New Ranger purchase - researching

[KC_Bass_Fanatic]

In the market in 2019 for a new Ranger. I currently have a 1996 Champion 186 Elite, 150HP Intruder. I love the size of my boat and don't fish much big water. I get on LOZ, Table Rock, or Grand just a few times a year. So I have my eye on the Ranger Z518. So I have a few questions for the owners to help me in my decision making process. Thanks in advance gentlemen,

1. Z518 w/ the 150HP pro XS - enough power (speed, hole shot)? My current rig jumps out of the hole and will run high 50's all day long and that's plenty for my needs.

2. What's the difference in the Z518 and the Z518L other than HP rating? Opinions on if it's worth the upgrade in price are welcome.

3. Owners of the 518 or 518L I'd love to hear what you love and don't love so much about your rigs.

thanks!!

[botrdav]

I have a 518 L on order and I chose the L as the price difference was not that much, I think with the 200 Pro XS on it I will get a better return down the line and I just wanted the max hp I could get. I was going to order a 520 C but after thinking about it I realized it was too big to put into my garage and I fish by myself a lot and fish a lot of docks, the smaller boat is easier to manage around docks. This will be my 16th new boat purchase so I pretty know exactly what I want out of a boat and for me at my age it will be the perfect size for me. I will be fishing a lot of 6,000 and smaller acre lakes with a few trips to Table Rock and similar sized lakes. With common sense being applied the 518 will handle well for me.

[jtracc]

I too fish a lot of smaller lakes outta my z118 (similar hull) the 150 opti pro xs performs decent but if I was looking at same hull I personally would go with the 518L. That extra 50hp makes a difference when you load down the boat with gear. These 18 footers ranger makes are great hulls.

[LewStulePH.D.]

I have a 2012 Z-118 w/150 ProXS Plenty of room. I take 2 Weimaraners and an AffenPinscher and they haven't bitched yet.

112/36v tm; UniHorn (portside) and I still have room for crap I won't need...

IMG_3754.jpg

[bamarig06]

I have owned 2 518 boats both with 150 Mercury 4 strokes and slide master plates. Top speed out of both was around 58 and I never saw 60 no matter what. With the trolling motor down the boat is hard to beat. It’s stable and handles rough water fairly well for what it is. Having said that, I wish had went with the 200hp engine just for the cruising speed. My next boat will be a 19-20 footer.

[KC_Bass_Fanatic]

The price difference from what I can tell looking at local dealers is ~$10k. I guess that's where I'm struggling, if the $10k is worth it - given that I can't visually tell a difference in the 518 and the L. The specs and layout are exactly the same. I assume the increased HP rating is based on some internal (structural) beefing up? Side by side I can't tell the difference.

[Jmhall745]

I believe the only difference between the 518 and the 518L is the horsepower rating and standard “bling”. The 518 being rated for only 150hp is to keep it as a price point boat. I had a Z185 before my 520L and when I was shopping for that boat, I couldn’t see the justification to get a 518 non L over the Z185 as it was about $5k more. Also, just looking at base prices, if I was in the market for a 518L and had the storage room, I would 100% go for a Z519 with the extra foot and a 225hp rating.

[dukhntr]

So I ran a 1996 Champion 181/150 EFI, a 1995 Champion 186/175 EFI and a Champion 198/225 pro xs prior to my current Z518/200. The 518 fishes way better than all of them. I feel it's ride lacks a little but it feels way more solid if that makes sense. The Champions cut the waves better but were not nearly as stable or as enjoyable to fish from. Storage, fit/finish, overall quality go to the Ranger no doubt. Speed wise, my has a 200 and I can run 70 all day every day solo no matter how it's loaded. Put a partner in and I'm 68.5+ all day....The Z518 is much wider than your Champion and so much more stable.

[BrianFLA]

I have a 2019 518 with pro xs 4 stroke, I love everything about the boat, lots of storage, front deck is huge, ride is great, with the t-motor down very stable fishing platform, I love the new seats and console. I do not have a JP, and am seeing solo 57 WOT, with a 23 temptest plus @ 6000rpm. Also the new 150 proxs is awesome, lots of torque and really good fuel economy.

[BrianFLA]

small pic trout creek boat pic.jpg

[cwalsh]

I am getting ready to head into my 3rd season with my 518 w/150 HO G2. I too considered the 200hp version but for me 10k was a lot of money for the exact same boat. If you are happy with upper 50’s then I would save your money to put towards Ultrex, electronics, ect. I fish Champlain (southern end so not as bad) and the boat handles big water great if you use your head. I am running a single 10’ Talon and with fuel, live wells full with partner and gear it still has a great hole shot and will run 55-57. When I’m alone just out fun fishing it will run 58-61 depending on time of year and conditions but regardless the hole shot is always instant which is usually the issue with 150hp boats. I was fishing a tournament on Champlain and an FX20 w/250SHO was leaving a bay the same time we were and once I saw him hit it so did I and I drove right around and away from him, yes he would have passed me if we were going any great distance but on that day we weren’t. I like speed and would have liked the 200 or a 519 w/225 but the price jump is substantial imo.

[M1RT]

I have a Z518 with a 200 Etec G1. Fantastic boat and I love everything about it. For me, the only downside is it's length, or lack thereof. Thus I need to be watchful of the weather on big water like Mille Lacs. Other than it, it is an awesome boat. For an 18'8" boat it was an unreal amount of storage and the fishing platform is solid.

If I were to buy new again, I wouldn't hesitate looking at a 518 non-L with a 150. Ten grand for ten miles more miles per hour is a lot of dough. But it is a rocketship with the 200 and it can keep up with many larger boats. If adding dual poles and a 36V trolling motor system then I would steer towards a 518L with a 200. But if you aren't adding a bunch of extra weight and not racing to your hot spot, then a 518 with the 150 would suffice. Plus you can use the 10-grand difference to add nice graphs, jack plate, and ultrex or similar trolling motor,

[CaymasRodney]

small pic trout creek boat pic.jpg

That is one sharp boat Brian, Brandon Hunter who fishes for BBT has a new 19 520L same color, just love it myself.

[411sponge]

That is one sharp boat Brian, Brandon Hunter who fishes for BBT has a new 19 520L same color, just love it myself.

Took the words right out of my mouth!! Very nice rig Brian!!

[BrianFLA]

Thanks guys! Can't say it enough how much I am enjoying fishing out of this boat.

[Mega_Micropterus]

Nice rig, sir!

[BrianFLA]

Couple more shots:
Z518 at shell small .jpg

Z518 shot 2 at shell small .jpg

[badMackrel]

A few thoughts: I am not sure the 2 stroke motors are available now. So if you went with the 200 HP, it would be the new 4 stroke. The 518L comes with a tandem axle trailer, smart guage, a fortrex (I think the 518 comes standard with a cheaper TM). and HDS graphs, the standard i beleive the 518 comes with the Elite Ti graphs. I have a Z118C with a 4 stroke 150. I do wish i would have went with the 200 hp motor, but where i live the lakes are small, so its not really a big deal. More of me just wanting to go faster because its fun. is it really needed, probly not, but I still wish I had it. so there is some value in the $10K price difference.

[ConstellationCity]

Hello! Welcome to the Lee's Summit, MO Crew!!!!