Bass Boat Preference

This may sturr up a hornets nest.
Was talking to a buddy of mine and we got off on the subject of which one of these bass boats Ranger, Skeeter, Legends, Triton, Basscat or Phoenix:
Keeps you dryer in rough water?
More fishing platform?
Better storage area?
Top end performance in rough water?

They are mostly about the driver in my opinion. I run a Cat and my partners never complain about it. Smaller platform though, but that also makes it dry because the front end stays up when running. heavy wide platforms tend to get more wet. Storage is great and probably thought out better than any other. Top end performance in rough water is a weird question. I don't know a lot of guys that run 4 footers balls out and then say it was a great ride. Basscat will outperform every option you have listed for Top End, and it will also run well in rough water. It does not like side chop though. run with them or run against them great, but gets a little rough running across them. Just my opinions. let the fun begin!

I have ridden in all but the Phoenix and I would have to say that the Skeeter FX21 is the best at dry smooth ride in ruff water and has great storage as well. I would say the Ranger has the best fishing deck and room and also the best fit and finish that I have seen.

No better ride than a Triton, in my opinion. A lot of boats all well made these days, though. I am sure it will all come down to what you the angler like. We all have different tastes and opinions. Will definitely stay dry. Fishing platform is huge. Storage is great (although I do think the middle compartment on Ranger is an awesome idea). And I agree with bccougar, don't know many people who will go all out in rough water. Any boat would have to take caution in big waves. The model Triton I fish out of isn't a speed demon. It is nearly 22 foot. Top end is about 67. Maybe 70 with a LIGHT load going with the wind, but it wasn't purchased with the intent for speed, it was purchased for smooth ride, and large amounts of room. There is really no right answer. Everyone has their own brand they prefer to endorse. Triton is mine.

2nd the FX 21. Great boat.

I agree with the above the driver makes a big difference. I do believe of all the brands mention the Phoenix is the easiest to learn to drive to have the smoothest softest landing boat. This will save your back. The Phoenix has one of the largest fishing platform in the 900 series made. The phoenix is one of the dries while running of any of the brands. The lay out is great. The performance is one of the things Phoenix is known for. The 921 weights 1950# for a 21'6" boat, the speed for this boat is about 74 with a fishing load. There are not any other 21'6" boats that will do this with a 250HP motor. just my .02

I have owned Cats, Tritons, Skeeters, Legends and a couple of Rangers. Running a Phoenix 920 Pro XP now and it impresses me ever time I get in it. Awesome boat!

I agree with what bccougar said. I can take a 20' basscat, run it with the 21ter on Rayburn on the nastiest days. When the waves get tall enough not to see out of them, the cat will keep her head up and go. For top end performance in big water. I can drop my jack plate and let her fly. She might come completely out every 3rd wave but she will make it there and back. If the water is calm like the first basschamps, I held steady at 77.1-77.3 loaded. I love the fact that after running big water, I do not have to tighen up the rubrail and all of the interior plastics. I have ran a z520c fx20 920 and alpha211. I like a 20ter that I can fish in tight spaces. The trolling motor set up on the cat fits me. Fishability for myself is best in the cat. Deep boxes up front to hold my junk along with a rod box that holds 35 rods. Storage under my seat for scales, cull tags, and important items.

May not run 74 but what's 4 mph when I'm dry and it handles BIG water, Ive got to vote Sheeter but then again I own one so yes it's a preference thing.

I also am a Cat guy. I have ridden in Ranger, Skeeter and Triton and prefer my Puma. The only change I would make is the FTD hull. I bought my boat in 06' and it is the Classic hull just not as wide other then that no changes.

Ranger!

Love my Skeeter FX21, but I really think it comes down to what you are accustomed to and are looking for in a boat. I've ridden in all but the Phoenix, and really don't have any complaints other than just preference. Of the brands listed, all are good quality, and will hold up if taken care of.

I've looked at the newer ZX models and also the Phoenix, and as far as finish goes, they both seem like a step down from the FX, but the Ranger still takes the cake.

Just took a die hard Phoenix (921) friend of mine fishing in a tournament this pass weekend in my Bullet 21XRS (21'-10") full tournament load 250 Pro XS @ 79 mph. at the end of the day we made a 28 mile run back to the ramp and the wind had picked up to 20 mph and white caps ... averaging around 70 to 75 mph ..... he said he couldn't believe how well it handled the rough water and that he could never have done that in his boat. Also, the area we fished took getting past a very shallow stretch to get to the deeper part of a slough, he said his boat would not have been able to get back there..... which netted us a 22.89# sack by the way, only good for 5th place though

He also said I was F'n crazy when we got back to the ramp.

I also have a friend that runs the big Bullet 21XRS. I have to say it does better then I would have expected. I could not have run 79 because my 921 won't run 79.LOL I can get about 70 MPH in those conditions but I do not believe there was water so rough you could run and I couldn't. The Phoenix will get into some pretty shallow water. I am not sure the Bullet 21 XRS could get in that much shallower water then my Phoenix. The XRS is a heavier boat then the other Bullets which is what makes it ride so much better then the lighter Bullets. Good boat tho but the deck is no where near as wide was my 921. LOL I give up the extra speed for a good ride and wider deck. Their are a lot of good boats out there.

I say that about my friend to. He took me and a buddy in his last boat. I think it was a 20' XRS and at 5200 RPM we where running 85 with three people. He had that boat to 105 MPH if I remember right. I can understand his comment about the whole crazy thing, I didn't see a need to go with him anymore after that till he promised to keep it under 80. LOL

I am certainly not bashing the Phoenix, I think it's a really good looking boat and I do like the wider deck. In Phoenix defense, I let this friend drive my boat that day and to my surprise (because he's been driving boats forever) it started to chine on him and he couldn't control it. I didn't say anything to him but I don't think he really knows how to drive past 65. Well I guess that disproves everything I said ... ha ha

My 92 champion is the my favorite lol honestly one of the safest and better handling 18 footers I've been in

i have an 05zx225 and i love it, handles great for a 20ft boat, jumps up out of the hole and has good top end speed. The fishability for me is outstanding, i would buy another in a heart beat

1986 Thunderbolt Boats 170V Bass Chaser... its a little sentimental jewel for me.

Ever watch that show Deadliest Catch? Well, I'm the camera boat, and I run back and forth from crab boat to crab boat for the footage, and it's all from my...............RANGER Z520! Have a blessed weekend y'all. Happy Easter.

Lmao now that's hilarious. I literally laughed enough to get a strange look from my wife.

Hands down the best all around is Phoenix

This^^^ I have the same opinion, I own an 08 Triton 21X2 rides like a Cadillac.

If it ain't a Cat then it's gotta be a dog.

You will get wet in ALL of them.

1 Triton 21xs
2 Triton 21xs
3 Triton 21xs

4 Triton 21 HP
5 Triton 21 TRX
6 Triton 21X2

Well my preference is phoenix since I have one.

Rough water ride is pretty good.
Handling,acceleration and speed are also very very good.

good one Bryan

Does it get stress cracks like the rest of the skeeters do?