Need advise Boat/outboard

[tommyfishes]

Hello, I'm looking into a new or pre-owned rig for striper fishing and would like your input. It will stay on SML no off shore fishing.

I want to welcome some advise/guidance. planning to go with 200-250 Honda? Yamaha? Suzuki? Help!! 4 stroke so give your input please.

The boat! well there are so many choices, I like the Skeeter ZX22 & ZX24 really well. does anyone have any first hand experience in one? With the t-top or without?

[seajay]

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 4 strokes that you have listed.
As far as the skeeter I have not fished on one but back when I first was looking at selling my skiff and getting a bay boat I looked at the skeeters but did not like the layout of them.
I am sure they have changed since then.
My advise would be to check out as many different ones as you can new and used and see what would be the best value.
Good luck!

[mwardncsu]

I love my t-top. The shade is nice this time of year as well as when the weather is nasty. A set of t-top curtains makes the world a whole better place come January. It may restrict you in terms of accessing certain waters due to height - but no issues getting under Hales Ford Bridge and Hardy Bridge (hopefully the new bridge they are going to build at Hardy has just as much clearance).

The t-top also give you more storage options with an e-box or t-top bag.


On the motors, one thing I think about is where is warranty authorized service if you need it. No Suzuki certified/authorized service on SML that I know of unless one of the newer off-lake shops has started. Think you have to go to Danville. Scott at SML Boat and Tackle does Honda. A couple of Yamaha options. Hondas are heavy and max ay 200 or 225 HP and they are heavier than the others. They did just announce a 250 (and maybe a 300) but not sure if they are out yet. Suzuki has the best torque and was lighter then the previous Yamaha's, but I think Yamaha closed much of that gap with their new "offshore" big blocks. On a boat like a Skeeter with its lower sides and I'm guessing lower transom one of the Yamaha 4-strokes (VMWX SHO) for bass boats might be the ticket.

On the boat - many layouts, figure out what is most important for your fishing style and look at a lot of options. Sealer location and service is also something to think about.

Enjoy the process - looking is the fun part as it does not come with any monthly statements nor fuel bills ;D

[ajk]

I have had two yamahas and they have treated/served me well.
hit some boat shows and show rooms.

Service and warranty are important considerations.

Layouts and storage were high on my list.

I looked at almost every bayboat on market. It takes a while to research but as you go through the process it will narrow down to a few

I called a local business for some work and they didnt want to talk to me because I had not bought the boat from them.

[mwardncsu]

Aug 15, 2012 20:54:41 GMT -5 ajk said:

I called a local business for some work and they didnt want to talk to me because I had not bought the boat from them.

That's the nonsense that does not make good business sense - they don't get your business now nor in the future when you remember how they treated you.

[wishforfish]

Was planning on buying the Skeeter before I purchased my Mako and spent over 1 1/2 years shopping for boats before I bought mine in 2008. The reason I did not buy the Skeeter was the low gunnels and hull profile. I loved the speed and sleek look but after being in a bunch of different boats I just didn't feel like I had enough "boat around me" in the Skeeter. The layout was somewhat of an issue too. Don't know what you are looking at boat wise but if you like the Skeeter you might try looking hard at the Ranger Bay and Tritons. I love my Mako but any of the skiffs are arguably better fishing boats. In my opinion the Mako, Sea Hunt, Scout, Polar and Shearwater are all middle of the road type boats that are well made without spending the money for a Yellowfin or a top of the line boat.

[striperseeker]

The question as to whether or not to use a skeeter bass boat is a really good one. My last boat was a Cajun fish and ski and it made a great striper boat. But (there is always a but), it has been replaced by my current Polarkraft deep V boat. Why?

It seems to me a bass boat has some real advantages? Great live wells, it is a wonderful fishing platform, and it goes really fast. It has one draw back and that is the ride tend to be extremely bumpy when going over the wakes of other boats. For us this made the boat all but impossible to use during the summer when the boat traffic is at its peak. Of course in the winter the bass boat was wonderful since it was much more like flying than being in a boat.

So we now have a deep V boat. It is much smoother but much slower. Do I miss all that speed? You bet I do but for me I would rather have a smoother ride.

So here is the question for you? Is it better to have a boat that is fast but has a harsh ride for some of the year or do you prefer a smooth ride but at a slower speed. There is not correct answer for everyone. Each person is different. But there is a correct answer for you. Which do you think would be most enjoy able?

[mwardncsu]

Striperseeker - I think tommyfishes is looking at the Skeeter Bay boats - not their bass boats - although there is lot of bass boat "DNA" in their bay boats.

www.skeeterboats.com/products/12/19

www.skeeterboats.com/products/12/18


Tommy - one thing to look closely at is where you can put a bait tank (assuming you will live bait fish). The way the 22 is setup is a lot like Wish's Mako and there is no room in the rear for a bait tank and probably not much for anything larger than a 30 gal, I that, up front.

Many of the bay boats have been tuned to inshore redfish fishing an give up deck space for rear casting deck space. That was what shifted me from going with a NauticStar 2200 or 2400 into the Sea Hunt.

[striperseeker]

Oops!!!

[tommyfishes]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I have been in a ranger bb for 25+ years and i too like the speed! I think i'm ready to trade the speed off for the ride as well as more room! there is no room left in a double console 19ft BB when you put a 40 gal super bait tank in the floor. trying to fish around that thing all day will wear you out, still beats working!!

Also i'm getting to fat to reach my rods with the gunnels at water level lol! all joking aside live baiting from a bass boat is tough.

Probably my bass boat days is why the skeeters/Ranger style bay boats are so appealing to me. With that being said when i am out on the water looking at the sea hunts the sea pro's sea fox's the T-tops i cant help but think " that's what i really need"

Hope to see some of you out this weekend on the water!

[wishforfish]

One thing they have definately corrected on that Skeeter is the bait well. It was a major issue a few years back with no real spot to put a tank but at 30 Gal as long as it is rounded it should be just fine with a Bait Spa type device. Definately has the bass boat style hull (I used to be a BB guy too Tommy) One thing that might help is to go to a meet and greet and see others' boats and how they are rigged. Pretty much everyone will tell you the things they like and hate/tolerate on their boat. The old Sea Pro Striper series with a spot for the tank in fromt of the console are a great design too if you already have the tank.

[mwardncsu]

It's a bit of a drive from the lake, but there is a boat show this weekend at the Raleigh Convention Center. Chatlee will be there - not sure how many or what type of boats they are bringing. The January show at the NC Fairgrounds is the big fishing boat show, but that's a LONG time away

www.ncboatshows.com/show.php/eventId/10