mask

Shop now »

Most popular comments
for Ranger Aluminum Boats RT 198 P One Year Boat Review

Live comments
Comments on YouTube

mike dove - 5 years ago

Nice video and boat. Just a couple of questions , how do you think this compares to the vexus? , any wishes that I had a 200 capable speed ok in tournaments? would , if you had to do it again , go without the carpet? Thanks

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

They are close to each other price just depends on the options

Wayne Sizemore - 5 years ago

Isn’t the Vexus like 10 grand more than Ranger

A. Marcum - 5 years ago

@JC Dropshot Just returned from a Vexus dealer in Frankfort, KY. The vexus is sweet!

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Cool getting closer

mike dove - 5 years ago

@JC Dropshot Indy has a dealer now

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Joe Bob like wise man

Joe Bob - 5 years ago

JC Dropshot Bummer. Well lets hope there is a Vexus for both of us sooner than later in our future. Hope all is well.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Not that I know yet.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

I am hoping one shows up at Cobo boat show in Detroit.

Joe Bob - 5 years ago

mike dove Hey Mike. If this helps you out great. If not, i tried. I owned for 12 years a Ranger 520dvx FLW tourney boat, and just recently sold. Moved and nowhere to keep out of sun. Also to busy to use. With that its easy to say im a diehard Ranger fanboy. All others are junk(haha).
Ok. Heres my thoughts. I am buying aluminum. (Tired of glass upkeep) I have done a ton of research on Ranger, Tracker, Lund, G3, and Vexus. Although i have not been hands on with Vexus yet, i’ll be blown away if thats NOT what i buy. The design elements are far superior to anything i have seen. 5 supports for transom which allows jackplates. Tilt wheel. Sliding seat. Hotfoot option. Compression dry lids. In dash room for up to 12” display. Remote drain plug. Truer glass look IMO. Many more options as well, all for same or even less price than Ranger depending on your wants and needs.
Again just my opinion but i think Vexus is gonna start to take over alumnum bass rigs over the next few years. For their first models its beyond impressive to me what they have done.
My order as of today with research:
Vexus
Ranger/tracker
Lund
G3 way way way back there. Looked at 2 and was disgusted at what you get for price. Horrible.
Good luck and great fishing.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

I haven’t ran or seen the Vexus in person so can’t comment there. No do not wish it had a 200 on it. When it was new and empty I got it up to 62mph with load in it and proped the way I have it for the Great Lakes I am seeing 56 to 58 mph and is plenty of speed for me. I fish a lot of smaller bodies of water so no real chance to go all out often at those tournaments and on the Great Lakes you don’t get to hammer down to often and go wide open. This boat does really well on gas at 38 to 45 mph that seems to be its sweet spot for being gas friendly. Lol No I want the carpet. I like to fish barefoot in the summer and vinyl gets way too hot too quick. If I could do a sea deck option on the boat I would in a heartbeat tho.

Anthony Percell - 5 years ago

My question is how does the Nissan handle the ranger backing down a steep boat ramp? I just bought a new ranger rt198p last week and pull it with a toytoa tacoma

JC Dropshot - 4 years ago

I know the boat is 1350 dry so my best guess is 3,000 to 3,500

Casey Cousins - 4 years ago

Do you know the total tow weight of the boat and trailer rough guess?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Mine handles it great. The frontier I have and tow a little more then 6200lbs. I towed this boat with a ram big horn and I can honestly say it moves it just has well other then it just being a lighter truck then then ram. Longest tow in one day was about 700 miles no issues

J stark - 5 years ago

Hey man love your videos. Did they get right on the chipping paint?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Is that the lime green trim one?

J stark - 5 years ago

Charcoal metallic dual console. I wanted camo and wasn’t sure how long it would last before it faded like most camo boats do. Ranger didn’t warranty fading at the time I contacted. So I opted for my 2nd choice

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Congrats what color did you get?

J stark - 5 years ago

Thanks picking my 198 up this Friday. Can’t wait to get it

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Life got in the way man. Wasn’t able to get the boat over to the dealer to have them look at it yet.

3 Trees Photography - 5 years ago

It’s closed-cell foam and won’t retain moisture because it’s waterproof like styrofoam, unless you are saying water will puddle somewhere on the foam.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

I don’t know wish I had a dry weight before it hit the water so I can compare

Peter Kennedy - 5 years ago

Great video, bad music.

Forrest Outdoors - 5 years ago

Great Content... Keep up the awesome work..

@t

Rowdy Broomstick - 5 years ago

Johnny Morris owns ranger company so expect to see ranger name to be a little smaller every year and eventually say tracker on the side, because that's what it is. Johnny Morris makes it no secret that his plan is to buy out every major boat manufacturer luer manufacturer and anything to do with the fishing industry until he owns all of it why do you think he bought out legend boats just to keep his son from having the company and blocked him at the bank somehow or another legend was an awesome boat now that factory and those workers are nowhere to be found

Taka Yama - 5 years ago

Great video! I pause at the lag bolt: I am amazed at some of the things manufacturers do that are so sloppy. I've been around boats over 65 years now, never owned anything but runabouts and small aluminum boats, but lately been in some high dollar ($73,000-$85,000) bass boats. So I kind of see these things through new eyes. Wow, opened a lid on one to put gear inside, holes in the side bottom of compartment, all kinds of wiring problems, things breaking. It also seems to me that EVERY storage bin should be absolutely waterproof. Water getting on foam isn't good. A 2018 Skeeter. And right now because of the sloppy wiring through trailer tongue where it folds, we are dealing with cut wire caused by folding tongue! Really? Conduit would have stopped that. I'm not impressed.

Russ B - 5 years ago

I realize that this video is not current but my question is in the video when you are running on plane? Wre you wide open fully trimmed? Because it seemed like the boat needed much more lift? Is there a Jack plate on the boat? Is it maxed out as far as horsepower? And last but not least have you tried different props? After reading some of your other responses to questions the optimum speed isn't the most important thing to you which I totally understand. I was just wondering because it seems like the boat isn't fully up on pad in the video.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

I wasn’t running wide open in the drone shots because I would have been going faster then the drone. And no I don’t have a jack plate on it just yet. Could I get more top end out of it with one Yup. That was thought about 38 mph in the video

10. comment for Ranger Aluminum Boats RT 198 P One Year Boat Review

Kody Mackie - 5 years ago

Hey man, how does the frontier tow the 198? I have the 188 and it pulls it good except when I pull for long distances up hill, good video, subscribed too!

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Yeah up very long hills every truck will see a drop in mpg. But overall it does a fine job. I am getting 13 to 17 while towing

Frazier Hylton - 5 years ago

Hey brother I just subscribed to your channel.I have same boat and love it.I do have a terrible time with it sweating in rod boxes.I do get water in hull bilge area not sure it's from condensation or what.Working on figuring it out.Do you have any water in your hull after day of fishing?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

I do not have an issue like you are having. If I have taken water over the front of the boat I will prop my hatches open when it's under the cover to let air flow around in them and dry things out. Sound like that is all you may need to do.

Leon Foster - 5 years ago

Does it come rigged for crappie, and what is the transom rated for hp wise, and last but not least, does it come with a extra spot for a battery for the electronics

JC Dropshot - 4 years ago

It’s a bass boat also

Eric Ramsey - 4 years ago

Rt188c is a ranger crappie fishing boat.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

There is a crappie model, 198 is good up 150hp . There is a ton of room for batteries. I have two for trolling motor and one that I use for cranking and electronics. If you wanted to add a 4 th in you could

T-Boomer Fishing - 5 years ago

How does it handle on big water and wind?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Here is a video a shot about two months after getting the boat on Lake St. Clair wasn’t able to get the biggest waves I went through on film it was safe to turn on the cameras at that moment.

https://youtu.be/FzXDUIFTvpc

Lamar Cantrell - 5 years ago

I have a 2018 like yours and would like to know what prop. you are running? Thanks very much.

Lawrence Lavander - 5 years ago

How’s that boat handle bigger water? Especially when it gets choppy and rollers?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

https://www.rosemarineservice.com/inventory/2019-lund-1675-adventure-ss-algonac-mi-48001-2587702i

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

I will be honest I don't think you will be able to get a Ranger Deep V at that price point with very many things added on it. You may want to take a look at the Lund Adventure series of boats. I think they may hit the sweet spot for what you're looking for price point wise. And will also be a good family boat for you that will let you fish well out of it also. The 1675 Adventure starts at $18,397. I got to look one of these over really good at a boat show and it was really nice looking. I have a quick walkthrough tour going up today here on the channel.

Lawrence Lavander - 5 years ago

Trying not to spend more that 25K this will be a second boat. I run a guide service in north Minnesota so this boat will mostly just be for us and the other will be strictly for the company

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

What’s your price point?

Lawrence Lavander - 5 years ago

Oh I know that’s why I’m trying to weigh out options thanks for the video

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Well this isn’t a deep V. I spend a lot of time out on Lake St. Clair and I have had it out on Lake Superior this past fall.

Lawrence Lavander - 5 years ago

Good to hear. I fishing a lot of the big Minnesota lakes and I’ve been looking at these and the ranger 1660 and a other deep Vs as well.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

The driver plays a major role in that. But it handles it very well for me.

https://youtu.be/FzXDUIFTvpc

Dave Spencer - 5 years ago

That music! argh

chunkybuttz - 5 years ago

I really like the clip system. Will be installing those for sure

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Maybe a 1.5 inch further spacing

chunkybuttz - 5 years ago

JC Dropshot I like to pretend I’m an engineer so I draw things out on paper first. So would you cut the clip amount in half roughly? Keeping in mind the boat is geared towards sportsman use, not super tournament minded.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

If I would do it over again I would space them out more and have a few less

Robert Knorr - 5 years ago

Enjoyed video. Am seriously considering the 198p, when I sell my Bay Boat. My brother runs the big fiberglass Rangers for years, and loves them. I have fished with him many times on Lake Okeechobee in Fl., and the boat handles great and rides good. You mention big water, how does this boat ride in “rough “ water, say 1-2 ft. Chop. In a light ripple or chop, does the boat actually get up on the “pad” of the hull. I know it will not ride as well as my Key West Bay Reef, 20ft, buy we do get wind on the Harris Chain and 1-2ft waves, just hate to have to idle 5 miles back to the ramp if it gets a little rough ? I keep looking at the 18ft Crestliner because of the Huge front deck, is the 198p wide enough for two people to fish from ? Appreciate any assistance you can give.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Robert Knorr same here on Lake St Clair and Erie. And the boat traffic in the summer can only be described has a washing machine ride from hell at times lol

Robert Knorr - 5 years ago

Appreciate your quick reply Justin, and the attached video. We get storms pop up fast in the summer, and can experience water like you showed in that video. Looks like boat does pretty well . Thanks again.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

I can run on pad in a light ripple chop at full speed.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

I have heard the crest liner need trim tabs to run good and I have seen one on the FLW tour that need them to run right. That doesn’t sit well with me.

To answer your question on the ride short answer is yes. How good of a ride will depend on the driver. I crew up in the Great Lakes so 1-2 ft waves are normal life for us. Below is a link to another one of my videos I drove through some stuff bigger then that that day and plenty of 1 to 2 ft

https://youtu.be/FzXDUIFTvpc

bob fisher - 5 years ago

Hey man nice vid. Quick question I noticed there is no seals (unless I didnt see them) around the compartments does your stuff get wet if you get stuck in a down poor?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Thanks! There are no seals on the back two. Front two have seals. I do talk about that briefly in the video. Are they as good as what is on the glass boats no. Do they do the job 90% of the time yes! If I get the deck super wet or it rains really hard I do open the compartments and let every thing air out.

20. comment for Ranger Aluminum Boats RT 198 P One Year Boat Review

Midge Barker - 5 years ago

I would love to Crappie fish out of it at this price point.

James Wilson - 5 years ago

Good video lousy music

chunkybuttz - 5 years ago

James Wilson Good video . Music is fine dude it’s got a happy overtone you negative Nancy

Bill reid - 5 years ago

definately love my 198P, super easy to do your own maintenance and winterizing as well**

Daniel Cloud - 5 years ago

I have the 2018 red rt198p. I absolutely agree about the paint that’s got to be my biggest complaint. It scratches and chips so easily. My buddy has the new tracker and the paint job is night and day compared to are rangers. But that’s all they got on us lol. Good video thanks for sharing I should have some video up soon on mine of all the upgrades I’ve done and how.

S Walker - 5 years ago

I have a new Lund aluminum. Paint on aluminum boat s just doesn't hang on for whatever reason. I have a couple small chips from gravel I guess. Just part of it. Can't keep em new forever

fishing is my drug - 5 years ago

Is your tow vehicle a Nissan Frontier? If so, how do you like it? How does it do towing the boat?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

fishing is my drug I have towed the rig and camping gear to the UP and back down here to Metro Detroit area of Michigan. It handled it well. Mileage could be a bit better. But that is the trade off for the high displacement motor and a truck geared for off road duty more then city living.

fishing is my drug - 5 years ago

@JC Dropshot Good to hear! I have an SV, otherwise same as yours. Only towed 2000# with it so far, was curious as to how it does with more weight.
Thank you for the prompt reply.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Yes it is. I have a 2018 pro4x tows it great. Plenty of power. It’s got the power towing capacity of all mid size trucks with and unleaded gas motor. Very happy with it.

BassinWithBuck - 5 years ago

I own the same boat and the best upgrade I’ve done is add an 80 pound Ultrex. You wouldn’t believe how it takes the fishability to a whole new level. Our boats do blow around in the wind a fair amount more than a fiberglass rig, but that Ultrex remedies that in a hurry. Great review!

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

That is on my list of upgrades

martin c - 5 years ago

Good Job! Is there room to make it 36v ?

BassinWithBuck - 5 years ago

Tons of room in the bilge. Having the fuel tank under the seats open up the back compartment tremendously.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Yes

Brian Eisenman - 5 years ago

I love how in general bass fisherman keep all of their things nice. Guy's boat and truck are super clean. The video was even excellent quality. Just a good community all around!

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Thanks

i Bee Amazin - 5 years ago

Have you seen the new Vexus line up? Are you interested in checking out the AVX1980 since it would compete with the RT198P. I like the shape of them, more traditional.

Everett Fuller - 5 years ago

Live next to the Vexus and Ranger plant, all the problems you have with the 198p have been addressed on the Vexus for sure. Come down and take a plant tour you’ll be amazed

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

That is the goal we will see if that happen

i Bee Amazin - 5 years ago

@JC Dropshot very cool. I live in Cali so it will take a while to make it to me, but I signed up online. Crazy part was Keith Daffron called me the next day. I just noticed that the vexus addresses your complaints pretty well, rear storage, paint, etc.

Are you going to make a video of first impressions and test drive? I would be interested in seeing that.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Yes very aware of them I have talked to the rep a few times trying to setup a test drive

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Yes very aware of them I have talked to the rep a few times trying to setup a test drive

Gary - 5 years ago

Thanks for doing a "year later review". I like your frank opinion on features. Considering the deep v models myself but still love you pointing out the features on this model. I have been researching construction methods on aluminum boats and also wonder about the foam in hull longevity issue with holding water. I don't think yours has any wood in it to worry about.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Yeah zero wood anywhere in the boat. I recently need to anchor this boat in the heavy current and wasn’t happy with it. But at the same this was at a base of rapids so may not have been the best place to try anchoring in heavy current for the 1st time lol

30. comment for Ranger Aluminum Boats RT 198 P One Year Boat Review

Joshua Adams - 5 years ago

Speed?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

My beat was 62 but 55 to 58 on the gps most of the time

stephsfishing - 5 years ago

Awesome Video. Thanks. Thinking really hard about this boat. I'm out here in the California delta and I'm wondering how does the 198P handle chop and rough waters? I know st. clair can get pretty tough probably similar to the CA Delta. It also gets windy here. I'd really appreciate your input on this.

Tropical Polar bear - 5 years ago

I'm from Arkansas I fish a lot of areas with a lot of stumps do you have a problem with the aluminum boat not wanting to slide off as easy as a fiberglass boat

Everett Fuller - 5 years ago

I’m from Arkansas as well and fish out of a 198p, fished millwood this year and it did great!

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

I have been able to get it off a few stumps fairly easily.

Trevor Alexander - 5 years ago

Love these boats. Saw one at my local dealer gently used for $19,000. I wan't it so bad, but since I'm in college I can't afford it. It would be a big set up from my 1999 bass tracker 175 with a 40hp mercury. It surprised me a lot how wide these boats are which is what I like the best in addition to all the storage options.

Central Coast Bass - 5 years ago

Nice review, like the plus and minus views. Keep it honest.

Mike Nelson - 5 years ago

Who makes those cull clips?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

TH Marine

9ri99s - 5 years ago

T-H Marine Supplies

Chris Klingman - 5 years ago

How much has the speed dropped off. New vs now?
Thanks

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

I haven’t run it empty at all since I got it. So don’t know how much I have lose. Loaded I am still getting 55 to 58 top end depending on the conditions. My gut is telling about 1 mph.

Brandon Lathrop - 5 years ago

like the boat review Justin and I was just at rose today with my dad again getting more oil for our etec’s lol and do you know some pretty decent spot for walleye and pike after the flies has started up and the weeds are getting tall and I also remember that day I met and talked to you at rose when your battery blew up and we had kicker problems lol and that is running great now

Brandon Lathrop - 5 years ago

JC Dropshot ok thank you we were fishing the north channel for walleye the other morning and got one rock bass all morning and we were looking around and no one was getting fishing and people were asking us if we even got any bites and stuff and the we trolled spoons for pike up the channel edge out by deckers and I pulled a spoon right over top of a bedded musky about 4-4.5 feet long and it just kinda looked at it and didn’t even move and I also pulled it right inform of a couple pike on the same spot that I could see from the front of the boat and they just weren’t interested they we just like out of it yesterday so next time we’re out we’re going to go try the south channel but it’s kind of a hike lol

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

The channels edges on the ski and Baltimore Highway are good for pike in the summer. Glad they got your kicker working good for you

Ladybass - 5 years ago

Let me know when your selling it ;P

Ladybass - 5 years ago

if not this fall, im making the trip down in the spring!

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Well I think you need come over here for a test drive this fall maybe sometime in September. You know you need another lake st Clair fix. Lol

Nathan Perry - 5 years ago

Is it a mod v?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

The question I think your asking here is does it handle rough water well yes it does. The pad makes it ride better at high speeds.

I did a video on the rough water ride thing last year. Is it a glass boat nope. Can it run big water yes to a point but the driver has a lot to do with it.

Here is the link to that video
https://youtu.be/FzXDUIFTvpc

Nathan Perry - 5 years ago

JC Dropshot so does that make it handle rough water better than a traditional mod v?

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

With a pad haul

Michigan Fishing Adventure - 5 years ago

Really nice toy, now its time to buy a real ranger boat for big water...

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

https://youtu.be/FzXDUIFTvpc

Adventure Fishing - 5 years ago

Cool boat but i need room for trolling :)

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

O I think I figured out how to troll out of these thing if I ever need to. Lol

Arcasting - 5 years ago

Great video! Like how you didn’t drag it out too long. I will film on that boat one day!

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Be sure to sub and hit the bell so you get notified every time I post a video

Team Jesus Outdoors - 5 years ago

The video turned out great! Great job on the drone footage and the edit!

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Thanks man

chunkybuttz - 5 years ago

You absolutely cannot beat those shallow Indiana lakes for bass and walleye! Grew up fishing there and Florida

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Weight was one of the deciding factors for me. There are many gravel ramps here in Michigan and I needed something light for those

F D - 5 years ago

Cool thanks for the review! Also what are some other details about this model i.e. length and price for a package like that? And perhaps why you decided to go with ranger as opposed to say tracker, nitro, or lund in a comparable size? Really enjoy the videos and always look forward to them!

F D - 5 years ago

JC Dropshot I'm just really interested in stuff like that but being fishing has so many choices for what some people might see as so similar but hearing the subtle differences of 1 manufacturer's highlights to another are very informative. In a market where every brand has die hard followings it's cool to me to know why I should pay more for certain products or why I shouldnt for others. 1 of the reasons I like your videos so much are for the honest reviews from a regular guy and not shameless paid product plugging.

F D - 5 years ago

I was more curious so of the finer details about what drove you to ranger....I know like tracker welds and lund uses rivets so some people decide that way...I know ranger has an amazing reputation so maybe that was 1 reason. Also you mentioned either rose marine/ranger being willing to touch up your paint so that would mean to me amazing customer service to me over a cosmetic issue where other brands might not fix that. Also when you mentioned a different type of fastener to the console what something like that entails.

JC Dropshot - 5 years ago

Looks like I will need to do a follow up video answering some question. Keep them comjng