Matching a modified vee Ranger 173 Ghost 2008 against a deep vee Ranger 2250SS 2010 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Ranger 2250SS 2010 measures 22,5 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 5,5 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 173 Ghost 2008 tips the scales at 985 lbs — 710 lbs more than the Ranger 2250SS 2010 at 275 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 250 hp, the Ranger 2250SS 2010 has a 135-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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Ranger 2250SS 2010 carries 65 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Ranger 173 Ghost 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Ranger 2250SS 2010 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 2250SS 2010 could be the deciding factor.