Ranger 180 Reata 2006 vs Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 or the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005?

For trailering, the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 has the edge at 138 lbs dry weight versus 1 625 lbs for the Ranger 180 Reata 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 223 Cayman 2005 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Ranger 180 Reata 2006 tops out at 115 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 180 Reata 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 is certified for 6. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 and Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 share an 92 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 or the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005?

The Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Ranger 180 Reata 2006. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 and Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 and the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 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 180 Reata 2006 vs Ranger 223 Cayman 2005

Ranger

Ranger 180 Reata 2006

2006

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Ranger

Ranger 223 Cayman 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Ranger 180 Reata 2006 vs Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Ranger 180 Reata 2006 vs Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 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 250 hp, the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 has a 135-hp advantage over the Ranger 180 Reata 2006'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 223 Cayman 2005 carries 52 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Ranger 180 Reata 2006. 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 223 Cayman 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Ranger 180 Reata 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeRanger

Model180 Reata

Model223 CAYMAN

Model Year2006

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam92 in

Beam92 1/2 in

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Inches92

Beam - Inches92.5

Depth - Detail22 in

Depth - Detail14 in

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Centimeters35.56

Depth - Inches22

Depth - Inches14

Weight - Detail1,625 lbs

Weight - DetailDeck/Hull: 1,380 lbs

Weight - kg737.09

Weight - kg625.96

Weight - lbs.1625

Weight - lbs.138

Height [transom]21 3/4 in

Height [transom]23 in

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches5

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Meters6.78

Length overall - Inches221

Length overall - Inches267

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail(1) 28 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail(1) 52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Engine max115-150 hp

Engine max250 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,460 lbs

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailGVWR (3,725 lbs.)

Trailer - DetailGVWR (5,000 lbs.)

Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 7 in. with motor down 20 ft. 7 in. with motor down & swing-away tongue open

Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 9 in. w/Motor Down 24 ft. 9 in. w/Motor Down & Swing-Away Tongue Open

Trailer - Width97 in

Ranger 180 Reata 2006 vs Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 or the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005?

For trailering, the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 has the edge at 138 lbs dry weight versus 1 625 lbs for the Ranger 180 Reata 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 223 Cayman 2005 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Ranger 180 Reata 2006 tops out at 115 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 180 Reata 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 is certified for 6. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 and Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 share an 92 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 or the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005?

The Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Ranger 180 Reata 2006. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 and Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Ranger 180 Reata 2006 and the Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 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 180 Reata 2006 full specs ← Ranger 223 Cayman 2005 full specs