I have a little bit of a delima. Not a bad one but a good one. I currently have a 2004 ZX225 with a VZ225 and have had no problems with since I have had it. I will be in the market to get a new (or 2007) boat around boat show time. Sooner if the deal arises. I have heard nothing but good things from both sides. I have never been in the 20i but I have fished from a Z20. I like what I see from both. What are some of the better features from either side of the fence. I do not have alot of experience with more than one dealership, which I would probably not buy from them again (not a bad experience just personally). I know most will say drive then decide but I am looking for opinions (I know opinions are like ********).

I am about to leave to hit the deer woods, will respond once I return on Sunday.

the 20i is THE ultimate boat out there right now.. in speed, and handling... my opinion. uppers 70's, with the angle on the bow to cut the waves... very different ride than the ZX series... its like apples and oranges.

20i with the 250HPDI, no need to ride and decide. :THUMB:

Skeeter Ronnie find me a 20i with a 250 yamaha running in the upper 70's and you have a boat they left a ton of glass or something out of or the motor has been beefed up. My Z-9 with a 225PRO XS runs with any 20i with a 250yamaha and in chop I pass the 20i. I passed several of them at Falcon every day. I have been in a new Z520 and it does ride better than the Z20 or that might have been because I was driving it. I know one of my partners 519vx Ranger with a 200etec runs with the 20i with 250 yamaha. Between the 2 I would have to go with the 20i.

well.. the guys at Kilgore had a friend's up in that range... empty of course... tourney load always knocks 3-4 mph off any boat.

and of course Tim, you are the greatest, and your boats the best ......

Skeeter Ronnie,
Now we both know "Kernando the Great" is the greatest and as far as which boat is the best well that is a question that has no answer.

I sure hope the new Z520 has a better ride than the Z21s do. I have ridden in a 07 and 08 Z21 and they will beat you to death and are lead sleds...Lucky to get 68mph...The 07 I class i rode in had a great ride...The ranger is probably a little better after you turn the key off but getting there will cause back surgery soon!!!!

The driver can play a huge part in the way a boat performs. Trust me!

I would keep resale in mind as well. As much as boats cost these days, the Ranger will hold its value much longer.

I was riding with VERY experienced drivers and I personally drove the 08...i have also OWNED a 2004 521 and it was the roghest and wettest boat i have ever been in. Too bad FLW is Ranger sponsored or the two new boats I was talking about would not have been purchased....Like I said I would like to see how the new hull does on the Z520

Sounds like to me you are after a 20' boat. If I had to run a 20'er (Nitro does not make one) It would be a Triton 20X2 w/250 Pro XS with out question.

If it had to be a 20i or z20, I would go with the Z20, just because you can put the Merc Proxs 250 on it, and it should run with the 20i. I like the Ranger deck better, but the Skeeter will probably run rough water a little better.

Looked at a Alpha 211?

If You put a 250 on a Z20, wont be able to Fish alot of T's - ie, rated 225.( I looked at that possibility to get some speed out of the ol' Z Boat) Buddy told Me their are some last Years Z20's floating around that could be bought right( FLW Camera Boats)-

The Z520 is rated for 250 and is 20ft.

i wish i was on a prostaff so i could trump all other brands with the greatest boat ever built (that gives me a better deal to say just that).

being that i'm not (thank god, i *deleted snide comment regarding prostaffers*), my opinion is this:

if you want to go fast, get a bullet. there is a reason they are called BULLETS!! others go fast too, but by and large similarly classed mass produced boats are fairly close to each other on the big end, so long as everyone actually knows how to drive.

if you want it to ride well, don't buy a bass boat. they're all flat on the bottom, they are all built to punch you in the kidneys in rough water. they ride like [censored]. if they rode well they wouldn't float in 18 inches of water. period. dumbest thing anybody talks about regarding bass boats is how they ride.

if you actually want to GO BASS FISHING, you should probably look into what each boat has to offer from a fishing standpoint. see if you can keep the TM in the water on a windy day in open water. can you stand on the deck comfortably? access your gear? do you store your gear in your boat, if so, is it easy for you to organize? can you easily view your electronics from where you will be standing or sitting? i could go on and on, but you should be getting it by now. how does it FISH? because if you're buying a BASS BOAT, isn't that what you're spending $50,000 on???

having said all of that, i'd go with a good dealer, the 20i because it's been out for a couple of years and all the bugs should be worked out of it by now. i HATE buying new models that allow me to participate in manufacturers debugging.

all of this may change if someone wants to sponsor me.

Good luck and good fishing!!

Unless you just want a change the Zx225 is a awesome boat from Skeeter,I think I have had 9 of them and just can't seem to go to the 20I Both boats are awesome the price is a little different .
I have a 8 month old Zx 225 HPDI 225 bought in April 07 ,white, red ,black and silver,grey seats, gray carpet
Single or dual console ,Boat is loaded with Minn-Kota 101 Pro with pro assist ,four bank charger,Lowance 332c color/gps, Lowrance 135 bow ,Hot foot
Moor-mates, padded front deck ,hyber-net,swing away tongue, fiberglass trailer, disc brakes ,alum wheels ,this boat is water ready.
This boat performs as good as it looks.
the ride of the zx series has changed in 3 years I will put
my Zx against any boat on the market for total performace
I am selling this boat at the right price for a almost new 07
34,900 see photos at guideonlakefork.com