Ranger Quality

[rangerjignpig]

Getting ready to buy a 2020 Ranger Z521L. Been with Ranger for over 25 years and this will be my 4th one. Have heard about the decline of quality in Ranger. What are some of the issues you are seeing?

[ranger randy]

I have a 2019 520L. Issues: NONE. I've owned 11 Ranger's, this one the best yet.

[Bassin Bob71]

My 2019 520C is better finished than my 2012 520 was. Buy with confidence.

[520TDY]

2018 520 L Excellant !

[Whiteboat]

Purchased a new Z520c in 2018. Quality appeared solid but the rigging was a mess. Took seven weeks at the dealer to get it fixed.

Recently had troubles with trailer bearing and brakes which was taken care under warranty. I don't trust the trailer.

[crappielabrador]

IMHO, mine is not the quality of my last 2003 Ranger. I can tell a difference in the trailer, since my last Ranger that was over a decade old and didn't have a speck of rust on the trailer, and my new Ranger now has rust on the tongue of trailer. Also, there is plastic all over the boat that could've been easily replaced with fiberglass. The switches on panel are cheap, and my carpet has some small issues around the corners that your shouldn't expect with a Ranger. I don't feel like Ranger is the top dog anymore. After this boat, I would rate them as upper mid tier.

One of my rear taillights started to get water in the back after about a year, and I sent Ranger a picture with the water inside that showed no physical damage, and they didn't seem to care the least. It had been many years, since I had called Ranger, and they were great with service when I called in the early 2000 era, but not this time.

Just being totally honest, and my next boat will more than likely be a Bass Cat. I like how the former Bass Cat owner answers questions on here.

I wish I would've spent the extra $$, and bought a Caracal, but the prices of all bass boats are getting crazy.

[MengRanger]

I had to take mine to the dealer for a number of small rigging issues. All were taken care of by warranty and no issues have appeared since then.

[TXDonkeyHunter]

Bass Cat? Those boats are a chopped up mess of a boat. The storage compartments are so odd. My friend bought a brand new one and it's spent more time at the dealer than in the water. He had what appeared to be a small fire between the back compartment and the console. If I was going to leave Ranger, I'd probably go to Phoenix, but Bass Cats are well below subpar.

[22RangerZ520R]

Zero quality issues with my previous 2009 Z520 or my current 2018 Z520L, both were brand new.

I have a 2022 Z520R on order, we'll see if my OCD eyes can spot any flaws on it when it arrives this fall....

[HTC33]

I’ve had a 1999 518, a 2008 z520, and a 2019 z521c. I haven’t noticed any difference in quality.

[Mechanic Bob]

I have found a few poor quality issues with my rig. Wiring being the biggest. Looked like a Rats Nest behind my dash.

[Bigjon518l]

2021 518L that I have had for 10 months. Zero quality issues. It has been absolutely great. I spent a year and a half looking, researching, ridding in and inspecting every major brand out there. I too had heard rumors of quality issues etc... about Ranger. In the end when I compared one to another, Ranger was ahead by a mile in fit and finish and for what I wanted. Not saying anything bad about the other brands but don't let the noise and rumors about Ranger make your decision. Spend some time looking and make your own decision. Every manufacturer will have some issues. I personally know Ranger has stood behind their products with warranty and service much longer and with better results than any other brand out there today. Good luck. I hope you get the boat of your dreams.

[avidbasser]

2019 518...Have had my fair share of problems. I have a feeling my issues were result of the motor issues and they rushed to get my boat delivered when one became available.

Most of my issues were cosmetic fit / finish, but I had cracks in my console a leaking livewell, and several stripped screws on the windshield & graph plates.

[Whiteboat]

2019 518...Have had my fair share of problems. I have a feeling my issues were result of the motor issues and they rushed to get my boat delivered when one became available.

Most of my issues were cosmetic fit / finish, but I had cracks in my console a leaking livewell, and several stripped screws on the windshield & graph plates.

This was the issue with my Z520c - a sloppy rush job on the rigging with no QC inspection. I have purchased six other Rangers prior to this one (all pre BPS boats) with no major issues.

Love the boat now that everything is working, however I do not trust the trailer.

[TXDonkeyHunter]

You should feel how those Phoenix guys feel..... My buddy bought a brand new one and had to replace a hub the 1st month. My trailer has been outstanding; I've replaced 1 hub, but I have 59k miles on my trailer.

[jc2bg]

Everything IS bigger in Texas. That’s a bunch of trailer miles. Impressive.

[Boxman]

2019 z520c-Awesome boat-zero issues

[old ball coach]

2020 521L - zero issues with boat.

[dblume]

Mine was good. No complaints!

[Finlander]

Ironically it’s not the craftsmanship as much as it is the service. Not hearing tons of negatives since they stopped making the 13 thru 17 buckets. The backrest was a rather poor design and seemed they all broke. I think there was a big concern after the JM 2014 acquisition that quality was going to decline, but to my eye, Ranger has remained a top tier boat. Tritons, on the other hand, started Feeling like a Nitro with thinner more flexible plastic panels and classic nitro blue poly livewells. Clearly those two are sharing materials. I personally liked the last C boat styling but would opt for the L due to the seats alone. I’de take a new L. Pricy but worth it.