I have a '22 BCB Caracal and I love it. Boat before that was an Erya. Both built well and I enjoyed them both.

What model skeeter do you currently have and what are your expectations from a new boat? Ride /speed/maneuverability/etc.

I believe Mark is right in the ZXR being best value without all the bells and whistles. Last year I picked up an FXR limited at a good price. I would have preferred the regular switches vs the digital controls but it was a good deal.

I had already looked at a basscat Jaguar, phoenix 21 phx, 21 caymas, and blazer 650 pro. I really wanted a Charger 210 Elite but no dealer support locally.

As I would go by some of the dealers, I would always venture into the used boat areas, and after seeing some 3-5 year old boats i pretty easily made up my mind some of the ones i mentioned above i would not own. Carpet was shatty, emblems missing or falling off, torn seats at the seams not signs of quality I was looking for.

My top 3 would be:
Bas cat Eyra
Skeeter FXR/ZXR
Charger 203-----new model of old champion hull splashed no dealer support for boat but any dealer should support motor chosen.

I have a new boat on order that should be here in late June. I've had Skeeters and Phoenix. No problems with either, except for the price.
For that reason, I bought a Falcon Predator 21 ft. I have heard nothing but good reports on this boat and it was priced much better than the rest of them fully loaded.
It's a personal choice, and everyone's different but you might want to take a look at the Falcon. Billy over at Sarten Marine in Yantis is very easy to work with and they know their stuff!
Good Luck with your choice

I rode in a Blazer at one of the opens year before last. Man it was an amazing ride. Also loved the layout. Compared to my skeeter FX21 it rode like a dream. It was nothing like the old Blazer Bass boats from years ago. If I buy another bass boat it will be the first one I look at.

Very few complaints about my Caymas, layout is great, looks great, quality and ride are great, and it will run.

I'm sure you are aware, but Ken Smith (Ken Smith Fishing) did a bunch of reviews on boats last year, most of what you listed. If you haven't seen them, go check out his videos on his YouTube channel.

^^ Wisdom

Having a quality dealer accessible has always been a plus no matter what brand you buy if purchasing new, IMO

I have owned skeeter ( 2014 or 2015 fx21 cant remember) and 2018 basscat lynx and now 2023 basscat eyra. Plus several others not on the list like bullet and triton. Personally, i hated my lynx. Just didnt like how it rode in rough water and thats what it was designed for. The skeeter was the reason i will not own another skeeter if somebody gave me one for free. Boat was garbage. Stress cracks, transom had chunks of fiberglass coming out. Hated it. Rode horrible in rough water. Not great fit and finish i was used to with the bullet and basscat. The Eyra i currently own is by far my favorite boat. Rides perfect in rough water, gets in and out between docks very well. FAST two people i can hit 79. 1 person its 80-82 on perfect condition. I havent heard anything bad about Caymas just cant speak about them personally. I have been in a ton of phoenix boats. Ride good in rough water. Fit and finish just isnt there but they are good looking boats with a good fishing platform. I probably wouldnt own one just because of some buddies i have going through warranty work with stress cracks on them but not a bad choice. If you like trade in, dont get a skeeter. I had hell trying to sell my skeeter. My lynx i bought for 55k used in 2019 and sold it for 71k. My bullet was also a profit. Skeeter only boat i lost my butt on.

I am a Skeeter guy. Always have been, but I am not gonna tell you they are the best boats out there. They all have their +'s and -'s. Being 6' 5", space and room have always been my # 1 priority and I feel more comfortable in a Skeeter than any other brand. Its not the fastest, it's not the smoothest, it's not the best built, and it's definitely not the cheapest, but they are comfortable and spacious. I like the way they sit in the water, I like that they are made here in Texas and I love their customer service. Lastly, I like the Yamaha motor slightly more than the Mercury. Ranger, Phoenix, Bass Cat, and Caymas make solid boats as well. You cant go wrong with any of them.

Skeeter guy here as well. I only have 1 real issue with Skeeter, I want them to start doing the passenger console like most other boat manufacturers do. I have my console for my FX20 but it has to be put in by a fiberglass shop and cannot be removed freely. Why don't they build a passenger console you can put in and take out when needed... Other than that I agree with GeoFisher.

Jody

Been in all of them. It would be between Phoenix/Cat for me. Both are great. Im not impressed with Caymus and don't care for the ride of Skeeter. I am running a Phoenix PHX now and love it. Ive also owned a puma and cougar. Both were great boats.

Ever consider a stratos? I’ve been in pretty much every bass boat brand there is and my current stratos is the best boat I have ever been in. Big deck, plenty of storage, smooth on the water for its size and sits nice in the water.

If you can get over the worst storage layout in the game Bass Cat is probably the best fit and finish boats on the market. I really like the Caymas boats as well, but have not had enough experience with them to know how well the fit and finish holds up.

Phoenix is the best ride I have been in and currently own one, fit and finish is pretty good, no major complaints and I think their customer service is fantastic.

Thants my hang up on an Eyra, well that and the 1980s style seats, but BC does have a great reputation and I have a dealer here.

I hate the coffin lids on my 2018 ZX225.

Caymas is intriguing to me but closest dealer is about 2.5 hours away. I need to look at one up close.