If there were an animated movie about bass boats, the Ranger Z521L Comanche would have Clint Eastwood’s voice and John Wayne’s swagger. It’s that good, that American, and its reputation is known by every bass fisherman in the world.
The Comanche platform has evolved over decades as solid, stable and reliable. In fact, many a decades-old Comanche, once forgotten in bass fishing’s back country, has been reclaimed from oblivious neglect with little more than wet sanding and recarpeting. That durability comes from a pultruded transom, factory cast under tension for uncompromising true rigidity. It’s bonded to the hull and stringer system. Then, as with all Rangers since the beginning, the hull voids are filled with rot-proof, waterproof, rigid foam filling that makes the boat ride as firm as it is unsinkable.
When the throttle is applied, the Comanche rears up like when Eastwood or Wayne nudged his horse with spurs, then it stretches its neck forward, eager to run — often well in excess of 70 mph.
As solid as the hull is, the styling is equally unforgettable, unique and exciting. Stainless-steel trim, tool holders, an integrated measuring board slot, cup holders, a boarding ladder and grab handles disguised as transom louvers just scratch the surface of the Comanche look. The helm is modern, amply adorned with chrome and angular like a stealth aircraft, with a large chart plotter / sonar display. Add a second helm for your passenger if you wish. Both are designed to protect rod tips in a slot between gunwale and helm.
Tackle storage up front has Ranger’s custom ventilation system to care for your tackle when its “rode hard and put away wet.” Rod storage systems hold well over a dozen rods, and you’ll be able to clear your garage of tackle by keeping it in the dedicated compartments on board the Ranger. Tool holders at the bow and the step to the front deck keep fishing pliers and cutters in place. A cooler under the step is for drinks and sub sandwiches, and the console step to the transom platform keeps phones and other small gear safe.
When it’s time for a bass fisherman to fill his hands, the Z521L will make his day.
High Points
- Remote drain-plug control eliminates the hunt for a lost plug.
- LED lights throughout all compartments ease access to contents in low light.
- Fishing tools are kept handy by built-in holders near the trolling motor and the step to the front deck.
- Mercury’s new V-8 FourStroke is powerful and quiet, making for a quick, comfortable ride to the fishing grounds.
- You can choose the hull and interior colors to match your taste.
- Boarding ladder springs into place.
Price: $72,095
How We Tested
Engine: Mercury Pro XS 250 FourStroke
Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Fury 14″ x 23″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.85:1
Fuel Load: 33 gal.
Crew Weight: 400 lb.
Ranger Boats – Flippin, Arkansas; 870-453-2222; rangerboats.com
