Ranger Z175 or Nitro Z18 2024

Airbornebass reply :

I'm looking at these two boats. The Ranger has a 115hp and is $30,000. The Nitro has a 150hp and is $33,000. What is my best way to go? I will be fishing lake Guntersville, Al, lake Mitchell, Al, Douglas Lake, Tn, lake Chicamauga, tn, etc.

slonezp reply :

Have you tried to negotiate pricing with the Ranger dealer

Airbornebass reply :

No. Just called and got the price of them over the phone. Will the dealers typically discount an entry level boat?

slonezp reply :

Tracker and nitro are fixed pricing. Unless the ranger you are looking at has been advertised as "national pricing" There is room for negotiation.

Smalliefan2 reply :

If the question is speed, 150 trumps 115 everyday of the week. If it is quality, fit and finish, Ranger wins. Also look at the basic packages, electronics, trolling motor thrush etc. Both are probably pretty basic. For trailers, if I remember, Tracker is a rectangular tube, Rangertrail is channel. The ranger trailer will last much longer than the Nitro.

Ranger always had a premium price, but is top of the line.

I am also bias, I own a Ranger VS 175, 115 HP, had 13 years.

Sam reply :

On 2/22/2019 at 1:33 PM, Airbornebass said:

I'm looking at these two boats. The Ranger has a 115hp and is $30,000. The Nitro has a 150hp and is $33,000. What is my best way to go? I will be fishing lake Guntersville, Al, lake Mitchell, Al, Douglas Lake, Tn, lake Chicamauga, tn, etc.

The 150.

Both boats are of the utmost quality and performance.

I would suggest the larger motor as a strong advantage.

RHuff reply :

I've been looking at the Ranger z518 vs a Nitro z18 myself. My biggest difference is this

Ranger - High Quality - basic electronics - no power poles - basic trolling motor - 150 Pro XS

Nitro - Lower Quality - upgrade electronics - power poles - Ultrex with IP - 175 Pro XS

I can get both for roughly the same price give or take a couple thousand...

My biggest questions is do I want the quality and settle for basic necessities or go Nitro and load it out.....It's a tough decision.....

WRB reply :

The only thing these 2 boats have in common is the price.

Z18 is 18'6" rated to 175 hp, The Z175 is a 17'6" rated to 115 hp.

You are paying a premium price for Ranger boat that is no longer biult by the same company who earned the name recognition.

I woukd try to get the Z18 with 175 hp Merc at the same price.

Tom

BigAngus752 reply :

On 2/22/2019 at 10:34 PM, Smalliefan2 said:

If it is quality, fit and finish, Ranger wins.

On 2/23/2019 at 12:34 AM, RHuff said:

My biggest questions is do I want the quality and settle for basic necessities or go Nitro and load it out.....It's a tough decision.....

I don't think it's really a tough decision. Which is cheaper to replace? The boat or the accessories? Buy the best boat you can buy (Ranger) and upgrade the accessories. You'll be happier in the long run.

Logan S reply :

Those are pretty big lakes you'll be fishing...I think you'll appreciate the extra foot of length and more HP on the Nitro. I agree with Tom that they are two different classes of boats.

J Francho reply :

They're not really the same class of boats. The Nitro hull is more than a foot longer and has a wider beam and is 450 lbs. heavier. If we're discussing the similar price points, consider this, the Nitro isn't exactly under powered, but not max'd out. The Ranger is max'd out at 115. You don't say what the electronics are or what options are installed. I'd think performance would pretty similar in regards to top speed in both. This is the entry level Ranger, so it won't have all the amenities that a higher end boat will have. I've been in a few different Ranger 17' class boats over the years. The front deck is too tight for two to comfortable fish. The Nitro us wider, and definitely accommodates two. The Nitros I've seen aren't anything to be ashamed of. Even considered a Z19 in my list of boats I'm pining for. Last thing, I'm not sure if anything has changed since the takeover, but in the past, Ranger's customer support has top notch. Keep that in mind as well.

I'm sure I didn't give you an answer on what to get, just tossing out a few more points to consider. Good luck in your search. Post back with a pic of what you get!

Russ E reply :

I own a 2 year old Z175. Even though it is their smaller boat it is not in any way lower in quality.

in my opinion the buyout has not hurt Ranger quality and service.

Ranger goes out of their way to fix any small issues you have with their boats.

The new Nitros are also very nice.

I bought my boat, because it is easy to push around in my suburbia garage, It is easy to launch and load by myself, and it is easy to maneuver around some of the small lakes I fish. The Largest lake I fish is around 7500 acres.

If I fished larger lakes I would have bought a bigger boat.

considering the lakes you plan to fish the bigger Nitro might be a better fit.

Airbornebass reply :

I'm going to the Ranger dealer in the morning. He said he will make me a deal on a left over 518c. He said he should be able to do $36,000. I will let you know what he actual does. That puts me at $3,000. more than the Z18.

Russ E reply :

On 2/23/2019 at 10:33 AM, Airbornebass said:

I'm going to the Ranger dealer in the morning. He said he will make me a deal on a left over 518c. He said he should be able to do $36,000. I will let you know what he actual does. That puts me at $3,000. more than the Z18.

the 518C is a nice boat.

Airbornebass reply :

Update: when I got to the dealer this morning they had sold the 518. They have a 2014 Z117 with an Evinrude 115 on in. The boat only has 10 hours on it and got them down to $22,000. + tax. They are holding it until Monday. Told them I will be back Monday. The boat has sat at their dealership for 3 years. He said they will make sure it is ready to go. They are detailing it and will let me test drive on the lake Monday. Is this a fair deal and is there anything I should be cautious of since it sat? He said it is still under warranty. Is the Evinrude 115 a good motor?

Airbornebass reply :

Ttt

slonezp reply :

If you believe it to be a fair deal, then go for it. The dealer can give you a printout from the motors computer that will alert you if there were any alarms during the 10 hours of use. There is nothing wrong with Evinrude motors. Make sure you're getting a fresh set of batteries from them.

Airbornebass reply :

Just bought the bost this morning. Looks brand new and they showed me print out with 10 hrs. The are putting 3 new batteries in it and an impeller kit just to make sure after sitting. They are detailing it and we go to the lake in it tomorrow. I will post pictures. Thank you to all that responded. It is greatly appreciated.

RHuff reply :

On 2/26/2019 at 3:13 AM, Airbornebass said:

Just bought the bost this morning. Looks brand new and they showed me print out with 10 hrs. The are putting 3 new batteries in it and an impeller kit just to make sure after sitting. They are detailing it and we go to the lake in it tomorrow. I will post pictures. Thank you to all that responded. It is greatly appreciated.

Congrats man. Let us know how you like it after the trip out to the lake..

slonezp reply :

Congrats. Don't forget to post pics

Russ E reply :

congrats. hope you enjoy it. I love my little ranger.

Airbornebass reply :

I picked her up late this afternoon so only have one picture as of now

Heading to the lake for the first time in the morning. Say's file is too large. I will post soon using computer where I can shrink it.

Airbornebass reply :

Here are some picutre's.

Took her out today for the first time. It ran great and everything worked as it should. I am very happy. It ran right at 50 mph which im happy with for it having a 115hp. Thank you to everyone that commented and gave advise.

caught the first fish in the new boat today. Nice 3.5lb largemouth. Many more to come.????

TOXIC reply :

You found an awesome deal. Enjoy your boat and add all of the upgrades as you can afford them. That's what I did with my boat although I went with a 21 footer just because of the waters I fish.

Airbornebass reply :

On 2/28/2019 at 7:57 PM, TOXIC said:

You found an awesome deal. Enjoy your boat and add all of the upgrades as you can afford them. That's what I did with my boat although I went with a 21 footer just because of the waters I fish.

My plan is to put a hds 9 carbon at the console. After that I will upgrade the one on the bow.

18RangerZ520L reply :

Nice, I like the colors.

Russ E reply :

I like the colors also.

gimruis reply :

Solid

Airbornebass reply :

On 3/2/2019 at 10:40 AM, Russ E said:

I like the colors also.

Matching boats.????????????

18RangerZ520L reply :

On 2/23/2019 at 3:30 AM, WRB said:

You are paying a premium price for Ranger boat that is no longer biult by the same company who earned the name recognition.

I haven't seen any difference in build quality, etc from my previous boat (2009 Ranger Z520, "pre-Johnny Morris Ranger") and my current 2018 Z520L "Johnny Morris" Ranger....

The Classic is right around the corner, I'm curious to see what the Ranger OG's at Vexus have done with their 20' & 21' glass models.......

WRB reply :

I hope Ranger continues to keep parts inventory like thier seat covers etc for legacy boat models, that set them apart from most boat with the exception of Bass Cat who IMO is equal including their trailers.

The high end bass boats are up there is price with premium model cars today.

It will be interesting to see what the Ranger guys come up with.

Tom

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Ranger Z175 or Nitro Z18 2024

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