An Aggressive Angler

By Capt. Bob Smith

Bull Shoals Lake and Boat Dock turned out to be a great place to test Ranger’s bass boats! Although we had rain the first day and some pretty strong winds the next two, we enjoyed the visit and hospitality of the crew from Ranger and BSL Docks. The weather may have been less than ideal, but we definitely got a great feel of how these boats handle.

Starting at the Bow

The 188VS is tournament-ready with plenty of room to work thanks to the 92 ½’’ beam. Up front is a seat post position for a casting chair or seat and remote switched for the navigation lights and motor trim. The 12V Minn Kota trolling motor is pre-wired with 6 gauge wiring harnesses and our boat came with the optional trolling motor foot well. There is a 7’ rod locker on the starboard side and a 7’ 6” locker to port. Aft of the bow is a large storage locker fitted with assist rods for easy opening and this locker is also gasketed to keep the gear dry and this, like all of the gear lockers are lockable. Also up here is an insulated cooler with gel-coat liner and drain.

Console and Seating

Ranger’s SRS-Soft Ride Seats that ensure a comfortable ride in all conditions. These seats make you feel as though you are sitting in an over-stuffed lounger! The center seat has a flip-down backrest that converts into a wide step leading to the aft deck. In addition to the single console version, the 188VS is available in a companion console layout. For me, one of the outstanding features was the immense leg room on the companion and the helm stations. Running rod racks, ramps and straps are on the port side, supplementing the two rod straps on the bow. Hand holds abound and retractable grab handles are just under the lip of the seats. Brushed aluminum accents added to the look on the helm which is equipped with standard gauges for fuel, trim, tach, and speed and also features a standard Lowrance X-135 depth finder and Teleflex Sea Star Pro hydraulic steering for smoother handling.

More Fishing Features

Located between to two aft storage compartments is the 21 gallon livewell. This livewell features recirculating aeration, filter screens, and automatic timer functions. Aft of the livewell is the oil reservoir and battery charger and the third stainless steel seat base. Designing the engine setback properly prevents water from overrunning the stern and getting the deck awash.

Specifications

The 188VS measures 18’8” length overall with a wide beam of 7’ 8.5’’. The 188VS carries a total of 38 gallons of fuel in a single tank. The 188VS is rated for 150- to 175-hp outboard engines for power.

She weighs 1,550 lbs without engine in the single console version and approximately 1,575 lbs with the dual console option.

Performance

The 188VS was a joy to drive. She delivered a smooth dry ride and responded well at all speeds. We tested the 188VS with a Yamaha 150-hp VMAX outboard with 23M prop and concluded she cruised best at 3500 rpm and 36.7mph for a full tank range of 138 miles. She topped out at 5500 rpm at 55.9mph which will deliver a 94 mile range on a full tank of fuel. She was out of the hole in 2.4 seconds and up to 30 mph in 5.8 seconds.

The 188VS proved its worth as a tournament-ready bass boat that will deliver a solid ride. As recorded this high performance boat will get you to the fishing ground fast, the SRS seating will provide the comfort, so all you’ll need to do is catch the fish.

Speeds measured with Stalker ProSports radar gun. Fuel consumption (gallons per hour) measured with Floscan digital fuel-flow meter on gas inboards, sterndrives, and outboards, TechMate electronic scan tool on gas EFI inboards, Caterpillar digital fuel-flow meter on diesel engines, or permanently installed fuel-monitoring equipment. Range is based on 90% of published fuel capacity. Sound levels determined using Radio Shack digital decibel meter on A scale. 68 dBA is the level of normal conversation.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions