New Sterling Bass Boat Or A New Ranger Z522? 2025
Redlinerobert reply :
So I'm contemplating selling the Z22 and getting either a Sterling or a Z522. Anyone here have any seat time in a Sterling that can chime in? They look awesome, but there are no dealers in CA yet. I spoke to someone at the factory in FL and they told me the closest dealer was in AZ. Still kind of far to take a look at one. Consider also that I LOVE my Z22, it's a great boat and I am in no hurry to get rid of it at the moment, just sort of testing the waters here.
Thoughts?
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
Wish I could tell you Robert. I've been eyeballing a Sterling for a while. Gorgeous boats. Oddly enough though, most of the people I've talked to down here give you one of those you don't want to do that faces when you bring them up. I've personally never even seen one on the water down here. The only one I've seen was sitting on a trailer next to the roadwheat Okeechobee with a for sale sign on it. 
If you love what you've got, why change?
Redlinerobert reply :
I'm on my 2nd Ranger. Both ordered new from a dealer. They are amazing boats, I have no complaints. I really do like the looks of the Sterling though. I'm just wondering if the beauty is only skin deep. Been there before, won't do that again. 
I may just hang on to my boat for a few more seasons. It's still pretty much new and does everything I ask it to. We'll see what happens. 
Hooligan reply :
Sterling= Fast, Excellent handling, great behaviour on the water, huge decks, spacious storage, dry, dry, dry ride in pretty much all water conditions. Very fuel efficient hull design, did I mention fast and great handling?
Ranger- The name. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) I've owned one Ranger that was spanking new, and I have no complaint other than how unremarkable a boat it was. From a money standpoint, it was also one of the very worst investments that I could have made in regards to depreciation and perceived resale versus actual.
scrutch reply :
I've never had either boat. I read a lot of guys love the Sterlings but I just can't get past the 80's styling. The design of the consoles looks old to me. I wouldn't buy one for that reason alone... I think they're kinda ugly.
weezy109 reply :
Sterling/gamblers are of the allison, stroker, bullet type. Way faster than any Ranger
Hooligan reply :
On 1/8/2012 at 10:34 PM, scrutch said:I've never had either boat. I read a lot of guys love the Sterlings but I just can't get past the 80's styling. The design of the consoles looks old to me. I wouldn't buy one for that reason alone... I think they're kinda ugly.
I love the console thought process on the Gambler and Sterling; storage for 16 3700 boxes.
scbassin reply :
Hooligan I must disagree with you about a Ranger. I have only owned Ranger Bass Boats. I bought my 1st in 1974, it was a DTR-10 & new from a dealer. I have owned 4 more since then, all of them new except this last one which was a dealer demo. I was the 1st. owner so I got all the warranties, plus one heck of a deal. I did not trade any of my boats in & the 1st.two I sold for more then I paid for them. The 2nd two I came within 3K & 5K of what I paid. I tend to keep my boats a good while & have found If you keep it up a Ranger will hold it's value.
Robert I am sorry I can not help you with the Sterling For I have not seen one. I have a friend that told me they don't make but a dozen or so a year but I don't know if that is a fact. I have found Ranger to be a excellent boat, & I feel if I get caught in a storm it will get me to a safe spot. I am now in a 2008 Z-21 with an 250 HPDI on it. There is a picture of it on show your ride I think page 16 I think.
One other thing Ranger service is 2nd to none. I was having a real hard time with my electronics on one of my boats, I kept getting the run around so I sent Ranger a blistering e-mail about what equipment they put on there boat. Randy Hopper the president of Ranger Boats called me on a Sunday afternoon. After he told me who he was he said he did not think I should wait until Monday. We talked for about 30 min or more. He told me that he was going to handle my problem himself. At 9 pm that evening I got a phone call from the VP of the electronics company who spoke with me for about 15 min. He took my info & told me I would be receiving 2 upgraded units in a few days. On Monday I got a call from the electronics shipping dept. giving a choice of units & that they would be shipped overnight & to put my 2 units in the box & postage paid sticker on it & send it. I also got a Ranger leather jacket from Ranger Boats. On this boat I had a problem with a rod box lock & my dealer had gone out of business So I called Ranger for help. The nearest Ranger dealer was over 100 miles away. They sent a lock & the special tool to a Triton Dealer 15 miles away & they fixed it. You can't top that & I'll never have anything but a Ranger..
Bass Dude reply :
I own a Stratos, but I've ridden in a lot of Rangers and they are the most comfortable boats I've ever been in. If I had the funds to get a Ranger I would definately get one.
I am not a big fan of the 'speed boat' genre of bass boats. I've been in a lot of Bullets too, if there is any sort of chop, they beat you up. Plus, the storage of the Bullets have a lot to be desired. The Sterling may not have the same issues as the Bullet, but that group of manufacturers are going for speed not fishability.
I agree with the other post....I don't like the looks of them either (by them, I mean Bullets, Allison, Blazers etc.)
J Francho reply :
I've ridden in several Rangers, and driven both Bullets and Gamblers. My experience level is somewhat higher with Bullets. Gamblers aren't really the same as Bullets. They are easier to drive, handle better, and fish better. All this comes with a minor sacrifice of just a couple MPH on the top end. They really aren't anything like Allisons, Bullets, or other "racing first" hulls. I'm seriously thinking about a Gambler as my next boat as well, though mine will be used. I'd say, PLEASE get soem seat time! They aren't anything like your Ranger.
Redlinerobert reply :
I'm basing my comments merely on looks right now boys. I've yet to ride in or even look at a Sterling in person for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I love my Z22. I just don't see myself keeping it more than 2 more seasons or so.
It'll be nice to see what both manufacturers do in the coming years. My '07 Z22 is leaps and bounds ahead of the 2000 520 DVX I had as my first new bass boat.
JIGFISHERMAN. reply :
On 1/11/2012 at 2:47 AM, Redlinerobert said:I'm basing my comments merely on looks right now boys. I've yet to ride in or even look at a Sterling in person for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I love my Z22. I just don't see myself keeping it more than 2 more seasons or so.
It'll be nice to see what both manufacturers do in the coming years. My '07 Z22 is leaps and bounds ahead of the 2000 520 DVX I had as my first new bass boat.
Robert, some of that "light years ahead" thing has tapered off.
The economy, and company restructering thing absolutely made engineering departments slow down, and look at minor changes to existing products.
What new "innovations" that could have been developed on larger and/or flagship models are being put to use on cost reduction and developing new models.
Of course there will be exceptions-but usually flagship models like the new skeeter/sho boat aren't something that just gets banged out over the course of a model year.....They can spread out the engineering hours over a much longer time.
Redlinerobert reply :
Good point. Maybe I will be keeping my boat until something noteworthy comes along.
5bass reply :
On 1/10/2012 at 11:08 PM, J Francho said:I've ridden in several Rangers, and driven both Bullets and Gamblers. My experience level is somewhat higher with Bullets. Gamblers aren't really the same as Bullets. They are easier to drive, handle better, and fish better. All this comes with a minor sacrifice of just a couple MPH on the top end. They really aren't anything like Allisons, Bullets, or other "racing first" hulls. I'm seriously thinking about a Gambler as my next boat as well, though mine will be used. I'd say, PLEASE get soem seat time! They aren't anything like your Ranger.
What he said. I'm in my 3rd Gambler now and before that I owned 2 Rangers, a Skeeter and a Tracker. I really liked the Rangers I had and if a good situation came across, I'd own another one. About the Sterling. I think once you get in and crawl around in one you'll be able to tell that it's a very high quality boat from top to bottom. Everything about it. They cut no corners on craftsmanship. The ride is awesome. It's not quite as fast as Bullets or Strokers but it will run 80+ and look bad+++ while doing it. You might see 85 with the 300.
There are so many things about a Sterling that set it apart from other boats. The biggest, and best, in my opinion is that you sit 'in' a Sterling, not 'on' it. It's like driving a high performance sportscar. The last I heard, Gambler/Sterling only made about 100 boats a year and that 60% of those 100 are custom ordered boats. Not just demo boats for the dealers. I would definitely make the trip to the nearest dealer to look at one before I bought anything else.
Good luck.
weezy109 reply :
Allison now makes some big time bass first boats like the bassport pro, they aren't just race boats with a trolling motor. Gamblers are much heavier though which probably gives the better ride but they are definitely above all the other dedicated bass boats in the speed catagory and close to the allison if you compare it to the basssport pro.On 1/10/2012 at 11:08 PM, J Francho said:I've ridden in several Rangers, and driven both Bullets and Gamblers. My experience level is somewhat higher with Bullets. Gamblers aren't really the same as Bullets. They are easier to drive, handle better, and fish better. All this comes with a minor sacrifice of just a couple MPH on the top end. They really aren't anything like Allisons, Bullets, or other "racing first" hulls. I'm seriously thinking about a Gambler as my next boat as well, though mine will be used. I'd say, PLEASE get soem seat time! They aren't anything like your Ranger.
Redlinerobert reply :
Not looking for a speedboat. Looking for a big high end bass boat that looks good and pushes my buttons. Ranger does that, perhaps the Sterling will also. I'm sure the opportunity will come up to try one out. Looking forward to it.
ctf58 reply :
I love my BassCat,
You every looked at one?
http://www.basscat.com/jaguar.html
Dealer in Cali. Stanton Marine Ventura Ca.
5bass reply :
I was never a big fan of Bass Cat's until the past few years. They've come a long way and the boats they put out are really nice.
Brent Christian reply :
well i owned a ranger, 93 model 390v 18 and a half, with a 150 johnson gt, it would run about 63 but it would run that in any water conditon, all your lite boats will have to let off due to waves but in a ranger you dont have to due to the weight. its not all about speed, me myselfwould rather have a heavier more stable boat.
5bass reply :
I didnt buy any of my Gamblers because of speed. I bought them because I think they look awesome, I like how they drive and you dont see them every day. I like having a boat that has a little bit of rarity to it. Most days at the ramp you can close your eyes and throw a rock and hit a Ranger or a Triton.
Gamblers/Sterlings are heavier than the Allisons, Strokers and Bullets. Thats the reason a Sterling is typically just a little slower than those brands but what it lacks in top end speed, it makes up for in looks and craftsmanship.
Redlinerobert reply :
Decisions, decisions....
Not a fan of Basscat. They only Jaguar I'de ever buy is an XK120.
Nick reply :
I have a Gambler Intimidator and it is made very well. For a 10 year old boat is has held up very well save for the carpeting. The new Sterling gets much better reviews for storage but the older Gamblers really lacked in the storage department especially in the aft. Yes, one does sit in a Gambler, a very cozy feeling. but the air coming over the windshield hits most folks right between the eyes. On colder days, this is a real nuisance. Just a slight beveled lip in the windshield could have alleviated that.
Also, my cooler is a step to the spacious fore deck, but it's nearly impossible to get a drink from a seated position and I'm fairly lanky. Just a little more thought to this location would have really helped in the design. The ride of a G boat is pretty good, and I made it terrific with a hydrafoil. Much quicker holeshots and planing at lower speeds as well as a less bouncy ride at faster speeds in big chops. One other thing about Gamblers is it's pretty hard to get in touch with the builders if a replacement part is needed. They should have an up-to-date actively managed website. Franco, I will sell you mine if you are really interested.
weezy109 reply :
I find it difficult to believe a man who runs a 300 merc isn't interested in speed! I had a 1900xlv norris craft that had a 225 pro max on it but man what a crappy ride in chop!
Redlinerobert reply :
On 1/15/2012 at 2:01 PM, weezy109 said:I find it difficult to believe a man who runs a 300 merc isn't interested in speed! I had a 1900xlv norris craft that had a 225 pro max on it but man what a crappy ride in chop!
Well remember a Z22 is big and heavy. With the 300 it performs fairly well. No speed demon and that's ok with me.
Come to think about it, when I had my Lamborghini I wasn't much of a speed demon in that either. 
SirSnookalot reply :
I was offshore the other day, saw a boat probably a 42' my guess a Yellowfin with 4 300 hp motors. Pretty awesome boat.
Redlinerobert reply :
I can only imagine what it sounded like.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 1/16/2012 at 12:47 AM, Redlinerobert said:I can only imagine what it sounded like.
Never heard it, he was drifting and kite fishing
scrutch reply :
Robert have you checked out the Legend boats? I don't have any experience with them but what I've seen has been pretty good.
CJ from this site has one that I got to look over at the last Roadtrip and I really liked what I saw. I know he was banging that boat at some high speeds through some three to four foot rollers on Kentucky Lake last year and lived to tell about it.
Redlinerobert reply :
The only other boat I'm considering is a Sterling. If I don't get that I'll just get another Ranger.
South FLA reply :
Just get a Ranger Z522 with a new Yamaha SHO and be done with it.
scrutch reply :
On 1/16/2012 at 8:44 AM, South FLA said:Just get a Ranger Z522 with a new Yamaha SHO and be done with it.
Can't imagine how you could go wrong with that.
weezy109 reply :
You should actually look at legends if you wan't ride quality and handling. My friend has one and it is wayyyyyyyyyyy nicer than my uncles ranger. That thing is a POS comparitively, it has the rail latches on it and man what a horrible idea that was, most of em barely work.
Redlinerobert reply :
Not interested in Legend in the least.
related Bass Boats Canoes Kayaks topic
most viewed Bass Boats Canoes Kayaks topic
© 2025 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.