I've rode in them all (that are relevant) and driven most. Skeeter is the best boat I have been in behind the wheel and on the other side.

The better question should be..what boat not to buy

Just curious...did u like your Charger u had in 92

That 797 is sweet looking

I was thinking the same thing. Out of the brands the OP listed I would have to say his previous brand , Charger would be the best riding hull.

Lots of good advice here about riding and driving in as many as you can, but don't forget you need to FISH out of all of them too if you can. I'm guessing you'll spend more time fishing than boating, so that needs to be checked out.

Some boats fish better than others. Get 2 or 3 people on the front deck, see how stable it is.

Are you one that may kick a rod off the deck? Need to think about a boat with a high gunnel.

Do you care about the guy in the back? Some boats have more than others as far as back deck space goes.

Like to fish in the wind predominantly? Some boats have more keel in the water and hold better, (some will spin like a leaf in the water the second you get off the trolling motor)

Like to fish shallow stumps a lot? Some boats draft less water and are more manueverable (some boats will get stuck on stumps more than others).

I've had 3 different boats, and all 3 had their plusses and minuses. When you find the one that rides good, drives the way you like, and fishes good the way you like, AND is in your price range, then you have found it! Don't get too hung up in brands, everyone has their preferences and the whole idea is to have a good time in your boat catching fish, right? Got to have a boat that fits you!

I think length and horsepower + budget should be answered before the brand, JMO!

There are several really good boats out there, all of them are over priced, find one you like and go for it, I run a Triton, that is what I recommend, my buddy runs a Champion, that is what he recommends, my cousin runs a����������., good luck finding you a boat.

All newer boats are great but there are definitely differentes in which ones have smoother rides, keeps you more dry and so on. I rode in a Legend for the first time over the weekend and it was a lot better than I thought they would be. Defintiely changed my thinking. We had no problem at all going over three footers at 55-60. Then the next day they got even bigger. We didn;t plain out but it sure kept us dry.

only get advice from Coanglers! They have ridden in all boats in all conditions.

Also remember there can be differences in years of same make and model. There are Rangers that aren't too old that are pretty wet and bad riding boats, but all the late model ones and some older ones are great.

Here is my recent experience...

Ranger - One of the best rough water boats, a dry boat, handles 1-2 foot chop the best because it likes to run flat and just slices through. never a problem getting on pad even with 2 and full live wells. reputation for being slow, but to me 520 with Merc 250 running 74 mph is fast enough. IMHO one of the best looking and overall best features and trim.

Other boats have things here and there that are better than a Ranger, but overall Ranger gets more things right and hardly anything wrong.

Phoenix - I think this is one of the best designed boats and they have one of the best price points too.

Bass Cat - was in a brand new one all day at Beaver Lake. some cool features, but we couldn't get on pad 2 people and full live wells! I had to get on front of boat EVERY time.

Triton - was in an older one recently and idling passenger and driver got wet, just the way it sat idling any little waves splashed right in face of driver and passengers.

When you test drive boats be sure to check full live well 2 people how it gets on pad. test how well it can do typical 1-2 ft. chop at 65 mph. also quarter and perpendicular to waves at idle and make sure the splash goes behind you or under.

Bass Cat owner obviously had wrong prop for the conditions.

maybe, I've just had 1 prop on Ranger for all conditions.

Maybe had the wrong prop set up from the beginning?
I've never changed the prop on my Ranger or dads Champion. I've had them worked from Steve's Props, but that's about it.

Sounds like your like me you buy a new boat to keep and expect it to hold up.My boat I ordered in 92 also and it strill is a solid boat even with enormous hour on the water and road and yea it's Ranger . Skeeter,Ranger, and B Cat have survived over all these years while others come and go for good reason for dam good reason ( great products).

Maybe it depends on your budget, but I was shopping for a boat last year, and I wasn't as concerned with the brand as long as it was one of the big boys I guess, I was looking for the best deal. I found a good deal on a Triton and I really like it, but I don't have anything to compare it to really. I've road around in a skeeter, it seems to get up on plane a little quicker than mine, but is not quite as smooth as a ride, but that's a very small gauge coming from me. I was more concerned with getting one that was clean, in good shape, had good electronics, power pole, etc..

All of that being said, if I won the lottery, I would go buy a Bass Cat. I have never even rode in one much less driven one, but I must say those are the sweetest looking boats I have ever seen, and no one has anything bad to say about them. Maybe when I upgrade one of these days, but that would be my boat of choice if money was no object.

If I was still in the market, I would be all over this one. It's in my price range, just add a power pole or two and it would be good to go. Maybe too small for some of you guys, but I love these boats.

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