When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Ranger 168 Phantom 2011 and the Ranger Z20 Comanche 2008 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Ranger 168 Phantom 2011 measures 16,7 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 14,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Ranger Z20 Comanche 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Ranger Z20 Comanche 2008 tips the scales at 1 735 lbs — 1 670 lbs less than the Ranger 168 Phantom 2011 at 65 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Ranger Z20 Comanche 2008 has a 165-hp advantage over the Ranger 168 Phantom 2011'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 2008 carries 48 gallons versus 17 gallons in the Ranger 168 Phantom 2011. 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 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Ranger 168 Phantom 2011 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 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Ranger 168 Phantom 2011 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Ranger Z20 Comanche 2008. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Ranger Z20 Comanche 2008 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 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.