Boatman

The reason those old motors are so expensive is that the NEW small motors are all four stroke and VERY expensive. a lot of people are looking for a motor for around $1,000-$1,500 because a new 15 -25 horse motor will run between $2500-$4500. I would have not giiven him $1500 but do not be suprised if he does sell it for over $1,000. Depends on how bad you want it and how bad he needs to sell it. I work in sales at a large marine dealership and we have guys coming in all the time looking for just what that guy had.

I work as a Sales Manager at a Authorized Ranger Dealer and we do not order our in stock boats with Jack Plates on Aluminum Boats. To my knowlege we have not sold a 178 or a 188 with a jack plant. The reasons are as stated above plus the fact that when quoting out the boat we would be over $1,000 high. Ranger does offer this as an option but the advice about taking that extra grand and upgrading your electronics is spot on. Yes, on a glass boat with a 250 Opti Max it is almost mandatory but on a 178 I would try to talk you out of it if you were across the table from me and we were figuring on your boat.

Maintenence is the key.If you REALLY plan to keep it a LONG time I would recommend the four stroke. two stroke technology will be legislated out of existence in a few years by EPA mandates and then two strokes will die a "no more parts" slow death. I honestly think that within ten years if you want to go look at a two stroke outboard you will need to visit a museum.

The Ranger 188 is quiete a boat. I work as a Sales Manager at an Authorized Ranger Dealer and we have sold several. We package them with the Merc Four Strokes and they perform very well. A lot wil depend on what your local dealer sells and supports. You can order the boat with either a Merc, Yamaha, Evenrude or Suzuki. The most important consideration is what type of engine does your local dealer sell, service and support. If I can help you , let me know.

I am Sales Manager for an authorized Ranger Dealer in Alabama and I can tell you that you have made a GREAT choice. We have sold several of the 188 boats in the last few months along with the 178 and they are both fabulous rides. We have about a dozen of these boats on hand with more on order We are authroized Mercury and Yamaha Dealers as well. The boats that we have sold have all been sold with Mercs 4 strokes but we do sell the larger glass boats with the SHO Yamaha motors as well as the Opti Max Mercs. ALL are great engines. The advice you were given about the future is correct. Four Strokes will eventually be the only choice available. The EPA will be the reason, not market forces. You can order a Ranger with either a Merc, Yamaha, Evenrude or Suzuki. I went on a Ranger Factory tour last month an asked how many of each they rigged out. They would not give out specific numbers but they did say over half were outfilled with Mercuy, a large percentage Yamaha and the rest were Evenrude then Suzuki. You will be pleased with either the Merc or the Yamaha. The 188, in my opinion, is the best boat for the money built today. They cannot build them fast enough because people are finding out that they CAN have a Ranger which is a whole lot more boat for just a little bit more money. Let me know if you would like any further information about the Ranger line.