Champion 206 versus Ranger 520

[LennyB]

Hi Guys,

I'm in the market for a brand New Boat and am going between a 2010 Champion 206 and 2010 Ranger 520. I have a 2004 VX185 Ranger now and love the quality of the boat but would like a drier and smoother ride on St. Clair's rough water. I think the Champion would be a smoother ride in rough water but not sure if the long term toughness is as good as the Ranger. Also is there much difference in the dryness in rough water of these two rigs. Any comments from guys who have experienced these bigger rigs is appreciated. Also do you think the extra 2 feet from what I have know will make a big difference on the Great Lakes.

Thanks, Len B.

[smbassman]

Yes - the extra 2 ft will definitely be worth it.

I don't have anything negative to say about the brands/boats you mentioned, but based the description of what you are looking for in a boat, you should really look at BassCat.  Smoother riding (might be equal to the Champ), drier and tougher hands down (quality and customer service is also better than any other boat company according to JD Powers).  Check out basscat.com and read through the owners board too.

I am not sponsored by anyone and my boat isn't new but I have spent a lot of time on the great lakes and can say without question, the BassCat will take a beating, is very dry and rides smooth in rough water.  I have been looking at possibly getting a new boat also and I never considered getting any other brand.

Good Luck with your purchase!

[TheFishinPollock]

I've had the same 17 foot Champ  for 23 years. Best boat I ever road in, fished outa , ect ect.  I spend alot of time on traverse bays and it handles the water just fine. Granted  its fine as long as it is not a stupid windy day.  No bassboat will handle 3+ footers well. I don't care what brand ya got.   But for lighter winds   and less than 2 footers  I'd take the Champ.   Granted I'm a tad biased, but to me the Champ's dont have all the frilly crap( trim and such) that alot of other brands do.  Basscat is a nice boat along the lines of a Champ, but I have found they are always more expencive. Hell, mine even cut a dock in half and did a james bond'er and never fractured. yes it was the most stupid situation I have ever put myself in. But to me it showed the Champ was a strong , sound boat.   There is a difference in the Mountain Home boats compared to the Murfeesburo boats.  Even the rep that took us on the factory tour  prefered the  AK boats to the TN boats.   But it all boils down to , what do you want to pay.    Hope this helps ya

TFP 

[LennyB]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the Input so far. One thing I'd like to add that I just heard from a form dealer is that for 2011 the Champions are being redesigned. Rumor is they are supposed to have the Champion hull with a Stratos deck. I hope they make it tough enough for the great lakes. I always told myself if Champion would finish their boat off like a Ranger, (tackle storage, deck hardware, injected foam cavities and such), I would buy one. I'm hoping these new rigs keep the deeper V and are polished off to Ranger's quality. Just my opinion.

Len B.

[bigjc]

Champs are not what they used to be, Check out Legend Boats  www.ridewithalegend.com

The Legend basically uses the old Champ hull.  Great quality boat! Great customer service!

[smbassman]

I don't think a Legend Rep would agree that the current Hulls are old Champ hulls.  They claim to be brand new designs though they are very similar to the old Champs and also similar to the Viper, Cobra, Hawk, ...... and probably 2-3 other manufacturers that Jon Storie helped design.  Decent ride, but in no way were these old hulls dry riding.  I really don't know much about the new Legends to comment on them but JC is correct, the new wide Champs don't ride as well as the old narrow ones.

Regarding the new Champion.  Actually Champion will no longer be a manufacturer name.  They are becoming part of Stratos, kind of like a premium line of Stratos, and will be called the Stratos Champion Elite.  But they are consolodating manufacturing from Tenn back to Arkansas.  I assume it will be added into the Ranger factory since they are all one company, but I am not sure. 

I still think you need to look at BassCat, set up a ride on the Great lakes and decide for yourself.  I know Sherm's Marine in Indiana will find you someone with a new Cat to take you out.  He has a lot of customers in MI.  I am sorry if I seem pushy, I just know how well I like mine and I am sure most people would put them at the top of their list for a great lakes bass boat after riding in one.  My previous boat was a Ranger(21.5ft) and there is no way I would go back.

Again, good luck and enjoy whatever boat you choose.

[SethV]

The Z520 or Z521 would be my choice.  I run a Z21 and love it on the big water.  My next one will be a Z521.  I have never owned a Champion, but I can tell you that Ranger's customer service and quality are fantastic.  Big water tears stuff up, I don't care what brand it is.  Ranger has always provided first class service!

[oldjigger]

they have always been a great boat.  they have never been the smoothest riding boat no matter whom drove them.  I've owned 3 of them in the 80's and 90's and ridden in the 520's in the 2000's They are a great fishing platform and a very well built boat just not the (by far) best riding boat out there

[djkimmel]

I drove a Ranger Z21 with a 250 Yamaha HPDI 160 to 170 miles that day in the last FLW through some of the roughest water I've ever been in on Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River from Elizabeth Park to the far East end of St. Clair to way up the South Channel to other channels over the Anchor Bay and back down to Elizabeth Park.

Dry ride. I was not sore thanks to the way the hull rode over the waves and those awesome SRS seats despite the horrible waves of all sizes and direction, and bigger than normal. There was at least one fishing boat rolled that day that had to be rescued. Vic Vatalaro was involved in helping. It was bad.

That was my real Z21 test and I was completely impressed. Not sore. Not wet. Great gas usage for such rough water. Got around the lake with very good speed. I did not see the handful of things others have claimed. I spent the next few weeks wishing I could trade in my very old Great Lakes survivor 492VS for a new Z21.

I like the Z hulls. They have performed well every time I've driven them on Erie and St. Clair. Many boaters seem to prefer the 520 series hulls. I really liked the 521, but I think the Z hull is softer and drier. Awesome ride with the fantastic Ranger fishability.

The Z520 is very, very popular with its owners. I just have not driven one through the gauntlet myself yet to be able to know first hand.