Wondering if anyone has any opinions about phoenix boats compared to ranger z series?

There have been so many different discussions about boats. This forum has a "Search" feature. Let it be your friend. These questions only turn into a pissing match.

Ok thanks.

Ride way better, faster, fishes just as good.

Just buy it. Theres a reason everyones talking about them.

Thats what I am hearing. Thanks for the input.

Champion is still the way to go IMHO. :-)

I've heard nothing but good reports on Phoenix. I'm a long time Skeeter owner, but would look closely at them if i was in the Market.

Same here.

I've got one.

I drove 10 hours to pick it up, and I have a Ranger dealership literally within 2 miles of the house...so take that for what it's worth.


I've been in '17 model Ranger 520 and 521Cs and I'm glad I made the decision that I did.

Same things as already listed...faster, better layout, and just lots of little things that go unnoticed until you're actually in one of the boats.


I won't own anything except a Phoenix unless I'm paid to fish out of something else. It really was built FOR fishermen (not saying other boats aren't).

Do you know if you can order straight from the factory or do you have to go through a local dealer?

you have to go through dealer but any dealer is ok. I think you are always better with local but sometimes the locals are more proud of their boats then other dealers.

Hearing about long build times on Phoenix. If ur ordering I'd wait till 18s come available.

My next boat will be a Phoenix, hopefully.

I have several friends who have jumped to Phoenix, These guys were long standing Skeeter, Ranger and Cat owners, must be something to it.

It's on my short list when I buy new.

think resell. What will you have the best chance at selling, say 7 or so years from now?

With the popularity of them and the better ride and performance of other brands, I think so

Where are you located? Go test drive a Phoenix. Hopefully you will get a nasty day with rollers like on Amistad last Saturday. I wouldn't have wanted to be in any other rig in Mexico with those waves. Love my 920- everything about it.

I have a 920. And I had a champ 202 before and a champ 190 before that. It is faster and rides just as good as the 202. It fishes better. I've rode in the 521z and they ride ok. But nothing like the Phoenix. Resale is gonna be great they have done nothing but go up in value.

I just considered a phoenix....Personally I think they are overpriced for being a "Newer boat mfg" and comparing vs the top 4 mentioned I think they are ugly. However from the layout and speed and from what I hear the ride they must be doing something right.

I have the 819 and for a boat under 20' It has an amazing ride.

Ugly? That's a first

If you order now there's a good chance it will be an 18. There is a pretty long waiting list right now.

Lol, Ugly? so, nothing known about performance or if they are good boats? Take that comment for what it is worth. I currently have 2016 Skeeter FX21, I placed my phoenix order about 8 weeks ago 2017 921 PHX. will be rolling off the line on May 8th. Awesome boat and layout!

I think people put to much thought into which brand to buy. What they should be looking at is design and layout. You should decide if you want wider deck or narrower deck. See if a boat is limited to one motor(Skeeter-Yamaha & Nitro-Mercury for example). If you like that motor it's a non issue. Do you like a faster rig or is speed a non issue. Which boat has the storage set up to your liking. There are many questions to ask yourself. I own a Skeeter and fished out of just about every other brand out there and there just isn't a brand that just absolutely out classes the others IMO. So I say buy a boat that has the features and layout you want and don't just buy a name.

this is one of those posts that should be titled "WHAT DO YOU OWN"
i also agree slightly with the "ugly" comment --it looks like the person laying out the graphics got drunk at lunch then did the tail end of the side stripes

i agree with SAKS ---" there is a butt for every seat "

Here is my take on them. they are pretty boats, they are fast,and ride good. But my worry is something that will take time to prove out. I have owned 11 bass boaqts and the ONLY boat that after a few years that I haven't had to tighten a bunch of screws, replace a hinge or two, work on wiring is the 1 Ranger I own today. And for the record this boat is the only boat I have kept more than a couple of years and it is now 15 years old. I do plan to retire it next year and get another.
So there is no doubt that Phoenix boats are really good boats but will all of the little things stay together over time.

That is a ridiculous statement saying they are overpriced for being a Newer boat mfg". What does being a new company have to do with the price? So since they are new they should have a lower price than the others?? With that line of thinking I guess the oldest boat manufacturer should charge the most just because they have been building boats the longest, and not because of the quality of the product. That is just laughable. If the quality of the Phoenix is as good or better than the others, then why should they sell them for less? They are in it for a profit just like the others.

They are well made boats.

Maybe a better question is "Does anyone own a Phoenix and not like it?" If I ever sell my Phoenix it will only be to buy another one.

I've had my 721 since 2009. I love it.

You guys have proved my point

You're right I do own a Phoenix. I did one full year of searching and researching all boats before purchase . My partner owns a 13 Ranger z521 . I love the way the boat is built and how it fishes with the tm down. I also knew I wouldn't own a boat that I bring a extra cushion to sit on if the wind is over 20mph . Boats are big purchases for the non wealthy. If people want to come on here and discuss it , they have the right too . You can always keep on browsing past it if you care that much

We now fish every tournament out of my boat , and his next boat will be a phoenix

If I ever do decide to get another new boat i will check them out, right now i am in a new Triton and could not be happier, I guess i have the what do you have now syndrome, lol.

There's a reason why every boat brand is always compared to Ranger.

I sold my 12' Z521 and bought a year old 14' 921 a couple of years ago.

IMO, Ranger has better fit and finish and is a bit more stable with the TM down. Outfitted apples to apples, a new Ranger Z521 vs. Phoenix 921, is probably $10k more? I dont know for sure but I've seen $79,000+ price tags on new loaded Ranger Z521's which is insane to me.

My 921 is faster, it rides better, it's easy to work on and has a better trailer with shocks.

I bet I could sell my 921 in 2 weeks if I wanted to. My Ranger Z521 took 8 months.

They are both awesome boats as long as you don't pay too much for it you wont go wrong.

I believe the 2018s will be their tenth or eleventh year model? Don't know if that still qualifies as a "new" boat builder. And plenty of time has passed to answer the longevity/durability of build questions. Ride in em both and make a decision based on your needs.

I'm with brush hog. Wouldn't trade my 819 for nothing but another Phoenix.

Nope I think it is ugly also. Set it beside a Ranger or Skeeter and they just look like class compared to the graphics on the bird. Probably a great boat tho!

People are not doing this as much as they use to. I do agree the ranger is the best with the trolling motor down, but not by much. The Ranger has been the Class of bass boats for 40 years but they have not kept up on ride and some of the other things people look at in bass boats. They still are one of the best in resale but Phoenix right now is real close even on this. The fit and finish is still good in Ranger but this is one point you are starting to hear a little rumble about. I just don't think the gap is as wide as it once was still a great brand but if you want to stay on top you have to keep up and Phoenix as done a great job on closing the gap on the over all boat and a much better ride and lay out. I will say this is all just my opinion.

I personally can't get over the appearance of the Phoenix, this is why I have not taken the time to even consider the boat as a option. I am sure the quality and finish and all the above are very good. I have heard nothing but good stuff about them just think they are not a pretty boat regardless of color schemes.

Ranger1 you can always order and color the boat where the wings or graphics on side are all the same color then you wouldn't see the graphics you most likely don't like. I didn't like the graphics at first but it has grown on me after not getting my back and kidneys bruised when running in 30 MPH wind it is the softest ride in those waves for me.

I am just don't' agree to the soft ride aspect, I rode in a 921 and a Ranger z521 on the same day , same lake conditions and I thought the Ranger rode better, It dang sure has better seats in the boat compared to a Phoenix.

Some of the dash parts look cheap, I also think they are not a good looking boat, but I did like the trailer. IMO

A lot of guys are running them, so they must have something going for them.

do your own research, and go with your gut, none of us can make your decision,..good luck..

I know this is a Phoenix vs Ranger discussion but that someone would be considering a new boat and not consider the Charger 210 Elite staggers my imagination. I am a Champ guy and my local Champ dealer went Phoenix when ChampN was dissolved. He swears the ride is close to a Champion. Even if it is I looked at that 210 Elite at the Classic Expo and was very impressed. Only one Charger dealer in Texas I think and he is in Corsicana. Definitely worth looking at. Charger is an old company.

I switched over from Ranger to a Phoenix. It wasn't apples to apples though. My Ranger was a Z518 and my current Phoenix is a 920. My next boat will be Phoenix.

Exactly. This is what I was saying in my first post. Regardless of which brand you buy you will get a fantastic boat. You will love your boat regardless of the brand name if you buy the one that has everything you want the way you want it.

These posts make my head hurt. I do like my Phoenix though.

No offense intended, the "ugly" comment from a guy with a basscat pic in his signature is classic.

Actually after reading through the comments I see owners of other boats with nothing but good things to say about Phoenix. Either that or they will be making the switch to Phoenix on there next boat.

I like the Phoenix boats but if you want a dual console you loose some of the ability to access a couple of the left side storage areas because they will not open up all the way with the console in place.

That is the proverbial pot calling the kettle black.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

That's true for almost every single boat brand out there....

I forgot about the trailer having shocks. It's amazing the difference how it pulls going down the road. Litterely you can't tell it's behind the truck. It's a whole new experience pulling down the road. We went from a ranger to a Phoenix and don't regret it a bit. I'm sure if money were no option it would be Ranger all the way but the Phoenix is one heck of a boat and really don't compare and are not apples to apples. Ranger is foam filled and I haven't seen any foam on the Phoenix and you can hear the difference when waves hit the hull but the Phoenix is a rocket ship and the Ranger is a Cadillac. Fit and finish are top notch in the Phoenix in my opinion and have put a lot of thought into the layout. I do like the removable console because we typically don't like having it in the boat but in the dead of winter it's appreciated and very easy to install and remove.

My top 2 boat choices are Ranger then Phoenix in that order. Both are great.