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I currently have a 2016 Triton and I will be buying a new boat next fall. I was looking into getting a 2019 Ranger Z519 when I do purchase it. In yall's opinion where does the Ranger stack up versus other boats? (e.g. speed, ride, storage, durability)
It's all what you think is best, every boat fills an individual niche. No boat fits you, that fits me. There is no bad boat out there, they all are great in their own way.
This ought to be good. :popcorn:
I'll bite....
All boats have their pros and cons. The 519 with a 225 is a pretty quick boat. Storage is good. Ride is meh. Fit and finish SHOULD be normal Ranger quality. Fishability, aka stability wit the trolling motor down is the best out there IMO. Lots of good boats being built out there today. I love my Z518. Only thing I don't like is the ride. It's ok for it's size. Definately not a Champion like I had previously. Overall it's a much better built boat then anything I've had prior. If I were to buy a new boat tomorrow, I'd get another Ranger or Basscat.....
well said...Quote:
Originally Posted by basscat21
I would think the 519 would do everything very well, within the limits of the conditions, and size of water your fishing.
If I were to go to that size boat, it would definitely be a single console.
Triton a Ranger probably have a similar ride and fishing stability most likely is better on the Ranger.
I'm sure Ranger will work just fine for what you're after. For me Ranger just has too much fluff and plastic bits that don't age very well.
If you needed a more comfortable ride and fish a lot of big water I'd consider Falcon 215 or Charger 198 or 210. These are cleanly laid out simple fishing machines that should age well.
I didn't know they made another bass boat other than a Ranger? Unless you are talking about the crappie rigs that some guys use! :popcorn:
Just look at them all. There are a lot of great bass boats out there. I have a 2014 Z119C and I love it. It has a 225 pro XS and runs fast. I believe if propped right it is the fastest Ranger boat.
Depends on what you want in a boat, Speed, Comfort, Durability, Fish-ability, Re-sell value. I've ridden in just about every Manufactured Bass Boats, and I like the Ranger first, Skeeter 2nd and Stratos 3rd, that being said, I've had 5 Rangers !! If you can, go to the Ranger factory and take the tour, it's free, and you'll see the Ranger and Triton builds since both are now made at Ranger. BIG difference !!
Rangers are nice boats. I'm in Illinois and you can't pitch a jig without hitting a Ranger, most of the guys in my club have one. I've ridden in and/or driven everything from 17 to 21 footers. They do everything well but IMO there are boats that do everything better. I'd take a P2 over a 519 any day even with the extra 25hp and have an extra 7 or $8K in my pocket.
Caracal:thumb up2:
Sounds like you know the size you want which is a 19ft. Look at every brand that you can in that range a and choose what you liked best. Ranger makes a fine boat along with bass cat, skeeter, Phoenix, charger, and falcon is pretty new but would definitely at least give them a look no check them out
I am a six time Ranger owner including a Z519 but now in a Phoenix . I agree with pretty much what everyone says, however the Z519c lay out is not for me.
I am not a pro staffer but I would also look at a Phoenix 919 just to make it interesting. I recently fished out of Z520c and came away still liking my Phoenix 920 better.
If I could buy a brand new boat would look at all my local dealers, to keep service close and cut out the driving. With that being said basscat is the only one not local, I would look at all of them test drive them and see where I felt what would fit my needs the best.
Just picked up a 92 361. Had it out the other 2nd time, messed with the trim and what a great ride.
Had maybe 1 foot chop and it floated right
Over those waves......I like it so far.
Rangers are my number one choice, am pretty impressed with Skeeters new FX 21, then basscat just a bit less of a pretty boat, Phoenixs are decent too......I guess ride and decide....that said the Skeeter is softer for sure ....actuall they are all likely a bit softer, a bit drier....but none fish better than the Ranger imho.
speed...middle of the pack or slightly lower
ride...upper part of the pack
storage...mid part of the pack *if you were asking about the Z520 then it would rank upper part of the pack. Z19 has no storage in the step and the cooler is on the front deck. If you store rods on the driver's side of the deck you will have to move rods to get to the cooler.
durability...near the top of the pack
ThisQuote:
Originally Posted by milligjg
Go demo and do a factory tour of what your looking for.
Yea White River Marine Group makes Ranger, Triton, Nitro, and soon Legend. There are a couple of other bass boat companies out there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamie
If speed, ride, storage and durability are tops on your list I'd suggest one of the go fast brands. Bullet3119 has an excellent Stroker for sale that'll meet all those criteria. I've owned two Champs, three Rangers and two Cats. I've seen how several brands are built. I'll put Cats build quality up to any other bass boat. That being said I'm not sure there is a bad boat left on the market. May as well buy what makes you happy.
Buy a Phoenix
Here is my recommendation....buy a bass boat you can afford and be happy. If you can afford all of them, shop around for the best deal on one that suits you and can get serviced locally.
Ranger has never entered my mind when purchasing a Bass boat.
Just when you post on bbc...:laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by opaleski
Yeah. On the Z -18 and Z- 19 the storage layout is the worst I have ever seen on a new boat. It's as if the Ranger design people put absolutely no thought or effort into the layout. :yesnod: I guess they were too busy with the $40 plastic remote drain plug thingee.:doh:Quote:
Originally Posted by JR19
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxmike
Not sure they have made those in a while :smile:
I think all of the high end boats are pretty similar. Everyone has their biases and allegiances. Somebody has a bad experience with X brand and spends the next decade bad mouthing that company on every forum. Someone else loves that same brand and won't consider another.
Ford vs. Chevy
Which one is better? If you are towing a trailer or hauling a load, in the end, both will probably do the job pretty similarly. Each has an advantage but they are fairly similar once all of the brand emotion is stripped away.
Ranger, Skeeter, Champion, Phoenix or whatever, they are all similar in more ways than they are different.
My last 2 boats were Rangers and am now in a Skeeter. They are within a few MPH top end and all ride about the same. The differences are not as great as internet forums make them to be. I fished a few tournaments in a Phoenix and I liked it. If I was blindfolded I'm positive I wouldn't know the difference between it and any other boat running down the lake.
very well said:thumb up2:Quote:
Originally Posted by stringwise
donate your $70,000.00 to the American red cross.your 2016 triton will do anything just as good as a 2019 ranger will do.:thumb up2:
I disagree on not being able to tell a difference between a ranger, skeeter, and phoenix if you were blindfolded. I've never ridden in a skeeter so I can't say on them but I've tested a z520, a 920, and a 921 while shopping for an upgrade from my 518. The phoenix boats were a ton better in rough chop and across ski boat wakes than the 520 and landed smooth as butter. The 520 was definitely better than my current boat boat I wasn't all that impressed with the ride.Quote:
Originally Posted by stringwise
I would also consider how long you would plan on keeping the boat.
With that said I believe the ranger would hold it's value better and be easier to sell if you had to.
My advice to to look at each one and ride in each one. Are Ranger bad boats, NO but not any better than the Triton you own now.
I would not buy any Johnny Morris boat. Not that I have anything against him or his business model. I admire his success BUT I prefer smaller companies and the more personal customer service that typically goes with them.
My choice would be:
Basscat
Phoenix
Charger (Champion versions)
.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stringwise
I like the way you think.
Isn't logic so refreshing!!! :thumb up2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Perry
I do think their is a difference between the different brands in ride, speed, and the way they fish. I have owned a 2012 Z522, 2004 VX521 rangers, 2006 20I class Skeeter and the last one was a 921 Phoenix I do agree the best with the trolling motor down is the Ranger but not by much over the Phoenix. The Phoenix is much softer on the ride then either of the other two brands. The lay out is personal preference, with Phoenix making two lay outs now in their 20 and 21 foot boats. The two lay outs are real close to the Skeeter and Ranger with the 920, 20 PHX and the 921, 21 PHX. I still think the best advice is to go and ride and drive on a rough day and see how they ride and fish on bad days. That is the only way you can know for sure because of people's bias.
Im not bias....just never wrong:smile:
save your money and fish from shore!
Like the title says....There's Rangers and the others.