Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 vs Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 or the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006?

For trailering, the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 has the edge at 65 lbs dry weight versus 176 lbs for the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 tops out at 60 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 measures 95" wide, compared to 83" for the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 or the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006?

The Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 17 gallons on the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 and Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 and the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 are built by Ranger. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 vs Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006

Ranger

Ranger 168 Phantom 2005

2005

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Ranger

Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 vs Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 vs Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 has a 140-hp advantage over the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005's 60-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 carries 24 gallons versus 17 gallons in the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeRanger

Model168 PHANTOM

ModelZ20 Comanche Series

Model Year2005

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam83 in

Beam95 in

Beam - Meters2.11

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Inches83

Beam - Inches95

Depth - Detail11 1/2 in

Depth - Detail22 in

Depth - Centimeters30.48

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Inches11.5

Depth - Inches22

Weight - DetailDeck/Hull: 650 lbs

Weight - Detail1,735 lbs. with single console 1,760 lbs. with dual console

Weight - kg294.83

Weight - kg798.32

Weight - lbs.65

Weight - lbs.176

Height [transom]21 in

Height [transom]23 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Meters5.11

Length overall - Meters6.22

Length overall - Inches201

Length overall - Inches245

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail(1) 17 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail(2) 24 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters64.35

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal17

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Engine max60 hp

Engine max200-225 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs

Maximum capacity1,700 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailGVWR (2,675 lbs.)

Trailer - DetailDual axle trailer GVWR (5,000 lbs.)

Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 4 in. w/Motor Down 18 ft. 4 in. w/Motor Down & Swing-Away Tongue Open

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 6 in. with motor down 23 ft. 6 in. with swing-away tongue open

Trailer - Width90 in

Trailer - Width102 in

Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 vs Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 or the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006?

For trailering, the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 has the edge at 65 lbs dry weight versus 176 lbs for the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 tops out at 60 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 measures 95" wide, compared to 83" for the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 or the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006?

The Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 17 gallons on the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 and Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 and the Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 are built by Ranger. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Ranger 168 Phantom 2005 full specs ← Ranger Z20 COMANCHE SERIES 2006 full specs