Boating Roundup 2006

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KEYWORDS

• boats
• GPS
• watersports
• watercraft

Winter is an exciting time of year for boating enthusiasts. It signals the start of the boat show season--a chance to climb aboard and take a close look at a variety of boats and accessories before you buy. While you're looking, keep in mind that many boats are designed for a specific purpose, so it's important to decide what you want yours to do before you plunk down any money. After all, you don't want to find out that a craft you bought for waterskiing is best for bass fishing.

We chose five popular categories of powerboats and then picked the craft in each that stands out. The designs of these models have been refined through years of feedback from competitive fishermen, anglers, cruisers and skiers. The boats we selected aren't the cheapest in their class, but their state-of-the-art features make them a good place to start your comparisons.

CLASSIC BASS
The bass boat is defined by a low freeboard, an uncluttered interior, lots of storage, and the speed and stability to get from fishing hole to fishing hole fast. The features once carried only by the pros have become standard on today's boats for weekend anglers. Ranger has been making bass boats since this kind of fishing was launched as a professional sport in the late 1960s. The interior layout of the company's 188VS reflects years of tournament-driven refinements, including raised decks front and back for good visibility, and the option of single or double consoles in the cockpit. Nonslip carpeting provides traction and dampens sound.

While the pro tournament boats are more than 20 ft. long to handle big, open water, a popular size for weekend anglers is the 18-footer. Ranger's new 18-ft. 8-in. 188VS has most of the features of the bigger boats, but its smaller size, shallow 16-in. draft and bow-mounted trolling motor give it the agility needed to navigate rivers and back bays. And, it fits in an average garage.

The storage in the 188VS is impressive for its capacity and convenience. A recirculating, aerated livewell with a filter screen, located under the rear platform, provides a soft ride for both live bait and for bass headed for weigh-in at a weekend club tournament. Two full-length lockers in front can keep 16 rigged rods out of the way, yet instantly accessible.

With its stock Yamaha F-150, the Ranger 188VS can hit about 65 mph, but the beamy hull can handle up to a 175-hp motor. For two-stroke fans, this model is also available with Evinrude and Mercury power options.

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BASS BOAT RANGER 188VS

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SPECS
LENGTH OVERALL (LOA): 18 ft. 8 in.
BEAM: 92 in.
DRY WEIGHT: 1575 lb.
MAX. POWER: 175-hp outboard
PRICE: $30,510 with a Yamaha F-150
FUEL: 38 gal.
INFO: rangerboats.com

KEY ACCESSORIES

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Humminbird Matrix 87c Combo ($699) Color fishfinder with GPS chart plotter and inland-water cartography. humminbird.com

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MotorGuide TR109P Digital ($999) 36-volt, 105-pound-thrust trolling motor with built-in transducer and foot control. motorguide.com

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Hot Foot Throttle ($75) and Foot Trim Control ($25) let you keep both hands on the wheel while adjusting speed and trim. bobsmachine.com

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