I have been a bass cat owner the last 13 years but now boat less I am looking at the Ranger Z 520 2012-13 Model.

I have never owned a Ranger boat, so would like some feed back from Ranger Z520 owners.

I have a 12 520 what do you want to know.

How does it take rough water?, Do you have any negative comments about the boat? How does it fish in shallow water/stumps.?

Would you buy another Ranger?

Yes I would buy another. You have a great dealer at lake fork, Dsm. The rest around here not so much. Fishes great. It's not the smoothest ride in rough water. I have had every hinge on mine fail. Evidently aluminum rivots react with stainless hinges. I question my setup 25 p fury I get bout 70 solo and tourney load bout 65-66. Other than the hinges I have had no issues. It's been a solid boat.

Ive had 2 and love them. great fishing platform. Rangers fish flat so not affected as much as "nose high" boats in the wind. Trade-off is doesn't run rough stuff as well as the "nose high" boats. I figure is spend more time on the front deck than I do running

If you are coming out of a 13 year old Cat, the difference will be unreal. As compared to current Cats, they aren't as fast, and probably don't ride as well. But, the ride is good enough, and the fishing platform is outstanding. The ride is fine in rough water, but not as good in sloppy water. In a wind you can drive it to use the hull and ride fine, but the early morning tournament cross-wake slop at high speed rocks you because of the width of the boat. I'm sure I'll be told I don't know how to drive, or I need to slow down - whatever. If I only drew better numbers..

You'll really like the front deck space. I love mine, and definitely will get another when I'm ready to change. The most common problem is the wheel hubs, but change them out to the new ones, and they have a 100K mile warranty. The only other issue is the space in the bilge are. Everything will fit, but fitting a pair of Power Pole pumps requires that they be put in the set-back area. Overall, it's a great boat.

Seems a bit low. Something isn't right.

I know, It needs to be tweaked. It's on my list just haven't got around to it.

I don't know where Ranger places the PP pumps today, but admit they did factory-place them in the setback under the splashwell in 2012. (My 2012 521 was that way.) But, they don't have to go there. Ranger inefficiently centers the 3rd TM battery in the area directly over the bilge, wasting space. It can be moved rearward to get PP pumps in front of it. Mine are no longer inaccessible as I moved them to sit in front of the two TM batteries on the port side of the rigging compartment (my preferred better location).

The old z520 hull does seem more nose heavy than the z520c hull. I do know you can run a z520c very hard in rough water. However it will spear waves easier than a nose light boat. The z520c boat will run hard and go airborn just as the others however the re entry is a pretty hard slap. Just my 2 cents from fishing Rayburn.

If you are not in a big hurry to get into a Ranger (and by the way great choice, Love mine) and you will be in the Central Texas area in May, Texas Boat World from Harker Heights has a Boat Show on the Lake May 21st and 22nd at Temple Lake Park. Stop by and test drive one on Lake Belton.

I have the upmost respect for Ranger Boats and the accomplishments they have done. But I prefer the ride in my Cat more than I do the Ranger. Yes I have ridden in both. Ridden in both 520 and 520c and I still think my Cat is a better ride IMO. Call Tommy at Rockwall Marine and he will walk you through everything you need to know.

JBassman if you would like I have a 2014 Z520C and would take you fishing one day. we are not that far apart and should be easy to get together. I love my boat and would buy another if mine were to leave me for any reason. They aren't the fastest on the lake and probably not the smoothest either but both are acceptable to me and definitely not bad enough to stop me from buying another. The one thing I can say with all honesty is when you drop the trolling motor Nothing beats a Ranger. I've had mine in some pretty gnarly stuff and she just keeps on ticking. The most stable boat I have ever fished out of and that means a lot to me at my age. I've had zero issues with the boat itself with nearly 200 hours on it. I was impressed with the quality of the components that Ranger uses on them. They also have the best built trailer on the market today. Let me know if you want to see first hand.

I have a 2014 Z520C w/Merc 250 ProXS now and I like it, I have mostly had 18 footers and loved them, came time for a new boat so I tried a 20 footer, for my next boat I will go back to a Z518C as long as i can still get a 200 on it, you can't put a 200 four stroke on them due to weight and rumor is 2 strokes are being phased out at Mercury in the near future...I just like 18 footers...

Back to my Z520C - as with all Rangers, as already said, they really shine when you put the trolling motor down, no one ever buys a Ranger for speed !...and realistically if your not running a Bullet, Norris Craft, Allison class boat your not going to go that much faster than a properly powered Ranger in the same HP range...a couple of MPH is moot really...as far as rough water running they are tanks - use your head and don't drive like a fool and there is no reasonable water you can't get to safe harbor in - I grew up fishing Lake Erie and been caught in true 8 to 10 footers and made it back in no issues in my 18 footers - also storage is great on a Ranger, if you need to carry more tackle than a 20 foot Ranger can carry then you prolly don't know what is going on with the fish because you don't spend enough time with the trolling motor down...I see you out there running all over the place pretending to fish...LOL...if your in the market for a new boat and don't mind the price tag you can't go wrong with a Z520C. Just my two cents...

I have a 2014 Z520 Ranger with 250 Pro XS... I got into that from a Bullet20XrD.

First the good:
I love the deck space and fishing platform (best on the market)... but that's about it. Some simple design improvements would make it a much better boat.

The finish is pretty good. I've fished in some pretty big water with it and no stress cracks so far. I am having some issues with the hinges as mentioned above.

Bad:
The center console in between the driver and passenger seats that holds wallet, glasses, gloves, etc... opens the wrong way. If you forget to latch it for any reason it will blow open going down the road or lake. I think they fixed this with the "c" edition.

The small step going up to the deck feels like its going to break every time I step on it, plier and scissor holes are placed perfectly on the step to trip you about every time you try and step down off the deck. Ice chest is in front of the driver's console... should be placed where the step is to provide a solid step and additional space for a day box or a second rod locker on the driver's side.

The middle storage hatch has holders for rods, but if you store any tackle in there you can't utilize it for rod storage... it's one or the other.

They ride rough in chop... like mentioned above going directly into big waves is fine, but any cross chop or leaving during tournament start, it will beat you to death (mostly side to side rocking motion). My back has never hurt so bad.

That's my experience with a Ranger... for what it's worth. They fish better than any boat I've ever been in, but the storage on the Z520 leaves much to be desired, and the ride in rough water running crosswind or waves will wear on your back.

They are good boats, but I cringe when I draw boat 156 or I look at the forecast for Rayburn, Toledo, Amistad, or Chambers and I see 20+ out of the north, lol. My Bullet handled rough water MUCH better than my Ranger did, which was very surprising to me.