Need some experienced opinions !

[tennvol]

My 1990 175SF-Skeeter seems to set really low in the water, even on plane


I see pics of boats on a plane in magazines, on the lake, etc.... Most are newer boats than mine. All of them seem to be higher out of the water than my ole Skeeter 175 rides???? When I look back I see water coming up to what appears the rubber gasket that lines the boat (where it is put together) at the rear. I have a 6in jack plate on the boat with a 97 Yamaha VMAX 150. Three batteries, a bank charger, an empty live well and an oil tank behind me weighing aprox 180lbs, normal I think. I am not a big time tourney guy with tons of gear either so weight of stuff should not be an issue. Getting on a plane is no problem. I like a good hole shot more than speed so I run a 21 pitch SS prop with a hydrafoil. My brother-in-law who has fished in some nice boats at tourneys in Tennesse says the boat has one of the fastest hole shots he has been in. The boat is quick and feels very stable at all times. It just seems to set to low on a plane and when I stop it sets so low in the rear water comes into the wash pan through the holes a little. Especially when someone is back there.

Is this just an ole boat? Can a boat lose some bouncey? I would not think so. It is dry as a bone inside, not taking on water, never has.

Any ideas? Besides buy a new boat!!! I like the ole sket. Fits me fine, How about transoms on this boat? Please any opinions or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks ahead!

[Olddawg]

Have you checked to see if there is any play in the transom, it may be flexing instead of lifting the boat.....

[JJohnSind]

Well, props have a lot to do with boat lift. If you have a prop picked for hole shot, not top speed, I'd guess the smaller prop won't lift as much at high speeds. Weight is another factor, I'd be curious to see the weight difference between a 1997 150 vs. the 1990 version. Motors got bigger in the later years, your 97 VMAX wasn't around when your 90 175SF was designed. At medium speeds, I'd wonder if the hydrofoil isn't lifting the stern up as well (thus pushing the bow down). I'm also not familiar with the 175SF, is that a fish-n-ski? Fish-n-ski's usually don't have the same design purpose as the straight bass boats do, probably wasn't designed to be a top-end speed demon but a good all-around dual purpose boat with more design emphasis on low end hole shot (for skiing) than top end lift (for speed).

Magazine shots are just that, staged photoshoots. I'm sure all boat shots are done on a light boat for maximum effect. I always wanted a picture perfect roostertail... just doesn't typically happen in the real world when you're driving the boat right.

[tennvol]

There is no play in the transom at all. The 175 SF is 18 1/2 ft all bass boat that has a hull weight of 1200 lbs. How far should the back end of the boat be sitting down in the water while sitting still? Maybe someone who owns one will enlighten us hopefully.

[ZXD]

I had a 175 and it also set really low in the back. good boat!

[ecneps88]

Been searching around for a boat and came across a '90 Skeeter 175 - the actual name on the boat is SF 175 SX. What if any, does that indicate? It's got a 150 Yamaha ProV on the back and the whole rig is in overall good condition. Anything to look out for or be especially aware of on this rig? I think I could get it for ~$4500 - not sure if thats good or not. Heres a pic.

[biothree]

A weight problem on old boats is sometimes the floatation is water logged. Run you boat onto a scale that weighes big rigs and see it's actual weight. Figure the theoretical weight of the boat, trailer, motor and trolling motor to see if there is a big difference.

[ecneps88]

Ooch...the thought of that scares me. Don't know that I would be able to do that test before hand. Any other ways to tell if waterlogged flotation?

aside from that, is this a boat to move on considering all is operational and in good shape?

Any thoughts on the Yamaha ProV?

[biothree]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ecneps88 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ooch...the thought of that scares me. Don't know that I would be able to do that test before hand. Any other ways to tell if waterlogged flotation?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

If it is a two wheel trailer, pick up the tongue. If it is very hard to do; problems.
In my opinion most of the flotation waterlogging happens when a boat sits out and something stops up the drain hole (leaves, etc.). Then the flotation absorbs water over time. So check how the boat was stored and angle of boat during storage and the drain hole. Tongue weight should not be over 100 lbs or so. Tandam trailers - I don't know.

[biothree]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ecneps88 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

aside from that, is this a boat to move on considering all is operational and in good shape?

Any thoughts on the Yamaha ProV?</TD></TR></TABLE>

$4500 sounds like a decent price if everything checks out. At least you will be able to see how you enjoy and use a boat without a big investment.
I am not familiar with Yama's, but most people seem to like them.

[ecneps88]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I've got a '88 Bass Tracker that I want to upgrade from. Great boat and a little hesitant to get rid of it.

[Skeet'r89]

I have an 89 SF175DF. With a brand new transom an a jack plate it still sets pretty low in the rear. The water will trickle in and out of the spashwell holes while sitting still. If you can find a Tempest prop to run on that motor it may do a little better. I would say that your motor would not turn anymore than a 23p with your 150 on it. Pictures of my boat are in the restoration forum if you want to get an idea of what the inside looks like.

[Skeet'r89]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ecneps88 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Been searching around for a boat and came across a '90 Skeeter 175 - the actual name on the boat is SF 175 SX. What if any, does that indicate? It's got a 150 Yamaha ProV on the back and the whole rig is in overall good condition. Anything to look out for or be especially aware of on this rig? I think I could get it for ~$4500 - not sure if thats good or not. Heres a pic.

</TD></TR></TABLE>
The SF stands for StarFire. The 175 stands for the max recommended HP. the SX stands for single console. I believe the dual console would be a DX. In 1989 mine was a DF as in dual fish mine could have been a SF175SF if it was a single console.

[ZXD]

My boat was the same model boat . Great boat and motor. The main thing you want to check out is the transom. that model is notorius for the transom getting weak and waterlogged. I had to have mine rebuilt and it was garaged from the time it was new. That boat model naturally sets low in the rear. Good luck.

[mnbassman]

No worrys, my first skeeter was a 1990 175-sf, with a 175 yamaha,
man I loved that rig! It made me fall in love with Skeeters for sure.

yes, mine sat real low in the rear as well. When fishing out of it, the rear sat really low!, and the front deck seemed really high.
It must have just been they way they were designed.