Ranger Z vs all others

here fishy,fishy · January 15, 2007, 08:12:05 PM

I love ranger, what do you think?

supplyguy · January 16, 2007, 01:02:28 PM

I don't have a Z boat but I do have a Ranger and when I get another boat it's going to be a Ranger.

Every other boat is always compared to a Ranger.

Ron Fogelson · January 16, 2007, 01:15:33 PM

Oh my this is going to get good!

A boat is like a guys Truck, take things here with a grain of salt because just like asking a Ford guy what he thinks of Chevy or a Dodge Man what he thinks of ford be prepared for lots of different views.

As you can see I drive a Nitro 929 and can tell you the fit and finish of my 2003 is as good if not better then any ranger I've ever been in. Ruff water is a non issue, but be smart about it. Don't go out thinking you can run WOT in 4 and 5 foot swells.

Ranger is the old stand by, as what was said people compare other boats on the market to them. However I ride in a Legend 2 or 3 times a month and they are a custom ride for the same price or less then most of the standard cookie cutter boats on the market.

Everyone has their favorite but it boils down to what you want, what you are going to use it for and how much you want to spend to feel like you got a deal.

Good Luck
Fogy

Mike Cork · January 16, 2007, 01:35:45 PM

This is a dangerous question

I have owned and drove many different boats.... with out a doubt the Legend Boat is the easiest to drive, the best I have been in for rough water (depends alot on the driver for any boat) and the Gas milage is going to vary greatly depending more on your motor than your boat. Todays newer motors with advanced fuels technology is 10 times better than the old carburetor motors.

No doubt about it the Legend is one fine ride and it will cost you 20 grand less than a ranger of the same size and options. If you are talking 4 boats you are looking at saving 80 thousand dollars and IMO have a better boat if you go with the LEGEND.

bryan · January 16, 2007, 03:15:48 PM

I have been in a lot of boats and
by far with the exception of the legend the ranger z21 is the best boat i have ever been in. I have had 4 rangers and its for sure the best boat for me. I have had my z21 for about 10 months now and couldn't be more pleased. I have never been in a legend so i cant speak on this subject, but i do hear good things about them. I'm sure part of my preference is do to what i was raised fishing in but i just cant stray from the ranger. The z21 rides like a Cadillac and very smooth. More storage than a man could possibly use. I do thank the ranger is a little too pricey but i came across a great deal and could not pass it up. I actually got mine from a guy in Michigan, that was in a bind.

OutdoorFrontiers · January 16, 2007, 07:57:28 PM

The Ranger Z series of boats are definitely good boats and their finish is very attractive, without a doubt.

Legend makes a good boat too. I owned a Cobra Coosa 216 which is (for all intents and purposes) the same hull and I was very pleased with the driveability, the ride and the amount of storage.

However, if you're talking about pure rough-water performance, smooth dry ride, more storage than a morgue, unbelievable stability, incredible fuel efficiency and shallow water capability, in an easy to drive package, then you really need to look at FastCat boats.

http://www.fastcatmarine.com

Perhaps I'm a bit biased

but I've owned a fair amount of boats in the past decade and a half, and I've ridden/fished from a LOT of others. I have to say in all honesty that I have not been in another boat that offers the complete package like the FastCat C20. I've been places in this boat that I never would have gotten into with a conventional vee hull boat, and I've driven it in water that would have had me pinching button holes in the seat of a different boat as well. Lake Superior gets "kinda rough" and when I had the Cat up on the big puddle, I was running in some pretty nasty waves, and stayed dry and comfortable.

PM me if you'd like to discuss this boat more off the thread. I kind of feel like I'm getting off topic from questions about the Ranger boats.

Steve

shooter64 · February 26, 2007, 10:19:12 PM

You can buy cheaper boats than a Ranger....but they have the best resale bar none........and will be around for years and years to come.

Red Ranger · March 09, 2007, 05:08:38 PM

There is a reason for high re-sale - it's called quality - compare the re-sale value of other boats and you will see which one everyone votes as the best with their pocket book.

Frazman · March 09, 2007, 07:47:43 PM

Well my boat is a 1997 Ranger 518DVS Comanche, it's going on 10 years old now... All I can say
is I have been very happy with the Handling of the boat in all types of water.

The other is the hull, I haven't had any problems with any cracks and nothing is falling apart on it yet,
like the handles, lid hinges or any hardware falling off the boat.

How many Pro Tournaments have people heard about where the hulls cracks down the center, or
the transom broke up around the outboard motor and they sank or were sitting on the bottom
waiting for the trailer to be backed into the water.. You hear about some every summer.

I'm sure it's might have something to do with how they are driven in bad weather also.
Lake Ontario & Lake Erie have been known to show fisherman who boss during Tourny times.

The used boat prices show the real story of whats worth buying year for year.
and compare options etc, thats my 2 cents.

I bought this boat 4 years ago.. I didn't want to drive 7 hours to look at it and find out it would be
a wasted trip.... So he offered to drive it to me. I then picked up a bank draft for the $$$$
He said once I saw it I would want it. He was right about that. After a 2 hour boat ride and
a complete boat inspection. We fed him supper then he was heading home without it.

I will buy another one when this ever this one falls apart.

Fraz

.

Basscat7 · March 09, 2007, 08:12:05 PM

Quote from: shooter64 on February 26, 2007, 10:19:12 PM
You can buy cheaper boats than a Ranger....but they have the best resale bar none........and will be around for years and years to come.

Ranger still makes a good boat, not the quality they had pre Genmar ownership though.
Ranger has a higher resale because they have an initial higher price....

You do pay more sequentially for a Ranger . Since it is a percentage of retail price, your resale is higher as based on that percentage of your original retail price. Resale values are relative to the cost of the product.

Though you paid more for that resale value in the first place. If you pay more, it has more resale value.

Red Ranger · March 09, 2007, 10:12:39 PM

He's not talking just gross dollars, but as a percentage of initial price - their value drops less than other boats due to quality. See quote below from Internet article:

"Independent surveys show that a Ranger boat holds more of it initial value than any other manufacturer's boat. That means our customer will recoup more of his investment, through resale or trade-in, when you buy a Ranger. And chances are you'll buy another Ranger boat as well"

Basscat7 · March 10, 2007, 10:06:09 AM

Quote from: Red Ranger on March 09, 2007, 10:12:39 PM
He's not talking just gross dollars, but as a percentage of initial price - their value drops less than other boats due to quality. See quote below from Internet article:

"Independent surveys show that a Ranger boat holds more of it initial value than any other manufacturer's boat. That means our customer will recoup more of his investment, through resale or trade-in, when you buy a Ranger. And chances are you'll buy another Ranger boat as well"
That's a fine Internet statement..but

Same- Same....you pay more upfront....you get more on resale....

And as far as being the best....that is very debatable any more, back in the early to mid 80's they could make that claim, today there is at least 4 maybe 5 bass boat manufacturers that can make that claim. The manufacturing processes have changed for the better and quality has improved across the board for the top companies. You can't go wrong buying any of the top 5, all boils down to a matter of personal preference.
A lot of owners are blinded by brand loyalty, or by $$$$ spent.....I have seen guys swear by their boat company brand, even as their 3 year old bass boat was literally falling apart at the seams ( top cap )and the company was charging them to replace it......
All goes back to what you like. Buy a top brand from a good dealer....dealer support is important, customer service after the sale goes a long way towards ones impression of a company.

Red Ranger · March 10, 2007, 08:02:52 PM

Let me say it another way - the % decrease in value is less each year for a Ranger then other brand boats - it's not about absolute total dollars.

But absolutely there are other good brand boats out there. The boat brands have developed like the car industry, there is not much difference in many of the top brands (especially considering they don't make the engine). What you buy depends on where you fish, what type water, how it's going to be used and how much money you want to spend for the quality your getting. There several other brands I would definitely buy.

I guess I am wondering why you are on the Ranger thread if your such a happy BassCat owner??

Basscat7 · March 10, 2007, 08:26:44 PM

Did not know I was on a Ranger thread, it popped up on the general threads.....Yes I am a happy Cat owner, have had the other brands too...
I'll leave you Ranger boys to yourself now

Take care.

BIG PAPA · March 10, 2007, 11:29:00 PM

No doubt about Ranger quality or resale value as far as I am concerned

I just cannot as a working man justify upwards of 60,000+ dollars for a fishing boat, Heck I cannot see paying 30,000 for a boat when there are thousands of like new boats out there for under that.
but as I always say AIN'T AMERICA WONDERFUL
PAPA

Red Ranger · March 11, 2007, 08:41:13 AM

Yep, I have a buddy with a 21' Express w/ 225. It will flat run and has all the features of the $50-60k models.

It's getting like everything else. There are so many makes, models, options, features, it is hard to compare them apples to apples to tell how much bang your getting for your buck.

clarker2000 · March 14, 2007, 02:34:09 PM

I have been in NItros, Rangers, Champions, Triton etc... The best Big Water boat I have been in is a 221 Sprint. 225 merc efi has a gps max speed with a full load of about 76mph and rolls through rough water, however in any bass boat regardless of the make 4 and 5 ft rollers are tough to get through.