A Sporty Multi-Purpose Boat

By Capt. Robert Smith

Ranger doesn’t seem to do anything little. While everyone else is creating their own version of the “SUV” on the water, Ranger seems to have developed quite the multi-purpose vehicle on the water. Just a quick look tells you it has its roots in the fishing market, yet the boat has space and function which invites the family aboard whether they’re fishing, want to enjoy some watersports or just want to cruise. This new model will be found on lakes, rivers and bays due to its flexible design. The SS stands for Sport Series, but it also “super slick” fits it as well with some really slick ideas in the design.

From the Bow

The bow of the 2250SS has taken advantage of the deck boat design and it’s quite wide. Like all Ranger’s, it’s stable from side to side and doesn’t feel tippy as you move about. The deck is covered with a rubber texture pads rather than a carpet. This will make it easy to clean, soft on the feet and forgiving when someone drops things. There are two storage boxes and a concealed boarding ladder in the bow section. On the port side is a quick release Minn Kota 24V trolling motor with wired foot control. Two fishing chairs can be put up front or one to either side.

Stepping over into the bow seating area, the step conceals an aerated livewell for the folks fishing off the bow. If there is one thing this boat does not lack, it’s storage. The two large benches and corner benches are all storage. The large benches can store rods up to 7 1/2’ in length or regular skis. There is a sole storage locker that stows gear or the optional portable toilet.

Space Age Cockpit

The center console design looks like they hacked off the nose and part of the windshield of a fighter jet and mounted it on a square box in the center. The base is smaller than the console and there is room completely around the console. Having the smaller mount means you have even more foot room and can get around the cockpit from stern to bow quickly if you need to. A couple of long narrow storage boxes are in the sidewalls to either side of the console for small gear. The front of the console is a cooler with lid and two of the six drink holders on board. The windshield provides basic coverage, although it got rather chilly when I tested on a cold day in the Ozarks.

The dash has Sea Star Hydraulic steering and the gauges and switches are in good position. The speedometer is covered by the wheel in the lower range, but I didn’t notice it when I was driving. The speakers are also mounted in the lower mounting box of the console but they seemed to spread the sounds out well to both the bow and the stern.

Aft Conversation Center

The helm seat is another unique feature. I have seen simple flip-up seat backs on fishing rigs, especially bay boats, but this one was different. While most have a simple straight cushion and rather small diameter tubes for the pivot. This one wraps around to each side and has a very heavy duty mechanism supporting it. Flipped forward, it becomes a companion bench so everyone can sit together in the aft seats and enjoy a story, sandwich or just good times together.

The aft bench wraps around to each side with storage boxes in the ends and battery/oil/access boxes next to them. In the center is another matching livewell for equal bait availability to the people fishing from the back of the boat. In the sole is another area to store with a removable liner box to give you access to the through hulls and strainers in the bilges.

Aft Fishing Deck

The aft deck has gear storage boxes and another two fishing chair locations. In the center is a receiver for the heavy-duty ski tow bar that locks into place for fun and stores out of sight when not needed. On the stern is a concealed three-step boarding ladder to port and a covered wet locker on the starboard.

Trailer Package

This model has a custom matched tandem axle trailer. The wheels are aluminum with a matching aluminum spare tire. The axles have hydraulic surge brakes and Ranger Trail COOL hubs. The jack is a center mount swing jack and the lights are all LED. The frame is protected by Ranger’s Road Armor protective coating. The tongue is a swing away design, which take the package length from 27 feet down to 25 feet with the engine trimmed down.

Specifications

The overall length of the 2250SS hull is 22’6”. She has a broad width of 101” and a transom height of 24½”. Draft is measured to be about 15 ½”. This model is rated for up to 250 horsepower, and I tested this rig with a Mercury 250-hp Pro XS outboard. The 2250SS weighs about 2,750 lbs. and has a fuel capacity of 65 gallons. Port and starboard rod lockers can store rods up to 7’6” long.

Test Results

When I drove this boat, I felt like it was on greased rails. Turns were smooth with little change in deck angle which means the person on the end of the ski rope will have a grand time. While I didn’t have heavy chop, I didn’t feel or hear any hull slapping noises from the water. The 2250SS was out of the hole quickly for her size in 3.7 seconds, and reached 30 mph in an effortless 6.2 seconds, with two guys on board and 5/8ths of a tank of fuel. She reached a maximum of 53.4 mph at 5700 rpm and a best cruise of 29.9 mph at 3500 rpm for a cruising range of 235 miles.

Conclusion

I tested hull number one in this new line. I found she definitely has the room and amenities for a family to cruise, enjoy skiing or fishing and can do it all in the same day with ease. The center console design is definitely different, but actually makes a lot of sense for mobility aboard and I liked the soft cushioning of the deck treatment. If you are looking for a true multi-purpose boat with the speed, comfort and fishability of a Ranger, then you owe it to yourself to check out the 2250SS.

• Top speed for the Ranger Boats 2250 SS is 53.4 MPH (85.9 KPH), burning 24.9 gallons per hour (GPH) or 94.25 liters per hour (LPH).


• Best cruise for the Ranger Boats 2250 SS is 29.9 MPH (48.1 KPH), and the boat gets 4.01 miles per gallon (MPG) or 1.71 kilometers per liter (KPL), giving the boat a cruising range of 235 miles (378.2 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 250-hp Mercury Pro XS.

Ranger Boats 2250 SS Standard and Optional Equipment

Systems
CD Stereo
Trailer
Exterior Features
Outlet: 12-Volt Acc
Swim Ladder

= Standard = Optional