21i series vs. Z21 comments....

[JohnPZX]

I know this post will get some good comparisons...

My buddy was all about buying a brand new i series. He even had the paperwork drawn up. We went to the show together where he was ready to sign. We walked by a new Ranger Z21 and decided to look it over. I am a Skeeter guy all the way but..... guys I gotta tell you... these boats were the same price but that Ranger was really... really trimmed out nice. The details and fit and finish was clearly exceptional. He bought the Ranger.

What do you guys think of the differences in these boats being that they cost virually the same?

[Jason Hoffman]

The most important difference IMHO is that the 21i is far superior in the way it rides. I had a gentleman ask to test drive mine after driving both the Z21 & Z20 and after going a mile or two down the lake, he looked at me and said, "Well I guess I can mark Ranger off my list."

[JohnPZX]

See that's exactly what my buddy said.... just in reverse. He did drive both boats before buying (once he questioned himself at the show). He said the Skeeter's console seemed to flex when jumping on plane. He also said the Z21's ride was much better. I'm still a bug fan and I think he's a dork for not buying the Skeeter - just because it's a Skeeter - and we all know the Skeeter guys get more girls. You can clearly see that I am upset at him and can never trust him again. I think the relationship is over.

I'll give my opinion once I ride in both.

[wanabepro]

A lot of it boils down to driver. Both are good boats.

[RyanB]

At blast off for a afternoon tx the other day I (ZX225/HPDI) absolutely left a Z20 with an etec. I had two people and was full of fuel, he was a single. I am not a speed freak but it felt good.

[wanabepro]

That's funny because I have a friend with a Z225 and a I20 and my Z20 w 225XS Merc runs away from them. Should have seen the look on their face-They still can't believe it.

It's the driver and the prop.

[jettdog68]

Wannabe pro,
You are full of crap, I am not a skeeter owner, but have driven all 3 boats extensivley, and a Z-20 WILL not out run either of the skeeters. I dont care who the driver or what kinda prop you are running. Nothing against the Ranger here, just fact!!!!!!

[BillyJack]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wanabepro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That's funny because I have a friend with a Z225 and a I20 and my Z20 w 225XS Merc runs away from them. Should have seen the look on their face-They still can't believe it.

It's the driver and the prop.</TD></TR></TABLE> Tell your friend to loose some serious weight and keep the prop off the rocks!

[wanabepro]

That's funny because they said and thought the same thing.

PS-My boger prop and 225XS has won me a lot of bets-I wouldn't bet the house on it.

[LittleBugMan]

I would- cuz at the Central Divisional for three days I had to keep passing the same D$#% Rangers all three days! They just wouldn't get out of the way!! I'm not joking either- they thought they were going to beat me down the lake and I''m like going "move it or lose it". I Passed three Rangers in the first three miles of river at Muskogee and all they could say was that the current must have been strong. (We were going downstream!!)(&gt;

[bassdude]

I dont believe it either. Last year at the Stren Series Chapionship on Pickwick the first day coming out of the lock was a cluster. I was in the third row and there was 20 boats in from of me. When they opened the lock it was like a shotgun start. It was about half dangeruos. By the time I had made it to the first big point on the right I say three miles I was all alone out front. Got to Wheeler dam and noticed I had blown off all my line on my drop-shot rod I re-spooled as fast as I could and when I was done there were still boat showing up no Joke. zx 225 225 hpdi. I will buy a Ranger only because of contingancy.

[JohnPZX]

So guys... is that it. Speed is the only thing better about Skeeter? Heck just buy a Bullet and forget about it. I was hoping for some good points to help me counter my buddy's new Skeeter bashing - Ranger boasting ways.

[RyanB]

Sorry..........I started it.

I have been reading over at the Ranger board and the new Rangers seem to be having more problems then they did in the past. It seems like the craftmenship has gone down a notch. I know their are more Rangers on the water now but in years past I never saw so many Rangers going back to the dealerships/factory. Don't even bring up the trailer fiasco. That topic does not ever seem to come up on this board...........Just my .02

[Doug Vahrenberg]

I have a 20i and the speed is nice but the ride is unbelievable. On Stren Series on KY Lake running back in 2 1/2' Chop (with the wind) and the ride was very, very smooth at WOT. My co-angler was a Ranger owner - and had nothing but nice things to say. Guess it really impressed him.

The bottomless seats, alarm system, ability to lock all compartments at once, option to install second console later, hull, design, smooth, dry ride, strongest transom in the industry, aluminum knee brace - torque transfer system, Longest history of building bass boats, reverse draft sponsons, the list goes on why I love my 20i!

Contingency money - Skeeter Reel Money has an awesome payout. They don't give all the money to the touring pros - it's designed to benefit the retail consumers. Each dealer can request 10 local events as long as they meet a 30 boat - 60 competitor field. $2000 for 1st with a Skeeter Yamaha 2006 Model Package and $1000 for any age Skeeter/Yamaha Package. It's a lot easier to win $2000 in a 30 boat local field than in a 200 boat FLW event.

[Skeeter Madness]

Guess I must have run up on some of those "slower" Z Rangers on my last trip to Table Rock as none I ran across could keep up. Not bragging, but I thought the Z would've run better considering the price.

[LittleBugMan]

Don- I feel the same way- I've never seen so many Rangers cutting corners and hugging to the buoys as I did at Muskogee. Seems they need a shorter playing field to keep up!! Just kidding guys- all boats that float are great, it's the sinking ones that suck!!!

[wanabepro]

I guess that's why I get the looks from the Skeeter guys everytime I pass them-They just can't believe what they are seeing.

I would be willing to bet that none of those boats were running a Boger prop. You better ask somebody.

I have run down the I boats and several 225s and the guys were in amazement. I have found the I boat is very slow out of the hole and got dusted before he even got on plane.

I would agree that the average Ranger is slower, problem is that I am not running the average Ranger. My boat is set up for speed.

[LittleBugMan]

Matter of fact- I did get passed by a Ranger once. We was heading down 71 hiway to Table Rock at Shell Knob....That Ranger must have been going at least 72 mph.... you could tell he had it hammered....Just kidding, keep trolling!!

[Franklin]

Wannabepro you are out of your mind........the z21 is a sweet ride. it's like fishing out of a caddy, but it's not going to run with a 21i even with a weak driver....have driven both and the z21 holeshot sucks........sweet boat, but come one since when have rangers outrun skeeters?

Franklin

[James O.]

Sorry Ranger lovers but a ranger cant do anything any better than a Skeeter. Oh I stand corrected, Cost more