Ranger Z21 Comanche NASCAR

By Capt. Bob Smith

Test Captain

This year we tested three 2006 models for Ranger Boats at Beaver Lake in Arkansas, which is located up in the Ozarks. The FLW was hosting a tournament at the same time, so I was able to see how these competition anglers dress up their boats for tournament angling. No wonder Ranger came up with a NASCAR boat. The boats looked like stock car racers on the water!

The Z21 is one step away from the top of the line in Ranger’s bass boat series. Ranger has put years of engineering and competitive results into building a bass rig that will get you on top of the water and to the hole faster than the rest, with both the control and durability you have come to expect from them. Everything from the trailer to the transom has been studied, improved and enhanced to deliver years of service and to keep you safe and in competition style with this 2005 model.

Trailer Package

The Z21 Comanche package includes a 5000 lbs. capacity dual axle trailer. Their trailers are heavy duty and designed for the long run. Ranger treats each one with a patented Road Armor that protects them from chips and scratches trailers normally begin to succumb to early. They also have a unique liquid lubrication system that bathes the bearings in oil and has a sight cup, so you can easily tell when it needs to have some added. Fiberglass fenders with built-in step pads as well as a swing away tongue and another large step pad make boarding while on the trailer safer. They have a unique center mount trailer jack that keeps the jack further back and out of the way from the tongue. LED lights are bright and practically fool proof.

Standard Fishing Features

A Minn Kota 74 24-volt trolling motor comes standard and is mounted on the port side of the bow. Dual Garmin 250 depth finders are mounted with one at the bow and the other at the dash. Digital switching controls are also at the peak and the dash. In addition, you also have trim, lights, and accessory controls here.

The expansive bow casting deck has Ranger’s custom rail system, which runs the water away from the lockers, encloses the locks and has a coating to keep them cooler than the carpet on the deck in the sun. Port lockers include dry storage and a cooler just forward of the companion pod. A large center locker is a tremendous sized rod organizer. The starboard locker is dry storage with a baitwell just forward of the helm pod. You can lock rods on the dock with the rod buckles while going from hole to hole. If you like, you can add a casting seat in the bow, or leave it out so two can work fish from the bow.

Comfort at the Helm

The Z21 features Soft Ride seating across with room for three riders. The center seat flips down to form a good step to the aft casting deck so you won’t have to worry about wrecking your cushions. Our model had the optional dual console with a glove box and windshield to deflect air. The helm has multifunction gauges for keeping an eye on engine performance at a quick glance. A performance wheel with hydraulic steering is standard. Digital ignition and switches make hopping from one hole to the other less cumbersome. Livewell controls are located under the driver’s elbow on the wall for easy access. A 12-volt receptacle is also under the throttle for portable gear hook-up.

The aft casting deck dry storage boxes are separated by a recirculating, aerated livewell with pump out and venture air. Across the stern on the casting deck are three hatches which give you access to the battery, oil, and charger. When needed, another casting chair can be inserted in the aft casting deck.

Specs

The Z21 Comanche measures in at 21’2” overall length and has a beamy 7’11’’ for a much more stable casting platform. A 10-inch setback at the stern helps prevent the back wash often suffered when you slow down at the no wake borders. This model is rated for 200-250-hp outboards and can be rigged for just about any manufacturer’s engines. Transom height is 23 inches and she weighs 1,875 lbs. with a single console, and 1,900 lbs. with the dual console. The Z21 carries two 24-gallon fuel cells for a total of 48-gallons fuel capacity.

Handling and Performance

Our test boat was equipped with a Yamaha 250-hp HPDI outboard. The Z21 was fast to plane in just 2.7 seconds and was cruising along at 30 mph in only 6.7 seconds. She cruised most economically at 3000 rpm traveling 30.4 mph, with a fuel burn of 6.7 gph and a range of about 196 miles. The Z21 topped out at 5700 rpm running 69.9 mph, which gave us a range of 134 miles. The Z21 handled like the champ and easily pushed up to top speeds. The handling was solid, even as the water got choppy from other competitors flying by on their way to the next hole. Keep in mind that while we usually test with minimal loads, this one was loaded with a tournament load of fishing gear, ½ tank of fuel, full cooler of ice and drinks, and two guys.

If you are looking for a competitive bass rig that will give you years of service and consider safety a priority, you can count on the Ranger Z21 Comanche. These boats are engineered for speed, reliability, and exceptional flotation.

Speeds measured with Stalker ProSports radar gun. Fuel consumption (gallons per hour) measured with Floscan digital fuel-flow meter on gas inboards, sterndrives, and outboards, TechMate electronic scan tool on gas EFI inboards, Caterpillar digital fuel-flow meter on diesel engines, or permanently installed fuel-monitoring equipment. Range is based on 90% of published fuel capacity. Sound levels determined using Radio Shack digital decibel meter on A scale. 68 dBA is the level of normal conversation.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions