ZX vs. I class boats

[jiggerjake]

This has probably been asked before.What are some of the primary differences between the ZX and I class boats.?I'm looking at the ZX225 and I20.Is the deck a little more recessed on the ZX series?Is kicking a rod in the drink an issue with the "almost" flush deck?How rough does it have to get before waves come over the bow when fishing?Lastly,I been reading how great these boats fish(my main concern)Do they track better than most when fishing in the wind with their lower profile?Is one better than the other for ride or fishability?O.K.now I'm done.Sorry to ramble.I'm sure I'll have other questions.My 09 catalog is on the way!

[SkeeterBob]

I love my new ZX225. I think the handling and fishability are pretty much the same between the two. The i class has a few more bells and whistles on it that are standard. Just depends if you want to pay the extra $$$$$ for them.
Both are great boats. Dealers are always putting on demo rides at some of the tournaments. Best thing one could say is get in it and drive it.

As far as low cap walls and kicking a rod over, you can do that with any boat. I dumped a 350.00 rig in the water last year out of the Triton. Not the boats fault, it was me getting in a hurry. If that is an issue get Skeeters center console and have the best of all worlds. I seriuosly considered that too. Dang thing wouldn't fit under my carport due to the tall console.

[Bug Bunny]

Should be able to do a search and get several threads on this. The I Class does have some nice features and rides a touch better. That said, you prolly won't be disappointed with either!!!!!

[Doug Vahrenberg]

Both Boats are great boats. The ZX Series is a time proven design and reliable and great performance and ride. But the iClass has been redesigned taking many of the same prven technology with a twist of new. It was designed from the ground up for the smoothest - driest ride possible. They may look similar but there are alot of differences and most are in construction techniques. The becks are bigger and wider and the iClass has many more bells and whistles standard equipment. You really need to ride and decide which is best for you.

I've run Skeeters since 1997 and have never kicked, knocked or lost a rod over board. I think the space of the deck provides plentt of room I never get close to the rods or the edge.

The Skeeter Low Profile and constant curvature design reduces the effects of wind and moving the boat. If you look just about every angle od the boat is curved for dryness, wind resistance, and strength. An Arc is the stongest structural design. As you push on the top of an arc it gets stronger that is why they use arcs to build bridges and other structures. Just look down the side of a Skeeter it's an arc - widest point is about the consoles - not pie shaped like most boats.

There's a lot of Engineering in a Skeeter and even though it makes it look good it provides functionality. Everything is done for a reason.

Hope this helps

[Bigg-Un]

The deciding factor for me was the cockpit area...I am a big guy and need alot of room....the ZX does not even come close to the i in room behind the wheel....the large decks and great ride are also a great plus...If it were not for the i-class I would have bought another brand....leg room is very important to me...I am on my fourth Skeeter and have enjoyed every one of them with my last being an older ZX...this is by far the best one I have owned....

[jiggerjake]

Thanks guys.

[Neilslure]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bigg-Un &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The deciding factor for me was the cockpit area...I am a big guy and need alot of room....the ZX does not even come close to the i in room behind the wheel....the large decks and great ride are also a great plus...If it were not for the i-class I would have bought another brand....leg room is very important to me...I am on my fourth Skeeter and have enjoyed every one of them with my last being an older ZX...this is by far the best one I have owned.... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Agree the I has more leg room than the ZX. I am 6'5 and my ZX is a little tight.

[pilgrimlarry]

if you can afford the I-CLASS go for it, they are supper boats, if not just make sure it's a skeeter, and you won't go wrong

[Bigg-Un]

I really liked the ZX250's but I was determined to own a boat that i could use the hotfoot. At 6'8" I just could not get into a ZX and be there comfortably...I begun looking at other brands until a dealer told me that an i-class had a differnt console with more leg room....when I sat in the first one I knew that I would be buying an i-class...my wife was with me that day...she told me later that she did not even need to ask....she knew what we would be buying...the guy that found mine for me and set up the whole deal posts on the BBC often...I have told him several times how happy I am with this boat...for me...it don't get any better than the i...

[JJohnSind]

People should keep in mind the newer i-class' leg room shrunk just a little (the seats got thicker, thereby shortening the leg room). If this is important to you, you should go out and see one in person.

[macinckirk]

I would look at some diff brands with Great Dealerships

[alexmlane]

Man there is a STEAL on ebay for a brand new 20i that is starting at $38,500 with no reserve. If you could get that under $40k you would be stealing it!!!!!

[985ron]

I bought the I-class 20i w yamaha 250. The boat has agreat ride super stable and corners like a sports car. on my 1st run i made atight 180 turn at 58mph . unbelieveable!!! the i class has about 1.5 degree greater v than the zx. my top speed is 77 mph. I I NO CHINE walking with the skeeter . hope this helps

[K.D.]

Here are the differences in the two lines of boats, as I know them.

1) i-class is 140 lbs. heavier than comparable ZX boat. (20i vs ZX225 and 21i vs ZX250)

2) i-class has 2 degree sharper entry V. (this + the weight keeps the nose down in rough water and results in a softer ride)

3) The i-class has your electronics high and center in the dash. On the ZX it's low and to the right. (09 i-class boats will allow sidescan H-birds to be flush mounted in the dash)

4) The seat backs have an extra bolster up top. I've found that in rough water this really helps the back.

5) They took the livewell lights out of the ZX boats and made them standard equipment in the i-class.

6) 09 i-class has prop storage option in the front floor cooler. I recall such an option on the ZX boats.

7) iclass boat has the PIN (personal id number) system that allows you to punch in your unique number and lock the compartments along with activating the alarm.

8) The side stripes are larger and the same as the old-school ZX stripes. The ZX boat had the stripes shrunk down a bit in 06 when the iclass came out.

9) The iclass boat has an additional stripe (secondary deck stripe) on the top cap that the ZX boat doesn't have.


That's all I can recall off the top of my head. I probably missed something somewhere.

[Bug Bunny]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by K.D. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here are the differences in the two lines of boats, as I know them.

1) i-class is 140 lbs. heavier than comparable ZX boat. (20i vs ZX225 and 21i vs ZX250)

2) i-class has 2 degree sharper entry V. (this + the weight keeps the nose down in rough water and results in a softer ride)

3) The i-class has your electronics high and center in the dash. On the ZX it's low and to the right. (09 i-class boats will allow sidescan H-birds to be flush mounted in the dash)

4) The seat backs have an extra bolster up top. I've found that in rough water this really helps the back.

5) They took the livewell lights out of the ZX boats and made them standard equipment in the i-class.

6) 09 i-class has prop storage option in the front floor cooler. I recall such an option on the ZX boats.

7) iclass boat has the PIN (personal id number) system that allows you to punch in your unique number and lock the compartments along with activating the alarm.

8) The side stripes are larger and the same as the old-school ZX stripes. The ZX boat had the stripes shrunk down a bit in 06 when the iclass came out.

9) The iclass boat has an additional stripe (secondary deck stripe) on the top cap that the ZX boat doesn't have.


That's all I can recall off the top of my head. I probably missed something somewhere.
</TD></TR></TABLE>


The I CLass has electronic gauges also. Also, it comes standard with the upgrade wheels and fiberglass fenders.

[K.D.]

Good point about the gauges.


I should have recalled that as we get asked all the time how many hours are on our boats. It's easy to tell on the iclass boats as the gauge is right there on the dash.

[John Hagins]

Great post Bug Bunny; but just a slight correction.

The standard fenders on the IClass are ABS not fiberglass. And believe me they are expensive!!!!! Someone hit mine in a parking lot (left no contact info of course) and it cost me $980.00 for a new one and I installed it myself.

John.

Ps. I do love my IClass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!