Definitely better quality than anything White River Marine produces.
Definitely better quality than anything White River Marine produces.
2015 Triton 19TRX, 225 Optimax
2006 Skeeter ZX190, 150 Yamaha SHO
1989 Ranger 373V, Mercury 2.5L 200hp
16' Tracker jon 25 hp Merc 2 cycle
I had 21 zxr21 and currently have a 23zxr21 both had paint issues that should have been resolved before it was shipped to the dealer other than that I would purchase a Skeeter again
I know your looking to buy new but, I have a 2015 Skeeter FX 20 that I bought used in '22. I think it is a well made boat and I love it! I have seen many complaints on various boards of the build quality on newer ones. With that being said if I was buying new today I would look at a Phoenix or Bass Cat with a SHO.Originally Posted by Chuck D
Hey guys especially those of you bug boat owners who have been around the brand can I get an honest assessment from you of the current Skeeter quality as I am shopping for another boat as we are moving back to the lake from the coast and I sold my center console. I ran Yamaha motors here at the cost in SC & FL on 4 inshore and bay boats with no issues and I like how the 21FX looks but know nothing about how they are build quality wise.
I've owned older Rangers, Tritons, Bass Cats, the gen 1 Phoenix boats all 20 or 21 footers and am now looking at Caymus, Bass Cat, Phoenix, and want to add Skeeter to that list if you guys give me a good reason to. If the reports are bad I'd rather know now than after I bought it. I really appreciate anyone willing to share their honest assessment on these boats built in the last 2-3 years as if I don't buy new I'll likely get a 23 or newer model to save a few dollars if it makes sense. Many thanks in advance for any education you can share with me gents!
2015 Skeeter FX20 250hp SHO
^^^^must not have qualified for the easy payments!
I agree with Townsend, Skeeter customer service is trash. They stop returning phone calls (and I have even been hung up on) when they have a big problem and you call them on it. Stay away from Skeeters.
A lot of so called problems go away when, if, you have a good dealer, and the customer behaves professionally.
No issues with my 2020 ZX200 boat. Couple minor trailer issues which got handled perfectly.
Great Dealer. Smithville Marine in Smithville, MO.
Sir, P.M. Sent!
I have a WRM Ranger and it is light years ahead of my skeeter I just came out of in EVERY respect.
What Ranger do you have and what Skeeter did you have?
2015 Triton 19TRX, 225 Optimax
2006 Skeeter ZX190, 150 Yamaha SHO
1989 Ranger 373V, Mercury 2.5L 200hp
16' Tracker jon 25 hp Merc 2 cycle
I have a 2022 Z520L. Came out of a 2019 ZX200.
the fit and finish of the Ranger is superior. The only thing I liked about the skeeter more was….well….nothing. The little things make the biggest difference. The wiring in the Ranger is superior, the ride is superior, the quality of materials use is superior, the list just goes on. The only negative I have found in the Ranger is the chrome accent in the back are not chromed well and the rivets they used on the hinges were aluminum and I have had to replace a few with stainless steel rivets. Takes about 30 minutes per door, but I’ve only had to repair two.
Glad you like your Ranger. But your Ranger is a foot and a half longer than that Skeeter. It should ride better. Not a very fair comparison in the ride department. Can’t speak about the older Skeeters, but the newer Skeeter R boats ride very well.
Went from the entry point Skeeter to a top of the line Ranger, of course the Ranger is better! lol
More like almost 3 ft difference. the Ranger 520L is 20'11". The ZX200 is 19ft. Its not apples to oranges, its apples to coconuts! Trim level is completely different as well (as derek says - comparing an entry point to a flagship line). A better comparison is the Skeeter FXR21. Get one of those and get back with us on a ride & feature comparison (I looked at and tested both).
This post is about Skeeter's build quality, not feature list though, and that, along with most other boats (RANGER especially included) is now currently debatable - I found build issues in BOTH (compared to how they used to be built).
I do not know if it was a coincidence or not but I just had a club tournament on Clarks Hill with some big waves (but not Lake Erie big). All the Skeeters had loose graphs and one (a ZXR) had it come off. Of course it could have been operator error or driving style but other boat brands did not have the same issue. I will also add, none of them have had any QC issues at all.
Does Skeeter bond their top caps to the hull at the stringers and around the cap?
USN Retired
2020 Basscat Caracal
2020 Mercury 225 ProXS 4s
You would think the same thing if you went from a Nitro Z19 to a Skeeter FXR 21.
2015 Triton 19TRX, 225 Optimax
2006 Skeeter ZX190, 150 Yamaha SHO
1989 Ranger 373V, Mercury 2.5L 200hp
16' Tracker jon 25 hp Merc 2 cycle
Not to be too picky....but 20'11" - 19' = 1'11" so more like almost 2 ft difference , but that is HUGE !!
2025 ZXR 19. Ten hours. Leaking storage boxes. A travel cover that allows significant rain into all compartments when towing. Non-functioning solenoid AND a loose negative ground wire. Improperly grounded Main power rocker switch at console. Porpoised at all speeds from the get go. Skeeter said it needed wedges, which they added at their cost. But I needed all manner of motor height experimentation because Skeeters stock height setup did not work with wedges. In talking to other ZXR19 owners on this blog, the stock settings do seem to work on their boats, but only if they outfit them with lithium. A 150 lb reduction in the very back works wonders. But as others have commented, they should never allow dealers to outfit a boat with lead acid if it’s going to make the boat porpoise uncontrollably at all speeds. They used to be called Flappers but I’m calling them Flipper now because of the porpoising. I loved my Rangers, but their new “Ride” operating system is garbage. Lots of issues, which is why there are brand new 2023s for sale everywhere. But their Z519 still has standard rock switches and ignition, and I absolutely loved my 2019. Great rough water boat for as short as it is. Their trailers are garbage, though. Won’t even transfer the warranty to a new owner. Had a wheel almost come completely off on a two year old 2021 Z520 as I was (luckily) pulling it into the dealer for service.
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