Ranger 188VS

Though Australian anglers are a resourceful lot who, over time, have developed their own techniques for luring native fish, much of our tackle and techniques are rooted in America half a world away. Today, we walk the dog with our stickbaits, sink and draw our jigs - soft plastics and spinnerbaits - often from boats that are at least loose derivations of Yankee craft.

Founded in 1968, Ranger is as much a part of Middle America as cheerleaders, Chevrolets and spinnerbaits. As one of the biggest manufacturers of high-speed tournament bass boats in the world, Ranger builds 40 different models, while also offering customisations by way of optional gear, graphics and finish, plus more for the fishing pros.

There are three series in the Ranger line-up: the Z Commanche, the mid-priced tournament VX Commanche and the entry-level VS Series. The flagship of the latter range, the 188VS tested here is a great example of the American bass-fishing genre. I tested the boat on a not-so-flat Sydney Harbour.

Despite being a boat made for high tailing it from one end of the impoundment to the other, and fishing in flat water in comfort and style, the 188VS would make a great bream, bass and barra platform Down Under.

BUILT TOUGH
If not for the construction and fishing features then it’s the car-like finish of the Rangers that will win you over. Even the custom Ranger aluminium trailer is a work of art, with hydraulic brakes, independent suspension, a swing-away tongue and more.

On the construction front, the Rangers are filled with closed-cell foam for upright level flotation, have a foam-filled fibreglass stringer system to help make them monocoque and rattle-free one-piece boats. Some components, such as hatch lids, are composite to reduce weight and have gas struts to assist with access.

The transom on the 188VS has an outboard set back so that, when you back of the (foot) throttle in a hurry, water doesn’t wash aboard.

This was nice to know as the demo boat was paired with a 175hp Optimax that might otherwise generate a decent transom wave.

Because it’s intended for tournament work, the Ranger also has a high performance hull. Though there isn’t much freeboard, the bow is flared. Having said that, I managed to put it through the back of a brace of unsuspecting ferry waves.

The Ranger was to be commended for keeping the water out of all its waterproof tackle lockers and storage bins. Also, along with some air cushioning from the hull, the blows were absorbed by the suspension seating. But you do need to power up to keep the nose up, something that takes guts with giant ferry wakes.

The 188VS’s 2.31m beam and low COG assist stability when you shift around the deck. That flat deck, the heart of this boat, has been designed from the keel up for bass fishing.

Electronics range from front and rear-mounted Lowrance X-135 depth sounders and transducers to a dual-pro battery charger. There is a full spread of switches and gauges on the dash. There are removable navigation lights and compartment lights, and the wiring
runs are heavy duty six-gauge with a 50amp breaker.

All the seating is mounted on Springfield bases. The boat has a handy carpeted casting platform fitted with retractable rod stows for carrying rigged gear between runs. Under the floor is a catacomb of storage. There is a huge locker forward for lifejackets and safety stuff, an insulated icebox aft of it, a portside rod locker for 10 outfits that separates their fragile tips, and a starboard locker that can be optioned as a second rod locker. The boat also comes with a fire extinguisher, good access to the fuse box, and a Ranger fish-measuring ruler. Such is the attention to detail. There is also an amidships position for mounting the remote casting seat before you step back to the dual helm consoles and then the aft casting platform.

Your fishing buddy scores a bucket seat, grabrail, drinkholder, removable windshield, rubber-backed footrest and a quick-stow rod rack with rubber guide protectors. Between him or her and you the skipper, is a step through to the aft casting platform.

The moulded helm pod has a raceboat-like dash, sports wheel linked to hydraulic steering, Pro-Trim engine-trim stick, scope to fit a column-mounted trim stick for a jacking plate, Hot Foot throttle - truly performance orientated - cruise computer for the Optimax outboard (standard), and switches, timers and recycle modes for the baffled livewell back aft.

The rear casting platform conceals two additional storage lockers or kill tanks. It can also be fitted with a bucket seat.

DRIVE TIME
Plant the foot throttle and the Ranger 118VS bass boat roars to a top speed of about 60mph (68mph on the dash). On the choppy harbour the boat felt comfortable at 3500rpm and, I suppose, high 20 to 30kts.

The 144lt sub-floor fuel capacity should see you through most days of flat-water fishing. The dash-mounted computer will help with your range to go. During our harbour test, the boat performed like a low-slung sportscar on a corrugated dirt track. It’s a bass boat, right?

But as time has proven, high-speed, highly manoeuvrable casting platforms like this, designed for fishing, are coveted for casting lures and flies by Australians fishing freshwater, estuaries, harbours and bays.

While it may only seem like yesterday that spinnerbaits sounded as foreign as Crispy Crème donuts, such lures are now common in our tackle trays. Bass boats like these Rangers are now part of our waterways. One has been sold in Sydney and already there are a couple up the Queensland coast.

HIGHS

LOWS