Used vs new boat and when you make that decision….

[Gillsandtines10]

I'm now on my 5th Ranger and all have been a used boat when I bought them. I've been lucky enough to have found what I wanted and have NEVER had a Boat Payment !! My now boat, even tho o WAS looking for a newer one, is a 2002 205vx that I bought in 2015 looked like it had just came of the showroom floor !! I've made many changes/upgrades over the last 8 yrs and will probably make a few more as time goes by. It had 260hrs on the 225 Opti and now has 592. So far, no major motor work needed. But I do service it when due. I keep looking at newer used boats, but then I'd have to make too many changes to make it the way I want it. SO, I'll probably just hang a new, or maybe even a slightly used 4-stroke on it when the Opti gives out !!

yea same here it’s tough to find exactly what I want but like I said I just need to tell myself like the above poster mentioned you can rig It how you want it but I’m hard headed and just wanna find one set up ready to go and I’m in no rush so maybe that’ll happen.

[Gillsandtines10]

There’s a lot better riding boats than a 520

care to elaborate? Iv just always heard the 520 was awesome but I was originally set on a stratos 201 and looked at champs but I’m not paying what these people think their champs are worth… plus they are almost impossible to find anywhere close to me in the south east. Iv def thought about basscat either puma or cougar and I know they are great boats and this is prob a stupid opinion but I can’t freakin stand the way they look with those old looking consoles haha maybe I could get over it iv never ridden in one.

[townsend266]

Personally I’d go as low hours and as new as you can afford, but I wouldn’t buy new at all. Way to good of deals out there on boats with low hours to buy new imo.

[Mcjenson]

I understand that and agree but then you are talking about the z20 series which I see good deals on but read that hull
is terrible … guess I could keep looking for an older 520 that’s maybe been repowered, or possibly the z520 series but then that’s a big jump in money also. I guess my whole point was when does motor year and age mean more than the hull like a newer nitro vs older ranger or basscat.

I wouldn't proclaim myself an expert, but I don't think the Z20 could be described as terrible. Certainly not the best riding boat, but pretty similar to ranger Z520's which I've rode in.

[DaveBrabec]

care to elaborate? Iv just always heard the 520 was awesome but I was originally set on a stratos 201 and looked at champs but I’m not paying what these people think their champs are worth… plus they are almost impossible to find anywhere close to me in the south east. Iv def thought about basscat either puma or cougar and I know they are great boats and this is prob a stupid opinion but I can’t freakin stand the way they look with those old looking consoles haha maybe I could get over it iv never ridden in one.

Fished for years out of a 488,519,520. 488 rode better than the 519 or 520. Basscat or Phoenix. Champion but lots of transom issues with those. 201 is a good boat. My Legend is definitely the best riding boat I’ve owned.

[99R93S]

The Ranger 520 series seems to get either real good or hated reviews of the ride, always seems very all or none. I did what I thought was a good amount of research a while back and determined that I could keep the Ranger on my short list. I am not very familiar with the models but I know Basscat also makes good riding hulls. As I was looking for that as my primary function I also put the I series Skeeter on my list. From there it was shop till I got what I wanted, it did take a while and looking at a lot of boats. I agree with the above get as new as you can for your money, but newer isn’t everything. Again priorities list. I have no regrets not getting a 4 stroke, my engine was cared for and has been great. I expect it to last a very long time.

I don’t want to be one of those guys who says get what I got cause I think it’s the best. But if you are looking for a good ride in an older hull see if the I suits your liking. The “net” will tell you it’s a good hull. I’m on the Great Lakes a lot, that’s why I got one.

[BassinPaPaw]

There’s a lot better riding boats than a 520

Agree. Mine was nothing special at all ride wise.

[Gillsandtines10]

I wouldn't proclaim myself an expert, but I don't think the Z20 could be described as terrible. Certainly not the best riding boat, but pretty similar to ranger Z520's which I've rode in.

iv actually been in my neighbors z20 a couple times and thought it rode great …I mean it wasn’t rough or anything and we weren’t flying around the lake but it was def better than the 18’ iv been in most of my life … to be honest I’m not a fan of the rail latches on the z20 but I think it’s something I could get over

[Gillsandtines10]

Fished for years out of a 488,519,520. 488 rode better than the 519 or 520. Basscat or Phoenix. Champion but lots of transom issues with those. 201 is a good boat. My Legend is definitely the best riding boat I’ve owned.

Def a fan of the legends too but again tough to find around here …to be more specific I guess I meant the 520vx, that’s the hull most say was one of their best. But I’m by no means bound to a brand when I asked the original question was bc it was based off of a couple good deals I saw on the 520vx. Iv been in a Triton my whole life so I’m not brand stuck… def would love a Phoenix but they are little more than I wanna spend on my first “own” boat.

[Gillsandtines10]

The Ranger 520 series seems to get either real good or hated reviews of the ride, always seems very all or none. I did what I thought was a good amount of research a while back and determined that I could keep the Ranger on my short list. I am not very familiar with the models but I know Basscat also makes good riding hulls. As I was looking for that as my primary function I also put the I series Skeeter on my list. From there it was shop till I got what I wanted, it did take a while and looking at a lot of boats. I agree with the above get as new as you can for your money, but newer isn’t everything. Again priorities list. I have no regrets not getting a 4 stroke, my engine was cared for and has been great. I expect it to last a very long time.

I don’t want to be one of those guys who says get what I got cause I think it’s the best. But if you are looking for a good ride in an older hull see if the I suits your liking. The “net” will tell you it’s a good hull. I’m on the Great Lakes a lot, that’s why I got one.

heard a lot of good about the I series and have only seen a couple around here , I don’t mind traveling either for the right boat but where I am surrounded by some pretty popular lakes I should be able to find what I want … I’m not in a big rush as I prob won’t buy until early next spring or so … just recovering from back fusion

[Mcjenson]

iv actually been in my neighbors z20 a couple times and thought it rode great …I mean it wasn’t rough or anything and we weren’t flying around the lake but it was def better than the 18’ iv been in most of my life … to be honest I’m not a fan of the rail latches on the z20 but I think it’s something I could get over

Rail latches?

[John Clarke]

Bought my last new boat about ten years ago and did not think prices were crazy expensive. Fast forward to today. My fishing partner takes delivery of his new boat later this week. There was not much left of his $100,000. For me, price increases since the pandemic convinced me to look for a used garage queen. I do not regret that decision.

[Gillsandtines10]

Rail latches?

the rail system they have for the compartments

[ksubasser24]

I base it all on what I feel is the best value for my money. I had bought a new ranger in 2015 as it was always a dream to do so. In 2021 it was totaled in a vehicle acciedent. There were many used I could have bought and paid cash for with the insurance settlement. I ultimately went new with a zxr as the value was there and the amount I financed I knew I would never have the option to have a new rig again for the minimal amount I had to finance. Everyone will be different. For you it’s just a decision of if what you find fits your needs and wants for what you’re spending.

[Mcjenson]

the rail system they have for the compartments

Still confused. You mean the lid latches?

[Gillsandtines10]

Still confused. You mean the lid latches?

yes it’s a diff system not just regular latches … it’s on a rail system and a little different … iv been in a z20 that you had to slam the lid and hold the latch a certain way

[Topwater All Day]

Still confused. You mean the lid latches?

He's is talking about the older Ranger Z20, not the newer Nitro Z20...

[skeeterator]

yes it’s a diff system not just regular latches … it’s on a rail system and a little different … iv been in a z20 that you had to slam the lid and hold the latch a certain way

Nitro Z 20 doesn't use that system, you talking early to mid 2000 Ranger Z 20 with the rail latches?

[Gillsandtines10]

Nitro Z 20 doesn't use that system, you talking early to mid 2000 Ranger Z 20 with the rail latches?

yea I’m talking about the Ranger z20 sorry , we were talking about mid 2000s models and good hulls and the comparison of the 520vx and z20 came up … the z20 gets a lot of hate it seems but the one I rode in was fine I was just saying it’s something I could prob get over as far as the latch system … kind of like basscat , love the boats but dang it’s an ugly boat with those 1970s consoles on mid 2000s and up boats lol

[99R93S]

Geez be careful here, you don’t wanna bad talk Basscats, they have a cult, I mean group here and will come for blood