Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 vs Ranger 188VS 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 or the Ranger 188VS 2006?

For trailering, the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 has the edge at 543 lbs dry weight versus 1 575 lbs for the Ranger 188VS 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Ranger 188VS 2006 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 tops out at 40 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Ranger 188VS 2006 is certified for 5. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Ranger 188VS 2006 measures 93" wide, compared to 82" for the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 or the Ranger 188VS 2006?

The Ranger 188VS 2006 has the bigger tank at 38 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 and Ranger 188VS 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 and the Ranger 188VS 2006 are built by Ranger. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 vs Ranger 188VS 2006

Ranger

Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005

2005

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Ranger

Ranger 188VS 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 vs Ranger 188VS 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 vs Ranger 188VS 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Ranger 188VS 2006 has a 110-hp advantage over the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Ranger 188VS 2006 carries 38 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Ranger 188VS 2006 and its 150-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 with its 40-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeRanger

Model168 BANSHEE

Model188VS

Model Year2005

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam81 3/4 in

Beam92 1/2 in

Beam - Meters2.08

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Inches81.75

Beam - Inches92.5

Draft [max] - Detail4 1/2"

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.13

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches4.5

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - DetailDeck/Hull: 543 lbs

Weight - Detail1,550 lbs. with single console 1,575 lbs. with dual console

Weight - kg246.3

Weight - kg714.41

Weight - lbs.543

Weight - lbs.1575

Height [transom]20 1/2 in

Height [transom]23 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 8 1/2 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters5.11

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Inches200.5

Length overall - Inches224

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail20 1/2 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches20.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches8

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail(1) Portable 6 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail(1) 38 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters22.71

Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel tank capacity - Gal38

Engine max40 hp

Engine max150-175 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs

Maximum capacity1,250 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailGVWR (3,725 lbs.)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 10 in. with motor down 20 ft. 10 in. with motor down & swing-away tongue open

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width99 in

Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 vs Ranger 188VS 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 or the Ranger 188VS 2006?

For trailering, the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 has the edge at 543 lbs dry weight versus 1 575 lbs for the Ranger 188VS 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Ranger 188VS 2006 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 tops out at 40 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Ranger 188VS 2006 is certified for 5. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Ranger 188VS 2006 measures 93" wide, compared to 82" for the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 or the Ranger 188VS 2006?

The Ranger 188VS 2006 has the bigger tank at 38 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 and Ranger 188VS 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 and the Ranger 188VS 2006 are built by Ranger. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Ranger 168 BANSHEE 2005 full specs ← Ranger 188VS 2006 full specs