I was able to take my new-to-me 2018 WX2190 out for a week of fishing on Rainy Lake last week. The conditions were quite lousy with lots of precipitation and wind. Perfect to put the WX2190 to the test!
Bottom line up front: Everything you’ve read about the 2190 being a big water machine is true.
I’m coming out of a Ranger 619, so I’m familiar with glass boat ride. This rig is considerably bigger and it acts like it. I was able to run 2 footers with impunity and 3 foot plus with confidence and a good level of comfort. Running the standard F300 Yamaha on an Atlas jackplate with a 22p Bravo 4-blade. Lots of bite and I was able to keep the bow firmly planted to eat up the waves.
Room in the boat: (A+) It’s 21.5′ long with a ton of room behind the nice, tall windshield.
Storage capacity: (A-) Tons of bow storage. Rod locker is gigantic and I like having no tubes, side storage for trolling rigs.
Fit & Finish: (A-) I like that Skeeter uses Torx head screws for mounting everything. Stuff was tight, fit well.
Comfort: (A) It’s a wave crusher. It’s a cruiser. It is VERY comfortable.
Fishability: (A) All 4 cockpit pedestals can swivel and fit your knees between gunwale…easily. Tracked great!
Performance: (A) The F300 jumps this boat on plane out of the hole. 54 mph with full fuel, 3 guys, all tackle.
Dry ride: (A) Never took one over the bow when trolling into 3+ foot waves, totally dry ride at speed.
Economy: (A) I couldn’t believe that I could get 3.97 mpg in mixed use over 40 gallons of fuel. Based on real gallons filled, not the gauges. Although, my consumption reading on the gauge was within a gallon – most accurate gauge I’ve ever had in any of my boats! This was a mix of extended idling (it was COLD out, let motor warm up), lots of cruising between 30-40mph, a few stints of WOT. No trolling – used the 9.9 kicker for that. Compare/contrast this to my buddy who has a new 200 V-Rod on his Ranger MS1880 and he was using at least 25% more fuel with similar usage in the same conditions. Wow!
I did get a little wetness in my glovebox – not sure why or where that came from. We were in the rain and sleet. A lot. Should NOT leak. Baitwells and livewell were perfect, everything worked like it should. I liked the lid locks/handles on my Ranger better – especially in the cold. Love having all 4 batteries in the floor – charger worked perfect on my AGM’s. Extra height on the windshield was VERY noticeable and much appreciated. Seats were comfortable even with no seat suspension systems installed.
Love it so far!
Scott
