RANGER 520s VS NITRO 929

[tgrife]

All, I am hoping to get some opinions here on my next rig this coming spring. I currently have a Nitro and I have never had a single issue with it. I am ready to upgrade and I am trying to decide on a mid 2000s Nitro 929 or a mid 2000s Ranger 520.

Can you all give me some feedback on the comparisons and advantages of the Rangers? I know the Ranger owners are extremely passionate about their rigs, so any input would be helpful.

[Daiwakid92]

I have a 2004 929 and i love it. had a ranger for years but i wouldnt trade this 929 for anything. Except a z-9. I havent had a single problem with my nitro either

[wanabepro]

Go ride and look in both and YOU will see the difference.

[GhostComanche]

................and feel the difference. ......................RR

[NC519VX]

The 2000's Ranger 520 is on of the best boats ever built IMO. I have never ridden in a 929, but I have ridden/fished in a few Nitro's. Like stated above, take them both for a ride, and see for yourself, there really is no comparison......

[Botto Spivak]

Is the 929 a center console?If it is I would really like to fish out of one.I dont know much about the Nitros.But I have had the same 520 for 10 years now and I love it! As far as fishing goes I think the 520s are as good as it gets.
Good Luck with what ever you get!

[Mr. McGibletts]

My first bass boat was a practically new 2002 Nitro NX750 with about 15hrs on the motor. The quality, fit and finish were garbage. I literally felt like the boat was going to disintegrate on the water. Kept the boat for less than a year and sold it. I can't speak for a 929 or any other Nitros but I will go on record as saying that I would not consider another one even though they sell for thousands less. I've had my Ranger for 3 years now and have had no real problems with it.
Either way, good luck.

[tgrife]

You guys are awesome! Of course I will ride in both of them. I know the quality of Rangers are pretty much unmatched. The Nitros have come a looooooong way and you hear of less and less issues, especially on the top end 9 series. Still considering and am going to look at storage space differences next week. Thanks again and keep the thoughts coming!!!! I greatly appreciate it.

[Migs]

I had a Nitro 896 Savage (I know...older than a 929), but it was a great boat w/ a fast hull. Since then, I've owned 3 Rangers, my current one is a 520 DVX. Besides the ride, one of the biggest differences I see is Ranger's attention to detail. After a trip to the big water in the Nitro, I would have to tighten down the rub-rail, along w/ other things. I haven't had to do that with any of the Rangers I've had. Good luck w/ your purchase!

Migs

[bassman34]

there is no comparison imo, I havn't been around a 929 but i have been around other nitro's & you can definitely tell the nitro's are the wal-mart of boats (cheaper), also you wont ever get the customer service from nitro that ranger provides.

[TOXIC]

A lot of guys saying they have not been around a NITRO.....but.......give an opinion......and some use old NITRO's to compare to. I can give you some real world perspective. I owned a 2000 929 single console with a 225, EFI. Just sold it last year. That boat was my guide boat and did it's share of travel. It went to Lake Champlain and fished a day they cancelled the Everstart tournament. It has been on the Potomac in some of the nastiest it has to offer (ask Carlos), it's been on Lakes St Clair and Winniconnie as well as the Fox watershed in Wisconsin. Never a day in the shop. Always got me home. My Ranger experience has been pretty extensive since Carlos and I spend a week fishing St Clair every spring for the last 9 years and have been in some very nasty water. We fish the Potomac together as well. Carlos has had 520's of different years. For the last 2 years I lived in Florida and my tournament partner ran a Z21. We were on the St Johns river in some pretty rough stuff as well. I also had my boat there as well.

The reason you are getting a response from me is that I have been lurking on this board for a while because I am in the market right now (I sold my NITRO in Florida before I came back), and Ranger is very high on my list. I watch a lot of the Brand boards just to see who is having problems with what and on which boat!! With all that being said, the one thing you have to remember is that the price points for these 2 is different. Both are great boats with one being greater if you know what I mean. The added value in a Ranger is why you pay more. Is it worth it? To some yes. My 929 was a rough water beast. Had a deck the size of the USS JFK. Was it on the same level as a Ranger.....no.....but it's not supposed to be. I can not and will not make a comparison of the new Z9's to the Rangers because I have not been in one enough to compare. The reason I say that is because you are getting closer in cost when rigged out the same. We are talking used older models. My final take is this:

Is a Ranger worth the extra $$?? Yes it is all day long.

Will the NITRO 929 be a good boat for less $$? Yes it will.

TOXIC

[dawsoncustom]

If for no other reason than the fact that nitro wont hold its value go with ranger. Nothing has stood the test of time like ranger.

[Migs]

Is a Ranger worth the extra $$?? Yes it is all day long.

Will the NITRO 929 be a good boat for less $$? Yes it will.

...could have used Cliff Notes and just said those statements above instead of rambling on and slamming others trying to give some input.

Migs

[TOXIC]

I wasn't the one doin the slamming.

TOXIC

[Table Rock Special]

My uncle's old 929 is a well built boat.
I have never even set foot in a BPS boat, however I have seen them on the showroom floor with cracks at BPS.
I'd probably get hit by lightning if I ever fished a Nitro, or at least pray for rain and the bilge pumps not to work. I'm not biased I promise.

[CaymasRodney]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by GhostComanche &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">................and feel the difference. ......................RR </td></tr></table>

The main thing to do is get on that front deck and fish for a couple of hours, not one single boat out on the water will fish like or with a Ranger, with out a doubt the most stable fishing platform out there.

[Tom Rollins]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by RangerRodney &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

The main thing to do is get on that front deck and fish for a couple of hours, not one single boat out on the water will fish like or with a Ranger, with out a doubt the most stable fishing platform out there. </td></tr></table>

Fished a tournament in a 929 for two days, long reach from deck to water surface!

[tgrife]

Thanks to all for the input!! You can sure tell the passion from the Ranger owners!!!

Some of you are making Nitros out to be worse than they actually are. EVERY boat maker has its issues.

Just love the fact that all you guys have the passion for the Ranger brand. Cant argue that, and that shows a lot about how well they take care of their owners. Going to fish each this weekend and see what I will go with then!! Thank you to all.

[Rangerdawg]

Good honest post toxic...no slammin that I read...of course maybe some other people cant read...or comprehend....