Your last boat, what and why

[Geniusintraining]

Hello everyone

I am 56 and looking for a new boat, I have had two Nitro's in the past and have had great luck with them. This next one should last me the rest of my life, so I'm looking at the best or what I consider the best.

I have always wanted a Skeeter FXR21 but they only come with the Helix, I have had Hummingbirds in the past and liked them but I was thinking about going with the Lowrance, so started looking at the Ranger Z521R and also the Nitro Z21 because of my past luck with them.

I have not used the Lowrance Active Target but it looks good, I will be fishing Lake Norman and they have a lot of docks I thought this may be nice to have when fishing docks.
I know this is one of the best hard decision I've ever had and I am blessed, so I am asking for your advice... What would you get and why?

Thanks for reading... Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and happy New Year

Mark

[Rick H]

BassCat Puma STS with a 250 Suzuki SS HANDS DOWN! Mic drop and walk away winner! Don't bother looking any further you'll be wasting your time

[booter]

BassCat Puma STS with a 250 Suzuki SS HANDS DOWN! Mic drop and walk away winner! Don't bother looking any further you'll be wasting your time

I'm guessing you are wanting to purchase Chad Pipkens boat when he's done with the 2023 season.

[Rick H]

I'm guessing you are wanting to purchase Chad Pipkens boat when he's done with the 2023 season.

Nope pass

[magfluker]

Nice rig you got there

[Goonst]

I’ve fished 5 years as a Coangler. Been in them all. 75-80 different boats in all conditions.

Phoenix

[dean c]

Prepare for responses telling you to choose whatever boat the responder owns.

Then go get the one YOU like. The Skeeter is really nice…if you’ve always wanted one. Learning the Helix wouldn’t be be a big deal and you can always add a live scope.

[BassnPhoenix920]

Prepare for responses telling you to choose whatever boat the responder owns.

Then go get the one YOU like. The Skeeter is really nice…if you’ve always wanted one. Learning the Helix wouldn’t be be a big deal and you can always add a live scope.

This^^^ Since it's your last boat go look and ride as many as you can and buy what you like and if electronics really matter than order new with no electronics and add them after you buy it.

[old4runner]

I love a Skeeter!!! You will be changing graphs in 2-3 years anyway, look at the used Carbons in the for sale section.

But I would not be scared of anything mentioned. Id there a truly hated bass boat anymore? Nitro had the worst rep for a while (I think that has been overblown) but I fished out of a few of them and all were great. Ranger is slow.... blah blah blah.

Get what ya want and don't worry as much about the graphs. All of the brands do a nice job and you will be upgrading graphs before your done fishing.

While I do love "brand X" I was not impressed when I saw a guy doing a restore on one. When the factory put in the cockpit drain the guy with the hole saw cut right into the stingers and it was shipped that way. This is a brand mentioned in this thread and is thought of as a top quality boat. The point being is that any of them can be a turd if the guy putting it together was not competent.

[stratofast]

If it has to be a bass boat. Phoenix 920 or 21 elite.

[basscat21]

Het the one that makes your ears wiggle when you sit in it.........

[clayshooter]

Het the one that makes your ears wiggle when you sit in it.........

I like this approach.!! But I don’t remember much wiggling till I fired it up and went blasting along on the first run.!!

[basscat21]

I like this approach.!! But I don’t remember much wiggling till I fired it up and went blasting along on the first run.!!

maybe i was not the right boat?

[Highcentered]

Het the one that makes your ears wiggle when you sit in it.........

This is the only "correct" answer.

For me if going glass and price was no object it would be Gambler because they're said to ride like a Champion AND FAST or maybe the BassCat Caracal because it looks like a nice roomy rig. If going aluminum it would probably be Avid because I like what I've seen from them and like them better than Vexus for no good reason.

[basscat21]

This is the only "correct" answer.

For me if going glass and price was no object it would be Gambler because they're said to ride like a Champion AND FAST or maybe the BassCat Caracal because it looks like a nice roomy rig. If going aluminum it would probably be Avid because I like what I've seen from them and like them better than Vexus for no good reason.

I waffled between my cat and a Gambler when I bought. The deciding factor was at the time the livwells were out by the gunnels, the Cat had better livewells, trailer, and the footpedal well......still the best placement, love it in the nose.

[Bearetta]

Are you sure you can't order a Skeeter without electronics and your dealer can add what you want? I saw one come in with Garmin loaded and the dealer told me it was special ordered that way. I wouldn't let electronics dictate my boat selection if a switch can be made.

[fxphil]

i dont think i would let the electronics dictate my dicision of which boat i would buy, you can put any brand on them that you want. pick the boat that fits you first

[bucky]

i dont think i would let the electronics dictate my dicision of which boat i would buy, you can put any brand on them that you want. pick the boat that fits you first

This is what I advise also.

[n_gong]

i dont think i would let the electronics dictate my dicision of which boat i would buy, you can put any brand on them that you want. pick the boat that fits you first

^^^^^^^^^^^
This would be a good idea! Or special order it with the electronics you want!

[Wheeler97]

There are lots of good boats out there right now. As others have stated, go look and crawl around as many as you can. Everyones opinion is a little different.

I have had several of the major brands in recent years and am currently in a Phoenix. Phoenix fits the bill for me and is a great all around boat.

good luck!