Options on New 119??

[Ozark10]

I've made the decision to buy a new Ranger Z119 before the deadline for the free cover and have a couple of questions about options before pressing the go button.

First the motor, all 225 HP. I'm kind of partial to the Evenrude Etec so that is how I had it priced; however, the Yam 4 stroke would add about $1400 and the Merc would reduce the price by $530. Any advice as to what power I should order it with?

Next, a jack plate. I'm running a 19 ft boat now with jack plate but Ranger dealers are wishy washy about whether I need it on the Z119. A 8 inch manual jack plate is +$400. With the jack plate it's going to be a tight squeeze in my garage for the winter. Any advice from those who have run them both ways?

I'm ordering it with the Z package and Lowrance HDS7 with structure scan. Are there any other options that I should be considering that will improve my life but not break the bank?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[jc2bg]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Ozark10 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I've made the decision to buy a new Ranger Z119 before the deadline for the free cover and have a couple of questions about options before pressing the go button.

First the motor, all 225 HP. I'm kind of partial to the Evenrude Etec so that is how I had it priced; however, the Yam 4 stroke would add about $1400 and the Merc would reduce the price by $530. Any advice as to what power I should order it with?

Next, a jack plate. I'm running a 19 ft boat now with jack plate but Ranger dealers are wishy washy about whether I need it on the Z119. A 8 inch manual jack plate is +$400. With the jack plate it's going to be a tight squeeze in my garage for the winter. Any advice from those who have run them both ways?

I'm ordering it with the Z package and Lowrance HDS7 with structure scan. Are there any other options that I should be considering that will improve my life but not break the bank?

Thanks in advance for the advice.</td></tr></table>

As to power, I too am partial to the e-Tec, and when push came to shove my dealer got his Evinrude contact to match the Mercury price so that I didn't go Merc for a difference of a few hundred dollars. This time of year, as well, Evinrude often has special incentives if you ask for them.

I'm running my 119 without a jack plate because, as you have found, there didn't seem to be a consensus on whether it was needed with that hull. My 119 without the jack plate has been the fastest-on-plane bass boat I've ever run, and this is my 13th bass boat. On big water (I run on Erie at least several times a year), the ride without a jack plate is at least moderately good. And imo, if you fish a lot in big water, the only way to go if you want the best possible ride is a hydraulic plate, which is another whole price point *and* any jack plate causes the boat to ride lower in the rear when the trolling motor is down. Since I also fish inland in some very skinny water, I opted for no jack plate so I could get up as shallow as possible. It's only a matter of an inch or so difference, but just making you aware that there are tradeoffs. The boat will run high 60s with that 225 without a jack plate. I don't need or use more speed than it already has.

As to additional options, the Z pack is a no-brainer, as are the "pro" rod straps, and I also think you can't do without a Fortrex trolling motor upgrade--which costs only $200 over the standard t.m. (Be sure to get a bounce buster.) No bass boat should be without a hot foot and blinker-style trim, which don't cost much, and if you fish a lot of tournaments, you might also want a livewell pumpout installed. Again, not a very expensive item, and you certainly can live without it if you don't mind working a little to fill your weigh bag with water. The "pro aeration" system is another possibility, but those Ranger livewells are so good anyway that I've consistently had a bag full of big smallmouth out on Erie in a hot summer day and they've been healthier at weigh-in than the largemouths other guys caught 1/2 mile from the launch.

Finally, I would not have been half as happy with my 119 without the tandem-axle trailer. It pulls down the highway much nicer, launches easier (since the single-axle has taller tires), looks nicer, and gives you that little edge of convenience if you have a problem with one wheel. Before I'd had my tandem-axle 119 a full year, I picked up a roofing nail at a launch area less than an hour from my home. Because the tire didn't lose its air right away, I was home and in the garage before I even noticed the problem. On 3 inflated tires, the rig pulled exactly the same, nothing was damaged (there was 15 pounds inflation in the tire when I noticed the problem at home), and I didn't have the inconvenience of changing a tire in the gravel parking lot or worse, along a narrow 2-lane highway halfway home. About $1300 difference for the tandem, so maybe not for everyone, but as cheap as I am, a must-have.

[Bassmaster2003]

That's a darn good write up dude! I too priced a z119 this weekend. Let's just say I'm gonna go back to the daring board to see what items I really need. The options I wanted totaled $8k on top of the base price of the boat and motor which was about $40k. Damn fine boat, but it seems to be logical to getthe z519 with the bells and whistles "standard" vs the z119.

[Landar]

I pulled the trigger on one this morning with a 225 SHO, Z pack, hot foot, 8" jack plate, Pro trim, fortrex, bucket seats, tandem trailer, HdS8 in console (supplied by me), and HDS5 on bow.

[basscla]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by stinkwallet &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I pulled the trigger on one this morning with a 225 SHO, Z pack, hot foot, 8" jack plate, Pro trim, fortrex, bucket seats, tandem trailer, HdS8 in console (supplied by me), and HDS5 on bow. </td></tr></table>

Congrats

[Bigun']

[Pro's Choice Pete]

IM sent.

[Bassmaster2003]

Congrats dude! I'm considering that or the Z519 Cabelas had on their floor. Post some pics when you get her so we can drool on the keyboards!

[BassPilot]

I have a 2011 119 and love it. Definitly go with tandem trailer and pumpout. I upgraded to 36v fortrex. I have Sho and its been a great motor with 40hrs on it now. I will post some pics in the next day or so when I get back home. I will be in kimberling next week for everstart tourny if you live close and want to ride or check out mine before you order your welcome to.

[FSH4BAS]

I too was looking at the Z519 at Cabelas this weekend. Dual console Freedom Edition..... Damn fine rig and I can't believe that boat is still there, but I ended up ordering mine with a few more options and set up differences. Chris and Josh spent a lot of time with me going over every option and question I had. The Z119 was quickly out of the picture once I added on all the "can't live without" stuff. I knew I was better off going with the Z519.
This is how crazy the add ons can get.....I could have literally walked out the door with one of the two Z521's as they sat on the floor for the price I will be paying for my Z519. Dual Power Poles, Electronics Upgrades (HDS-8 Console), ATX Wheels, 8" Atlas Hydro, Hamby's Keel Protector, Bucket seats w/storage, Tilt Steering, are some of the bigger ticket items, but I also added a multitude of other options that I simply would have wanted and couldn't have gotten if I would have went up to the Z520 or 521. It's really all about what you consider a "Can't live without option". Good Luck

[jc2bg]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Bassmaster2003 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">That's a darn good write up dude! I too priced a z119 this weekend. Let's just say I'm gonna go back to the daring board to see what items I really need. The options I wanted totaled $8k on top of the base price of the boat and motor which was about $40k. Damn fine boat, but it seems to be logical to getthe z519 with the bells and whistles "standard" vs the z119.

</td></tr></table>

Not saying this is the case for you, but many dealers try to charge you full ticket for add-ons when you order a boat but figure a lower markup on them when they already have a boat sitting on the floor. There are very few items that a 519 has "stock" that you couldn't add to a 119 and still save thousands. Compare apples to apples, and don't be afraid to haggle price on your add-ons. If the add-ons come from Ranger that is. You can't get much help on electronics, because those suckers are price-fixed.

[BassPilot]

[briansgi]

SHO, I wouldn't even consider any other OB!

[Rangerdawg]

That is a fine lookin machine.

[Bigun']

VERY NICE!

[Botto Spivak]

If it was me I would get the SHO. The SHO is very impressive! Good Luck with what ever you get. Please post pictures?

[Bassmaster2003]

that is a nice boat! After pricing the Z119, I'm going to just look for a Z521 used of course. Josh is a cool guy. I stop in from time to time and he schools me on the boats. Really patient about all of my questions.

I'm gonna make me a list of cant live without options like hydro jackplate, at least one powerpole, and good gps/ff, etc.

Post some pics when you get it man!

[CaymasRodney]

Jerry, i just sent you a pm good buddy.

[Ozark10]

THANKS!!! to all with the great feedback. And, to BassPilot, what a great looking rig. Can't wait to get one of those in my stable. I'm within a few days of a final decision now. I'm visiting a couple of dealers in the lake area today and tomorrow who have Z-119s on the lot and are eager to sell me one of their boats, and, honestly, I could be persuaded if the deal is right.

One issue I'm struggling with is paying the extra for a tandem trailer. My boat will spend most of it's life on a lift in the dock and I don't plan to do much trailering with it. I understand that the tandem will ride better and launch better. My SUV that I would be pulling it with for the next several years has a towing capacity of 5000 pounds, although there is also a tongue weight limit too. Is the tongue weight of that rig of a tandem trailer significantly lower than with the two wheeler?

Again thanks for all the feedback.

[CaymasRodney]

Not that much difference in the tongue weight, your SUV would not have any problems either way.