Buying new used boat.

So I am in the market for a new used boat. I have been looking at Skeeter ZX series boat with Yamaha SHO. Tell me why I shouldn't buy this boat and what boat I should buy. My budget is $43000 out the door this must included poles and 9inch plus graphes front and back.

Unless it has a ton of warranty, and you plan to sell before the warranty expires. I wouldn't buy a boat with a SHO. Every used boat with a SHO seems to have a new power head.

The Sho's had problems with power heads till early 2012 they do not have many problems now. they have all been fixed the last ones have a recall right now to have the few that are left fixed. I would not be scare of a Sho after 2012 for sure. ZX's are good boats. I would also look at a good used 721 Phoenix in that price range. good luck ether way

I love when someone bashes a sho. Do y'all not remember the optipop when it came out? Sad thing is now the sho is performing with the mercs while not burning the oil and gas. Since the updated bearings there is not a "problem" with a Sho.

Whatever you buy, take it to a boat dealer mechanic to do an inspection on motor,boat and trailer. You will sleep better at night, trust me!

They had a recall on 2011 models. My friend has one that hasn't been changed out yet. Running smooth

Thanks guys for the info. I am looking at a 2012 fx 20 with a 250 sho with 200 hours. I figure if it ha sent blown up yet it should be good.

Man Its all the same now. Get what you want and keep up the maitenence.

Also check the trailer! Tubing trailers tend to have interior rust problems, C channel is way better....

SHO's are fine now, first year or 2 had some issues, but it is a strong motor.

A lot of wisdom in that statement.

do not buy a yamaha, go with a ranger legend or phenix, not a fan of skeeters as the rough water ride is wet and rough. have heard good things out of basscats, can't go wrong with a 250 mercy pro xs. all are just my personal opinions if i offended you, well buck up buttercup. you should do some test drives to get it all figured out with what you want, thats what i did and I'm in a legend, fast smooth dry and stable.

Id get the biggest phenix,the new legend,or a basscat eyra or caracol.it's a Shame you can't buy a new one for 43000 tho

The 2015 SHO. BC My boat blew up. It had less than 20hrs. In shop needs new power head.

Personally, no way I'd spend $43k on a boat with a motor that has no warranty and a history of powerhead problems.

Get a Merc or Etec or include motor work in your budget. You might not like the answer, but that's my opinion and you asked for them. Of course, you know what they say about opinions...

Buy something with warranty and have it checked out by a shop.

Just wondering. What engine was this? Seems like something was wrong from the start. I'm curious about what caused the failure?

The Skeeter ZX series is great fishing platform with a wide front deck, dry ride and handles rough water as well as any modern bass boat. As stated by others the SHO had problems with the crankshaft trust bearing and rings not seating AKA making oil. The word on the street is the issues have been resolved. Addressing warranty and used outboard engines I personally would not buy any used outboard without warranty with the exception of a super bargain. For example if I had to repower on my own dime the over all cost would still be acceptable.

I have a 2013 ZX with poles. 158 hours Warranty until 2019. 998 Humminbird graphs. Pm if you want more info

If you will come see the experts at a boat dealership like us at fun-n-sun you can come see a great selection of new and used boats that would fit your needs and expectations and let me put my 27 years of experience in the bass boat industry to work for you, and get facts about brands instead of opinions.
Thanks,
Fain Caldwell
Fun-N-Sun Boats
817-280-0303

I wouldn't be afraid of the SHO. Our bay boat has around 380 hours now, it's a 2012, and (to this point) have had no issues. It is a very strong engine. I would be scared of an e-tec though, my grandpa's is on its fourt lower unit and he never runs wot. I have nothing to say against Mercury, they're fast and reliable.

There is some funny comments on this thread.

Id buy a Sho or Merc anytime. both good and own the market.

I have a 2015 ZX 225 with 42 hours on it if interested it is in the boat section.

I would shop around and maybe pick out 3 boats you like, Skeeter, Bass Cat and Legend let's say. After looking for a few weeks you will start to see which age and model has what you want and can afford. Next, find some clean ones that you would consider buying and go drive them. Nothing beats getting them on the water and seeing how the deck is laid out and how they drive, that's my .02. I did this and found a Bass Cat I had to have and have been very happy.