In January I sold my Phoenix 721 and bought a new Skeeter SX200 bay boat. Here are my comments on why I went with the Skeeter.

I went to the Houston boat show the first day with the wife and 7 year old grandson. We climbed in and out of every 19-20 foot CC there, glass and aluminum.

First of all I wanted a boat I could bass fish out of, therefore front and rear decks were required. Many of them sit very high in the front, so those were eliminated. I wanted a boat with a 150hp rating. The boat had to fit in my garage (more on that later!).

After looking at them and doing my homework I narrowed it down to the Skeeter and and an Express. Both boats fit my requirements. However the Express to me had to many sharp corners as opposed to a glass boat. I chose glass over aluminum for the ride.

I bought my boat rigged with the following: 150 SHO, 8' Power Pole Blade, Terrova MDI 80lb, Humminbird Helix 10DI (front) and 12SI (console), swim platform, keel guard and bimini top. It had a bluetooth system in it, I like having it when I fish by myself. The wife said get everything you want! She knows me.

Here are some pros and cons. I have had 3 back surgeries, the ride in the Skeeter is great, top speed is 50. Storage is okay, the rod boxes on both sides will hold 4 each, far less then a bass boat. Tackle storage is adequate, I down sized my boxes and still carry a small Bass Pro with me. The Skeeter console has a tray over the batteries, great design and storage on top of it. Both rear seats have storage under them. If using a butt seat, the front deck is small. I do not like the Terrova running it with the pedal, but an Ultrex pedal will sit on top, no room for a tray. The Terrova and I are learning to live with each other. On the rear deck I had the seat post installed in the center, down side is the splash well is right there, my buddy fell in stepping in it! In order to get in and out of the garage I have to drop the power pole and remove the windshield. I have not had the windshield on for several months, it is a target when casting! Front baitwell and rear livewell are auto fill, fortunately they have valves installed in the rear to shut that off. The bait well is dry storage for now.

Overall I am still adjusting to the boat. It is getting better as I adapt to the differences in a front deck the size of a small aircraft carrier to one the size of a dinghy. But coming home and my back not hurting has been huge for me. Docking this one vs the bass boat is different, I am finally getting the hang of it. Loading it on the trailer has been interesting, I won't say I am finally there, but 5 out of 6 times I am dead on. I added a Trick Step to the trailer, I kept the one off of my Phoenix and made a mount for it, love it for climbing in and out the front.

You said no swim platform, you have kids, get one, you will be sorry if you do not. I am going to add a Turboswing eventually to pull a tube and a skier, just has not happened yet.

I bought my boat at Fun N Sun in Cleburne. Great service and attention to what I wanted. If you have any questions, give me a holler.

Get one of these beauties

Take a look at blazer bay. Great riding boat.

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