Ranger Boats RT188 2023 vs Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Ranger Boats RT188 2023 or the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005?

For trailering, the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 has the edge at 19 lbs dry weight versus 1 240 lbs for the Ranger Boats RT188 2023. 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 Boats RT188 2023 tops out at 115 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 Boats RT188 2023 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 Boats RT188 2023 measures 1 104" wide, compared to 95" for the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Ranger Boats RT188 2023 and Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 22 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 Boats RT188 2023 and Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Ranger Boats RT188 2023 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 Boats RT188 2023 vs Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005

Ranger

Ranger Boats RT188 2023

2023

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Ranger

Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Ranger Boats RT188 2023 vs Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Ranger Boats RT188 2023 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 85-hp advantage over the Ranger Boats RT188 2023's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 22 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 Boats RT188 2023 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 Boats RT188 2023 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail18.10 ft

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 2 in

Length - Feet18.1

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Meters5.52

Length overall - Meters6.45

Length overall - Inches217

Length overall - Inches254

Beam92.00 ft

Beam95 in

Beam - Meters28.04

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Inches1104

Beam - Inches95

Displacement1240.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail21 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches21

Weight - Detailnot available

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

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg861.82

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.19

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]23 in

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal22

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine model115 ELPT FourStroke Command Thrust

Engine modelnot available

Horsepower115 hp

Horsepowernot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeoutboard

Drive typenot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail(2) 24 gal

Engine maxnot available

Engine max200-250 hp

Operational Info

TrailerableYes

Trailerablenot available

Boat typePower

Boat typenot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs

General Boat Info

Makenot available

MakeRanger

Modelnot available

ModelZ21 COMANCHE SERIES

Model Yearnot available

Model Year2005

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

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

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width102 in

Ranger Boats RT188 2023 vs Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Ranger Boats RT188 2023 or the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005?

For trailering, the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 has the edge at 19 lbs dry weight versus 1 240 lbs for the Ranger Boats RT188 2023. 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 Boats RT188 2023 tops out at 115 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 Boats RT188 2023 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 Boats RT188 2023 measures 1 104" wide, compared to 95" for the Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Ranger Boats RT188 2023 and Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 22 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 Boats RT188 2023 and Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Ranger Boats RT188 2023 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 Boats RT188 2023 full specs ← Ranger Z21 COMANCHE SERIES 2005 full specs