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  1. #1
    Member MagicCraw's Avatar
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    Question Best 19 foot boat

    Hey guys,

    I am looking for a little insight on what boat to get. This will probably be my last boat for a long while and I can't afford to miss on this one. Preferably 2014 or newer models..

    Skeeter ZX200
    Nitro Z19
    Triton 19 TRX
    Stratos 294 Evolution
    Phoenix 819

    They all have pros and cons to me, but I figured I would open it up to the floor to try and get some different perspective or personal experience

    Thanks

  2. Member
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    #2
    I would add Charger and Basscat to that list if you plan on keeping the boat 10 plus years. Blazer also had a new boat that was a 19 footer with a nice deck layout.

  3. Member
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    #3
    Love the 294s

  4. Member MagicCraw's Avatar
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    #4
    what specifically about 294's? the ride? layout? handling?

  5. Member MagicCraw's Avatar
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    #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Les Young View Post
    Love the 294s
    what specifically about 294's? the ride? layout? handling?

  6. Member
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    #6
    The Ranger Z518c (18'9") and the Z519c (19'6") shouldn't be overlooked. I definitely prefer my Z518 to the ZX200 I had before.

  7. California Fishing Moderator Captain Babito A7T3C's Avatar
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    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by RevoElite7 View Post
    Hey guys,

    I am looking for a little insight on what boat to get. This will probably be my last boat for a long while and I can't afford to miss on this one. Preferably 2014 or newer models..

    Skeeter ZX200
    Nitro Z19
    Triton 19 TRX
    Stratos 294 Evolution
    Phoenix 819

    They all have pros and cons to me, but I figured I would open it up to the floor to try and get some different perspective or personal experience

    Thanks
    Get a Nitro, we're faster than those Bullet boats!

    Honestly there's great boats to check out by every make. I'll speak about Nitro as i own a Z18. Love my boat, fit the budget when i purchased and has been great to me in every way. Fishes bigger than an 18', tons of storage, build quality is solid, gets up on plane very nicely with the 175 merc, just overall everything i wanted. Pulls very easily as well. If i could do it again i would of went with the Z19, mainly for the 200 merc. If you can afford it, go with the bigger boat.

    Whatever boat you end up with, congrats and post pics.
    2017 Nitro Z18 - Mercury ProXS 175 - 24P Fury - Elite 9 TI2 - Fortrex

  8. Member MagicCraw's Avatar
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    #8
    I was looking at Z518's but the livewell size killed it for me...24 gallons total. Hard to see 10 fish fitting in there.

  9. Banned
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    #9
    Charger 186 w/175
    Fishes and handles rough water like a bigger boat, mid 60's speed, more storage then you need, and small enough to fit in most gurages.

  10. Member
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    #10
    Love my ZX200. Rides great, looks good and has plenty of deck and storage space. Only draw back which is minor is Skeeter doesn't offer as many factory options as the other brands but for the price you get a lot of boat.
    2024 Skeeter ZXR20
    2024 Yamaha SHO 250

  11. Banned
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    #11
    Quote Originally Posted by RevoElite7 View Post
    Hey guys,

    I am looking for a little insight on what boat to get. This will probably be my last boat for a long while and I can't afford to miss on this one. Preferably 2014 or newer models..

    Skeeter ZX200
    Nitro Z19
    Triton 19 TRX
    Stratos 294 Evolution
    Phoenix 819

    They all have pros and cons to me, but I figured I would open it up to the floor to try and get some different perspective or personal experience

    Thanks
    they're all good boats

  12. Member
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    #12
    I would look into a Bass Cat Pantera 2, Bass Cat Pantera Classic or even a Bass Cat Caracal. I just bought my first Bass Cat. I have owned a Nitro, Triton and Skeeter. I am blown away with Bass Cats customer service and quality. The personalized hand written thank you letter from Rick Pierce and owners Jacket are a nice touch as well.
    Brad Krone

  13. Member
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    #13
    Quote Originally Posted by TritonBrad View Post
    I would look into a Bass Cat Pantera 2, Bass Cat Pantera Classic or even a Bass Cat Caracal. I just bought my first Bass Cat. I have owned a Nitro, Triton and Skeeter. I am blown away with Bass Cats customer service and quality. The personalized hand written thank you letter from Rick Pierce and owners Jacket are a nice touch as well.
    Pantera IV was made until 2016 also. Fishes and rides much bigger than its length and still touches 70 mph with a 200. Some searches on the Bass Cat boards will fill you in on that hull's reputation.

  14. Banned
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    #14
    Charger also has the new 198 Elite (Champion 198 hull/Charger cap) coming out soon....maybe. With a new Merc 225 V8 it should be outstanding performance.

  15. Member
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    #15
    phoenix 719 has been great to me

  16. Member
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    #16
    Depends on your budget. A ZX200/Z19/619/819/Pantera II/Charger 296 are all 200hp rated 19' boats. ZX225/719/919/Caracal/Z519C/198 Elite/396 are all 225hp rated. They will be faster for sure. I'm partial to the Phoenix. Also, if your budget allows you to look at new boats, consider the Falcon 195 in there as well.
    2001 Champion 187 Yamaha 175
    12' Talons, Lithiums and Garmins
    All pulled by a Hemi

  17. Member
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    #17
    Quote Originally Posted by jarhead175 View Post
    Charger 186 w/175
    Fishes and handles rough water like a bigger boat, mid 60's speed, more storage then you need, and small enough to fit in most gurages.
    If I were going with a Charger in the 19’ range I’d go with the 195 or 296 since you can get them with a single console where the 186 is only available in dual

  18. Go Cubs Go cubswin's Avatar
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    #18
    I went with a nitro z7 4 years ago, still like it. I'll probably go with a basscat pantera when I replace this one.
    "It's even, but it ain't settled. Let's settle it." Fast Eddie
    I still can't believe they actually won...Cubs Fans Everywhere

  19. Member
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    #19
    BassCat Caracal.

  20. Member BigSexyPhoenix's Avatar
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    #20
    Lots of good boats in the 19 foot range. Honestly, the only way you'll find that perfect one is to crawl around in each one. They will all have pluses and minuses. I've got a Phoenix 819 and I like it a lot. I'm a skeeter fan also. Basscat also makes an excellent boat. I like Nitro too but I've never rode in one.

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