2005 Ranger Z 20 225 ETec, Bass Cat or Triton

[turfman]

My Local Ranger dealer has a 2005 Demo Z 20 w/ 225 E Tec w/ 25 hrs. for $ 35,000. I'm torn between the existing boat or ordering a Bass Cat Pantera II or the new Triton 19X2 for the same money. I love the Ranger but I'm nervous as this was the first year for both the Z boats and E Tec. I've heard these boats need a jack plate. Were there any real concerns with either the boat or motor in 2005.

[Bryant.]

There all great boats. The ranger is nice boat, has a lot of bells and whistles, but they don't go very fast, and your going to get wet when runnin down the lake. Tritons are a great boat as well they're fast and stable. The only thing with triton is that I have heard some horror stories about there hull cracking preety bad and triton not backing up their product. Basscats are awesome. There all quality, family made, smothest ride I've ever expirienced and a great all around boat. I've never heard any negative comments about bass cat and thats why they have been #1 in customer satisfaction 3 years in a row. Hope this helps and good luck with your decision.

[turfman]

If you look the boats over good there is no question the Ranger is nicer than the others, the Triton gets a lot of press but is a little gimicky, Bass Cat seems all business. Didn't know about the getting wet part, I would have thought that Ranger of all companies could have dealt with that. Is it spray from just running or in a quartering sea?

[Bryant.]

When I was ridin in a rangerz20 when ever we hit a wave we got sprayed really bad.

[jdw174]

haven't ridden in a "Z", but have heard a lot about the "getting wet" part. (Take that for what it's worth  ).  If I were buying new today, I'd have to take a serious look at BassCat, Triton "X2" series, Skeeter "I" Class, or.....dare I say this....a Nitro Z9 (LOVE the way the storage is laid out in these).  All this is assuming that money is no object

[cart7t]

Take a look at and ride in a New Champion 210 before deciding.

As for your boats listed.  I'd go with the cat.  

[turfman]

Money isn't an issue up to $ 35,000. I was leaning towards the Ranger but the "getting wet" part here in Maine where it's very cold in the morning isn't good. Any one else have any real experience with this? Any 2005 or newer  19 -20 ft. boat owners out there who could unconditionally recommend their brand?

[Live.2.Fish]

I dont' know about rangers but the time I went fishing with a friend who had a BassCat I got soaked while riding in it. But that could have been because of the heavy rain too, i'm not really sure. :-? ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Just my $.02

[Jig Man]

There is no better fishing platform than a Ranger, however, they don't have the best ride in the world.  I have only been in 1 Triton and was totally unimpressed.

One of my buds has a 1994 Bass Cat Pantera II.  He bought it new and after 13 years of hard use it still looks like a new boat.  I have ridden hundreds of dry miles in it.  It is the next best ride to my Champion 206 that I have ever had.

Totally aside from the boats.  My Champion has a tandem axle trailer and I hate it.  I can't move it around in the garage by hand and it no where near tracks behind the truck.  My bud's single axle Bass Cat can be moved around anywhere he wants inside the garage.

If you can get a new Bass Cat for the same price of the used Ranger, I say grab it.

[turfman]

Thanks for all the help guys. If my Ranger dealer wants to sell me a Z boat he better hurry because the Bass Cat is winning me over by the minute. Thanks especially for the link to the likes/dislikes page.

[Catt]

35 years on Toledo Bend and probably fished out of every brand you can name; here's the list for driest rides.

Champion

Bass Cat

Skeeter

Legend

Nitro

Ranger

Triton

Stratos/Javelin

[northgabassfisher]

i would forget about the Z20 and get the 520 by ranger to me that is one of the best riding boats, lots of storage, big front deck. thats what i would go with, to me the Z20 is nothing like the 520, the 520 is faster and a better riding boat in my IMO

[turfman]

My local Ranger dealer has 30 new Rangers in stock, I'll have to check them all out. Bass Cat is definately high on the list as well. It was interesting to read the owner forums on Bass Boat Connection.com. The Ranger, Bass Cat & Bullet owners were all positive and loyal, all others had major issues. Every Triton owner reported "I love this boat - but the chin walk is pretty bad, I'm still learning to drive it" and most others loved their motors and referenced for the money it wasn't a bad boat. Thanks again to all for all the input, it has been very helpful.

[cart7t]

All I can say in closing is, if you've got $35K to spend on a used boat you've opened the door to a LOT of boats.  Take your time and look around.  

[JayW]

Out of those 3... I'd go with the Bass Cat as well.

[turfman]

For that price I can get a Bass Cat Pantera II w/ 200 hp or a left over Ranger. I'm down to those two, now the dealers have to get me their deals and what they're going to give me for my Lund/Honda. Thanks again to all for the help.

[TennesseeVols14]

BASS CAT!!!!!!!!! i have a pantera classic  with a 225 EVINRUDE E-TEC an its the best boat on the water as far as the ride an the room an the SPEED an as far as MOTORS u cant beat the EVINRUDE'S there are very dependable an very very quick out of the hole if i ever get another new boat its gonna be another BASS CAT an have a EVINRUDE!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jig Man]

If you are down to 2 dealers and 2 boats, it is time to get your deal braker figured out.

[turfman]

Yeh, I've got to take another road trip this week to both dealers and button up the details.

[michbass]

Cant really go wrong with any pf the boats in the 40k plus price range. As far as getting wet is a z20 sounds like the driver more than the boat. Been is lots of of different boats and normally the only time I got wet was with a less the experienced driver. Although we are talking bass boats and in rough water you will get wet at high speeds.Champion makes a great boat also if you have a dealer around, love rangers but champions are becoming my new favorite, I like the deeper V for rough water. Wish there was a dealer which in 150miles.

[Redlinerobert]

My first bass boat was a 2000 Ranger 520 DVX.  Great boat, never had any major issues, and the minor problems I did have were taken care of by the dealer.  When I sold that boat I got back more than I expected, which goes to show that Rangers do hold their value.  

November of '06 I was ready for a new boat.  I SERIOUSLY considered Bass Cat, which also has local dealer support.  Good looking boat, but around these parts the boat is not widely accepted like the Ranger.  Also The dealer was not as friendly or helpful as the Ranger dealer.  I took one look at the new Z series so I ordered a 2007 Ranger Z22 with the 300 Merc Racing Motor.  I love my boat.

Considering that the Ranger dealer takes care of me AFTER the sale, and that I know I will have no problem selling the boat when I decide to get another, I'd go with the Ranger in my area.  Look at resale value and look at service.   Both boats are great, but which is a better long term purchase?  

As far as the getting wet part, I've gotten sprayed a couple times, but nothing major and definitely nothing from keeping me from buying the boat.  

[turfman]

Thanks for all the great input. I went with the Ranger Z20 with the E-Tec 225 HO. The Bass Cat dealer was great and very well imformed, Resale and fit and finish closed the deal for Ranger with me. Time to go fishing. Thanks again to all, your input defineatley taught me a lot and did influence my decision.

[Redlinerobert]

Congratulations!  Let's see some pictures.