BY DERREK STEWART
In the world of professional bass fishing, few names resonate with as much authority and experience as Brent Ehrler. Renowned for his relentless pursuit of excellence, and a long- standing record of tournament triumphs, Ehrler’s endorsement earns attention. His recent spotlight of the new 2025 Ranger Z520 brings both excitement and anticipation, as anglers look to understand what makes this vessel worthy of a champion’s praise.
Key Elements of Performance, Construction and the Angler Experience
The new Z520 features the same hull, top cap, and Ranger Trail Trailer as Ranger’s flagship R Series. However, through a few strategic modifications, Ranger has managed to reduce the price of the Z520 by about $10,000, while still providing exceptional quality and fishability that anglers can rely on.
Mercury Marine Power
Just like the R Series, this Z520 features a Mercury Pro XS 250 outboard engine. The Mercury Pro XS series is a testament to Mercury Marine’s commitment to high performance, advanced features, and reliability. With its impressive power, speed, enhanced torque, acceleration, and improved fuel economy, Mercury Marine has not just set, but defined the industry benchmark for outboard motors.
The stainless-steel ‘Slam Latches’ allow for quick and efficient access to compartments; simply push to close and pull to open. The compartments come standard with carpet-covered lids and fiberglass boxes. Additionally, lining the cockpit floor and storage compartments with carpet instead of traction pads offers significant cost savings for the Z520.
Front Deck Amenities
An insulated 40-quart step-up cooler ascends to the padded front casting deck. The front deck rod storage lockers feature an integral Ranger Echelon Rod Storage System. The power-ventilated rod storage accommodates rods up to 8 feet in length.
Safety, Comfort, and a Spacious Cockpit
The spaciously appointed cockpit has the comfort features Ranger Boat Owners have come to expect. Soft Ride Seating features bucket seats with color-matched fiberglass seat shells, custom-fitted premium marine upholstery, and integrated grab handles, complete the seating. Nestled between the cockpit seating is a roomy coin box that doubles as a back deck step.
Moving to the boat operator’s seat behind the console, the Z520 replaces the Ranger Ride touchscreen accessories monitoring system, which is standard on the R Series, with an analog push-button pad located to the right of the steering wheel. This strategic feature contributes to a substantial reduction in the price point of the Z520.
The Essence of Tournament Boats
At the heart of any great tournament boat is its platform—a foundation that determines stability, maneuverability, and overall fishability. While some models boast cutting-edge technology and luxury accessories, others prioritize dependable construction and straightforward functionality. It’s here that the value of a boat without all the extravagant features becomes evident.
“The Ranger Z520 is such a great tournament boat. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the Z520 R has, but it does have all the essentials that anglers need on the same platform, just less money when it comes to the bottom-line cost,” – Brent Ehrler.
The Pro’s Verdict: Why the Z520 Stands Out
Ehrler’s endorsement is not given lightly. His praise for the new Ranger Z520 is grounded in experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level. He sees the Z520 not just as a vessel, but as a competitive advantage—one that offers the speed, agility, and reliability to keep any angler at the top of their game, while also providing the comfort and fishability that help make every day on the water productive and enjoyable.
He is particularly impressed by Ranger’s responsiveness to angler feedback, noting that many of the Z520’s most effective features originated from conversations with pros like himself. This collaborative approach ensures that Ranger Boats evolves alongside the sport, staying relevant as technology and tactics advance.
Click HERE to check out the Ranger Z520 at Anglers Marine.
