The Ranger 173 Ghost 2008 vs Ranger 2180 Bay Ranger 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Ranger 2180 Bay Ranger 2006 measures 21,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Ranger 173 Ghost 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Ranger 2180 Bay Ranger 2006 tips the scales at 2 365 lbs — 1 380 lbs less than the Ranger 173 Ghost 2008 at 985 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Ranger 2180 Bay Ranger 2006 has a 35-hp advantage over the Ranger 173 Ghost 2008's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 6 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Ranger 2180 Bay Ranger 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Ranger 173 Ghost 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ranger 2180 Bay Ranger 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Ranger 2180 Bay Ranger 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Ranger 173 Ghost 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.