Ranger 178VX 2008 vs Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Ranger 178VX 2008 or the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005?

For trailering, the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 has the edge at 19 lbs dry weight versus 146 lbs for the Ranger 178VX 2008. 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 Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Ranger 178VX 2008 tops out at 150 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 178VX 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 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 Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 measures 95" wide, compared to 9" for the Ranger 178VX 2008. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Ranger 178VX 2008 and Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 25 gallons and 24 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Ranger 178VX 2008 and Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Ranger 178VX 2008 and the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 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 178VX 2008 vs Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005

Ranger

Ranger 178VX 2008

2008

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Ranger

Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Ranger 178VX 2008 vs Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Ranger 178VX 2008 vs Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 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 Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 has a 50-hp advantage over the Ranger 178VX 2008's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 25 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Ranger 178VX 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Ranger 178VX 2008 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

Model178VX

ModelZ21 COMANCHE SERIES

Model Year2008

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90 in

Beam95 in

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Inches9

Beam - Inches95

Depth - Detail20-1/2 in

Depth - Detail21 in

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Inches20.5

Depth - Inches21

Weight - Detail1,460 lbs. with single console

Weight - Detail1,875 lbs. (w/Single Console) 1,900 lbs. (w/Dual Console)

Weight - kg662.24

Weight - kg861.82

Weight - lbs.146

Weight - lbs.19

Height [transom]21-1/2 in

Height [transom]23 in

Length - Feet17

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Meters6.45

Length overall - Inches212

Length overall - Inches254

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail25 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail(2) 24 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp

Engine max200-250 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,175 lbs

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailGVWR: 2,995 lbs. (less than 135 hp) 3,725 lbs. (more than 135 hp)

Trailer - DetailDual Axle Trailer GVWR (5,000 lbs.)

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 10 in. with motor down 19 ft. 10 in. with swing-away tongue open

Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 4 in. w/Motor Down 24 ft. 4 in. w/Swing-Away Tongue Open

Trailer - Width96 in

Trailer - Width102 in

Ranger 178VX 2008 vs Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Ranger 178VX 2008 or the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005?

For trailering, the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 has the edge at 19 lbs dry weight versus 146 lbs for the Ranger 178VX 2008. 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 Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Ranger 178VX 2008 tops out at 150 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 178VX 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 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 Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 measures 95" wide, compared to 9" for the Ranger 178VX 2008. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Ranger 178VX 2008 and Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 25 gallons and 24 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Ranger 178VX 2008 and Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Ranger 178VX 2008 and the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 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 178VX 2008 full specs ← Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 full specs