Ranger vs Legend boats

Zdude · March 07, 2008, 09:22:06 PM

I am seeking advice from those who have ridden in ranger and legend boats.
I am thinking about getting a Legend due to lower price but would like to get others perspectives. I would like to know how you think the Legend boats (21 LE) compares to the Ranger 521 hull. I am interested in your perspective on comparisons of performance, durability, and craftmanship.

THanks
Zdude

BassBUFF · March 08, 2008, 07:36:39 AM

Should be an interesting thread. I haven't ridden in a 521 but I have in both the LE21 and the new Alpha 211. They are hard to beat!

Basser56 · March 08, 2008, 02:07:10 PM

They're both great boats. The Ranger might be a little faster, but the ride won't be any better, if as good, as a Legend.

Mike Noble · March 08, 2008, 02:56:07 PM

I'm biased...I have owned a Legend LE-21 and currently own an Alpha 211. I don't think the ride can be beat. I don't know what model Ranger it was but last year in some tournaments, my LE-21 (with a 225 ProXS) out ran a Ranger with a 250 every time. We both headed to the same area to fish and I was always the first one to get there.

Buzzman · March 08, 2008, 03:04:03 PM

Never rode in a Legend, but Mike's comment about the 225XS outrunning the 250 doesn't surprise me. I run a 225 on the 520, and have outran a lot of the 250's - weight of the hull will reduce top end speed.

grassdude · March 15, 2008, 12:14:32 AM

well i don't have a 250 i have a 225 and i didn't know we were racing ....but next time i will ......I love my z20 no matter how slow i go...

Tubeflipper · April 12, 2008, 10:44:31 AM

I can't speak for all Ranger guys, but I love my boat.
It's not the biggest or the fastest model out there...but it is the most comfortable, well built, and stable platform that ever had the pleasure of climbing aboard.

There are a lot of quality boats out there on the market, but if you're asking me (and you are) you're not going to find a better built boat than a Ranger.

FlFedAngler · May 27, 2008, 05:30:34 AM

I have an 06 Ranger and Love it. But if I were looking at another boat I would look at the Legend. They really look nice.

Mike Cork · May 27, 2008, 11:55:15 AM

I have owned and been in many boats from a Skeeter to a Nitro to a Legend and many in between to include Rangers (however Ranger changes their hull regularly so I can say I have been in the one you are talking about)

In my opinion you are talking about to quality boats. However the ride in large waves will be much more comfortable and drier in the Legend. Cornering will be better in a Legend (now if you live here cornering is not an issue then so be it but here in Louisiana cornering is a must). I do believe that equipped with the same motor the Legends seem to be just a hair faster on top end.

Fit and finish of the Legend Boats is perfect, I am sure Ranger is very good as well.

The big factor is the personal touch that you get from Legend Boats, that still care about each and every one of their customers. Should you need it you will get personal service at the drop of a hat.

I have had a LE 21 and a Alpha 211, I will never own anything but a Legend. And I would definitely go with a Legend over a Ranger anytime, that's not a dig on Ranger I truly prefer Legend boats customer service, the look of the boat and the over all performance.

Rudy · January 26, 2009, 10:02:43 PM

The only boat I'll buy to replace my 361V is another Ranger.

BIG PAPA · January 26, 2009, 10:33:27 PM

Been in all of them and currently own the squirreliest (but fast

) boat out there. Brother owns a Legend, Cousin owns a Ranger , both 21 footers with 250 XS. Ride is about the same, rough or smooth, cornering is to close call, speed edge definitely goes to Legend. That being said, Now this is just my opinion, Legends are prettier

padawan angler · January 28, 2009, 02:15:57 PM

You may not beat a Legend in speed with a Ranger, but the quality of craftsmanship is better with Rangers. Rangers are built to last... a long long long time. So well built that durability can not be matched by any boat out there in my opinion. To me, that's the most important factor. Legends ride nice just like Ranger, a little faster than Ranger, well built but Ranger stands alone in that category. I beat the dog sh*t out of my Ranger and it takes the punishment like that's how your supposed to treat it. Clean it up, keep up with regular maintenance, and it keeps look'n like new.

BassBUFF · January 28, 2009, 02:32:23 PM

And the Chevy vs Ford argument continues!

I'd wouldn't put a Ranger construction over the Legend! Legends are built to last! And you can't beat the fit and finish, nor the Customer Service, of the Legend..... period!

Ron Fogelson · January 28, 2009, 03:45:27 PM

Quote from: padawan angler on January 28, 2009, 02:15:57 PM
You may not beat a Legend in speed with a Ranger, but the quality of craftsmanship is better with Rangers. Rangers are built to last... a long long long time. So well built that durability can not be matched by any boat out there in my opinion. To me, that's the most important factor. Legends ride nice just like Ranger, a little faster than Ranger, well built but Ranger stands alone in that category. I beat the dog sh*t out of my Ranger and it takes the punishment like that's how your supposed to treat it. Clean it up, keep up with regular maintenance, and it keeps look'n like new.

One of my friends here on Barksdale retired from the Air Force a few years back. He lives on Caddo and his dream was to get a Ranger as a retirement gift. The fit and finish on is was embarrassing, lids didn't line up, carpet coming up, screws were falling out the rubber rub bar so much so they were pushing out the rubber. I know that there are going to be bad examples for any product however to have someone that just love and had to have the "Best Boat Ever Built" to admit he wished he never got it was a shock. To top it off after about 1 year of ownership he hit something on Caddo and needed Glass work to get the boat fixed. Took forever, had to send it back to the factory and they were less than helpful. This guy now uses an aluminum boat by the way, gave up on the Ranger Dream.

Bassburner15 · January 28, 2009, 07:46:37 PM

Never been in a Legend but I can run my Ranger WOT down the lake and let go of the wheel with my arms crossed.Sit back in the seat,and it will run straight as an arrow. The wheel does not even twitch.

Jared · January 28, 2009, 08:03:47 PM

Rangers are definately slower than legends but I willing to bet that ranger's have a smoother ride. Ranger's are also wider that those skinny legends and you have more space to fish. The deep hull cuts into the water and it has more control. I have never riden in a legend but based on the obvious differences this is the conclusion that I gather.

Jared LeBlue · January 28, 2009, 08:13:06 PM

I don't own either boat but I have been in both and they are both great boats. If I had to chose and it would be a tough choice I would go with the Legend. The reason is because I have met the owner and know what kind of customer service they offer. This is a man that came out to a small tournament ( 50 people ) and brought two boats, some of his family and one of his sales reps to show us their product. We got to test drive one of the boats and go through the other from top to bottom. When that was all done the prepared a bar-b-que dinner for us. That is the kind of company I want to buy my next boat from. Do you think Ranger or any other boat company would have done something like that? With all that said I still believe that Ranger provides one of the best boats on the market so I like I said before it would be a tough choice but people behind the company and the customer service is what would win me over by Legend.

grassdude · January 28, 2009, 10:02:25 PM

It really doesn't matter what every one says about this topic.One is going to like the other more (i have heard this ,that ,i know some one that his did and didn't do).Bottom line is your price range, fit,and what you want in the boat YOU are going to be fishing out of.I like ranger ,I test driven a lot of boats and for me personally i liked it better.But their is not a BAD boat out there IMO.To say this boat is better than the other is only a matter of ones opinion.Just test drive them and the one that fits your style is going to be the best...

bassadict69 · January 29, 2009, 07:39:25 AM

Quote from: Jared on January 28, 2009, 08:03:47 PM
Rangers are definately slower than legends but I willing to bet that ranger's have a smoother ride. Ranger's are also wider that those skinny legends and you have more space to fish. The deep hull cuts into the water and it has more control. I have never riden in a legend but based on the obvious differences this is the conclusion that I gather.

Sounds like someone needs to ride in a Legend this weekend!

Russ199A · January 29, 2009, 08:00:28 AM

I was in a big tourney last year and road in a Ranger 21 commache/225 evinrude HO. I thought it was pretty fast until I watched two legends go by like we were standing still. On top of that, the lake was rough as hell. (Toledo Bend / wind @ 20mph) Now I was glad to be in a bigger boat, but after about a 10 min run the boat started to come apart. I was holding the dash panels and gauges in place. The rough water just beat that boat to death. I thought I was going to have kidney problems after that.
I recently bought a new Legend 199, after being rescued by a 211 Alpha. The lake was pretty rough that day and we ran across 2 fts @ 65 mph like they weren't there. I couldn't believe the ride. Like a red hot knife through butter. It felt so comfortable and smooth, plus I was in the middle seat.
Did someone say handling? I can do things in my legend that compares to a jet ski. Better hold on or it will though you out. Yet if your running down the lake and your hands get cold just put them in your pockets, the boat will run like its on a rail.
The first time I had my 199 out, there was a lake wind avisory, so yeah the lake was bad. 3 ft white caps all day long. Since I hadn't had it out prior I ran across those waves with some caution and at 40mph I was just cruzing like it was nothing. Very Dry Ride.
If I was to compare rides, I would compare a Champion to Legend for their ride, However like many have said on here, the costomer service from the Legend pro-staff all the way to the wonderful folks at the factory sold me. I went to pick up my boat 3 weeks ago and the Legend folks put me and my son up in a beautiful cabin, overlooking Bull Shoals lake, for the night. I don't know any other boat company that would do that.
Needless to say I'm very proud to be a part of the Legend family!!!

BassBUFF · January 29, 2009, 08:13:07 AM

Quote from: bassadict69 on January 29, 2009, 07:39:25 AM
Sounds like someone needs to ride in a Legend this weekend!

I'm sure that could be arranged

!

Quote from: grassdude on January 28, 2009, 10:02:25 PM
It really doesn't matter what every one says about this topic.One is going to like the other more (i have heard this ,that ,i know some one that his did and didn't do).Bottom line is your price range, fit,and what you want in the boat YOU are going to be fishing out of.I like ranger ,I test driven a lot of boats and for me personally i liked it better.But their is not a BAD boat out there IMO.To say this boat is better than the other is only a matter of ones opinion.Just test drive them and the one that fits your style is going to be the best...

Well said Rusty. Both brands are the upper crust of bass boats. As I mentioned earlier, it is the old Chevy vs. Ford scenario. Some folks are going to like one brand over the other for whatever reasons. Base your boat decision on the facts: construction, reputation, how it fits you (physically, aesthetically, and economically), and Customer Service.

Me personally, I prefer the ride, fit & finish, and the Customer Service that Legend brings to the table

!

-Shawn- · January 29, 2009, 08:21:59 AM

Russ, I didn't realize yall were getting beat on that bad when we went by Sunday morning.

I was drinking my Coffee When we went by.

I am glad you are part of the Legend Family! I bet that 199 is a blast to drive with the 225.

Jared, I am sorry but after fishing out of a ranger on and off my whole life, The ranger just isn't the boat that a Legend is.

Russ199A · January 29, 2009, 08:30:07 AM

Quote from: Jared on January 28, 2009, 08:03:47 PM
Rangers are definately slower than legends but I willing to bet that ranger's have a smoother ride. Ranger's are also wider that those skinny legends and you have more space to fish. The deep hull cuts into the water and it has more control. I have never riden in a legend but based on the obvious differences this is the conclusion that I gather.

Hey brother, after the tourney on Sunday, I'll take you out. Let you decide.

BIG PAPA · January 29, 2009, 08:30:15 AM

Its all about the Tidecraft

Jared LeBlue · January 29, 2009, 08:32:10 AM

I bet if you were in a Ranger you would have made it back to weigh-in on time.

You know I had to go there Shawn.

Seriously, I like both boats and again I would pick the Legend because of their customer service. Like stated below, all boats manufactured today are quality boats, if they are not they don't stay in business. Everyone has their reasons for choosing one over another.