still not having one

2004 Skeeter SX190.

No flat-foot type mounting for the trolling motor foot control.

Under seat storage and right side rod locker storage is not dry. Actually, the right side locker is dry if the bow is up so water can't leak in from under the dash.

Can't put the LMS332C depth finder in the dash.

I didn't get the Hot-Foot.

I didn't get a jack plate.

And...

I've just about bought/plan to add on everything the TZX has, so I should have just bought that one instead of the SX190...

My 481vs Series Ranger Commance has only 1 flaw the livewells are too small. More than once i've had 10Lb.+ fish that would barely fit so we had to run to the marina and weigh them. 1 was almost 14 and we had to fill the entire cooler putting everything in the cooler in the livewells and transporting the fish in the cooler.

Guess they didn't expect that !
I'd take a lil moisture over a high dry boat that won't sit flat in the water and is effected by the wind any day.

D

maybe the better question would have been why a person bought bought one brand over another..cause if you cant find a singe thing wrong with your boat you either have never fished in others or your are brand blind. I have spent the last couple years in newer gamblers, cobras, champions, and skeeters many many times.

ok like some on here ill be honest: I've had the boat close to a year now.

Di
1)spent big dollars on mine 04 zx225 loaded
2)locks on compartments suck (have replaced three and lock-tighted all of them)
3)Doesnt come with a second rod holder for drivers side and skeeter doesnt make one apparently.
4)If you slow down too quickly--tendency to backwash
5)Lack of electronic features on bow. I like the z-series setup
6)great going into and running with waves (great wave hopper), weak at cutting sideways..probably due to how wide they are
7)Last boat triton 01 tr-20.. Ill second Mr. Tim Cline's opinion.
7)

One of the better posts I have read on here lately. I would like to address all Fiberglass boats in general. Why in the world do they not put at least 2 wide rub rails or rubber molding somewhere along the sides? I have one on my Triton and it never fails that the stump I brush across, that digs into the gel coat, will be just lower than the rail. For me, it is difficult to lay out $20K plus for these boats to have them all scarred and marred after a day of fishing timber where most of the bass live. I know, some of you will say "Hey, a bass boat is just a tool to catch fish", or "Hee hee, look at the nice battle scars", but man, they are expensive toys. Mine is paid for thankfully, and I like to try to keep the appearance up and somewhat protect the investment, but it is a losing battle. Maybe the manufacturers should make a "pre-stressed" econo model where they beat the hull with a chain and baseball bat and sell it for half cost.

As for my 98 model Triton, there are many positives and overall I am still happy with it.

Here are a few negatives: The compartment locks(plastic) are worthless really. They have a key but plastic retainers, so all you have to do is pull hard and they lift up open, even if locked. Why have a key for these then? Also, with the latest reports of widespread equipment theft from boats, I wish the manufacturers would address it and add some reinforced compartments of something.

I am seeing some stress cracks in the outer gel around the live wells and at the consoles after 7 years. Don't know yet, how bad it is going to get.

Wish mine would have had the extending boarding ladder that the new ones have.

There are some good quality decals, and some not so good. The not so good ones are tattered, but the good ones are fine. It would have been better to not put the cheaper decals on the boat in the first place.

The workmanship on the glove box lid is poor.

That's it.

I have an '05 Triton 20X. I've had it several months now and I only have a couple of issues - other than a few minor rigging issues with the dealer:

1) Glove compartment leaks and has no lock
2) X series console swithes - hard to see what is off/on in sunlight - I'd prefer regular toggle switches
3) Bilge/livewell pumps covered by metal plate under the oil tank.
4) fake wood paneling is very brittle - I can see having to replace these beore long
5) no mounts for running lights - I've bought the hardware to put the mounts in, but this should come standard

The boat fishes and rides great though.

~Mac

Quote: maybe the better question would have been why a person bought one brand over another�.

That's exactly why I posted the question like I did. I have read hundreds of posts about why one boat over another one and I have reasons why I bought my own boat.

I thought it would be helpful to everyone to find out what people didn't like. The number of responses indicates I was on target with my question.

You would like to think that the manufactures would do this kind of research every year to figure out ways to upgrade their boats.

I have a 2004 Triton 173 Sport with a Merc 50hp.
The only thing I would like is a little bit wider boat.

Bassaholic, I have had the same problem. The solution to the problem is to purchase a tube of 100% silicone aquarium sealant (should be available from Wal-Mart, pet supply store, or a home-improvement store) and apply a dab of sealant to the same spot Triton applies whatever "glue" it uses. Your wood-grained panels won't go anywhere anymore.

The minor complaint about my 2002 Triton TR-21PDC would be that as large as the two livewells are, there is the very real possibility that only one Lake Alan Henry bass could be placed in each of the livewells.

Steven, Man I hear you. That 9# barley fit in my live well. I guess I will have to fold my next one in-half , oh and it does catch big fish too

2000 Triton 186DC
After reading 5 pages and comparing my boat with everyone problems, my only complaint is the decals. I guess now that it is paid for, I could take half a payment and replace them. I have always liked my boat, now that it's paid for I love it.

Time for another Champion owner to weigh in. I've only had my 02 193 for a couple of months and love my boat but there are a couple of minor things I don't like.

First the switches are located on the right side of the drivers seat and I am always turning them on or off when shifting gears or getting into/out of the seat. This is especially annoying when fishing a tournament and worrying about you're fish having aeration.

Second, the boat is narrow and this limits storage space and makes the openings to the compartments small. It is an absolute pain to get my trolling motor batteries out if I need to. Also being narrow (and Champions are light boats) you can really tell when your partner is moving around when they are fishing on the back deck. Also if both of you are fishing on the same side of the boat the boat leans alot. This doesn't bother me buts it does others.

BUT, being a narrow hull, it is a great ride in rough water. I've got a buddy who fishes tournaments alot and he'll take the ride in my Champion over his Ranger anyday its rough. Seriosly, if you're considering a boat purchase pick a rough day at the lake and test drive a Champion to really see what a good ride feels like. Only my first boat and I could be a Champion owner for life (we'll see).

_2002 Xpress TDX 21 All Welded Aluminum Hull/200HP V-Max Yamaha

_I have 3 Minor complaints but they have fixed 1 of them on the newer Models.

#1. No Onboard Ice Chest...I have to carry an Ice Chest to keep drinks and food cold. The Newer Model Xpress Boats have one located in the center between the driver and passenger seats.

#2. The Bilge and Livewell pumpout lines empty into the splash well. The Gas Filler Lid is also located in the Splash Well...not a very good location for Both to live.

#3. Small aft storage compartments. Need to be bigger and there is room below the deck to fit them.

Check out my favorite ride at www.WestBoats.com and www.XpressBoats.com The Only production Aluminum Boats to be rated for the 300Hp Yamaha Vmax HPDI...Xpress 22LE

_Other than that I love my X Boat Fishin Machine!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Bazztex<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

O4 Ranger 185vs.

Lets just say it is a good thing ranger has a "reputation". If they were a new boat company producing the type of boat I bought they would be out of business in a hurry.

Checking the boat at prior to purchase, Five areas of carpet were not secure. Rubber grommets missing from windshields, They cannmot be installed because the hole in the windshield and hole in console do not line up.

After two months of use I had a crack in the transom near a mounting bolt, ranger would not fix it. It was repaired for 75.00 dollars when I put on a hanby's.

My speedometer came completely loose, neither mounting bracket was tight. one nut and lock washer came completely off and was laying beneath the console, the other had worked itself about a third down the mounting bolt.

My livewell timer has quit working.

I was vacuuming the boat this weekend after a trip and 1 square foot of the back deck carpet peeled up. There was only about 1/16th of an inch of carpet tucked under the rubber trim.

The boat rides like *%*t, I knew I would lose some ride coming out of a Champion. But this thing is ridiculous. You can tell all the ranger owners a tournament -- they are wearing rainsuits on sunny days. I always thought ranger's quality was high, MARKETING. My nine year old Champion was in better shape that this this 8 month old ranger.

I will sell this boat before the years done and go back to a Champion or look hard at BassCat.

Here is what we are seeing from customers who come in here... I don't want to step on any toes, but here goes:

Overall Customer Satisfaction:

BassCat

Best Ride:

Champion
BassCat

Best Fishing Platform:

Skeeter
Triton

Overal Satisfaction:

Champion
BassCat
Ranger 5 series or Z series

Worst Ride:

No comment here since I don't want rocks thrown at me.

Most boats are built very much the same. Same bilge pumps, switches, paneling, ect.

It comes down to the end product and what you are looking for. I just had a Triton TR 21X Series that was one of the most impressive boats I have ever owned. The more I was in it, the more I liked it. PLENTY of storage, well laid out, nice console and switches, ect.

My other long time favorite has been Champions. If you want the wider body, they now make it. If you want the classic design for the ride, they still make it. Quality from them is the best I have ever seen them produced.

Basscat also has their act together with their boats. Excellent Ride, well laid out, good factory support.

The Ranger 1 series: 185, 195, 205, ect, still are not the 5 or Z Commanche Series, so there is going to be a short fall there.

In all, we see flaws in every boat made. Doesn't make any difference on Brand. Just how well the factory takes care of it.