New Boat

[progolferv1]

Ok my first post here.   I am about to pull the trigger on a new boat, But having a issue choice which one.     First is a skeeter ZX225  brand new with a yahama sho 225. Second is a Ranger Z519c with a Merc 2 stroke on it.     Everyone seem to like the Sho, but to me it seems the ranger is made just a little better.   Thoughts.  Thanks

 

 

[Jig Man]

Test drive them both then decide.

[crypt]

1 hour ago, Jig Man said:

Test drive them both then decide.

this......

[Ski213]

^ What they said. I don't think either is a bad choice. 

 

Also spend some time determining which is laid out better for you from a fishing standpoint. 

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

I'll just wish you Good Luck with your choice.

A-Jay

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Ditto to all the above!

[LOZSteve]

Both good platforms to fish out of. 2014 was in a Ranger 519c, 2015 a Bass Cat Eyra, and end of 2016 into this year in a ZX225. There are subtle differences but they are both are heavier boats that ride well and are laid out similar. The back lockers in the Skeeter are a little larger front storage similar as I recall. I like the SHO but have known guys that have blown up both...so?  The Skeeter glides more at idle speeds, or it drifts to the right/left when you are docking / trailering it. The Skeeter pops up quick on plane and is easy to drive. All in all you can't go wrong in either boat.  I agree to be sure you need to test drive. Having fished out 10 boats in the last 20 years I can say their all different even at similar price points. Good luck with your decision. 

[fishnkamp]

They are both great boats. You will find many owners that love them.  Pay attention to one thing on the Skeeter that you may or may not like. I am a mechanic by trade and have fairly big hands. I really dislike the levers you lift up to open their storage lids. I do not know if they have changed the design but it was sorta like a bar you pulled towards you. I had difficulty with them.  Several years ago the Elites came to MD and fished the Upper Bay.  That is where I got 3 test rides. One was on a big Skeeter and boy could that boat handle the rough stuff.  It was my first ride in a boat with a SHO and I really liked it.  I was not impressed by the Nitro or its ProXS. The Triton I thought would have been my top choice but again I would have ordered it with the SHO.  The one we test rode in had a ProXS also.

[runt4561]

everyone has there own opinions and preferences. both skeeter and ranger are very good boats. I like them both. they are both very high quality. I would give a slight edge to ranger on the quality of craftsmanship. They are very similar in rough water ride, I would say this might be a draw. The skeeter will be faster but not by much, maybe 2 mph. to me the motor choices on these two is what will be a matter of preference. If you are going to be fishing around a lot of grass, I would give the edge to the mercury. I live in florida and on the grassy lakes like Okeechobee and Kissimmee, mercury is king. on the river systems like st johns river or appalachicola, Yamaha is favored. I believe this is due to the water intake. the mercury can handle running in grass and mud better. when the SHO first came out, there were similar problems in florida I don't know if they have fixed it by now or not. out of everyone that I fish with, I dont know of any of them that have blown up a mercury. not saying that they wont because I know better. mercurys have a history of problems but I know of 5 friends that have had yamahas that have blown up. granted all of these were the hpdi's and not the SHO. it is so much of a problem in florida that if you are buying a used boat, you can tell by the asking price if it has a mercury or Yamaha or evinrude. the mercury will be more expensive.

 

I hope this helps you out. you have definitely narrowed your search to 2 fine boats.

[XpressJeff]

Welcome to Boat Monkey!

 

Hurry up and decide so you can move along to Bait Monkey!!

 

Good Luck on your decision!

[gim]

Progolfer, you might want to also consider the service location of each dealer.  If you consider them equal and Ranger is 3 hours away and Skeeter is 10 minutes up the road, that would be a deciding factor for me.  If they're both far away or relatively close, then obviously its a push and my advice isn't worth anything.