Always gonna be a few clueless ones lurking around.....Quote:
Originally Posted by hickend69
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Always gonna be a few clueless ones lurking around.....Quote:
Originally Posted by hickend69
ok
I am staying out of the penis measuring contest between Skeeter and Ranger.
just my observed and MY opinion of Skeeter and ranger.
Skeeter in question lives on St Clair
Here are the facts from a Ranger guy that has worked on my ranger and also a Skeeter
Skeeter information ZX225
1. alumimum deck is durable.
2. Deck is easy to take off to get to the under hood components.
3. I like the engine torque transfer plate in the back.
4. Consoles were cracking from the flexing of St Clair pounding.
5. Wiring harness requires work for your water as they used sub par use of wire connectors
6. Examine your wire harness where it goes into fuse block to ensure that the wires have no tension on them.
7. Good riding boat for St Clair. have to be on and off the throttle a bit more than a Ranger.
8. Boat is quick to come up on plane.
9. The rubber bungee rod holders drive me crazy.
10. Very good livewells.
11. wiring under the console is very accessable.
12. Good under deck storage setup.
13. Backing boat can be a pain as the boat does not track straight. As soon as you are underway, nose tries to come aroudn and boat ends up going sideways.
Ranger Z520
1. Good wiring connectors, little to no work required for St Clair.
2. good storage..but single big deck lids may not be for you.
3. Wiring block/fuse block under console for adding accessories.
4. Good riding boat. Heavier and handles different than a Skeeter.
5. trailer is outstanding right out of the box.
6. My Ranger transome system took the impact of a deer hitting my motor and only had gel damage. (70 MPH)
Both good boats. both handle differently. My vote, due to internals, goes to Ranger.
All points I am sure are arguable, and that is not the intent. This is from seat of the pants working on them and fishing from them.
I have owned both New Rangers and Skeeters. The Skeeter warranty is much better than Ranger. Skeeter Warranties EVERY component installed at the factory for 3 years. This includes electronics which Ranger only makes companies warranty for one year. Lowrance replaced my units at 2 years 10 months because they were installed by Skeeter when the boat was new on my '09. In 2007 I had to replace them at my cost on my 2006 Ranger.
We all know boat ride and handling in rough water is more driver than boat. BUT....the waters you mentioned specifically St Clair, would make me go for the biggest boat I could afford and I would be willing to go back a couple of model years to get the bigger boat. Carlos and I have been going to St Clair for 10 years together and we have seen some pretty nasty stuff. I have been in both of the boats he compares in his post. As a matter of fact, I was in the Skeeter on a day when the 3 other boats in our fishing party TRAILERED around the lake rather than run across. The Skeeter's owner had his trailer on the other side of the lake and we had no option other than to run across in conditions that were borderline "throw in the towel" and sit in the cottage!! We made it across just fine and only speared 1 but the driver is a St Clair native and does know how to drive. Likewise I took my 929 NITRO up there and ran it in the nasty stuff and it did fine. I also am in the boat market and you can take Carlos' word to the bank. I will be looking at a 20 footer minimum. I don't have the Ranger fever like so many but I have seen them perform and I know someone who has had 3 and does all of his own work. There is a level of consistency and durability that comes out of the Ranger factory that cannot be denied. That doesn't mean I won't look at Legend (another known for rough water) BassCat, Phoenix, et.al., I owe it to myself to find the boat that fits me and that may not be the same boat that fits others.
TOXIC
I run a 518 every other day on st.Clair and have never felt like the boat could not handle the lake. Yes there has been times I would have like to be in a 20 footer but in all reality when st.clair kicks up like it can no bass boat is going to handle extreamlay well. I've been in both boats and both are nice.rides I just prefer a ranger. If you want get hold of me maybe I can get you out and let you see how well a 518 can handle that lake.
I run the Z518 with the SHO engine. Really like the layout and manuverbilty of the total package when I come off the river and hit the creeks and backwater. SHO engine has been a dream. Meets my needs and then some. Longer is better in the 3 foot stuff, but I try and avoid those days due to my age etc. After 50 years of active boating, just happy to be able to go and enjoy the day.
Had a Skeeter, now have a Ranger, nuff said.
If your set on new I'd go the Z518. But like a previous post mentioned I'd look for a year of 2 old Z119. You can find some good deals on them.
Rode in a few Skeeters and the one you mentioned and I've never been impressed. I've run Tritons for 10 years and my next boat will probably be a Ranger or Triton.
The old Ford vs. Chevy argument... My suggestion is drive both and see what fits you. I love Rangers but for me a Skeeter was my fit, it all depends on the guy and your preference.
One thing to consider is th actual boat lengths of both models. You are not considering apples to apples in that area. There is a misconception that Rangers are automatically haevier than others but my 20i weighed more than my Z520 but yet the Z520 is longer. You have to look at all that. Personally I think Ranger and Skeeter are my top two choices when it comes to boats. Both are excellent.
Warranty concern. Here's my take. The warranty is only as good as the dealer you buy from. Just like an auto dealership. Here's a rundown on my 07 Skeeter SX190 that I bought new in March 2007. First day I had it out the Lowrance 50DS on the console blew. After 10hrs of break-in keyway was too tight and fell out when I forced the steering. One week later, Tach off 600 RPM's. Took motor in for a service bulletin to re-program TPS and the harmonic balancer needed to be replaced. Torn butt seat was next. Both livewell cables broken and I didn't use the livewells. In Aug, bow mount Lowrance blew. Next spring Tach again, driver's seat back torn, 2010, third Tach replaced. Everything was fixed under warranty but because I was persistent calling and E mailing Skeeter. When the livewell cables were replaced the dealer charged me $100 for labor because he said Skeeter did not re-imburse for it because the boat was over a year old, not 3 yrs. Sold it in Mar 2011 with everything fixed and less than 50 hrs on the motor. My point, it's the dealer you deal with and the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
I do like the ZX series and I felt that Skeeter used inferior components in their SX line to keep the cost down. Ranger uses quality parts even on their low end TR177.
Good read big al. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Nice to see the ugly from time to time. Not just my brands best brand posts.
Okay,i am a die hard ranger guy...ive had 3, a 481V a 520VX and now a Z21...they all ran amazing and handled rough water like a cadillac...you cant go wrong with either boat you go with...both are extremely nice rigs and run very well in rough water...got a friend who has a skeeter 21i and he will swear by it...ive rode in the boat many times as he has in my Z21 and you cant go wrong with either...but with the lake your talking about i would try to go back a few model years and spend a little more on the bigger boat...maybe a Z20 or Z21 or a skeeter 20 or 21 I class (or the ZX 225 and 250)...i promise when it gets bad out there youll really like having that extra foot or so....and as for the SHO, you cant go wrong!...i have yet to ride in a boat with one but i have talked to alot of guys and watched a guy blow by me while i was fishing that had an SHO and it sounded mean....everyone says it has an amazing holeshot and is very quiet and powerful....hope i could help some!
Thanks Guys, appreciate all the feedback!!!
dwbeck2, I think you are considering the 2 best brand boats made. I would try and ride in both boats and pick the one that you think fits your needs the best. Most people will try and get you to buy what they own and it may not be the best for you. I have owned both of these brands and you can't go wrong with either one. Good luck .:thumb up2:
Be sure to check if storage (garage space) will be an issue. I've looked, and really liked the skeeters, but they are a lot longer on the trailer than many other boats.
Welcome to BBC! I can't comment on the Skeeter brand, as I've only fished in one as a co-angler and the water was like glass that day. However, I fish Lake Michigan and on big bodies of water you want a solid boat. I used to fish out of a Ranger 522 and it ran great on the big lake. I loved that boat. Although, I like my Champion better when the water starts getting choppy. Given your choice, I'd choose Ranger not only for resale, ride, and warranty, but I don't have much appreciation for the skeeter styling (JMO). I have fished LSC quite a bit also, and I have no worries taking my Ranger or Champ out on that water.
:thumb up2: With a 225!Quote:
Originally Posted by jc2bg
check the Skeeter board. We have a few x ranger guys there now, and one who will be a new Skeeter guy. Not to say Rangers aren't a good boat, but I'd go with a Skeeter all day long