Ranger’s RB series proved itself popular among bass, crappie and coastal anglers—and now includes this larger new RB200.
Our test boat was powered by a four-stroke Mercury 150 ProXS outboard, a speedy, agile combination enhanced by hydraulic steering and smooth, precise throttle control. The RB200 planed in 2.8 seconds, reached 30 mph in 6.4 seconds and missed 50 mph by just a fraction. The RB200’s stout foam-filled hull is solid and knocked downdouble-up wakes without knocking out dental work—something many aluminum boats can’t do.
Ranger owners have come to expect ergonomic efficiency as well as stellar performance. This means paying attention to details that are often overlooked in the showroom. New steps—a pair nested port and starboard in the corners of forward bulkheads—make it easy to mount the casting deck. Three seat pedestals, one in the center flanked by two more, allow for setting it up with a leaning seat or a pair of folding seats for crappie spider riggers. Then there’s Ranger’s Lock-Track tool rail that runs the length of each gunwale, accommodating as many rod holders as you care to mount.
The wide front casting deck includes a trolling-motor pedal storage compartment with a trim ring to convert the compartment into a recessed tray.
The RB200’s layout is perfectly tailored for taking on inshore fisheries or buddy bass tournaments with dual livewells, ample rod boxes, and cavernous in-deck storage on the fore and aft decks and under the rear jump seats. Rod lockers to port and starboard hold up to 8-foot-6-inch rods. The front center livewell is ideal for keeping the catch fresh and holds larger fish such as muskie, stripers and snook along with a bait bucket for leeches or minnows. The all-fiberglass helm station has a sturdy grab rail and can hold a 9-inch sonar/GPS display. There’s a wide leaning post for two people and it’s flanked by jump seats aft.
Quick, nimble, easy to trailer, ultimately fishable for any species—the RB200 might be the most tempting fish boat we’ve seen in this price range.
⋅Batteries are easily accessible under the console.
⋅The rugged Rawhide spray-in cockpit floor liner is handsome and easy to care for.
⋅A standard aluminum-frame trailer makes it easy to launch, load and haul the boat.
LOA: 20′4″
Beam: 8′0″
Draft (max): 1′0″
Dry Weight: 1,550 lb.(without engine)
Seat/Weight Capacity: 5/825 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 28 gal.
Price: $37,714 (as tested)
Engine: Mercury 150 Pro XS
Drive/Props: Outboard/Mercury Revolution 19
Gear Ratio: 2.08:1
Fuel Load: 25 gal.
Crew Weight: 370 lb.
Ranger Boats - Flippin, Arkansas; 870-453-2222; rangerboats.com