Which New Boat?

[TableRock55]

Got my '07 Skeeter ZX190 up for sale and I'm trying to decide which rig to go with after the sale.

Nitro Z18, Phoenix 618 Pro, or back with the Skeeter ZX 190.

Thoughts?  I'm really intrigued by the Phoenix, but the website gives very limited information and there are no dealers here locally.  Also don't know how they compare to the Nitro and Skeeter prices.

[Catt]

BassCat or Legend

[TableRock55]

Those are not options for me, unfortunately

[GetBent]

I haven't seen the 618 personally but have looked at other Phoenix boats. They seem well built and I like the layout. I'm leaning on a 618 but who knows I may just get a ranger rt188 and save a lot of money. If I get a glass boat I think the 618 would be a really nice boat in the 18' class. 

[TableRock55]

All the reviews I see on the Phoenix line are off the charts.  I can't find a recent review on the Nitros and all the ones I do find are not good relating to construction, but they are not recent.  My Skeeter has been a good boat, but the Phoenix boats have a more functional layout.  Just wondering about the size of the front casting deck in particular.  618 is about 400lbs lighter than the Skeeter so it's gonna go faster, but when you are talking about the difference between 63mph and 68-70, I'm not sure that really matters.(to me)  I have absolutely loved the Yamaha on the back of my Skeeter.  The Phoenix dealer up by Table Rock is a Mercury dealer and I can certainly live with those.

[J Francho]

I've been in two Phoenix boats.  Build is solid, and they're fast.  They treated my friend really well, with some certain things he needed in the boat - he's a vet with one leg.  The only thing I'd say, is you probably want to have a dealer within driving distance, regardless of make.  It's a boat, there's ALWAYS something that needs fixing.

[TableRock55]

Exactly, that is why I listed the 3 brands I did.  The Phoenix dealer is 50 minutes from my house at the lake.  He's 20 minutes from the water.

Haven't visited him, yet, but I will the first chance I get.  

[J Francho]

They should be able to give you test drive then!  Do it!

[gulfcaptain]

Drive one before you buy one.

[Redlinerobert]

Please choose your boat based on a dealer that can provide service.  You'll save yourself immeasurable headaches.  I wanted a Gambler bad, but ended up with a Ranger again due to the proximity of the dealer. 

[Catt]

6 hours ago, TableRock55 said:

Those are not options for me, unfortunately

Why not?

[fishnkamp]

Well I can give you a personal report on the Phoenix and only my limited opinion on the Skeeter So here goes. My wife and I have owned 11 boats in over 40 years. We had gone from little to bigger all the way up to a 20 footer with a 200 merc. That ProCraft was gorgeous. Anyway we had gone back to aluminum in order to fish some smaller hp restricted lakes near our home and a second aluminum reservoir electric only boat. Now we have moved and fist the tidal waters here on the Chesapeake Bay. We vacationed in Tennessee and Kentucky back in April. We took advantage of the large quantity of dealers out there. I sat in Tritons, Skeeters,Phoenixs, Bass Cats Stratos,and Nitros.  I found the the Skeeters and Phoenix to be laid out well but I think you will agree with me, you will have more usable storage in the 618 than in the 190.  The one thing I would suggest is not to get the carousel in the front storage and get the shelf instead. The carousel was a neat idea, but not worth it. As for the ride it is excellent in the 618. It really reminds me of the old Champion ride but this is a wide bodied boat. They found some nifty ways to store/ hide things and keep them within an arms reach, and I loved it. My wife wants to order one next year, so what is a guy to do? Oh Well!  I have ridden in a new 20 or 21 foot Skeeter back at an Elite series event and was impressed with the Skeeter ride and love the  SHO motors. When I order our new rig it will be powered by either an SHO or a G2 Etec. i have never been a Opti fan.  As for price a 618 starts around $32,000. That was what I was looking at with a Yamaha 175 SHO, and a pair of HDS8s at the time (April 2016) from The Sportsman Center near Dale Hollow Lake. Here are a few pics of one we test ran on the lake.

 

[TableRock55]

Really appreciate that info.  Kinda funny that there are no thoughts on the Nitros. 

[Catt]

Champion was designed by John Storie. Storie departed Champion, went on to design Cobra/Viper & then Hawk. Cobra/Viper went out of business & Hawk sold out to the present owner of Legend. Legend is the Hawk hull design with some tweaking. 

Legend is very well built, faster than Champion, handles rough water well but not quite the Champion ride.

[webertime]

618.  Same cockpit as all the bigger ones (921, 721, etc.). Big front deck too.  The ride is something to behold.

[fishnkamp]

Those seats on the Phoenix are amazing by the way. they wrap around you like a Recaro bucket seat. I forgot to mention that. The 618 is really price to be competitive with a Nitro or Triton. I truly felt it was built closer to an older (pre JM) Ranger or Bass Cat.  They fly, handle well and look beautiful.  Sitting still they look like they are flying. One other thing if you notice the way the boat sits in the water the front deck sits low enough to make it a good pitchin or flipping deck for around docks and things. Some of the new boats do not sit low enough to do that well. 

[TableRock55]

Thanks guys.  Nice to finally find a fishing forum where folks interract.  Most of em have posts that are 3-4 years old.  Really appreciate the feedback.

[rangerjockey]

If your not in a big hurry, without question I would wait on the new Charger Elites.( Champion ). You can see the 210 at Ulrich in Kimberling city now. It's my understanding there will a 198 and possibly a 186 or 188 to follow.

 They are copies of the Champ hulls with some upgrades on the interior . The 210 is sweet, heated seats, night vision camera ect..ect..

[GetBent]

I'm now in the process of acquiring a used Phoenix 618. Keeping my eyes open I think is going to pay off. Won't be till late October till I get it. Hopefully everything goes smooth. 

[Jm526]

If you want custom look at storm high performance boats. They outrun anything else on the water. 65mph with a 150. Rides rough water like nothing else. It will be the last boat you own. Come to the team you won't look back.