Thread: 521 vs 520

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  1. #1
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    521 vs 520

    Hey guys,

    Looking at a 2018 521L and was just wondering if anyone has noticed a huge difference in maneuverability while fishing. I flip a lot of docks and tules and currently have a mimble little 19 but wanna upgrade for those long rough runs.
    2019 Ranger Z520L Mercury 250 Pro XS 4 stroke

  2. Ranger Boats Moderator jc2bg's Avatar
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    #2
    Length matters when fishing docks. I came out of consecutive Z520s and decided to “drop back” to a Z519 for precisely that reason. In my opinion, the Z520 is a great performer on big bodies of water, and the only way I would go even bigger is if I fished offshore nearly all of the time. In the early 2000s, I had a Stratos 22SS, and it was great for running the big waves, but the Z520 is so much more maneuverable than that longer boat was, that the length difference was entirely negated. Nowadays I still go offshore, but once I’m out there [Erie] the 519 fishes just as well as the 520, and inshore around tight cover, has probably upped my catch rate by 1/3 over the 520. Since there’s also as much difference between a 520 and a 521, I doubt the 521 would increase your comfort riding “out there” as much as it could hurt your inshore catch.
    John Clark — Findlay, Ohio

  3. Moderator Fishysam's Avatar
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    #3
    when it get really rough the 520 does better as it is more responsive, medium rough the 21 is better, and less doesn't matter its still a bass boat
    Mercury 250 proxs 2B115089

  4. Member
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    #4
    To answer your question, No, there is not a huge difference in maneuverability. I've had a 2012 Z521 and a 2017 Z520c. Both were awesome boats with slightly differant attributes. The 520 is slightly more nimble and could be an advantage fishing docks. The 521 offers a little better ride but is a little longer. Long rides, go with the 521, fishing docks, go with the 520. Either way, both boats will serve you well.

  5. #5
    If you fish alot of team tournaments I'd go with the 521 for the extra deck space. ProAms I'd go 520 for the little extra speed and maneuverability

  6. Member
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    #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Rangerman2006 View Post
    If you fish alot of team tournaments I'd go with the 521 for the extra deck space. ProAms I'd go 520 for the little extra speed and maneuverability
    521 deck is smaller than the 520

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by DoctorJJ View Post
    521 deck is smaller than the 520
    How do you figure? 521 is 10 inches longer and 1 inch wider. I do agree the 520 is wider at the trolling motor but the 521 has a longer deck.

  8. Member dean c's Avatar
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    #8
    Quote Originally Posted by DoctorJJ View Post
    521 deck is smaller than the 520
    Negative...The 520 just carries width a little further forward.

  9. Member
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    #9
    72842FAE-6ABB-4AF2-8C25-5BC2E031E157.jpeg
    Judge for yourself. Yes, the front deck on the 521 is slightly longer (the longer length on the 521 isn’t from the front deck only) but the 520 carries a lot more width forward. More useable deck for the way we fish.

  10. Banned
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    #10
    I love my 520 but there is no doubt that my 521 rode better in chop and my back isn’t the best.....that said as a pure fishing boat the 520 is hard to beat...so if I were to do it over again not sure....but if I didn’t have a bad back 520l all the way

  11. Member
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    #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Rangerdawg View Post
    I love my 520 but there is no doubt that my 521 rode better in chop and my back isn’t the best.....that said as a pure fishing boat the 520 is hard to beat...so if I were to do it over again not sure....but if I didn’t have a bad back 520l all the way
    Agree. 521 is smoother in rough water due to deeper V.