I have narrowed my decision down to either a Ranger Z520c or Basscat Puma?
Would like to hear what you guys think of each

I'm a BassCat guy. I've owned three of them. I currently own a 2012 Cougar with a 250 Pro XS. I like the Cougar deck layout better than the Puma but that is really just a matter of how I store my gear in the boat. Customer Service is fantastic!

Ranger is a very reputable manufacture as well. When I was in the market for a new boat, I was considering Ranger but with my previous experience with two other BassCat's, it was really no contest.

BassCat is a little less expensive for the same accessories.

Ride and decide. The Ranger will fish bigger but the cat is like a sports car. The best thing to do is go climb around each and see which one fits you best.

SkeeterRonnie is ProStaff for BassCats......

Love my Z520 not fast but its dry and it fishes great.

went from a 21' Skeeter to a 20'8 Bass Cat recently. Bass Cat is a great boat, great customer service. My 2 cents, but i have not spent a whole bunch of time in a Ranger.

BassCat or Ranger really no bad choice, as my sig suggest I am a Cat guy and have a Puma. I prefer the deck layout of the Puma over the Cougar. Great riding boat and cruising speed is upper 60's. Never had it at WOT to fast for me.

Both great boats. Ranger will resale better & for more money. History has proven this time & again.

Agree, wonder though, what the affects will be with BC being sold recently.. It touted how the family ownership made them different from the rest.. Big company holding now, time will tell, great product no doubt..

I have a Z520c probably one of the best fishing platforms I've been in. The boat will run 68-73 loaded yes you'll run faster in a cat but when it all comes down to its how a boat fishes right? Both are great boats don't think you'll go wrong with either one.

Both great boats. I love my Basscat though! Ride in and fish out of both and make your decision.

I have owned a Ranger 520 and 2 Bass Cat Pantera ll's and would have either one depending on what kind of deal I could get. Can't go wrong with either boat.

Ranger has a way bigger front deck. basscat is faster and can be cheaper both are high quality ranger will resale better. Really comes down to how big of a deck do you want, if you can deal with a small front deck then basscat would be my vote they will be faster, cheaper ride great to and still resale is solid.

I've had both. Back in a Ranger now.

I wonder why people can't make a decision on their own.

I've owned a 520C and several Pumas and Cougars. The Cats are more fun while on pad and easily 5-7 mph better on top end speed. The 520 is a better platform with the trolling motor down. I prefer the Skeeter FX or Phoenix Pro XP to the Ranger or Cat.

If the extra width on the front deck is important, you should look at the "FTD" version of the Bass Cat. Both brands are high quality boats. I would ride in each, compare features, price, etc. I have owned 6 Rangers, and now have a Bass Cat. I would look at both brands if buying today.

Glad you were able to help this guy with such knowledgeable insight, parents must be so proud.

Both are nice but I would go with the Ranger just because of the larger front deck and better resale value.

I have a 2016 Bass cat puma ftd I bought used. I'm 45 min from fork 10 min from Tawakoni if you want to ride and fish out of it for a day or half day let me know.

How is that' working out?

I can't help but notice his name is Nitro z7............

A Basscat is like a sports car... Looks great, hauls butt, great customer service and depending on where you live, buy it from Rockwall marine and have great service for the life of the boat.
Ranger boats are like Cadillacs... The have one of the best fishing platforms on the market but not real fast of a boat and the resale is one of the best on the market.

Either way team it with a 250 Mercury Pro xs and you will have one fast boat (Basscat)...

Hmmmm....just leave the keys in it. I'll take it for a full day. On Fork. Fill the tanks up with fuel please. And don't forget to get your gear out. I'll bring my own.

Haha.

Hey great idea what day would you like to do this?

I think you will get better answers over at bbc

Now take this as I say it. I am bias but this is the truth. I went from a z520c to a cougar. At first I was worried about the deck size and the trollingmotor pedal being foward. I was also worried about how hard they are to drive.

First. I fell in love with being on the very nose. I'm a power fisherman and it gives me a better angle. When I fish in my fathers boat. I stand in front of the pedal now. Lol.

Second. I never noticed loosing the size. 90% of the day I have one foot on the trollingmotor pedal. I only use about 5sq feet of the front deck.

3rd. The boat is very diver friendly in rough Rayburn/Toledo water. I do not spear near as many as before. I mainly just clip the top. I am now able to run these waves faster. Never compare the ride with someone else driving. You need to drive it. I can make one ride great just as I can make her get in a hurry.

4th. Top end speed is learned. Anyone can run 70-73mph without driver input. Simply leave it trimmed down. The rest will come with time.

5th. The customer service is wonderful. This depends on your dealer but BASSCAT is just a phone call away. They will help anyone with anything. There is a minimum turn over rate. Everyone is stil there this year just like last year when purchased by correct craft.

6th. I notice some people are questioning the buy out. After attending 2 dealer meetings and a prostaff meeting. There is absolutely zero worry. Correct craft is a very high quality company. They sale high end boats. Not your cheapos

7th. There is a wide nose 20'8" boat in the works. The LYNX will be a
Game changer.

Pm me for any other questions I might can help with.

I would have to go with a Ranger, I just like the looks better and they are really laid out well and fish well.

Ranger or Basscat?

The obvious answer is SKEETER!

BassCat is like a Ferrari

Ranger boats are like Cadillacs

Drive and Ride!

puma all the way i have one and it is awsome

Hmmmm....last time I looked, Ferrari's were beautiful cars. BassCats are UGLY AS SIN.

Vote for Ranger, based upon my opinion on looks alone and reported value retention.

Thanks for all of your replies

I am sorry I hurt your feelings,I guess I should have got on here and ask your advice.But I chose to make a decision based on MY needs.Sorry that does not meet your expectations nor care for your opinion.Thank you.

Everyone is speaking of retained value. Have you looked at used boats? The cats are doing well. They simply both last.

Y'all are sittin' here saying this is great, these are better, and I'm on the shore watching the open back seats fly by.

Yet continue to make valid points and suggestions until my decision day comes.

So now we know you absolutely have no taste whatsoever.

I looked at both and went with Ranger. I rode and drove in a Cougar FTD and a Z521 before I bought. Didn't like the way the Bass Cat rode or drove. That made my decision pretty easy. Everyone has their own opinion of what they like, you need to check out both on the water first.

That's the best answer... Buy what you want... You are the one putting up the money, you should get what you want in the end. Test drive both boats and then decide. Personally I love the way a ranger fishes.

I enjoyed my cats for a long time and am enjoying my current Ranger. Both are well made and both retain their value well. I miss my trolling motor pedal being so far forward. I really enjoy the way the Ranger fishes though. Wind doesn't move it around much at all. It takes waves OK, not as well as a cat. I keep it trimmed down and go a little slower. My cat, I would just jack up it up hit the gas.

The biggest difference to me - the ride and the fishing platform between the two.

The Basscat Caracal reminds me of a ranger when you're fishing. I'm hoping the Lynx will be the boat to bridge the gap. I'm excited to see a 20'8" wide nose cat!!

both are dry, smooth, made to fish, the cat will have a little bit more side to side wiggle but until you weigh over 200lbs u won't notice it. the Ranger is a lot slower, the cat has a little bit less storage. cats alao get a lot better fuel milage. both of them will last many hard years of customer fishing. the Rangers will cost more and will resale for [really but the cat actually has a better resale v!Luella if you know what % is. It's also a major plus to have a relatively close dealer of the boat that you buy but more importantly to like the dealer! I LOVE MY EYRA and I'm ordering another one here in the next few days.

After I sold my Ranger (It took forever and it was priced right. There are literally hundreds of used Rangers for sale across the country. This causes problems with resale) I crawled all over a Basscat and Phoenix. I evenually went with the Phoenix because I couldn't comfortable with the front deck of the basscat.

What about the Basscat has you comparing it to a Z520? They seem so different to me. Slow vs fast, stable fishing platform vs less stable, trolling motor pedal positioning is way different, $7-10k difference...

I have a Cougar FTD. Most of my buddies seem to fish out of Rangers. I was just in my buddies Z521c yesterday. I was thinking just the opposite about the side to side rocking. Maybe it's the wider deck or just the driver. Every time I ride in a Ranger I think to myself this rocking would take some getting used to.

Rangers are great to fish from. Almost like fishing from dock with room and stability. How many rods do you typically have on deck? I carry a lot of rods with me. Once you get 7 or 8 on the deck of BassCat it starts to get crowded and not much foot room. Not to mention not much room, if any for anyone else up front. However, I think there is more room on the back deck my Cat than the Ranger.

Like others said, try to ride/fish out of both. It's like trying to compare a sports coupe to a sedan. It's all about your preference.

I know you narrowed it down to those 2'boats. Did you even look at a pheonix? And if those were my only
Options it would be a cat. Rick is a super guy

when you purchase a boat the day will come when you sell it or trade it in up to this point in the history of bass boat rangers will always bring more of your money back.

I've owned both, if it ain't a Cat it's just a Dog.

Ranger, easy choice for me, while cats look super nice, and are super fast, they're the roughest boat I've ever been, and not by a little bit, by alot.

narrowed it down to these two after a little research & talking to a lot of folks, I never heard any negative comments on either!
Agree they are different boats, but your replies confirmed what I believe the difference was in being how well Cat's ride & how well Rangers fish. That's my dilemma?

Side note: I have not talk to a Cat or Ranger owner/dealer that wasn't very helpful and willing to answer all my questions

This is exactly why I didn't go with the Cat, I thought the ride was horrible and I was riding with a VERY well respected dealer.

Whenever decisions are close I look for the best deal. In my mind all the top brands are pretty darn similar with a few pros and cons each. I'd be much less concerned about resale value if I knew I had got a heck of a deal when I bought it. The odds of being able to pull that off go up dramatically when you start to view bass boats for what they are. Commodities.

Just curious. What lake and what size waves are you comparing to?

I have a Bass Cat Erya and my Partner has a Z21 Ranger, so I get to spend a lot of time in both.

I have fished and driven both a lot. My boat is a dryer of a ride than the Ranger, but the weight and the length make it a little more stable in big water. I can drive mine where it doesn't beat you to death, so I will take dry over a little less of a "rough ride".

As far as fishing, my boat is 18 inches shorter and drafts a lot less water and is whole lot faster. So if we are fishing shallow we take mine. A Ranger is the best fishing platform in any kind of wind and rough water that I have ever fished. They do not blow around and they do not pitch you all around in big water, like a lot of the boats do.

They are very different boats. You need to go fish and drive each one, especially on a windy day...

For the price, I'd have a real hard time not standing on top of a Legend V20 ......., after that I think I'd be eye balling the cat just based on all the wonderful things people say about it...

[/quote]Just curious. What lake and what size waves are you comparing to? [/quote]

Simple little 2 foot chop on Lake Houston, it was horrible. I have had back problems and that little ride did a number on me. I was very worried about not liking how it be with the trolling motor down, I was actually wrong about that part. It was fine with the trolling motor down, but the ride alone was brutal. 2nd worst riding boat I've ever been in, only a Majek flats boat in 2-3 foot chop was worse.

What boat did you go out in? How long ago was this?

Same experience here, model I was in was a puma FTD, to make matters more clear the previous day I had been in a ranger z520, I couldn't believe it, difference was night and day.

The boat I was looking at was a 2013 Cougar FTD, it was in 2013.

I can hear the BassCat ButtHurt already.............

I love my 520C... When I fish out of a bass cat I feel like I'm casting off of a jet ski.

I love mybasscat...When I fish out of a Ranger I feel like I'm running down the lake in a model A

Isn't a Ranger just a glorified Nitro now that BPS bought them out? Now let the Butt Hurt begin!

73 for me is plenty fast for me... I do have a funny bass cat story. I told a guy at the ramp that had an 18 foot bass cat that his boat look nice and had really been keeping good care over the years. I asked him how old it was and he told me he got it yesterday. If they would just change out the dang windshields they wouldn't look like they are from the 90's.... they just look ugly to me. My partner still has one and we fish out of it often I just prefer the other.

I run a Cat, dad fishes out of a Skeeter, tournament partners have Ranger and a Lengend...and we fish out of all of them during the year in all kinds of weather conditions.
Each has a different hull design and pros/cons... any one of them can ride like hell if the driver is not experienced with jackplate, trim and throttle.
Just because someone is a dealer doesn't mean they know how to handle a high performance boat
None of these rigs should ride rough in little 2 footers?

I'd say we're all blessed to be in any of these boats and get to do what we all love to do...waste a lot of money each year chasing little green fish.

That pretty well sums up my thoughts too. Be grateful you can afford any of them. Each one can get you where you're going and will help you catch fish. Bet Fishvibes would be tickled to have one or even ride in yours.

I own a Puma FTD (FTD is a better layout than a Puma IMO). When you look at the front decks make sure you look at the bow end of each. The Puma's trolling motor pedal is way up front which makes for more usable bow space than boats with the pedal farther back. Some people don't like the pedal as forward but I think it's great -- I love being as far up front as possible when flipping and pitching.

I'm sorry, but anyone saying a BassCat is a terrible riding boat has got to be putting us on or has no experience in Bass boats. I'm not going to say they're the best (they might be however) but I will say they are as solid and soft riding as anything out there.

i have a 2010 puma now and owned 3 champions prior. there are a few things i dont like about the puma but the ride aint one of em! but honestly i cant compare it to ranger becsuse i have only been in 1 and it was a 19 footer with a 200.

Hmm? New ownership and wait and see, not really wait and see though that's alright. We are well past wait and see and we are pretty transparent.

First, we want to say on TFF how excited we are to see the Bassmasters Classic, on Conroe, in Houston this March. We are pulling out all stops for this and we want to see all of the TFF and Bass Boat Central crowd there. We are going to work hard to do something special there. This, we think, will be by far the largest Bassmasters Classic ever.

Otherwise, Well... we are half way into our second year with the new transition and things are clicking along very well. We made the choice we did for many reasons. Every day the staff here functions and operates almost just like we did before. I am still the President and still make those decisions that I made prior. My term of commitment to the group was a 10 year stretch and when that time comes we can see where things are. In about eight or nine (8 to 9) years we will see where things are and make the decisions we need to.

As far as changes, I hired a new CPA to replace my sister, my brother-in-law exited to his own business just before this. I added a new National Sales Manager, we moved Ivan over to Yar-Craft brand manager and he has some in house Bass Cat dealers. I replaced the previous Parts & Service Manager with Lisa Jones and moved things around a bit. Otherwise we have exactly the same staff in all management areas. We have gained some financial support and the CC group added some administration staff, which really does help us and the other outside companies. As a total family company we used outside staff before.

Mom and Dad (Ron & Jan Pierce) are totally out and aging as gracefully with 80's as anyone can. Their shares were sold to the Correct Craft (CC) company, which also owns Nautique. Function wise things are the same way we ran it for decades. We have a stronger budget in areas, are more focused on growth and we have increased our dealer support. This move gave Mom & Dad an exit plan, in about ten years it gives me an exit plan as I age further and time to train staff. It secures the company for those who have dedicated their lives to building Bass Cat Boats (45 years) and now Yar-Craft Boats.

In Bass Boats we earned the last five (5) consecutive Best In Customer Service awards given by JD Power and Associates. That is where we met Bill Yeargin of CC, and Nautique. Nautique holds EVERY single JD Power award, nine (9) total, for the wake board and tow boat industry. They always wanted our first chair in #1 position, as the best in customer service for the entire Marine Industry. Over those years they (Nautique) were always in the Top 5. Others in the Top 5 consistently were Cobalt and Grady-White.

As for CC, it allows each company to run on it's own as independent and the corporate structure is there through them, though not internally a major challenge. We make all decisions here of any product and materials for the boats and not one thing has been compromised. Correct Craft is very focused on customer service and wants each brand to be the best product and most innovative in their industry, and chose what they felt were industry leaders in their segments. Not once in these 18 months has there been a question to cut quality or impact pricing, they want better, not cheaper. They have given us no input on how to price boats or build programs. Their support has been a tailwind, not a head wind.

The 1st to join Nautique at CC was Aktion Parks, an overhead attraction in a tow cable ski/wake company outside Orlando and now park #2 is in Miami. The 2nd company to join CC was PCM (Pleasure Craft Marine- http://www.pcmengines.com/) which builds engines for many tow boats, Bass Cat was the third (3rd) along with the company I bought, which is Yar-Craft. After our transition the sister company of Centurion & Supreme in California was added. And the last company is now SeaArk in Monticello, AR, which is a premier aluminum boat. All are leaders in their segment in a variety of ways and all are Premium products.

Each of our companies operates independent of the others, with no crossover in operations. We each run independent other than to help our sister companies. There are no rebates, loyalty discounts, or bonuses for being a dealer with multiple brands from CC and no other joined interest. We each stand on our own.

The plan is on track to continue and build Bass Cat just as we have for over 45 years, and the only thing we've beena sked is how we make it better. Pretty nice to hear that from your board of directors.

That should answer it all again.

Hope to see many of you on Conroe and at the Classic in Houston!

Rick Pierce, President
Bass Cat & Yar-Craft Boats

PS: The other question we hear is whether SeaArk will now build a Bass Cat aluminum bass boat, and that presently is not in the cards. We both have enough concepts to keep us busy the next 2 or 3 years and then we will revisit that thought. Their present order backlog is about 6 months.

^^^ I have no dog in the hunt but this above is exactly why I respect BCB so much!! Name another boat manufacturer who's president is this in touch and responsive to the public!! Both are great boat options and I truly agree spend time when winds blowing some in each and make your decision. Can't really go wrong in either!

Wow. You are right. That is SO funny!!!!

I have owned one Ranger in my life. I purchased it new in 1990. That was the last boat I purchased and is still the boat I fish out of now. When you ask about comparisons, no one knows what you are wanting to compare. I have a couple of buddies that have BC's and they seem to be a fine boat but they are still somewhat new boats. I don't know anyone that has a 26 year old Bass Cat to compare it to. The Evinrude on mine is the original motor that was on it too.

Bass Cat is now owned by Correct Craft and Ranger is owned by Bass Pro, so neither is overseen by someone with a stake in it like Forrest Wood or the Pierces. They are both good boats so
I would say you should make your choice on personal preference. I've had both and both are

Huh???

I be owned a Ranger since 2006 and won't own anything else. Get everything in tune, as in right prop, serviced propertly it will keep you safe and be dependable.
I Know guys that fish out of BC that love them too. I just like the design of the Ranger boat inside and out.
Very impressed that the BC president would chime in. This speaks volumes for his products.

Just got off Lake Palestine after doing a little fishing before a Wounded Warrier benefit tournament next weekend and pulled my Cougar right beside a guy in a Ranger and guess what happened...after a short visit we both talked about how we were looking forward to being able to participate in the tournament and taking these guys out for a great experience...being on the water and fishing.
We compared notes on how we were catching them and even traded a couple baits to try to help one another show the vets we will be paired with a good day of fishing.

Which boat was faster or had better resale value never came up...that only seems to happen on "The Interwebs"...LOL?

Or from people who have NEVER owned either.

I have a Cat and my partner has a Ranger, we never sit around and "measure" LOL

I'm not a fan of Bass Cat boats from an aesthetic standpoint, but they fish well, run fast, and have a great ride. The front deck is not as wide as a Ranger, but it was much more solid/stable than something like an Alpha Series Legend. Just my experience.

I fish out of 15 520c boat before was a 11 520c. MY tournament partner fishes out of a 11 cat. Both boats are well built. Both boat will re sell better than probably anything else on market. I like the extra room on the fishing platform of the ranger and a smother ride. Cat seams to handle skinny water a little better at speed. I don't care to be the fastest boat on the water so I will stick with ranger. I have never caught a fish going very fast. Cant go wrong either way. Try em before you buy em.

If you read through the posts, you will note that earlier I mentioned that Ranger was owned by Bass Pro, and Bass Cat was now owned by Correct Craft. I also said that nether brand was being overseen by someone with a stake in the brand. Not true, and this is why I would choose the Cat. After I made the post I got a PM from Rick Pierce, who explained that he was still involved, and that the decision to sell was based on what was best for the future of the Company AND ITS EMPLOYEES. When an owner of a company puts his employees future ahead of his own, that says a lot about not only the company, but the people who built it and the people who work there.

People always say why would you want to go that fast in a bass cat.my answer why wouldn't you,as my flash back plays in my head couple days ago passing a couple rangers and triton's and nitro's in the boat lane pushing 76.