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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Ranger 521/522
#11362469
01/22/16 01:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 196
jmo49
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 196 |
Any pros or cons on the 521 and 522, I am considering both of these in my next used boat, not a new one, Any input would be appreciated
Thanks
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11362482
01/22/16 01:25 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,139
Lake Fork Guide Marc Mitchell
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,139 |
I love my 521 but it is a 2013. It was the last year before changes were made.IMO it was the best boat Ranger ever made. I have talked with guys who have had the 522 and there biggest compliant was they could not get the nose up enough in rough water.
When you think of how long that boat is it would take a 300-350 hp engine just to lift it IMO. The ride has to be good on both. If and when you decide to buy if you are interested in a 21 I will be selling mine very soon. Ready to order my new one.
Last edited by Lake Fork Guide Marc Mitchell; 01/22/16 01:25 PM.
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11362502
01/22/16 01:38 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 186
JLP
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 186 |
I have had the 522,521 and 520. IMO the 520 is the best. The 522 seemed too big. Like a barge, The 521 is a very good boat but the 520 seems wider and more comfortable. It is also easier to maneuver in tight places
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11362614
01/22/16 02:33 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15,842
921 Phoenix
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15,842 |
I ran a 2012 Z522 with a hydraulic jack plate. I never had any problems running Lake Fork in high winds. We would just lower motor all the way down and lift the nose a little, not much tho you can get this boat to high and it will ride rough. I will say if you get it just above waves it rides good in big waves. The 521 won't ride as good but it is a little easier to get into tight spaces. I will say if I am on a lake with rough water and if you like fishing deep get the Z522 hands down best boat for that in Ranger line up. I have had friends with the 521 and it is a good boat to.
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11362685
01/22/16 02:59 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,000
Neal G
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,000 |
JMO49 - you should first factor in what & where you fish, how many people and how you like to fish when considering what size boat to purchase. Tournament guys will stick with the 520 or 521 for obvious reasons. The 522 is better suited for fishing three people/kids, open water and those with less emphasis on speed/performance when equipped with 250 HP. The boats of touring pros may or may not be the example to use for you but if it is you will see about 7:3 ratio of 520s to 521s and very few if any 522s. Single consoles to dual consoles at about an 8:2 ratio. My ratio numbers are just based on "eye ball" estimates and not hard counts.
The bottom line though is to get what you want after driving the boat models you are initially interested in. One last 2 cent opinion - do not get sucked into the more storage argument. All 20 foot plus boats have plenty of storage.
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11362719
01/22/16 03:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,618
361V
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,618 |
Have spent time in all three. I agree the 520 feels SLIGHTLY more responsive than the 521 but the 522 feels EXPONENTIALLY bigger and less responsive than the 520 or 521. If you drive them all you will know what I'm talking about. Unscientific? Maybe. True non the less. The flip side is that if you spend lots of time fishing big open water(fishing not traveling) or always have 4 or more fishermen in your boat there is no substitute for size. Disclaimer: they are all three wonderful fishing platforms!
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11363189
01/22/16 06:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 196
jmo49
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 196 |
Thanks for the input, I do not fish tournaments, speed is not really an issue with me, big front deck, storage are my main concerns,
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11363303
01/22/16 06:52 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 66
jolewis2
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 66 |
I have a 2012 Z522 with a 300XS. 74 mph GPS. I have had 8 boats and this by far is this best I have ever owned and would buy another one.
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11363915
01/22/16 11:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,618
361V
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,618 |
Thanks for the input, I do not fish tournaments, speed is not really an issue with me, big front deck, storage are my main concerns, Answered your own question with that statement. 522!
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11364397
01/23/16 03:25 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 972
big fish2
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 972 |
Rear deck is the biggest difference between the two. The front deck is the same but the rear storage is bigger. I'd go with the 21' but thats just me.
Last edited by big fish2; 01/23/16 03:26 AM.
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: big fish2]
#11364414
01/23/16 03:42 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15,842
921 Phoenix
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15,842 |
Rear deck is the biggest difference between the two. The front deck is the same but the rear storage is bigger. I'd go with the 21' but thats just me. The front deck on a 22 is wider then the 21, they are the same length from front to back
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11364539
01/23/16 04:43 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 972
big fish2
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 972 |
1" bigger is not a big difference.
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11364592
01/23/16 05:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,194
rxkid2001
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,194 |
Love my 521, I could live with the 520 as well. That 522 would be darn hard to maneuver in tight spaces. If I ever get another one the 520 is creeping up my list for the better maneuverability. There have been a couple times on fork where I'm glad I had the bigger boat though. Launching from vals and going up into birch was a wild ride and I thanked the big fella upstairs the rest of the day that we made it.
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: Neal G]
#11364631
01/23/16 05:33 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724
Flippin-Out
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724 |
JMO49 - you should first factor in what & where you fish, how many people and how you like to fish when considering what size boat to purchase. Tournament guys will stick with the 520 or 521 for obvious reasons. The 522 is better suited for fishing three people/kids, open water and those with less emphasis on speed/performance when equipped with 250 HP. The boats of touring pros may or may not be the example to use for you but if it is you will see about 7:3 ratio of 520s to 521s and very few if any 522s. Single consoles to dual consoles at about an 8:2 ratio. My ratio numbers are just based on "eye ball" estimates and not hard counts.
The bottom line though is to get what you want after driving the boat models you are initially interested in. One last 2 cent opinion - do not get sucked into the more storage argument. All 20 foot plus boats have plenty of storage. My boat is bigger than your boat!  (So that others can understand the fun - we know each other, and both have 500 series boats....)
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Re: Ranger 521/522
[Re: jmo49]
#11365521
01/23/16 09:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 318
thefuzz
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 318 |
I bought my 2005 520 dual console last year, from a skeeter zx. I have 225 vmax with a bobs jack plate, best riding boat ive been in and very maneuverable. Deck is wide and she handles rough water well. I am a ranger convert now for sure.
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
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