get the biggest boat you can afford...If you ever have to fish big water the bigger the boat the better.

I would get the Skeeter if it were me.

Nitro the better deal there, and the mercury the better motor.

And I fish out of a new Ranger. So not skeeter owner. Lol I have rode in both a lot, and nitro still takes rough water better than anything I’ve rode in. I would have bought one if I didn’t get the deal on the Ranger I got.

If the Nitro has the 8 Cylinder 250 it is a beast. I have a new Z21 and it does take rough water well.
I came out of a FX21 and bought the Nitro. Just my 2 cents!

I'm not a true Texan then because I wouldn't want that hunk of [censored]

Put me in a Legend or Phoniex

Buy Texan buy Skeeter

Nitro hulls are not very strong was at the fiberglass shop and he was fixing a spot on top of rub rail that had s nice chunk in it ask him what happened and he said guy hit it with a tungsten weight.

Nitro all the way for me on those new Z hulls. Pass on the Skeeter.

Between these 2, on the same day go look at both, take a walk around, climb in and then make the deal on the one you feel is right for you in that moment. No lunch to think about it, no forum to cloud your thoughts. They will both be good boats for you. Just keep in mind how much it will cost you equip the nitro, but also you will get to equip it with what you want.
2-12's-$6000
2 power poles - $4000
jackplate, hotfoot, misc - $2,000
so about $12,000 to equip that nitro.

Both new, I would buy the Skeeter but they're not. Something to be said for owning it from Day 1. It is a tie. Buy the one YOU like the most and feel like fits you the best and don't look back.

Depending on when it hit the water that Skeeter could be 3 years old. I think it’s the better boat but that price seems high to me.

I agree, that boat seems priced high. I'd keep shopping, I think you'll find a better deal on a used boat. Your problem now is you are buying during peak demand.

Buy the Nitro and when you hit 160 hours think about owning a boat with 320 instead. Which do you want? Same with graphs, etc. they’ll all be new.

^^^^ This!

I know the last thing you're thinking about now (excited about new boat!) would be resell value but the Skeeter will probably be easier to sell down the road.