Quick question for you Skeeter boys.

[Jake B.]

I have always been a Ranger man. I went to a local Skeeter dealer this past weekend just to look around. I saw a ZX225 that I loved. It might be enough to convert me to Skeeter, but I have some questions first..

I have owned 4 Ranger boats. Everyone that I have ever purchased has always kept that "show room" shine. Granted I take really good care of my boats. I am curious to how Skeeters finish stacks up to every other brand. Does it easily oxidize? How many coats of gel coat do they apply? Does the ZX225 handle well? What is top end with a 225 Yamaha HPDI? The trailers look pretty standard. How is the quality of the tandem axle trailers?

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. Especially about the finish of the boat. I know I can go to the dealer for a test ride to answer my other questions, but the finish after several years is what I won't be able to get from a test ride.

Thank you in advance.

[Charger]

Only thing I can tell you is mine is a 98 model and still shines like a new nickel. The ride is great also. I would do it all over again, no problems with it at all.

The trailer does ok too, no problems with it. I think you would be well pleased with it.

[GM482V]

Don't know about the07's, but the 06's will run mid 70's easy. If I still have them, I can send pics of the 01 ZX200 I sold last year. It looked great!!!!!

[K.D.]

http://www.skeeterboats.com/ht....html

That page will address some of your questions. The gelcoat that Skeeter uses now is called ArmorCoat. Do a google search for it and you'll see that some of the best boat lines in the country use the same gelcoat. It creates a fantastic finish and is very durable!

Top end numbers are found at http://www.yamaha-motor.com under the performance bulletins. Keep in mind these are with two people and under a load. In other words, real world numbers.

The trailers are by EZ-Loader and as you'll see on the BBC and a few other sites, their customer service is second to none. The guys who have had to call them for parts questions or other issues have had nothing but good things to say.

And lastly, if you can't do it in person, check out the videos of the different elements in the demo ride in the comfort of your own home!

http://www.skeeterboats.com/vi....html




Modified by K.D. at 5:56 PM 3/7/2007

[buckeye-basser]

Mine is a '99 and the metalflake and gelcoat still shine like new.

[Real Deal Tungsten]

handling is outstanding

shine is great

shallow water fishing will run circles around the ranger all day long and slides off stumps easily. I have had a Skeeter for 5 years now, and have had to start my motor only once to get off a stump and I was myself that day. This is a legit statement cause I fish Lake Millwood in Southwest Arkansas all the time and it's nothing but stumps. If the trolling motor and can cut the water you can make it through it.


I genrally run in the 72-73 range loaded. probably could do better if I played with setup more. light loads mid 70's

[Kevin_Baxter]

GM is right. I have an 06 ZX 225 I run about 71-72 WOT. I haven't tampered with the Jackplate on it but I know you can get it to run a lil faster. I weight about 150lbs soaking wet and dont' carry much tackle just enough to fit in a Walmart Bag.

As far as the ride, well I was in a Z21 saturday and it beat me to death. It was like driving a truck on and dirt road with pot holes. Smoother water it was a good ride, the rough water it was rough, coulda been the driver. The skeeter is a great rough water boat, you can go faster in the rough then you will be in the ranger and you can let go of the steering wheel and she'll still go straight.

You won't have a problem with the gel coat fading on a skeeter . You shoudl have seen GM's boat before he sold it. IMMACULATE. If I had the job I do now I would have bought his boat it was a super sharp rig.

Best advice go for a ride in one.

[-BjBnet-]

like most other boats if you take care of it, the shine will last forever. Mine's a '92 people ask me if it's a 'newer' boat.

[JJohnSind]

I always felt that Ranger had one of the best finishes in the industry. However, I believe that most of the "premium" boat companies have caught up.

Also, you can now get the polymer fender upgrade on the ZX trailers. It will look as good as any Ranger trailer. Personally, I feel Skeeter is in the same league as Ranger in the "fit & finish" and "bells & whistles" category.

You wouldn't go wrong with either, but I think you'd get better value with Skeeter.

JohnS

[oldbasser1]

I have owned Ranger,Nitro, ProCraft.After this years purchase of a 2007 21 i I will be a Skeeter owner for life.

[Doug Vahrenberg]

Hate to admit it but I borrowed another brand boat for the last event I fished it wasn't a Skeeter it's the other in question. It was an eye opening expierence. I was very shocked at several things and learned alot in a week with the boat. The lack of performance it was a 21' foot with 250 HPDI. No bow lift, over 10+ mph slower than my 20i, rough water ride was very wet and rough - glad he at least had suspended seats. It did have a hyd plate but I never could find a sweet spot with this boat. It got windy two days of competition and good thing I had my rain suit on.I was really shocked I thought everyone was a lot closer in performance.

Storage was very disorganized to me and felt shortage compared to all the places I can hide stuff in my Skeeters. Plus the logical storage layout and organized storage in my Skeeters I have had.

Now I only drove this boat for a week and sure I could learn how to find the sweetest spot to run and sure hope there is a way to stay drier but I was very shocked for the what you have to pay, I really thought it was alot closer and man I am glad my new20i arrived while I was gone. I got to put the first few hours on her yesterday and she's gonna be a good one I think. I got to run her WOT for a couple runs yesterday an hit 77mph without any adjustments yet. There was no tackle in her yet but she needs a little to tighten up the front end and keep it from sailing away.

I can't force you buy anything but your really need to get in a Skeeter and take a test ride and take a look at what Skeeter has done to make organized storage easier and the performance features and quality of construction - solid and sturdy aluminum decks, dry storage boxes, aluminum knee brace system and other advanced construction techniques. Skeeters are really amazing to get everything in one package.

JMHO