Ranger Boats 2300LS (2019-)

Brief Summary

The 2300 LS (luxury series) is a new addition to Ranger’s pontoon line. The 2300 LS has a third pontoon for added strength and stability, making it a tri-toon. The LS stands for luxury series. She’s 25’4” (15.95 m) long, has a deck width of 8’ 6” (2.59 m) and a person weight capacity of 1700 lbs., (771.107 kg) or 12 people. The test boat was rigged with a 250-horsepower Mercury Verado 4-stroke 4.6 L engine, with their Advanced MidSection (AMS), which is designed to reduce vibration. Let’s look and see how Ranger has applied its considerable boat building experience to this new tri-toon.

Key Features

• Medallion Viper II touchscreen control display w/ remote key fob
• Performance-enhancing PowerPod™ motor extension
• In-deck storage for ropes, skis, and tow pylon
• DoubleUP™ seatback storage for even more space
• Table w/ two pedestals
• Changing room enclosure

 

 

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	25' 4" (7.72 m)
Beam	8' 6" (2.59 m)
Dry Weight	3,435 lbs. (1,558 kg)
Tested Weight	3,735 lbs. (1,694 kg)
Draft	N/A
Draft Up	N/A
Draft Down	N/A
Air Draft	N/A
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Weight Capacity	1,700 lbs. (771 kg)
Person Capacity	12
Fuel Capacity	52 gal. (197 L)
Water Capacity	N/A
Length on Trailer	N/A
Height on Trailer	N/A
Trailer Weight	N/A
Total Weight	3,735 lbs. (1,694 kg)

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	N/A
0 to 30	8.0 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	15 p 3-bladeEnertia
Load	3/4 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	65 deg., 30 humid; wind: 10-15 mph; seas: light chop

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 250-hp Mercury Verado 4-stroke
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	250-hp maximum

Captain’s Report by Harry Munns

 

 

 

 Mission

Ranger’s pontoon boats combine versatility and performance. The 2300LS is the result of months of craftsmanship, built on top of decades of experience, sprinkled with a luxurious touch.

 Major Features

• NMMA® certified
• Full width telescoping swim ladder with sensor
• Rear facing navigational camera
• Electrically actuated Bimini
• LED navigation & docking lights/shroud with LED accents

Design 

Ranger made sure the “Luxury” in Luxury Series was apparent from every angle. Custom graphics on the cockpit enclosure add some pizazz to a structure with flat lines and soft, rounded angles. The thickness of the interior cushions and texture of the covering material add a level of comfort that is found in few boats of this class.

Hull Design

 The two outer pontoons have a soft chine at their bow which then flares out to full pontoon width. The result provides a sharp water entry that maximizes hydrodynamic flow with minimal resistance. The 2300LS feels faster through the water than its size and shape would suggest.

Color Options

When designing your new Ranger 2300LS, you have three areas to consider: the fence, the seats, and the logs. In total, there are 14 different color combinations to choose from.

Performance

 

 With an empty weight of 3,435 lbs. (1,558 kg), 80-percent fuel, test power and two people onboard, we had an estimated weight of 3,735 lbs. (1,694 kg).

 

 

We reached a top speed of 42.3 mph (68.0 kph) at 5800 rpm, with the single 250-horsepower Mercury Verado 4-stroke, turning a 15 p 3-blade Enertia stainless-steel propeller. Best cruise came in at 3000 rpm and 15.7 mph (25.2 kph). It was at that speed that the 4.8 GPH (18.0 lph) fuel burn translated into 3.3 mpg (1.40 kpl) and a range of 154 statute miles (248 km), all while still holding back a 10-percent reserve of the boat’s 52-gallon (197 L) total fuel capacity.

 

The average time to accelerate to 20 MPH was 4.4 seconds, and she reached a speed of 30 mph in an average of 8.0 seconds. 

RPM   MPH   GPH   MPG   Range (Statute)       KPH    LPH    KPL    Range (KM)

3000   15.7    4.8      3.3      154                             25.2                18.0    1.40    248

5800   42.3    33.0    1.3      60                               68.0                124.0  0.54    96

 

Handling

The Ranger 2300LS exhibited the kind of performance one would expect from a top-end tri-toon. With the 250-horsepower Mercury Verado 4-stroke we were quick to reach 20 mph (32.1 kph), and reached its top speed of 42.3 mph (67.5 kph) smoothly. The power steering made hard turns effortlessly, and we recommend it as an option.

 

 Boat Inspection

Like an external engine mount bracket on a center console, the Power Pod is an extension of the center pontoon. 

All rigging for the engine, hydraulics and fuel lines come from beneath the deck. This helps prevent a tripping hazard. The fuel fill is also placed on the small deck created by the Power Pod.

 

Four lift-up cleats are on each corner of the stern and bow decks. We’d like to see them better placed in the stern quarters, so that mooring lines could be crisscrossed. We’d also like to see a larger bow deck to aid bending over to tie lines on the cleats.

 Aft Deck

The decking is woven PVC mesh material that is soft and durable. The Ranger 2300LS has a branded 26” (66.04 cm) wide stainless-steel gate in lieu of the typical aluminum gate.

 In the center of the platform is a receiver for the stainless-steel tow-sport pylon.

 

 

 Reboarding Ladder 

The telescoping reboarding ladder has four 2” (5.08 cm) wide treads with two large grab rails which are set 15” (38.1 cm) apart. Ranger has installed a sensor that alerts the operator via the helm display that the ladder is down when starting the engine or putting it in gear.  We would like to see this important safety device on all boats.

 

 

 

 

 

When open, the Bimini covers the helm seats and aft seating section and measures 10’ (3.05 m) long by 8’6” (2.59 m) wide.  

Helm Console

 

An outstanding feature on the Ranger 2300LS is the helm console with an 11” (27.94 cm) Medallion multifunction touchscreen display flanked by chrome accent elements.

 

 The display gives the 2300LS an advanced glass dash for displaying information and systems controls, just as we might find on a large offshore cruiser.

 The key data, such as speed, fuel level, oil level, and battery charge, are shown on the left-hand side of the display.

 

On the right-hand side is our GPS/navigation screen, and the boats media options: Bluetooth, satellite radio, volume controls.

 Access to other onboard systems such as the rear-facing camera for watersports, also accessed via the MFD. In addition, there’s even access to PDFs which can be digitally stored in the Medallion’s memory. 

 

 

 

 

 

 On the starboard side of the helm console is the lighting control unit and the horn. Below that is the controls for the electric Bimini.

 

 

 

 

 

Light Control

 

 The lighting is divided into four zones. Each zone can be individually programed for color, pulsation and variation. The helm area is zone one. Zone two is forward under the seating. Zone three is under the back loungers. Zone four is the speakers off the back. On the starboard side the speaker housing also has a stereo remote control.

 

 

 Just inside the console storage compartment are the master power switches and access to the Medallion MFD system. A USB port enables PDFs such as the boat’s owner’s manual to be loaded and accessed via the MFD.

 Helm Seating

 The plush helm seat has multi-tone upholstery with a variety of textured materials and different density foam for support. The backrest is 26” (66 cm) high.

 

The 26” high rail is built to look good as well as provide a safe handhold and containment for people and gear.

 To give the operator an uninterrupted line of sight, the helm seat is mounted on a 4” (10.16 cm) high, raised platform that is contoured and has non-skid surfacing.

 

 The helm seat does not have a bolster but does slide forward and back, swivels, reclines, and has an armrest that folds up on both sides for better egress.

Companion Seating 

 Port Side Gate

 The port side gate is 34” (86.4 cm) wide, making it “wheelchair accessible,” and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

In the center of the deck is access to more storage. The opening is 3’9” (1.14 m) by 1’3” (0.38 m). The under-deck storage measures 7’4” (2.24 m) long by 2’2” (0.66 m) wide and is a good place to stow boards of all kinds.  

The hatch has cleat-like line storage devices to help organize dock-lines.

 Forward  

 Located in the forward section, there are two inboard facing bench seats with pillow-type upholstery, finished with contrasting colors and textures. They are 3’11” (1.19 m) long and designed to be used as 2 forward facing loungers.  

 The seat is 19” (48.26 cm) above the deck and the backrest is 18” (45.72 cm) higher.

 There is storage under both the port and starboard forward seating with a large lockable compartment and a smaller storage area forward.  

 There is 36” (91.4 cm) between the port and starboard lounge seating.   

 

There is a standard, fold-out changing table space just across from the helm.

 

 Aft

Making our way astern, we find port and starboard loungers set up like the forward seating area.

 

Under the port side seat there is the power steering pump, starting battery and the 2 house batteries. 

 

  

Trailer

Construction

Ranger bass boats have built a reputation for exceptional performance and unsurpassed design and craftsmanship. The 2300LS remains true to those principles. 

The 2300 features powder-coated pontoons for optimal speed and buoyancy, with the through-bolted deck firmly attached to the frame of the boat for rigidity and stability. The 2300LS is built with comfort and performance as her highest priorities.  

Premium-grade materials are used throughout the construction of the 2300LS, and the thoughtful layout features amenities that are rare, if ever seen in other boats in this class.  

Optional Equipment

• Tandem-axel trailer w/ tandem brakes
• Mercury 225 L FourStroke DTS engine
• Mercury 250 L FourStroke DTS engine
• Mercury Verado 250 L engine
• Rail mount for propane barbecue grill
• Propane barbecue grill

 Price

Complete with a Mercury 225L FourStroke DTS engine, the 2300LS has a base price of $79,695. Our test model had the Mercury Verado 250L engine and is listed at $83,395.  

Warranty

Ranger has a 10-year bow-to-stern warranty for factory-installed components, workmanship, and materials. There is a limited lifetime structural and deck warranty for the pontoons, motor pod, and other structural elements. Ranger has also took into consideration provisions for transferring the warranty to a second owner. 

Observations 

Impressive performance, considerable speed, and abundant comfort are three things that haven’t traditionally been found together in a pontoon boat, until the advent of the Ranger 2300LS – a vessel poised to propel the pontoon boat class to the next level.