Ranger Z521 Boats For Sale

The Ranger Z521 is the top boat in the Comanche bass series, a tournament-bred fiberglass rig measuring close to 22 feet with a deep, heavy hull built for big water. It suits anglers who fish open lakes and rivers where rough conditions punish lighter boats, and it comes in several configurations, including the standard Z521, the Z521C, and the Z521R with its expanded touch-pad controls. Buyers choose between a single console and a dual console; the dual console adds storage and shelter for a co-angler but gives up some open cockpit room when two people fish the front deck.

On performance, a Z521C tested with an Evinrude E-TEC 250 H.O. and a 26-inch three-blade stainless Raker prop, carrying 415 pounds of passengers and 25 gallons of fuel, reached a top speed of 70.8 mph at 6200 rpm, planed in 4.3 seconds, and hit 30 mph in 7.8 seconds. Its most economical cruise was 28.2 mph at 3500 rpm while burning 8 gallons per hour. A 2010 Z521 running a 250 Mercury Optimax gets on plane quickly despite the weight and handles rough water solidly, and owners of newer R models report consistent running speeds of 64 to 66 mph, around 70 mph lightly loaded. The hull barges through waves rather than skipping over them; a 24-pitch Bravo four-blade prop with hull wedges helps lift this size boat.

At the helm, the Ranger Ride system centralizes digital, waterproof switching for bilge pumps, aerators, livewells and lights, with a push-button start activated by a key fob. The Mercury VesselView display shows fuel, rpm, oil pressure, temperature, trim, hours and voltage. The captain's chair slides about four and a half inches for legroom, and R models add an air-ride seat cushion and a seat heater. The console windshield lifts off completely for access to the fuse box and wiring, simplifying electronics installation.

Storage is a defining strength. The front deck is large enough to fish two anglers, with a redesigned rod locker that uses stepped shelves instead of tubes, holding 17 rods or more and accommodating eight-footers; older boats use port and center lockers rated at about 10 rods each. Most compartments have ventilation fans that dry tackle and rods and fight mold. Dual livewells feature a culling panel, aeration, recirculation, a timer and pump-out. Owner-friendly touches include a remote drain plug, an external oil fill, an external battery-charge connector accessible under the cover, and a Ranger Professional Series charger in a roomy, accessible battery compartment.

Build quality traces to the Forrest Wood foundation, with boats still made in Flippin, Arkansas. The decking uses a padded, insulated floor under carpet, and some layouts offer a washable rubber cockpit floor. The trailer earns praise for its surge brake, fiberglass fenders, integrated jack and Vortex hubs. When shopping a used Z521, weigh ordinary wear items reported over hard use: a livewell selector valve handle, hydraulic steering seals, livewell pump cartridges, and trailer wheel bearings on the Vortex hubs, all inexpensive and straightforward to replace.