Ok guys I need your thoughts and opinions. Has anyone been in both the 200 and the 225(both 18 year models or newer). Is there a big ride difference between the 2 models? I am not interested in the speed difference. I am more interested in the rough water ride and fishability. I dont know if the extra 5 inches of length is enough to even help with the rough water ride, handling, or fishability. Give me y’all’s thoughts between the 2 models. Thanks In advance

Every inch counts

Skeeter and rough water ride in the same sentence, thats funny

Spoken like someone who has not been in a FXR/ZXR. There is also nothing wrong with the rough water ride of a ZX200 or ZX225 either.

As for the OP both platforms are great but it would be hard for me not to get the ZX225 if it's in the price range you want. It's almost ac20' boat so it can handle rough water just fine. Layout and fishability are great on both also.

I haven’t been in a far/zxr but have heard they do ride good. ZX series to me has to be about the worsts riding bass boat on the market.

Depends on who is driving. If you get beat up.in a 20-21' boat these days you should blame the driver.

So the 200 and the 225 is in the right price range for what I’m looking for. There may be better rides out there in other brands but those 2 models are the ones I am interested in for the year model and motor hours I can afford. Wish I could swing a bigger one but just don’t want to finance my life away on a bigger price point. Thanks for yalls opinions and I really appreciate y’all’s thoughts on this.

I own a 2021 ZX225 and rode in and drove a 2018 ZX200 before I bought my boat. To me the 225 has a better ride than the 200. Neither boat lands as soft as the Phoenix I had, but, I couldn’t stand the short deck on the Phoenix. The front deck on the ZX225 is massive for a sub 20’ boat. It will also stay on plane we’ll below 20 mph which comes in handy in really rough water. If buying new, once you add poles and larger graphs to the 200, you are within about $2k of a 225. That’s what made the decision easier for me. I know you said top speed was less important, but, I’ll add that my ZX225 will run 73 with just me and 70 with a large partner. I have only lost about 1.5mph in the east Texas humidity and 90 degree water.

Just got out of a 2014 ZX20 into a 2021 Phoenix 902 Elite. My back and kidneys no longer scream doctor after a long ride across Ray Roberts or Texoma. I doubt my skills improved so dramatically overnight.

And I'm not saying someone else couldn't have made my ZX perform better than I could. I drove it better in 2021 than I did in 2014, so a skill set definitely comes in handy. But when the same driver gets two completely different results out of 2 different boats, some credit has to go to the boat.

To the OP's question, go bigger if you can.

I own a 2018 ZX225. Owned a ZX190 prior. The 225 is a great ride in rough water. Not quite the same as comparing to a ZX200 but a couple of factors (outside of ride in rough water) you may need to think about. Garage fit. I've got about a foot to spare for my ZX225....the 200 would be easier to get into my garage. Getting in and out of tight spaces on the water-smaller boat was so much easier to maneuver around docks, limbs, etc. Biggest complaint I have in the 2018 is the rear compartment access to batteries, pumps, chargers, etc. (is it different in a ZX200??) In my 225 access is near impossible and you have to unscrew the lids.(super hard to do if you're on the water, in wind and need to access quickly) Not sure what year they changed that layout but if they did it in 2019 and that still fits your budget, go for it.

Smart man. The advice I would give is get the biggest boat you can afford.

This!!! No matter what the brand!

My Skeeter 21I can handle the rough water with the best of them...

Typically the 225 has larger fuel tanks, livewells, graphs, trolling motor, bilge pumps, battery charger and a fourth battery. Haven't ridden in the newest 225's. I know they are shorter than the old ones.

Yep. One of the best ever.