Ranger is a well-known brand for fishing boats and pontoons. They make a solid line of bass boats and a line of Deep-V boats for bigger water. The Bay series of fiberglass center consoles are worth a look for for coastal fishermen.
Not to be undone, Ranger pontoons have a mixture of features customized on a handful of platforms that provide ideal fishing or cruising experiences or both.
Grab your fishing poles, and let’s dive into Ranger’s impressive boat lineup.
While Ranger’s target market is undeniably the freshwater fishing sector, their Bay series saltwater boats are great choices for near-shore anglers on the coast. Sizes range from 23 to 26 feet long, and all are powered by single Mercury Pro or Verado outboards.
The 2360 Bay is the smallest Ranger saltwater boat and the only one priced below $100,000. With a starting price of $89,999, a standard Mercury 250, and an included tandem trailer, the 2360 is the right size and price to make the perfect first boat for fishing places like the Florida Keys, Chesapeake Bay, or the Bayous and bays of the Gulf Coast.
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Of course, Ranger, a brand owned by Bass Pro Group, is known for their bass boats! These boats are divided into two groups, the Z Commanche and the Z500/Z100 series.
The Z520R is a Z Commanche series boat with all the bells and whistles you’ll want to get fishing in no time. It comes loaded with Lowrance fishfinders, a nine-inch touchscreen control center, LED lighting throughout, a trolling motor, and tons of rod and tackle storage built-in.
With the Ranger Cup package, the helm tech equips the angler with real-time info and on-the-fly data about the trip, the water and engine stats. The Z500/Z100 boats are built on the same hulls and with the same technologies but are bargain-priced to get you on the water with less damage to the bank account.
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A bass boat dedicated both to family activities and fishing, the 19-foot Ranger VS1882SC Reata might seem like a compromise between angling for fish and spending quality time with the wife and kids.
For less than $50k, a very able vessel with bells, whistles and a trailer comes water-ready.
As a VS model, this one is the most versatile of Ranger’s boats, but that also limits it to bigger water. On the other hand, it’ll cope with waves and weather more stably than most small water bass boats.
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Ranger’s pontoon boat offerings are anything but revolutionary. These are classic pontoon boats: plywood decks built on two tubes and then customized with various layouts. The 220FC has 24-inch pontoons, while the 223FC has 26-inch tubes. This gives the 223FC a little more stability in chop and more carrying and horsepower capacity. Beyond that, the two boats share similar layouts and designs.
There are four variations of Ranger pontoons to choose from: Luxury, Fishing, Cruising, or Fishing and Cruising. Every boat should be as versatile as possible, so the Fishing and Cruising (FC) line, and especially this one–should catch the attention of fishers and families..
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All Ranger boats are made in their Flippin factory in Arkansas, with quality and craftsmanship honed by generations.
Ranger is a manufacturer of freshwater fishing and pontoon boats. They are best known for their fiberglass and aluminum bass boat lines. They also make a line of saltwater center console fishing boats for bay and near-shore use.
The Ranger brand was purchased by Bass Pro Group in 2014, which also owns the Tracker, Nitro, and Triton brands of bass boats, the Sun Tracker and Regency brands of pontoon, and many other boat and ATV makers. The company also owns the Bass Pro Shops retail destinations and many sporting and hunting clubs worldwide.
Ranger celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. The first boats were built in Flippin, Arkansas, by Forrest and Nina Wood.
The company has long been a pioneer in the freshwater boating industry. They were among the first to incorporate new USCG floatation standards into their boats. They were also the first company to add aerated live wells, an invention that led to catch-and-release tournaments, one of the industry’s most successful conservation efforts.
Ranger’s mission and vision remain unchanged to this day. They aim to build the highest-quality boats on the water. They specifically target the bass, multi-species, fish and play, saltwater, waterfowl utility, and pontoon boat markets.
The Ranger factory in Flippin, Arkansas is open to the public for tours.
Ranger’s product lineup is divided into four classes of boats: fiberglass fishing boats, aluminum boats, saltwater bay boats, and pontoon boats. In each class, there are variations and layouts to suit any boater.
Rangers have always been built by anglers for anglers, which shows in their product lineup. Even boats billed as ‘family’ or ‘cruising’ are technically “fish and play” boats that can do both.
These are small freshwater boats aimed mostly at inland anglers. The Ranger bass boat is probably the best-known model. Bass boats come in two versions, the loaded, top-of-the-line Z Commanche series and the budget-friendly Z500/Z100 series.
There are also Deep-V boats for bigger water and Fish and Play boats that feature more space for the family.
Ranger aluminum boats are similarly divided, with options from the RT-series bass boats to RB-series inshore and VX/VS-series Deep-V style hulls. All are appointed for freshwater fishing, but the VS and RB boats also do a good job of adding seating and space for family trips.
While Ranger makes their name in freshwater boats, their Bay-series fiberglass saltwater line is worth a look. These are classic center-console fishing boats, built smaller to suit bay and near-shore fishing. They’re popular in places like the Florida Keys, where you can spend the calm morning out on the reef or fishing weed lines in the Gulf Stream, then head to the shallow backcountry for an afternoon of chasing snapper or permit.
These boats have a minimal draft to suit exploring shallow bays and estuaries. But they also feature a well-designed hull for cutting through a little chop. They’re available in sizes from 23 to 26 feet long with up to 400 horsepower.
Finally, Ranger makes four lines of pontoon boats: Luxury, Fishing, Cruising, and Fishing and Cruising. All share a similar design and vary only in layout and accessories. Fishing boats have more swivel seats and fishing stations while cruising boats favor large sun lounges and bench seating.
Ranger makes unique boats, but they are not alone in their industry.
What makes them stand out is their blend of boat styles to suit any body of water. No matter where you live, you can find a Ranger boat that suits where you want to go boating and fishing.
Ranger makes high-quality boats priced in the market’s mid-range compared to other makers. Their closest competitors are Crestliner and Triton.
Nitro and Lund are other brands to consider in the bass boat and in-land fishing market. For utility and jon boats, Boat & Sail Magazine has created a thorough guide that has some great options.
If you like Ranger’s saltwater Bay series, you’ll also want to check out other hybrid bay boats from Boston Whaler, Mako, Yellowfin, and Everglades.
In the pontoon market, check out Boat & Sail Magazine’s guide to the best pontoon boats.
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