Skeeter 20i or 21i vs. Ranger z21

[lunker56]

Have had Rangers for a long time. Looking to buy a new boat soon. I am leaning towards the 21i with a 300 yam. I am also looking at the 20i. However, the Ranger in me wants to look at the z21. All boats are 2007 models that I am looking at with similar features and warranties--the main difference is the 300hp on the 21 i.

If anyone can give me any insight on the differences between these boats (Skeeter/Ranger) I would greatly appreciate it

thanks

Don

[DavidnTex]

I think any of these boats will be great boats. It is really just a matter of personal preference. The Skeeter will be faster and more manueverable. If you fish big waters you really can't go wrong with the 21i. The skeeter will also have a little more deck space than the comparably equipped ranger.

[sawbuck]

Hello,I had a ranger in the 70. So I thought I wanted one to day,I talked to a dealer they would not take a trade. I had a TR20x Triton I purchased on ebay, So I went to NC they had a lot of boats you could look at. The down size they are 350 mils. away. How ever if it,s a change out on a part they will send the replacement. Good trade good price on the 21I,300 This is a great boat I have not been disappointed. In Va, somthing different, not many Skeeters.

[Doug Vahrenberg]

I remember someone on here compared deck space of the 20i and was bigger than the competitiors 21 footer.

I would look at Yamaha Performance Bulletins: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/ou....aspx

And NADA Blue Book Values: http://www.nadaguides.com/Sect...=5601

Skeeter has really jumped up in Re-Sale Values and has always been strong in Performance. But the ultimate thing is to take a ride in both and choose the boat thats best for you!

[fishfry]

The 300 hp might be fun, but it ay limit the clubs you can fish and it may hurt you a little in resale. It sounds like you have enough experience to know this, but I thought I would throw it out there anyway just in case.

[DavidnTex]

I think the ranger will be 5-7 mph slower than the skeeter 20i and 21i with a little less front deck area. The 20i and the 21i will be within a mph or two of each other. I think both make great boats so you really need to go with what you feel best about.

[Skeeterboy1]

this Spring I went from a Z20 to a 20I Skeeter and it is a night and day difference in boats
the 20I runs a lot faster and the ride is way better in the 20 I then the Ranger
more deck space a and alot more storage in the 20i also
I would go Skeeter all the way try to get out take a ride in the Skeeter

[frogbite]

I can see from your post in the Ranger forum that you have pretty much decided on the Ranger. I am on my second Skeeter and have fished out of a few different Rangers.

Ranger by far has better customer service, but it seems that Skeeter is making small leaps and bounds to get better over time. That alone is a great selling point though. Around here though the Ranger dealer sucks and was one of the reasons I went with Skeeter for my second boat.

Ranger owners will tell you that the Ranger construction is so much better, but this has not been my experience. The difference though is that Ranger stands behind the construction better. It is funny how they are saying how great the fiberglass lids are and such when you can see countless complaints from owners regarding warping lids and huge gaps between the lids and the compartments. Also as far as construction goes look at the pic that Jason has posted of the motor being ripped off of the back of a Skeeter which had zero damage to the transom.

Fishability and layout, I think Skeeter wins in the category by far. The only way you are going to get a fair comparison is to ride in both in similar conditions.

[crankbait279]

I owned a z21 unti a couple of months ago and got into a 20 I. I really liked the ranger and had owned 4 others before it. Coustomer service is the best in the industry.I did have some problems from that boat the carpet on the padded deck would not stay down.The boxes on the right side of the front deck wouls not stay dry and filled with water in the rain. You have to mount your graph on the side of the console because its to hard to see in dash during rough rides. The boat ran ok 69 mph average with a 250 hpdi and rode good but would get you wet. I fish Ky lake a lot and had it in some pretty rough water. What sold me on the Skeeter was the value of the boat was a lot more than the ranger and it was faster and rode better. So far it has been a lot dryer ride as well. The only complaint i have is i wish the step up to the front deck was a little higher. Overall the I class out performs the z series in speed ,ride and at rest it's a more stable platform. just my 2 cents worth.

[lunker56]

Thanks for all the info--I was really leaning toward the Ranger until I have been hearing some rumblings about the ride of the z21. I have ridden in a 20i and it is a very good ride. I have found a new 21 i with a 250 for 7k more than the 2007 Ranger. I need to make a decision soon!!

[Neilslure]

Skeeter and Yamaha got a cash back deal going on right now.

[K.D.]

lunker,

I'm sending you a PM.

Modified by K.D. at 8:13 PM 9/24/2008


Modified by K.D. at 8:19 PM 9/24/2008

[iriplips]

I have fished out of all 3 and they all fish well. I currently own a 21I with a 300 hpdi and the boat runs excellent. It is very dry and handles the rough waters of the Lake of the Ozarks very well. It is a 2006 with 43 hours in perfect condition. If you're interested I'll make you a great deal! It is wrapped and has been garaged since day 1. It is cleaner than when I picked it up from the dealer!

[wanabepro]

A Z21 with a Merc or Rude will run the same speeds as a 21i. The Ranger with a Yamaha will be much slower.

Both boats will ride good in rough water. Test ride both and YOU make the decision.

I have a Z21 and it is the top of the line Ranger and will perform just fine. I have two friends that went from Skeeter to Rangers and each say that both boats are great fishing platforms.

[iriplips]

My 21i has run 79.9 on the gps with no mods, so the skeeter is pretty fast for such a heavy boat.

[pbmang]

I have fished in them all, and currently own a zx250 Skeeter. I would say the #1 selling point is going to be the added deck space you get in the Skeeter. I was in a friends z20 last week and was amazed how narrow the boat was compared to the skeeters.

But, like a lot of people are saying, you are going to have fans of either brand. Take a ride in them, and try and fish out of them for a few hours if you can. Then you will be able to make a decision on what is right for you.

[Doug Vahrenberg]

There is a member here that bought a 20i because when he calculated deck space the Skeeter 20i had more square footage than the z21. He was debating between the Skeeter 201, 21i and z21.

This probably has to do with the widest point of a Skeeter is right at the consoles. This is done for several reasons the major reason is increasing strength. The sides are like an arch. An arch is the strongest engineering method because as force is applied to an arch it become stronger. This is the same reason they use arches to build bridge supports, the roman collesium, etc.

I would still recommend riding and deciding. It's your money and your choice. See which one works best for you. Look at NADA resell values, Yamaha Performance Bulletins, and Cost. I think you will see Skeeter is leading.

[fishbill]

I GUIDE ON SAM RAYBURN AND HAVE OVER 300 HOURS ON I BOATS. THEY STILL HAVE MANY UNRESOLVED ISSUES. I LIVE WITHIN 50 MILES OF SKEETER AND HAVE NOW GIVEN UP ON THE I BOAT COMING CLOSE TO WHAT THEY HAD HOPED FOR. IT PORPOISES AND THAT IS A FACT. THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE IT GOES ON PLAIN IS UNBELIWVABLE. THESE ISSUES ARE SO BAD THAT LAST YEAR THEY REPLACED SEVERAL I BOATS IN THIS AREA TO SAVE LOCAL FACE. THE E Z LOADER TRAILERS ARE IN A TERMOIL AS FOR AS THE DAMAGE YOU CAN INCUR FROM THE HIGH PORT ROLLER. SKEETER AGAIN KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUEBUT IT COST LESS , SO THEY IGNORE IT. JEFF STONE IS PRESIDENT AND ROBERT YOUNG IS THE PR MAN. THEY KNOW THAT THE BOXES WILL LEAK AND SUGGEST THAT YOU SILICONE AROUND THEM. WHY DON'T THEY DO THIS IF THEY HAVE THE ABSWER. THE Z BOATS ARE FINE - THE I BOAT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE. KELLY JORDEN ALMOST LOST THE TOYOTA TOURNAMENT BECAUSE IN ROUGH WATER YOU CAN NOT CARRY A LOT OF GAS AND HE TOLD THIS ON ESPN. IHAVE ABOUT 100 HOURS IN THE NEW Z520 . IT HAS NO ADVANDTAGE OVER THE I BOAT AS FAR AS SMOOTHNESS GOES IN ROUGH WATER BUT THAT'S WHERE IT STOPS AS FOR AS EQUAL GOES. THE Z520 HANDLES AS FAST AND QUICK AS YOU COULD WANT- THE I BOAT DOESN'T. THE BOXES ARE DRY . PEROID. THE TRAILER HAS A LOW PORT RUBBER TO PROTECT THE BOAT IN ROUGH LOADING CONDITIONS. THE Z520 WILL NOT BOUNCE ON STOPPES OR GOING ON PLANE. BY THE WAY , I KNOW FOR A FACT THE REPEAT CUSTOMER BUYING OF THE I BOAT IS VERY LITTLE - BUY THE Z 520 YOU GET THE BEST OF WHAT THE I BOAT HAS MINUS ALL IT'S PROBLEMS.

[Doug Vahrenberg]

I've owned 3 and getting ready to order my 4th. I've been in about every major brand and would totally disagree. I've never been a smoother, dryer, and great performing boat as the I Class. None of mine have ever porposed not even my 2006. Never had a trailer issue. I run full of fuel all the time. The I Class is doing great and until they build an even better boat I will be in an I Class.

[SDF150GUY]

I agree with Doug. Each I-Class I have owned has raised the bar, and each time I wasn't sure the bar could even be raised. I have never had a porposing issue either. Take a look at the 2009, it raises the bar above the rest. Find another boat where you can mount a LCX-38 IN DASH or a large Humminbird 997SI IN DASH....... just one of the great features on the 2009 I-Class..... Make sure you ride then decide, you wont be sorry!