TEAM TALK: All-NEW Ranger ALPHA 208 (BEST ALUMINUM BOAT???)

[@tercelfish00]

Me and my dad run local tournaments out of a 1438 mirrocraft. Not going anywhere fast, comfortably, or winning the Classic anytime soon, but we're within our budget and going fishing and that's all that matters.

[@patbolduan_fish]

You’ll have to do a video on the new Xpress H20. 20’ boat with a 175hp and tandem axle trailer for $40k

[@timg185]

I think that boat needed a 200 HP

[@RedXCross1]

The H20Bay is rated for a 150, I have one it runs good. IMO it is built good and runs and rides great for a tin boat, I have owned a few others as well.

[@Lray4x4]

A 20 foot bass boat with only a 175 on it would suck

[@jordanreichert7145]

This def needs to happen, with the lakes I fish within a cpl hours of my house, I'm really interested in what you gotta say about the new H20

[@williamdeel377]

​@Lray4x4 not on the express with a 175 it will scream its light and rides and drives like a top

[@notsogood6249]

You said the answer on this video about boat builders. The smaller builders still have QUALITY CONTROL and PRIDE in what they put out to the consumer.

[@TRICKEDTINS]

First off, I'm a huge fan! Love the unbiased pov. This is what people want to hear. As a 2nd generation welder fabricator in the marine industry, I love the tin rigs! Looking forward to seeing one of these in person. 99.9% of potential buyers are going to replace all electronics immediately. Why tf dont these big companies offer a premium package with 10-12" graphs, ffs, lithiums, and 36 volt tm option?

[@verndacks]

My guess all about marketing to people who pay more attention to sale price than what you get. This boat with a package on 10-12" screens, FFS, Lithiums and a 36volt option would be well over 85K, price one out, you can get the 24V system, with 9" screens in one of the CUP packages and your right at 80K after add a few options - once you add FFS bigger trolling motor and screens your going over that easily. You can opt to put whatever you want on it after - ever look at the prices for some companies to include electronics in packages - Vexus has Helix 10 MDI for $2367 to add to your bow - you can buy yourself and install for like 1200. Rarely a deal. 85K and people will be bitching about the price. Price out a Vexus you can add all that stuff your well over 70 and thats with a 200hp. Ranger was 79K for 24V and two 9" screens. You can probably add your own options after for less than a premium package would be priced from the factory. Which is unfortunate

[@glensims7959]

1996 to 2001 Xpress boats sure seem to be solid. Not always the best layout.....but the hull, transom, and welds are rock solid. 👍

[@centrebassoutdoors4791]

James Niggemeyer just did a walkthrough video of his Alpha208 and it looks very impressive! Looks well built. Hopefully this is what the aluminum boat market needed!

[@lowvpro9651]

Willing to bet its just as bad as my Ranger 198p. Every compartment will leak, electrical connections are terrible, no wire management or very little. Knee room behind console? These things are a joke.

[@davidegeland2380]

It's not well built. Not a single piece of extruded aluminum in the whole boat. It's no different than any other foam filled mass produced aluminum boat.

[@bradmatz8622]

The fact they put accessories on most boats that no one wants is one of the reasons I like alumacraft bought boat motor and trailer went home bought the trolling motor batteries graphs and on board charger I wanted. All the manufacturers should do it that way in my opinion

[@mikelembke5121]

You can order any boat with what you want on lt or settle for the way dealerships get them

[@robbaize4193]

I bought my GT by your review 2years and couldn’t say one thing bad. Tm , lithium battery, and power pole charge , I appreciate every review!

[@TeamMarineService]

That’s awesome!!! We love hearing stuff like that. 👏🙏

[@UnLikeU]

Never heard of you but the World needs more of you & your unbiased reviews. Today so many people are Pro-Staff lying that you can't trust what they say.👍

[@michaelmoretz4465]

Xpress x21 has got a sho 250 .

[@joshuahaskins4573]

I have one. Awesome boat. They’ve been doing it for decades and Andy pretends they don’t exist.

[@kzdoezit7410]

@@joshuahaskins4573they covered x21 while ago.

[@RickyCarter-ro8fr]

Thanks for the info,and great video-- speed money brakes !!!!!

[@zcars13186]

I was in the Bahamas last week wearing my Team Marine swim trunks. Looked awesome!

[@TeamMarineService]

AWESOME!!!

[@BruceGibson-ku1pz]

I live a few miles from Ranger's factory and they have laid off the entire work force for a few weeks because nobody's buying glass boats right now. All the glass boats are pricing themselves out of 95% of angler's pockets. How many of the "Joe" average guys can throw down even 10% of a $100,000 boat and have a 30 yr. payment plan? 65K for an alum. ? We're going to see a lot more repowers being done. I'm one of these guys. I'm retired and don't need another payment book at my age.

[@mikeyID]

Well said ✊🏼

[@kurtheidelbach]

Shouldn’t have a payment at any age. If you can’t pay cash it’s out of your league.

[@timothygregg2223]

Well thats not true. What about us guys that can finance 150k and pay off in 3 yrs. Wife just paid off her 23 GLE 350 75k or so in 1.5 yrs. Would that same logic apply? Our home 231k bought in 2016 set to be done in 3 yrs. Your right and wrong. If you buy something I say stretch those payments way out and plan for hard time with no early pay off penalty. But if you can barely make the min without planning for a rough patch then your over extending yourself. Just bc you can pay 1k monthly today does not mean your good later. That6.7 may need a 5k repair outside of warranty. This does not mean you cant afford to buy it just bc you have payments.​@kurtheidelbach

[@kurtheidelbach]

@@timothygregg2223 What an idiotic thought process. Then you shouldn't have bought a boat for 3 years 😂😂Or a car for 1.5 years. Or bought cheaper vehicles that you could actually pay cash for. It's called delayed gratification. One of the hardest things to come by in society today. I'm sure you are one of those people that has a rationale for credit cards too LOL. I'm not wrong about anything and there is plenty of information out there. What an idiotic thought process to "plan for a hard time". If you are worried about that you are over buying to start with.

[@davidsharp1533]

Trucks and boats have gotten too high for the working man

[@stu1058]

At the end of the day it’s still a White River kit boat. That’s why they put those cheaper garbage options on them. Vexus or Avid has WAY more options.

[@TRICKEDTINS]

Avid boats are sick

[@stevoky]

Have you encountered those problems with xpress with 250?

[@timothygregg2223]

What about the Avid 23 Mag with a big motor. Thinking to go for that next

[@KeithSivley]

Saw one of these at the local BPS and it caught my attention. Honestly, I had to take a close up look because it really looked like a glass Z20 Ranger boat. Really like the layout. Some concern with several things on the boat but really attractive and see a lot of potential and looking forward to seeing more on water feedback, top speed on the 250, stability and ride.

[@riccochet704]

lol $64k for a 20' aluminum boat and it doesn't even come with a 36v trolling motor. Basically they're charging you for their name. You can get in a Falcon F205 for a little more with better electronics, 36v Ultrex, 4 bank charger. Ranger is smokin that good crack.

[@billshepard6664]

They always were.

[@rickvann3489]

This is for the folks that what an aluminum boat, not a nonresale glass boat.

[@charleskline2002]

They are smoking that tracker boat crack

[@coltonhurley2525]

Just priced a new f205 and bare bones is 73 grand

[@rickvann3489]

@coltonhurley2525 and just good resale around the Carolinas, kinda like Charger Boats in the Missouri area great boat but no resale same goes for Falcon great boat but just not popular

[@linthomason6084]

Do you have any knowledge of Avid aluminum boats? My take on the popularity of tin boats has to do with weight. Smaller trucks, less fuel etc. As performance and features approach glass price and weight/economy will turn my to aluminum.

[@micahcrews4375]

Don't know anything about the 20 ft ranger but I absolutely love that 188p. It goes everywhere really smooth and very stable.

[@floridasaltlife]

All good points, I went through one at BPS a couple days ago and I loved what I saw.

[@JeromeCooley-us8zl]

From my understanding this boat is supposed to be stamped out 1 piece hull. But White River Marine pkgs out all their boats in order for the consumer to upgrade and that's where they make their money. By the time you get the upgrades, you'll be back to the price range for a well equipped boat and standard opts.

[@JohnPascavageFishing]

Xpress X21 can take 250. Just got an X19 and love it.

[@joshuahaskins4573]

I have the x21 w 250 and it’s amazing. Never going back to glass.

[@carbonduke01]

200 SHO, flash it,and there you have it,87 mph boat.

[@thomashardwick673]

Yea can't wait to see a video on this boat on the water but that is a big motor to put on the back of aluminum boat.

[@donaldhusted5551]

It would be a great video series on how to evaluate used boats and motors before purchase

[@TeamMarineService]

We have a couple videos on what too look for when buying used outboards and boats

[@austincolt3306]

My havoc river rat side console with 115/80 jet is a tank that doesn’t break the bank.

[@timroyall6513]

I'm with you on the looks Andy! In the BPS catalog it about 60K with the 200 Merc. I also agree on the T-motor, and the Ranger touch panel. Put a decent t-motor on it and use switches instead of the touch screen. Hope to see one soon. Really can't wait to see you behind the wheel of this one!

[@irod7]

Great video

[@TeamMarineService]

Thanks!

[@gregphillips8299]

If I remember correctly Tracker use to build an aluminum boat called the avalanche that looks just like it

[@blakebroaddus7905]

To Jordan’s point about welders, i don’t think it has anything to do with welders vs glass builders. IMO it’s got to be price point. More of the market is in the “cheaper” boat range…thank y’all for putting in the time to deliver great info.

[@SeraphGEl]

My father in law is a top walleye guide out of Grand Rapids MN. He's run Lunds for 30 years. His current boat has a merc 300. Granted he changes boats every year so he wouldn't know if there were issues. Interested in getting a tin boat so paying close attention...

[@larrylefebvre2237]

I just repowered my 2010 Crestliner 1700 fishhawk from a 115 Optimax to a 115 Yamaha four stroke. Tired of the issues with the Optimax. Low oil level alarm screaming each spring and power trim issues. Suzuki dealer here sucks so I went with a good dealer that at least has good service.

[@scottdanielson4816]

Going to aluminum instead of glass used to be less expensive because you'd have a smaller outboard and thus less cost. An aluminum bass boat used to mean a lighter boat and maybe 90hp or 115hp. I guess it's still less expensive than glass with that 250 hp and $63,000 but that is just such a large number and hard to get used to prices like that.

[@dnv323]

Aluminum prices are insane !!! Lund pro v 2075 starts at 95,500 it’s ridiculous … I can buy new skeeter WXR2060F for 86,500

[@coltonhurley2525]

You can get a 20 ft nitro with a 250 for less than 60

[@coltonhurley2525]

@@chadengels2625 that is true. I was essentially stating before id drop 70 on a lund id just buy the nitro. Even the z21 is only 66 if the ranger wasnt what a man would want

[@jenlvjim]

Which aluminum boat do you know of for sure that can handle a 250

[@allencasal]

Aren’t all new TM 80 or 112 lb just depending on your battery Configuration ?

[@jakecomptonfishing9592]

Andy heard anything else on the new tracker?

[@LancePostma-ry9mc]

The Mercury 250 ProXS motor costs $24,000 alone. Is the boat worth the remaining $39,000? Thanks for the overview.

[@brians.4488]

Gatortrax uses extruded aluminum in all critical areas of the hull which makes them the strongest. I was at the xpress plant in 2006 getting a new trailer and saw a 21 foot with 200+hp and the transom where it meets the splash well was stretched and torn !!! Not cracked theres a difference

[@911Getsome]

I have the Xpress x21. Been a beast of a boat. Went to that from a bass cat to be able to fish shallower water. I looked at gator trax, no contest w the quality. Gator TRAX builds thebest Tin boat made. PERIOD ! But my rigged out like my express had me over 100k with a year wait to get it. So I went w express x21. I have @ 73 in my express. Loaded out , 4 graphs, raptor anchors Garmin tm w scope etc

[@stanleyburns7168]

Tracker is coming out with a new tin it's called a 215 rated for a 250hp yea

[@deatralocklear17]

The boat weighs more than the 20-foot fiberglass boat, but no option for a 36-volt trolling motor. I add powerpoles, jack plate, and no option for 12 inch depth finders. The price is $81,000. You can still get a 2023 Ranger fiberglass 20 foot with all the options at $86,000.

[@DangerfriendsCo]

I can spend 33k ish max (loving the 175 txw with the 75hp for 26k)without getting in a fight with the wife. I wanna fish off it first but if they aren’t biting I wanna go fast around my lake, what should I buy? I’m wanting a new boat so I have warrant and be in control of the brake in for the engine.

[@clemmersmetalworx7012]

Northern Minnesota aluminum rules. Rock central. Glass got the ride but aluminum is catching up

[@robertmccorkle9656]

The trolling motor and depth finder on the Ranger is what you would expect to find on a Tracker

[@ericsieck1605]

Curious on the weight. Is that the weight without anything to include motor etc? My GT Strike 20 ft with 250 weighs in right around 3100 lbs with 1/4 tank of gas. It will be interesting to see how this boat handles the abuse. Price loaded is very similar to the price I paid on my GT.

[@ericsieck1605]

Just saw a walk through, James Niggemeyer stated the aluminum is .125 on the running surfaces only.

[@michaelmarema6785]

I seen it at the Classic. Sharp looking boat, but front deck is was to chopped up with doors. Small compartments. Battery box area isn't very big. It had shallow water anchors on it and only had room for 3 batteries and the pumps. Kind of sad. Not sure on wire size on trolling motor cable. Would like to run a 36 volt trolling motor.

[@ottercat8527]

I hope it's great , but I know aluminum , welding, and WRM ............ The Lock Morris Monster strikes again !!!

[@JimGrady67]

I agree the Ride system is not needed for this boat, drop it and drop the price. On the site, they only have a standard option for the trolling motor and graph or a $450 credit for each to delete. I think that might not be bad since everyone does their own thing for those anyway. I have seen other builders offer one brand graph but not the others so they get the boat rigged anyway. Time will tell how they hold up!!!

[@coltonhurley2525]

Not to mention you get a 2000 dollar bass pro gift card so itd pay for your new electronics and trolling motor

[@mackmcbride4345]

by the time you put poles on it, a trolling motor, graphs and batt on it it'll be $90k

[@Jp12-h1y]

I bought Xpress 21 pro with a 250 sho on your review so far so good my buddy tried to trade me his skeeter lol

[@joshuahaskins4573]

Same. My mechanic wanted to buy it when I got my 2021 Xpress X21 last November

[@Jp12-h1y]

@@joshuahaskins4573it’s a smooth boat for sure

[@coltonhurley2525]

I can see the ranger not coming with many options factory. There doing it because most people are gonna customize it the way they want to. I personally like the boat myself and if you gut the merc and put a yami on it i think youd have the perfect 20 ft bass boat

[@novamonster05]

You guy need to do a team talk on Recon Boats

[@philalahouzos1]

Scully's Boats is a excellent aluminum work boat company.

[@grantboatwright5974]

I went and took a look at one myself. There is enough room for say five batteries I believe in the back. I noticed some strings of carpet and some bubbles in places that just didn’t look good to me. I also noticed that opening the rod lockers would flex the aluminum at the base where the door attaches to. Not sure if all aluminum boats are the same way when it comes to that. But to me it was a turn off. I would still keep an eye on them in the future because I feel like they will probably need to improve. Nothing is ever perfect on the first go around. But who knows, only time will tell.

[@brockmoniz129]

Tshirt idea put Andy in a nitro…

[@TeamMarineService]

🤣🤣🤣

[@alanhore1834]

Puking over the starboard side. lol

[@forresttuxon8283]

I would buy the new ICON 20ft boat you told us about .

[@400classelk4]

Speed rating?

[@brianyoung1507]

If the northwest (USA) aluminum boat builders would decide to build a bass boat, it would be tuff. Boats designed to run skinny rivers with jet drive have to be to take a beating.

[@adrianalvarado7407]

That would be killer. As we have the best welders in the world. Wa state baby💪😎

[@joshuahaskins4573]

Guys you can power boats with lithium minis now. Battery space is never a problem.

[@davidegeland2380]

As always GATOR TRAX for the WIN!

[@Arodfishin]

I wonder why the same package from the 198p is cheaper then the 208.

[@aboveaverageengineer3001]

The 198 has a 150 pxs and that in not only less powerful but tons less weight on the transom. The 208 needs thicker aluminum and a beefier transom. Also, the design is different so you get way more front deck than the RT boats there are other things too like the touchscreen and hopefully a pre-installed wiring harness. Still 65k for a tin rig is crazy

[@mikeprice8995]

James Niggemeyer just did his 1st video on the 208 Alpha, not a lot of detail but a start!

[@chrisbeaves873]

Just picked up a 98 518 dvs

[@BassNBaseball]

That’s what I run, love it! Great hull, original 200merc EFI still running strong 💪👊 and best thing is she’s been paid for for a lonnnnng time. Congrats on the new sled!

[@billbush1645]

Great. What about the crappie guys? We want a front livewell and NO CARPET. Give us a textured product like the Xpress boats use.

[@chaddrumm6809]

Blows my mind when manufacturers throw a crazy underpowered trolling motor on a 20 plus footer as standard equipment. Extremely basic electronics, and then they put a fancy touch screen panel on the rig! Give me the tried and true rockers switches. This thing equipped with the right troller for the size and at least decent graphs and then you get ridiculously priced for an aluminum rig.

[@coltonhurley2525]

Sad part is price a sea ark bc210. There 76 grand for an aluminum

[@chaddrumm6809]

@@coltonhurley2525 It’s ALL ridiculous. I guess the older I get I realize that all of this “over the top” SH#T isn’t appealing. Give me a a solid nice 17ish foot boat with a 60 HP with a 24V trolling motor and fairly decent electronics. Still will put me @ 30ish grand, but at least that’s possible for typical middle class people.

[@jgringo5516]

@@chaddrumm6809I’m right there with you. I downsized back in 2018 to a 18’ footer with just a 70lb MG trolling motor. It’s kick ass. I catch just as many bass out of it as the 20-21 footers I had the 20 years prior. I could do the same out of a 16-17 footer. I’ve made way more money buying stocks and saving money last 6 years than I ever did in tournaments. Save your money. Don’t get sucked in to the BS. Don’t be “Captain Nutsack” blowing his wad on expensive boats. Buy stocks and land instead. Find an affordable used boat you can pay cash for. The prices for new boats now are insane. As soon as the Fed let people rob their 401k’s back in 2020, prices on everything went crazy. It’s back to reality now in another piss poor economy with cross dressers running the asylum.

[@TycianHanson]

Agree 100%, who makes a boat that can't handle a 3 6v trolling motor. Only a 70 for trolling motor? Wrong decision. Make a boat with what we want as standard option!

[@johnemrey9877]

I have a ultrex 80 on my 20 foot Vexus and rarely need to use 30%. Fished 3 days and batteries still at 77%. 24 v is plenty.

[@KevinRicard-l6j]

“Coconuts know what I’m sayin….” 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@jessecooper9795]

Never thought I'd live to see a $63k Bass Tracker

[@timg185]

Well the engine is probably over 30K alone

[@TeamMarineService]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jessecooper9795]

@@timg185 ain't that much, but it's up there. Can't wait to start hearing people complain about welds and stringers cracking. Ranger ain't nothing like they used to be

[@jessecooper9795]

@@TeamMarineService tell me I'm wrong 🤣🤣

[@lowvpro9651]

I have a Ranger Akuimun and I'm niot a big fan of it but it's not a tracker by any means. Of course if you're just here to vash you probably don't really give a shit.

[@coryherr4553]

I still want to see you do a vidieo on prodigy boats. Very nice aluminum boats

[@dcsnick1]

A over/under with all the things u put on it would be close to $75-80 ish.

[@extremeboating7347]

80K is actually more realistic being built to its optimal best. That same 80K at the end of the day winds up costing you a screamin' budget price of roughly $240,096 with an interest rate of 12%, title, tags, registration, luxury tax, and that doesn't even include insurance over a standard loan term of 15 years if you live in California.

[@BassNBaseball]

Absolutely rediculous, even 80k for glass in nuts. But it’s the world we’re living in now days. Right now gas is $6 a gallon in Ca

[@819phoenix]

Seen the 208 at the classic and was ok. They should’ve just brought the 208 glass. The aluminum has the cheap latches like the tracker it basically an old v18 just bigger

[@timothygregg2223]

I wish like hell you Andy would talk about Avenger boats. I would pay for you plane ticket to come on down and see this rig. Some good some really bad. I dont wish to be in the video. We can take it out and let you run it etc. I should have bought a tin rig over this. This rig has made me ready to get out of having a boat and I am considering seeking legal options if the boat is not done right by the dealer.

[@joshmontgomery866]

I’ve got someone you need to check out that does complete custom work for aluminum rigs and glass boat. Nate Eckhold at Nate’s Custom Boats in Pekin, IL.

[@limegreenfishingmachine3332]

Ranger 208 alpha looks like a vexus avx2080 funny they are across the street from one another. Ranger has the 250 option only thing on paper different.

[@bigjoslin6100]

I love aluminum, but when you get outboards bigger than 90hp on aluminum, shit starts to break

[@gregh61]

Allweld boats!

[@boostjunkie08]

Not a bass layout but xpress has the x23b that will take a 300

[@extremeboating7347]

2024 Lowe Stinger 178 Andy. Do an Over/ Under and a general Team Talk about it.

[@timg185]

I think the all welded thing is over rated. A combination of welds and rivets might be better. All the other Ranger aluminums had broken welds and bracing breakage.

[@enderst81]

Pass, $63k the sonar better reflect

[@joeg1709]

End of the day it's metal and you are trusting the welds are done correctly. And I don't trust Ranger to do that correctly. So it's a hell no at any price from me..

[@chrishank-w6w]

i would rather have switches then, the small touch screen

[@danguehne5094]

65k😂 Any thoughts on an 2005 Ranger Reata 180vs?

[@FarmerPierce]

Tournament Champ back there?

[@matthewhairell849]

Gator Traxx

[@brianurness6747]

Xpress H22B with a 200

[@edwardmarshall8795]

Also a 25 gal livewell is to small for that boat

[@sha6mm]

We need a Walleye Tin Boat one with Windshield one with out like SC Walleye boats Brand Battle.

[@squarebill]

Are they filling all dead space with foam?? If for no other reason than to muff that aluminum water bashing sound. Ranger quality left with the sell to Johnny Morris and friends IMO. Off subject I threw an old 32 inch flat screen tv on front of my boat to get the crazy ass stares at the ramp as well as super glued coffee cup on top of truck lol .

[@williamdeel377]

Kristin fischer says it's a great performing boat she is running it in the opens this year

[@lowvpro9651]

As a Ranger Aluminum owner I can tell you their new slogan should be. "Ranger, still screwing you one boat at a time. " the quality and craftsmanship is garbage.

[@mikeyID]

I will keep my Lund 2075 Pro V bass. Riveted is better than welded. Lund knows how to construct aluminum boats. Why do they rivet planes and not weld them 🤔 mmmmmmm

[@kylewalker7072]

Council is an attorney. Console is part of a boat

[@embertrent]

Patiently awaiting an over/under on a Keith Poche off grid Gator Trax.

[@logans4803]

There will always be fiberglass boats boys

[@bassfishingchadhill]

Sounds like a ton of money for a base package aluminum boat. I get that it's 20 ft. with a 250 hp.

[@stanleybedgood8216]

Ranger RB200 is JUCK!

[@ritchiehall2464]

Lets put a 7" touchscreen instead of switches on an aluminum rig? Why - I thought the rig was to be a cost saving alternative? Letss' use rocker switches please! The touchscreen is the same size as the 7" Lowrance unit, LOL.

[@Harikarikillboy]

I can buy a gator trax for a little more but have THE TOP OF THE LINE aluminum boat on earth. Period. Gator Trax builds it right here in Louisiana, the quality CANNOT be touched. Just the way it is. Ranger can kiss my ass, along with the others that sold out. It ain’t a Ranger anymore fellas. If it were there’d be a Yamaha or Suzuki on back. They only offer merc. Nothing else.

[@07outty]

Johnny boy buys out legend.. comes out with a boat named alpha 😂