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Tagged: Margay vs Ranger
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I’m looking to purchase a 17’ boat. The Ranger Z175 and the Margay are my two top boats. I’ve heard that the Margay has some issues with weight distribution with the gas tank and batteries being on the left side especially with a passenger. Any feedback from Margay owners in this? Also any feedback on the Ranger vs Margay would be helpful as well.
I may be of a little help. Early this year, I sold a 2008 Ranger with 150 Opti and bought a 2015 Margay with Pro XS. So, the newness of the Cat may make a big difference. Anyway, yes I do notice the weight issue with a passenger, but it’s only during the first few seconds of hole shot. After that, it’s non-existent. The differences in performance between my two hulls came down to a few things. Hole shot was outstanding with both. Ranger got up on pad way faster that the Margay which has “plowing” issues-meaning, the bow doesn’t get up until you’re going fast enough to get air under the hull. I HATE this. OTOH, I never got the porpoising issue on the Ranger under control, and I tried various props an engine heights. Zero porpoising with the Margay. Having said the above, I finally found a prop that significantly helps the Margay hull which is the Croxton Razor 4XL. Totally transformed my boat. In fact, without that prop, I probably would have sold this boat by now. I now get the hull up in the low 40s instead of 48 with Tempest and Trophy.
Other than the porpoising, I also had issues with the Ranger layout. No idea if the boat you’re looking at had these. No storage for wallet/keys/etc. No ice chest. Margay has lots of this type storage and a well placed ice chest.
Another major difference. I hate the Margay livewell system and “switches’. There is no basic power switch. I have no idea how to add accessories. There is no timer on fresh water, only on aerate. While the system does a decent job of pump out, it doesn’t pump out every ounce. The single divided well drains into the bilge. I had no idea the first time out, and I nearly filled my boat with water.
Last comparison. Trailer. Ranger trailer was vastly superior. It was thicker, and had brakes. No brakes on the 3” Margay trailer and it is flimsy AF. When I lower the engine and engage the transom saver, the bottom part of the trailer bends like mad. The whole trailer can be flexed an amazing amount.
I am considering selling my boat because I really think I could fit a PII in my garage.
PMantle:
I may be of a little help. Early this year, I sold a 2008 Ranger with 150 Opti and bought a 2015 Margay with Pro XS. So, the newness of the Cat may make a big difference. Anyway, yes I do notice the weight issue with a passenger, but it’s only during the first few seconds of hole shot. After that, it’s non-existent. The differences in performance between my two hulls came down to a few things. Hole shot was outstanding with both. Ranger got up on pad way faster that the Margay which has “plowing” issues-meaning, the bow doesn’t get up until you’re going fast enough to get air under the hull. I HATE this. OTOH, I never got the porpoising issue on the Ranger under control, and I tried various props an engine heights. Zero porpoising with the Margay. Having said the above, I finally found a prop that significantly helps the Margay hull which is the Croxton Razor 4XL. Totally transformed my boat. In fact, without that prop, I probably would have sold this boat by now. I now get the hull up in the low 40s instead of 48 with Tempest and Trophy.
Other than the porpoising, I also had issues with the Ranger layout. No idea if the boat you’re looking at had these. No storage for wallet/keys/etc. No ice chest. Margay has lots of this type storage and a well placed ice chest.
Another major difference. I hate the Margay livewell system and “switches’. There is no basic power switch. I have no idea how to add accessories. There is no timer on fresh water, only on aerate. While the system does a decent job of pump out, it doesn’t pump out every ounce. The single divided well drains into the bilge. I had no idea the first time out, and I nearly filled my boat with water.
Last comparison. Trailer. Ranger trailer was vastly superior. It was thicker, and had brakes. No brakes on the 3” Margay trailer and it is flimsy AF. When I lower the engine and engage the transom saver, the bottom part of the trailer bends like mad. The whole trailer can be flexed an amazing amount.
I am considering selling my boat because I really think I could fit a PII in my garage.
Curious what trolling motor you have up front?
Thanks for the reply – the Margay I’m looking at is a 2017 with merc 115 dual console with a 80lb thrust TM.
the Ranger is a 2020 model with same motor and 70lb TM
I still really like the BC in looks and layout but The flexing on the trailer is somewhat worrisome for me.
The reason I ask is the Minn Kota is much heavier than the Motorguide, that and visibility/drag is why I went with the latter. A smaller 115hp is going to be even more weight sensitive, you could step up to the Sabre which comes with the original 4” trailer as not sure if it’s an option on the Margay being it’s meant to be a more economical entry boat.
The trailer does not flex with the boat sitting on it making it rigid. They are a 3” frame and in all the hundreds we’ve built we have no issues with them. They do flex without the boat and they are intended to.
Can’t find a Sabre in Texas right now. Still leaning to the Margay . Will continue to do research. I have read and heard a few same concerns on line and from other BC owners but also hear similar issues with Ranger. I appreciate the honest feedback as a $30k investment is a big deal.
Going to post one more time in hopes of feedback: I ran a 2007 17-1/2’ skeeter with a 115 for 10 years that suited my needs as a weekend warrior with a few local tournaments mixed in. I felt that boat took wakes and the occasional bad weather pretty good. Looking at the new 2021 zx150 skeeter I see not a whole lot change in layout other than a ice chest and 150hp motor @ $40k drive of the lot price tag. I really like the Margay especially the used unit I’m looking at for mid $20’s with a 115hp and upgrades of hot foot blinker trim and 80lb trolling motor. Am I over thinking the buy?
Margay is a 2017 with the upgrades listed.
A 2021 Ranger z175 is also on my list as it is within my budget and don’t want to get locked into a 15+ year finance commitment.
The ZX150 is 500lbs heavier than the Margay or Z175, the Ranger is only rated for a 115hp. The best performing boat of the 3 is the Margay with a 150, but I’d price out a Sabre with a 150 if the ZX150 is in the budget as it fishes bigger than an 18’ boat and is the same weight as Margay meaning it’ll be quicker than the Skeeter and handles rough water no problem.
Thanks for the reply Wheelman!
The Sabre is a $40k boat and out of my range but would love it if it was. They are also hard to find and probably for good reason. Would I be disappointed in the performance of the Margay with a 115 on the back?
Ive got a 2020 Margay with a Mercury 115 Pro XS. I actually love the boat. The fit and finish couldn’t be better. I did a detailed review on the Ultimate Bass forum under the the BassCat group.
As far as the weight distribution, I usually fish by myself or bring my wife along with no issues. We are both pretty small in stature so I’m sure that makes a difference. When I took my 300 plus pound brother in law fishing, we really leaned to the passenger side because of the weight difference (I’m 165). I’m sure this would be an issue in any boat. I have the weight evenly distributed and have no issues by myself or with my wife or daughter.
I have a 70 lb. Minkota and it is perfect for what I need. I fish the St. John’s River in minimal current with no problems.
I had to go with the 115 and 3″ jack in order to fit everything in my garage. Pay attention to your prop as my top end isn’t where I want it to be yet so I’m trying to find the right prop(s) to test.
I’d be glad to help or answers any questions.
I can’t speak to the margay / sabre but I can at least speak to the 3 inch trailer. I have a 2019 Pantera Classic with a 3inch channel. I do not noticed any issues with flex or anything while towing. The only place flex becomes noticeable is as per what another forum goer said, that when you put the transom saver on you need to get the pressure just enough to secure it but not too hard that it flexes way too much. That is about the only negative about it I have so far.
As to your question of if you would be disappointed in the performance of a Margay with a 115, that really depends on what your expectations are. My classic by most people’s opinion probably underperforms due to the fact I am running a 150HP instead of a 200. But it is quick out of the hole and doesn’t suffer from weight issues until you really get it loaded down with full livewells and 2 large guys, or even 3 people. So for me it does mostly everything I expect it to do, just with less top end speed than some boats.
I agree only you can answer whether the 115 will be enough, not sure of your expectations and just don’t want you to be disappointed. You can always go down in pitch to help holeshot, but then top end isn’t as good. I’ll ask this question as I feel it’s a fair comparison, would you order a truck with a V6 or V8? Personally I’d only choose the latter, but some are perfectly content with a V6. It’ll get from point A to B just like a 115hp will, hope that helps.
Lol wheelman – I drive a Eco boost V6 f150 right now it does fine for me.
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