New 2016 Ranger z521c

[nivanov]

Finally got to pick up my 2016 Ranger z521c with Mercury 250 ProXS.

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Thanks to CAW for color inspiration - I shamelessly borrowed his color scheme.


It took me many years of "thinking" about getting a true bass boat (my 1st one), and then few months of research, and about a month of waiting...


It's pretty loaded ($88K out-of-door price in CA - yeah, I know). I did try to compare to Pheonix 921, BassCat Jaguar, and Nitro Z21.


BassCat has very limited dealer network in CA and one boat I drove in (Puma FTD) didn't impress me to search further. Fit and finish was worse than Ranger and overall layout was rather unusual. Forward pedal looked uncomfortable to me. Whole boat felt too different for no apparent reason. It's one of those boats you either love or hate.


Nitro Z21 (didn't ride - but looked at BassPro out of state). It does cost ~$15K less than a comparable z521c and it *shows*. Fit and finish, overal estethics of the boat is way below Ranger. Yet, I do believe that Nitro is a good value if you must save ~$10-15K on $80K+ boat.


Phoenix was a real contender for me at the beginning. I rode in two, sat in another one. What really threw me off is... price. It's almost the same as Ranger (!). Yet, the unknown resale value, unknown long terms reliability, almost no dealers, and decidedly lower quality on fit and finish made it a hard choice to make. If Phoenix was ~$15K-20K less it would be a fair deal (Phoenix did look and feel better than Nitro Z21 to me).


I've ridden in all three boats (Ranger, BassCat and Phoenix) and didn't feel any significant differences (more or less the same calm weather - but different drivers). I know the difference exists - but at these conditions I didn't feel much at all. Ranger z521c that I tested "felt" bigger upfront (but it was a bigger boat than others).


At the end, I've pulled the trigger on Ranger. Yes, the most expensive but it felt like a right investment. Ranger feels like the most common sense boat, something that doesn't have any quirks, very traditional in its layout, and exceptionally well put together in terms of fit and finish. My GL550 pulls it perfectly with all its electronics and special trailing support.

[GOTTA BIG SACK]

[jimsch]

Spot on evaluation. Liked the Bird, but as time goes on, like my Ranger more and more. The fit and finish is Rolls Royce like.
Now all we need is water in our ponds.
Enjoy your new toy, while running, grinning is not only allowed, it is encouraged.

[capt1fish]

I'll wave you down to say "hey" when I see ya on the river.

Nice boat! Congrats.

[nmanley]

Should have bought out of state. CA dealers suck from what I can tell by all the post I've seen. Looked at brand new Z21 today with good Gen 3 electronics for $54K so that's a LOT less than 88K. Most Phoenix dealers a lot cheaper except in CA. But in the end only one thing counts and that is if your happy with your purchase and it is a damn nice rig.
Congratz!

[RangerRumps]

nice looking rig

[LEN B]

Nice boat! Congrats.

[CaymasRodney]

Congrad on your new rig, you will love that rig and if you take real good care of it she will bring top dollar if u ever decide to sell her.

[BrianFLA]

Congrats awesome looking ranger !

[Kromer]

I have a new Z-521 too and will be on the river tomorrow (Sunday) launching out of Sugarbarge.
Come out and get that bad boy broken in!

Also you don't see bass boats being towed with a Mercedes every day

[basscla]

Sharp

[dean c]

VERY nice rig..big congrats to you. Awesome job on the pre buy research.

I'll kiss somebody's azz if they can find a similarly equipped brand new, non demo, current year Z521c on the retail level for 54K in any friggin state...Totally unnecessary to tell a guy he should have bought somewhere else...have a little class...geez.

[oscardog]

VERY nice rig..big congrats to you. Awesome job on the pre buy research.

I'll kiss somebody's azz if they can find a similarly equipped brand new, non demo, current year Z521c on the retail level for 54K in any friggin state...Totally unnecessary to tell a guy he should have bought somewhere else...have a little class...geez.

They didn't say Z521 they said a Z21 for 54k. If you don't know, they were referencing a Nitro. Learn to read before going nuts.

[dean c]

They didn't say Z521 they said a Z21 for 54k. If you don't know, they were referencing a Nitro. Learn to read before going nuts.

Re reading the thread...I see your absolutely right. My apologies to that poster.

[Bassin Bob71]

Beautiful rig and you picked the best out of the ones you looked at.

[gonabefishin]

Excellent choice! I've had 2 myself. 01 520 vx and currently 14 RT 188. Detail, ride, fit and finish is second to none comparing all price ranges of rangers to the competition, IMO! Luckily, I just live a hop, skip, & a holler from Ranger plant in Flippin. It's fun to go down there and daydream a little!
Congrats!

[PhoenixDrew]

Certainly a beautiful boat. The research /analysis is great. I'm getting to the point where if I'm ever going to buy a new boat I need to do it soon. There's the balance between getting more free time in my life and being too old to enjoy it. The clock is ticking.

[Carlos H]

very nice boat!!!

[carolinagreenhead]

Congrats on a nice ride.

[Riese619]

She's one nice ride , you won't be sorry of your choice