Bass Cat Pantera Classic vs. Ranger z520c fishabiity

Good Evening All

Considering purchasing a 2018 BCB Pantera Classic or a 2013 Ranger z520c…

I have found endless information about speed and the. dry ride comparisons and just about everything else but what I am mostly interested in is the fishability of the two. I’m not terribly concerned about the speed comparison nor the dry ride comparison…I’m very interested in the stability comparison between the two from a fishing perspective. I expect to hear that the Ranger is far more stable but hoping someone can give me a perspective from time and experience spent on both.

Has anyone fished from the TM of both boats and have any thoughts to share about the stability, nimbleness, and overall fishability of these two boats????

Any thoughts would be much appreciated…

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Originally Posted by 88 Tracker

Good Evening All

Considering purchasing a 2018 BCB Pantera Classic or a 2013 Ranger z520c…

I have found endless information about speed and the. dry ride comparisons and just about everything else but what I am mostly interested in is the fishability of the two. I’m not terribly concerned about the speed comparison nor the dry ride comparison…I’m very interested in the stability comparison between the two from a fishing perspective. I expect to hear that the Ranger is far more stable but hoping someone can give me a perspective from time and experience spent on both.

Has anyone fished from the TM of both boats and have any thoughts to share about the stability, nimbleness, and overall fishability of these two boats????

Any thoughts would be much appreciated…

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Off the rip the ranger is over a foot longer

If your main want is stability, a ranger is at the top

Panterra Classic
Length: 19’6″
Width: 90″
HP Range: 150-200
Fuel Capacity: 30 Gal
Hull Weight: 1550lbs

Ranger z520c
Beam: 95"
Length: 21'
Net Weight: 1850 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 45 gal.Max HP- 250


I haven't been in either, but the specs make this not a fair fight for your 1 question. Heavyweight vs a middleweight

Giving the 2 options and what you are looking for, the Z520c will be what you want. Huge decks, lots of storage and stability will be like fishing off an aircraft carrier with the huge front deck. Not knocking Basscat as they make a phenomenal boat, but the Ranger will take the nod between these 2.

The Ranger hands down. Fishes great, handles great and very stable. The Z520 is my favorite boat and I miss the one that I had.

I’ve had both boats. The 520 ranger was 1 of the best boats I’ve had. The panterra was fast with a 200 on it but running rough water it hit real hard. But being narrow it would go through the waves just hit hard. The ranger is a lot better ride. In my opinion.

Of those two, Ranger by a wide margin. Not only longer, but much wider and more stable. You would need to get into one of the newer wide body Bass Cats to be comparable.

I think Basscat is the best boat made, but that Ranger would be better than a Pantera classic just because of the size and features that come on the top of the line Ranger versus midline Basscat not an apple to apples comparison at all either other than the price points

Not sure about the Basscat. But I have a 2014 Ranger Z520C and love it. And majority of my fishing is on Lake St Clair or Lake Erie. It can definitely handle the big water no problem. And has a great layout, big front deck etc.

And very stable as well.

This one is about the cost, maintenance and condition of theses two rigs more than anything else. If the 520c is a garage queen, then it’s possibly a no brainer on a used boat. But is it… ? Then there’s four stroke, electronics and much more to consider on the 2018 model.

If the 520c is a trashed sunfaded, carpet worn, upholstery shot used boat, with an Evinrude… run don’t walk no matter what the opposing boat being considered is.

Let the first line and paragraph guide you. Also your pocketbook on affordability for working on the 2013 model.

Appreciate the input

Funny to me that 99.99% of discussion is how the boat rides and if it’s a dry ride…then on YouTube 99.99% of the videos are of the motor or driver at WOT or a walk through in a garage….

id think fisherman are more interested in how easy a boat is to actually fish from vs. ride around in. I must fish too much…perhaps I ought to ride around more

Stability and fishability is excellent in the Z520c. It is second to none in these two areas. If I was in the market for a used boat, the Z520c is what I would be looking for. I also miss that big wide front deck as measured at the pedestal. I spent a half day in Puma STS and while the Puma would out perform the Ranger in rough water ride and speed, stability and fishability is a lot better in the Z520c

Both are fine choices depending on what motor is on them.

Great input! thanks

In terms of fish ability only….meaning on the tm in shallow around stumps
etc…

does anyone have input on the z520c vs the z521c???

seems like they pulled the nose forward 9” and tapered out the front to make the real estate a little more narrow at the nose on the 521 but is it a dramatically different boat to fish from?

Again….not really inquiring about the ride quality and dryness and blah blah blah….judt the fish ability and maneuverability while fishing from the front deck in the TM

Front deck Measurements at the back pedestal inside the gunnels are 72” on the Z520c and 67” on the Z521c. That 5” difference really makes a big difference with two guys and a bunch of rods on the front deck. Stability is about the same.

If your signature is correct then either one of these will be far more stable than the boat you have. The Ranger is bigger all the way around so naturally it should be more stable but that Pantera Classic is a really nice boat and 5 years newer. I would base my decision on the overall condition of the rig, price, and the make/hours on the outboard. You probably can't go wrong.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 88 Tracker

In terms of fish ability only….meaning on the tm in shallow around stumps
etc…

does anyone have input on the z520c vs the z521c???

seems like they pulled the nose forward 9” and tapered out the front to make the real estate a little more narrow at the nose on the 521 but is it a dramatically different boat to fish from?

Again….not really inquiring about the ride quality and dryness and blah blah blah….judt the fish ability and maneuverability while fishing from the front deck in the TM

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520's have more room on the frt deck might be the biggest deck ever on a 20 ( actually 21)footer