Ranger Z518

[Vtbuck]

I’ll try to figure out how to post picks of mine, but my 2 PP pumps are mounted in front of the cranking battery. I have an electronics only battery where the spare prop goes. I like the boat, 2021 with 200. I would have gotten a 519 if garage would have been a little bigger. I could have fit it, but didn’t want to angle the tandem by hand. If I ever build a garage I’ll look at a little bigger boat. The water can get rough in TX wind.

[dukhntr]

I had a 2016, 518 Intercoastal, 200 Optimax, and I sure do miss it. I hit over 75 a couple of times. Great ride, fast, lots of storage, overall just a great boat.

Not on GPS it didn't.

[dukhntr]

2012 model here. Love everything about the boat except the ride. I'll be brutally honest, it's a terrible rough water ride. In big waves or messy slop on a holiday weekend, it will chatter your teeth. That being said, it's the best boat I've ever had and I'll never sell it. I've had it since it was a year old and it still looks brand new. Zero stress cracks anywhere and it's been in a some rough Kansas winds. 70.8 is the fastest I've ever seen, solo lightly loaded. Will run 67/68 with a partner.

[bman5150]

I’ve got the 2022 Z518 and came from a 2008 Triton 18x2. I expected the ride to be worse than my old Triton but that’s not the case at all. I’m shocked how great the ride is in the Ranger. The Triton has a deeper (taller) hull so I just expected it to ride better than the sleeker Ranger hull but that’s completely not the case. The Ranger feels very substantial and seems to plow / cut thru waves whereas the Triton got bounced around more. And I along with many of my fishing partners all felt my Triton road pretty well too!

wonder if the hull design changed since 2012? No idea.

[josephsharpe99]

I made a long run this weekend in 3-4ft chop water, averaged 45-55mph... Yes it was bumpy but it did well for a 18ft

[ksubasser24]

2012 model here. Love everything about the boat except the ride. I'll be brutally honest, it's a terrible rough water ride. In big waves or messy slop on a holiday weekend, it will chatter your teeth. That being said, it's the best boat I've ever had and I'll never sell it. I've had it since it was a year old and it still looks brand new. Zero stress cracks anywhere and it's been in a some rough Kansas winds. 70.8 is the fastest I've ever seen, solo lightly loaded. Will run 67/68 with a partner.

Its not that your boat rides rough it’s the Kansas wind that sucks. My Z119c cracked all my teeth running from Thunderbird back to town of Milford on day when the wind came up 30 mph out of the straight north.

[old4runner]

Great running and fishing boats!!! This belongs to CigarBasser. It is an older 518 with a merc 200.

[DonoSport]

Not a 518,,,but close enough. 2012 118

[schumacher]

I bought my 2022 z518 last October. I’ve had it out 3 times now and I’m still breaking in the motor. It’s an awesome ride and goes 64.5 mph so far and I do not have a jackplate. Betting it will go a bit faster after 20 hours when you do your first oil change. The speed is fine but what I really love is the torque and holeshot. It JUMPS on plane. I have the 200 PROXS 4s and a single axle trailer. Adding a TrickStep later this week. Now if we could just lose the stupid snow and cold soon!

Hate to bring back up an old thread but what's the storage length with the 200 with out a jack plate and the tongue open?

[bman5150]

Hate to bring back up an old thread but what's the storage length with the 200 with out a jack plate and the tongue open?

happy to help as this was a big point of concern for me before I bought my 2022 z518 with no plate and the 200. Mine is 21’7”. Check out this thread as well: https://www.bbcboards.net/showthread...1193999&page=2

most of the other guys that measured their z518 with no plate also came up with 21’ 6”-21 7”. Ranger official is 21’ 7”. I would measure it first (the exact boat if possible if it’s sitting on a dealer lot) or have the dealer measure it for you if you aren’t local.

[520TDY]

Big difference in every respect. Get the Z 519 over the 518. you will be much happier.