- Joined
- Jul 7, 2012
- Location
- Westland, Mi, USA
Just wanted to post a note to thank eveyone at BBM for your answers and opinions to my posts...
Thanks for all the information, follow ups, and PM's.
After quite a bit of research and pricing for the past 6 months in Michigan, Kentucky, and North Carolina, I pulled the trigger last week and order a loaded Ranger Z119. For me a VMAX SHO was a must, I was originaly looking at the Ranger 518/519/119, the Skeeter ZX200, and the Phoenix 619/719. I narrowed down my "short list" over the past month to the Phoenix 619 and Ranger 119. I have been very lucky to be involved in boating most of my life, my family has owned everything from a 16ft Sports Pal canoe to a 50ft cruisers yatch with a 14ft RIB tender with a 20hp Honda four stroke. I was fortunate enough to get to ride and/or fish in a 619, 519, and 520 over this past year. I thought all were very nice rigs. Each with their +'s and -'s. I'm assuming some BBM members will be interested to hear my opinion on the 2 boats as I have seen several other members thinking of purchasing one of these 2 boats so here goes (these are obviously my opinions-Im no expert and are certainly open for scrutiny by others and their opinions, everybody likes different things and places different importance on different features).
Ride: I liked the Phoenix 619 in rougher water, it seemed to cut through the chop. the Ranger Z119 tended to ride over the chop a slap a bit. The Phoenix did seem to have a slightly "wetter" ride
Handling and tracking were a toss up-about equal
Fishability, I thought the Ranger felt a little more stable when fishing
I also thought the Ranger felt a little more solid and sound dampened (probably due to more foam in the nooks and crannies in the top cap and around the storage boxes?)
The Phoenix seemed to have more backwash tendency over the transom
Top end speed-Phoenix (not a big deal for me)
Hull construction is a toss-up, about equal in my opinion. I think both hulls will most likely outlast the motors and myself before I look at upgrading again. I have been in several Fiberglass factories over the years (but not an expert by any means). Steve Mense, the Phoenix mid-west sales rep (a really great guy) was kind enough to forward me a presentation showing the Phoenix manufacturing process, materials, and hull designs as well as talk to me for over an hour. My sales rep from my Ranger dealer and a sponsered pro, discussed the hull consrtuction with me at length, as well as there being plenty of information on the web regarding Ranger processes and materials. I dont think anyone can argue with the integrity of most of the Ranger hulls.
Design and Deck Materials:
I preferred the Ranger graphics and Hull/Top Cap design a little more than the Phoenix (aesthetically speaking) as well as the badging
The interior materials (carpet, Vinyl, consoles, switches, seats, glovebox, storage bins, trim panels, and lids) felt more plush to me in the Ranger, the consoles in particular is a more Spartan design in the Phoenix
The all stainless latches, gas pistons, cup holders and thru-hull fitting trim pieces were better than Rangers mixed bag of stainless/Chrome/polymer combinations (I will probably be changing some of them out over time)
I did not care for the lazy susan in the bow of the Phoenix, it seemed kind of cheep to me
I really liked the removeable console and the "TRUE" net storage in the Phoenix (neither offered in the Ranger)
Deck Layouts are very similar
I thought the Tandem Ranger Trail trailers were quite a bit nicer than the Phoenix Tamdem for the 619. The Phoenix requires many upgrades to come close to the Ranger Trail content and does not offer several options/content on the 619 that are on the Ranger Trail and available for the 19ft boats.
Lastly, I was very surprised comparing the pricing of the Ranger to the Phoenix. Not that I view one boat being significantly better that the other. I think each boat is a great rig and I would have been happy with either. From everything I have read and heard talking to people, I did expect to see the Phoenix to be priced significantly lower than the Ranger. That was not the case. Both boats equiped with the exact same equipment/motor, a tandom trailer and custom color scheme on the 119 (less the all-stainless latches and hatch pistons of coarse) was within $750 of each other. I did get the Ranger "Got You covered" promo included which is a free cover included in my custom order. The Phoenix boats may have been more affordable compared to the Rangers in the past but that is not the case I found over the past several months. I quoted these boats at dealers in Michigan, Kentucky, the Carolinas, and at Cabelas in Michigan. All the prices were within $1500 of each other
Major drivers for me choosing the Ranger:
1-Ranger Dealer 20 mins from my home (I like to do business and support my community if possible) and Dealer network when traveling with boat, nearest Phoenix dealer was over 2 hours away, not as many nationally
2-I did expect to see some significant savings in the Phoenix vs the Ranger (right or wrong) that could have swayed my opinion
3-I did prefer the styling and the graphics of the Ranger vs the Phoenix
All things considered they are pretty competive rigs compared to each other with slight trade offs.
So, here's what I ordered: Z119 (Pretty much loaded up like a 519 but several thousand $$$ cheaper). VMAX SHO, custom color hull/interior, dual console, tandem trailer, Z-Pack, HDS 8 in console, HDS 7 in bow, structure scan, Fortrexx, Power Pole
A special thanks to the following guys who are awesome to work with/very knowledgable if looking to buy the following brands of boats give them a call they are top notch:
Scott at Wonderland Marine in Michigan: Ranger Dealer I ordered my boat through
Jeff at Lake Drive Marine in Michigan: Phoenix/Skeeter Dealer
Rich at Wieda Marine in Kentucky: Phoenix/Skeeter Dealer
Rodney at Jeta Marina in Kentucky: Ranger Dealer
Steve Mense: Phoenix Mid-West Sales Manager
Thanks again,
Now I have to wait through the long, long Winter
Thanks for all the information, follow ups, and PM's.
After quite a bit of research and pricing for the past 6 months in Michigan, Kentucky, and North Carolina, I pulled the trigger last week and order a loaded Ranger Z119. For me a VMAX SHO was a must, I was originaly looking at the Ranger 518/519/119, the Skeeter ZX200, and the Phoenix 619/719. I narrowed down my "short list" over the past month to the Phoenix 619 and Ranger 119. I have been very lucky to be involved in boating most of my life, my family has owned everything from a 16ft Sports Pal canoe to a 50ft cruisers yatch with a 14ft RIB tender with a 20hp Honda four stroke. I was fortunate enough to get to ride and/or fish in a 619, 519, and 520 over this past year. I thought all were very nice rigs. Each with their +'s and -'s. I'm assuming some BBM members will be interested to hear my opinion on the 2 boats as I have seen several other members thinking of purchasing one of these 2 boats so here goes (these are obviously my opinions-Im no expert and are certainly open for scrutiny by others and their opinions, everybody likes different things and places different importance on different features).
Ride: I liked the Phoenix 619 in rougher water, it seemed to cut through the chop. the Ranger Z119 tended to ride over the chop a slap a bit. The Phoenix did seem to have a slightly "wetter" ride
Handling and tracking were a toss up-about equal
Fishability, I thought the Ranger felt a little more stable when fishing
I also thought the Ranger felt a little more solid and sound dampened (probably due to more foam in the nooks and crannies in the top cap and around the storage boxes?)
The Phoenix seemed to have more backwash tendency over the transom
Top end speed-Phoenix (not a big deal for me)
Hull construction is a toss-up, about equal in my opinion. I think both hulls will most likely outlast the motors and myself before I look at upgrading again. I have been in several Fiberglass factories over the years (but not an expert by any means). Steve Mense, the Phoenix mid-west sales rep (a really great guy) was kind enough to forward me a presentation showing the Phoenix manufacturing process, materials, and hull designs as well as talk to me for over an hour. My sales rep from my Ranger dealer and a sponsered pro, discussed the hull consrtuction with me at length, as well as there being plenty of information on the web regarding Ranger processes and materials. I dont think anyone can argue with the integrity of most of the Ranger hulls.
Design and Deck Materials:
I preferred the Ranger graphics and Hull/Top Cap design a little more than the Phoenix (aesthetically speaking) as well as the badging
The interior materials (carpet, Vinyl, consoles, switches, seats, glovebox, storage bins, trim panels, and lids) felt more plush to me in the Ranger, the consoles in particular is a more Spartan design in the Phoenix
The all stainless latches, gas pistons, cup holders and thru-hull fitting trim pieces were better than Rangers mixed bag of stainless/Chrome/polymer combinations (I will probably be changing some of them out over time)
I did not care for the lazy susan in the bow of the Phoenix, it seemed kind of cheep to me
I really liked the removeable console and the "TRUE" net storage in the Phoenix (neither offered in the Ranger)
Deck Layouts are very similar
I thought the Tandem Ranger Trail trailers were quite a bit nicer than the Phoenix Tamdem for the 619. The Phoenix requires many upgrades to come close to the Ranger Trail content and does not offer several options/content on the 619 that are on the Ranger Trail and available for the 19ft boats.
Lastly, I was very surprised comparing the pricing of the Ranger to the Phoenix. Not that I view one boat being significantly better that the other. I think each boat is a great rig and I would have been happy with either. From everything I have read and heard talking to people, I did expect to see the Phoenix to be priced significantly lower than the Ranger. That was not the case. Both boats equiped with the exact same equipment/motor, a tandom trailer and custom color scheme on the 119 (less the all-stainless latches and hatch pistons of coarse) was within $750 of each other. I did get the Ranger "Got You covered" promo included which is a free cover included in my custom order. The Phoenix boats may have been more affordable compared to the Rangers in the past but that is not the case I found over the past several months. I quoted these boats at dealers in Michigan, Kentucky, the Carolinas, and at Cabelas in Michigan. All the prices were within $1500 of each other
Major drivers for me choosing the Ranger:
1-Ranger Dealer 20 mins from my home (I like to do business and support my community if possible) and Dealer network when traveling with boat, nearest Phoenix dealer was over 2 hours away, not as many nationally
2-I did expect to see some significant savings in the Phoenix vs the Ranger (right or wrong) that could have swayed my opinion
3-I did prefer the styling and the graphics of the Ranger vs the Phoenix
All things considered they are pretty competive rigs compared to each other with slight trade offs.
So, here's what I ordered: Z119 (Pretty much loaded up like a 519 but several thousand $$$ cheaper). VMAX SHO, custom color hull/interior, dual console, tandem trailer, Z-Pack, HDS 8 in console, HDS 7 in bow, structure scan, Fortrexx, Power Pole
A special thanks to the following guys who are awesome to work with/very knowledgable if looking to buy the following brands of boats give them a call they are top notch:
Scott at Wonderland Marine in Michigan: Ranger Dealer I ordered my boat through
Jeff at Lake Drive Marine in Michigan: Phoenix/Skeeter Dealer
Rich at Wieda Marine in Kentucky: Phoenix/Skeeter Dealer
Rodney at Jeta Marina in Kentucky: Ranger Dealer
Steve Mense: Phoenix Mid-West Sales Manager
Thanks again,
Now I have to wait through the long, long Winter