Skeeter ZX225, Best Fishing Boat.......................!

My partner or I have had a Charger,Blue Wave, Champion,Stratos,Gator,Nitro,Triton,and now a Ranger.In my opinion the best rough water ride was the Champion or the Ranger.The best overall quality for us has been the Ranger. Again this only one opinion. There are alot of good lookin boats out there.

Champion 191

If you want to find out how well a boat handles rough water, try going out on a windy day on a big lake...and ride on the passenger side.

Everyone thinks their boat handles rough water well when they are driving it. There is just something about the different perspective you get between the driver's seat and the passenger seat.

Champion....The best by any measure. Rangers are overpriced lead sleds and Skeeters are so rough you'll bite your toungue off in rough water.

I would have to say Champion/Basscat

Sprint..hands down the best boat made, at least that what my buddy that owns one says.

Everybody, thank for all the replies and the help. So far I know that I do NOT want a skeeter. I have ridden in a few and with 25+ winds you wish you would have never come in the first place. I am not to excited about a Ranger or Triton, but I have not heard mcuh about them. I like the looks of the Gamblers, Basscasts, and Legends. I have not ridden in any of these, but I have seen them on the lake and really like the looks of them. I like the way the Legend has their storage organized. I think that everything will seem rough after riding in my deep v-hull center console. It souns like Champion is the smoothest ride(which I want), but I am not sure about it's fishablility.

What do you guys prefer as far as outbaords go? I like the looks of the Evinrude because it is supposed to be so clean, but my Yamaha runs very nice and we have never had any problems with it. I have heard alot of guys say they like the Mercurys. Is that because of speed, gas mileage, etc? Why do you guys like your outboards, and if not, then why don't you like your outboards? Thanks again for all the help.

Rangers are nice they have great fishability and they ride wonderfully. Not the fastest boat around but what you lack in the speed you make up for in the ride. The new z series is pretty good on speed though. As far as outboards go it is mainly preferance for me I like my Mercury EFI have never had a problem with it although I would like the new optimax Pro XS thats one great motor.

As far as outboards go, I have been Mercury for a long time so I can't really compare. I have just bought a new 300XS and so far am very impressed with the motor. It is very strong and has been pretty good on gas. I would guess it is giving me better gas mileage than my old 225 EFI ProMax. It is quite and pulls at mid RPM's really strong.

Just my opinion, I would go Mercury or Yamaha. I believe Bombardier is making some very good motors, but I think they still live with the stigma of past problems that hurt resale. However, they are improving every year and getting a better reputation.

Get a good dealer. It will make all the difference.

5th Champion and it is the Driest Ride of the Bunch. But I might cross over to the Dark Side

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I'm on my 2nd Nitro and have no complaints. Both have had Yamaha motors and I've never had a problem.

Bass Cat

In my opinion Bass Cat is the best out there. Not just the boat, but the company as a whole. If you buy one, you will find out what I mean. It is nice to do business with a small town, family run, Amercian Company that has been around for a long time. They do sincerely seem to appreciate their customers.

They build quality boats and trailers. Consider one.

As far as Motors, I would say the new Mercury Optis are the way to go. They seem to have been out long enough to have the bugs worked out. They are strong engines, start easy, run smooth and have great fuel economy for an outboard. They also seem to have a good dealer network and part availability.

That is my opinion and most folks have one.

So, from what I have heard the Gamblers do not take rough water real well. So if I were lookng at a Basscat or a legend, what length do you guys like? I like getting down in the thick stuff, so I thought a shorter boat would be better for that right? Would the ride be worse if I went too short?

BCB