From Skeeter 21i to 719xp?

[brad59]

I'm thinking about doing this pretty soon but not sure yet as I haven't ridden in a phoenix yet. What do you guys think about this switch? I'm ok with the downsize as long as the 719 is still a real stable fishing platform. To be honest the 21i is just a little bigger boat than I need and the 300 hpdi burns a lot of fuel and oil. I fish pickwick pretty much all the time. How well will the 719 handle pickwick with some wind and current? Just any general likes and dislikes of the 719 would be appreciated.

[T Dub]

Not sure about the ride, but there is no way the 719 will fish as stable as the big skeeter

[flippinout]

Brad,

I can't speak for the 21i but I'm really impressed with my new 719. I picked it up last weekend and fished/ran it on Lake Norman in North Carolina for two days. Norman is a huge lake that attracts huge amounts of large boat traffic and it gets churned up real bad. The 719 handled it with relative ease both on plane and while fishing. Chuck Daymude (lknbassman) may chime in here but he has a 721 and was also impressed with how well my 719 handled that lake. I've only been out on it three time but it is a very stable platform and while larger waves will rock the boat, it settles out pretty fast. I was also impressed with how little input I had to put into the trollling motor to keep it positioned. The wind hardly moved it while we were fishing. Hope this helps.

[brad59]

If you have someone fishing on the back can you feel em moving around a good bit? I just don't want it to be tippy while fishing. How about the storage? Can u put 8 ft rods in both sides up front? What about the rear compartments, are the pretty deep for holding tackle?

[Ray Co. Hank]

Brad, I have the same size rod boxes as the 719 in my 18 and put my 7'6" & 7'9" in there just fine. I took out the rods tubes to make it easier on the guides. They will fit on either side. My boat is very stable, the 19 would only be better.

[Scott McGehee]

If you get down toward Jackson and want a ride in a 721, let me know. That will give you a feel of how the 719 rides and handles.

[flippinout]

Unless you have a 600lb partner, you won't feel him moving around back there. It's very stable. I would take Scott up on his offer for the demo. The 719 and 721 ride and fish pretty much the same. The 719 is just a foot shorter in front of the consoles.

[Rodney P]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by flippinout &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Unless you have a 600lb partner, you won't feel him moving around back there. It's very stable. I would take Scott up on his offer for the demo. The 719 and 721 ride and fish pretty much the same. The 719 is just a foot shorter in front of the consoles.</td></tr></table>


+1 on this. I had a Triton TR20 before and I like my 619 better in every way. I never feel my co-angler

[Phnx#22]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by T Dub &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Not sure about the ride, but there is no way the 719 will fish as stable as the big skeeter</td></tr></table>

I beg to differ Sir. I own a big Skeeter and can tell you that Phoenix boats have just as stable of a fishing platform as my Skeeter.

The 1st time I saw a Phoenix was when they were here on Lake Conroe shooting a commercial. I met Hank Baker and Gary Clouse that day and Hank had the boat cover on the deck and was on the rear starboard side sitting and folding. I walked across the bow of that boat several times ( as it was moored to the dock) and kept my eye on how high the gunnel raised or lowered as I moved...it was less than a inch of rise or fall with Hank on one side and me walking back and forth. When I mentioned "wow what a stable platform" Hank just smiles and says "It rides like no other boat either"

I didnt get to test it that day because I ended up hauling a camera crew out on the water while they shot the Phoenix commercial. My friend who was in charge of the camera boats did take it for a test run that day and told me later that it put his Ranger 20z or 520z to shame...I believe now my friend is just a few weeks away from sealing a prostaff spot with Phoenix and will have his on the PAA tour soon.

Oh final note...Another friend bought a 719 last year...he is 5'10 and a good 280lbs...me 5'11 210lbs. We fished out of his boat Sunday flipping pads ...two husky men on one side of the boat and you would never have any dipping or tippy feeling at all.

[driftwood]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Rodney P &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I never feel my co-angler</td></tr></table>

Sorry couldn't resist. But seriously, if the 719 is anything like the 721 you would be happy with it.

[Chuck D]

No doubt you'll be happy with a 719. Just wondering, why not look at the 721 with a 250 on it? Is gas the primary concern?

I ran a 719 this past weekend with a BBC member and it's one fantastic boat. Fished every bit as stable as my 721 does. I like the extra room I have up front however so I'm more partial to the larger boat. Does not take a thing away from a 719 however as that is one fantastic boat and with the 225 SHO on it was a rocket ship.

I get the Skeeter to Phoenix part, but wonder about what's prompting you to go down 2' in total overall length?

[microsalmo]

never been in the skeeter but the 719 is a rock. my father in law and brother in law are all over mine and i never notice it.... unlike my tracker were i almost went swimming a few times, lol.

the roughest ive been in are 2' chop following a good thunderstorm. at 60 mph it was like a magic carpet ride - zero impact, just like riding on a cushion of air.

[bassinbama]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by brad59 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">as I haven't ridden in a phoenix yet.</td></tr></table>

It's not like you haven't had the chance, dang i thought you had passed on...

[T Dub]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Sktr#22 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

I beg to differ Sir. I own a big Skeeter and can tell you that Phoenix boats have just as stable of a fishing platform as my Skeeter. </td></tr></table> Thanks for the novel sir, but the guy has a 21i not a ZX like yours

[brad59]

Thanks for all the replies guys, they've been really helpful.

Bassinbama, I actually have been thinking about im'ing you about maybe meeting you at g'ville or pick one day and get a ride in your boat. I'll be in touch.

Lknbassman, I think the 719 is just a good size boat for me. IMO it should be plenty long enough to ride good and fish stable. When I started looking at phoenix I was looking at the 721 but then the 719 caught my eye. I like the fact that it's almost 20ft and rated for a 225. I figure heck if it fishes and rides the way I want it to and it'll run 70 or so why do I need a bigger boat? The answer to that question for me is I don't really need a bigger boat. Now having said that if I get in one and the deck just feels to small then I'll change my mind. But with the 719 I do save on fuel in both the boat and probably my tow rig as well. I am concerned about storage in the 719 though because I carry about half a BPS.

[basspro]

I owned a 21 I class and now own a 719 phoenix the Phoenix is a way better boat . Also look at the 721. Both models are awesome in ruff water. Russ

[sniperfish]

Brad,

I recently switch from a 21 foot boat with a 300 HPDI to a 719. I knew it would ride and handle well, but like you, I was concerned about the stability of the boat, especially on Lake of the Ozarks. I can honestly say the fishing platform is what I am most impressed with. The boat sits flat in the water, its stable in rough conditions, and you don’t get caught off guard when your partner is moving around in the boat. My concerns about going to a little bit smaller boat quickly disappeared!!

[1blubyu]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by T Dub &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> Thanks for the novel sir, but the guy has a 21i not a ZX like yours</td></tr></table>

classy...

[Firebird619]

I'm 280 with a friend that I fish with 300+ and my 619 is more stable than any Ranger, Triton, Skeeter, or other boat that I've been in. And the ride, it don't get any better.

[Phnx#22]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by T Dub &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> Thanks for the novel sir, but the guy has a 21i not a ZX like yours</td></tr></table>


There is only a difference of 200lbs between the two hulls...the fact that they are both stable is the point...not the model number.