Posted by MarkNJBass on 09-11-2003 09:20 AM:

New Bass Boat decisions

Well...I think I have narrowed it down to two boat companies. I have decided on either a Stratos or a Triton for my next boat. I've looked at them all...Nitro, Skeeter, Champion, G3, everything and I think I have narrowed it down to those two. If anyone has any opinions on the two I would appreciate the comments. Thanks again...Mark

Posted by Lpbassman on 09-11-2003 09:41 AM:

Both are very good boats.The Stratos will cost you a bit less and give you a few more bells & whistles for your dollar spent. Tritons are very nice as well but also VERY expensive. FYI: I am leaning towards a Stratos myself when I decide to upgrade from Aluminum to glass. Just currious as to why you eliminated the Skeeter as they are also very good boats. How much do you want to spend, and do you want a brand new one or one thats a year or two old. You can save a fortune by purchasing a trade in that is in well kept condition.

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Posted by canuckbass on 09-11-2003 10:00 AM:

Not a Triton

My buddy has a TR21 with a 225 Opti and he wished he never bought it. I run a Ranger and he tells me everytime he sees me he wished he had bought a Ranger instead. I'm not trying to change the focus of your question and say "Buy a Ranger" Infact I know a local Stratos dealer and alot of local guys have bought from him and they all have nothing but good things to say. Not near as bad chinewalk and better layout/design than the Triton. I'd go with the Stratos

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A bad day on Quinte is better than a good day at work

Posted by Skeet on 09-11-2003 12:03 PM:

I am with LPBassman, What happened to Skeeter?

Send me an email or message and we can set a day to test drive my Skeeter and maybe even do what it is made designed for and catch a few fish.

Posted by MarkNJBass on 09-11-2003 02:23 PM:

I haven't totally eliminated Skeeter

After riding in and looking at everything known to man (hehe) I just like the Stratos and the Triton's the best. But believe me..if I were to wind up with a nice Skeeter I certainly wouldn't be upset. It's really just my personal preferences to narrow it down to those two boats. And the Stratos does seem like the best deal for what you can get. Another brand I didn't mention that I am high on is BassCat. I've spoken to a dealer and if they have some good deals I may lean in that direction. We'll see what happens, I'm looking for something in the $25,000-30,000 range...with a Yamaha V-Max 200 on it. For me the most important options are electronics and the trolling motor...and I want to get the hot foot on my next boat. Thanks for all the input.....Mark

Posted by Skeet on 09-11-2003 04:19 PM:

New for 2004 Skeeter has come out with a TZX 200.

Basically, it is the same as the classic boat (ZX200) without a few options (tilt steering wheel, color schemes, etc.) It is 19' 5" and designed for the 200 Yamaha V-Max. For all the specs you could go to http://www.fishingworld.com/Skeeter/ZX200/.

It would be in your price range and still leave enough to have all the electonics you could float.

If you want to take a test drive email me.

Posted by fishinut on 09-11-2003 05:35 PM:

Im dont know too much about tritons. Im just curious what people dont like about these boats? Im am forming a boat list myself and am trying to learn pros and cons of as many boats as I can. thanks - fishinut

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Fishinut

"The next best thing to fishing is talking about fishing" - Mike Iaconelli

Posted by MarkNJBass on 09-11-2003 07:25 PM:

Thanks Skeet

I guess judging by your screenname you're a Skeeter owner. I'm not familiar with the Skeeter/Stratos/Triton bass boat dealers in NJ/NJ/PA. When I do internet searches it seems like I will need to travel down south to get a better deal. I'll check out that Skeeter website.....Mark

Posted by canuckbass on 09-12-2003 08:53 AM:

fishinut,

Alot of guys do like Tritons but as well, alot of guys dont. They are a bit of a lighter boat and the hull is designed to go very fast. The problem kicks in when driving them fast, they chinewalk like crazy and so the driver has to really focus on driving it. To get rid of the chinewalk you have to snap the wheel hard a full quarter turn then snap it right back. This usually gets rid of the walking but it always comes back. Other boat designs (like Ranger, Skeeter and Procraft) don't do this nearly as much or as bad. It really comes down to what a guy wants. I can pin my Ranger and it will go straight as an arrow effortlessly. The guy in the Triton may pass me but man is he holding on. Another difference is in rougher water. The with the heavier boats you get a better ride. My .02 on th matter. Cheers

__________________
A bad day on Quinte is better than a good day at work

Posted by Paul_M on 09-12-2003 09:00 AM:

Rangers don't chine walk much cause they are slow!

Posted by Lpbassman on 09-12-2003 09:19 AM:

Canuk,
I have to strongly disagree with your methods for getting a boat out of a "chine walk" The VERY LAST thing you want to do is snap your wheel in any direction. Doing so could very easily cause the boat to flip at high speeds. The propper way to stop this is to slow your speed until the boat returns to a normal run.

__________________
"early to bed, early to rise--fish like hell and make up lies"

Posted by canuckbass on 09-12-2003 09:38 AM:

Lpbassman,

The handle is Canuckbass and you can disagree but it works. I've done it in a friends Triton after he showed me how and coached me through it. Its not something easily mastered and not for the faint of heart. On a different note I just picked up this story on a news website.

Yamaha settles bass boat lawsuit
Mark Lamb -- Mon, Sep/8/03

Yamaha Motor Corp., Dawson Marine Boat Sales, Yamaha's Skeeter boats and others have agreed to a $6.885-million lawsuit settlement with boater Michael Davis, according to several newspaper reports on Sunday.

Davis alleged that the design and engine of a Skeeter bass boat were responsible for an October 2000 boat accident in which the bass boat took a sudden turn, throwing the driver from the boat and causing the boat's propeller to hit Davis, according to the newspaper reports. As a result of his injuries, Davis is now a quadriplegic.

"A 90-inch-wide Skeeter boat should not have 200 or 225 horsepower Yamaha engine on it, or any motor of that size," Davis' attorney, Chris J. Roy Sr., told the newspapers.

The lawyer also said during a test by Yahama in January, the same type of boat made a sudden, unexpected turn, throwing a technician into the water.

In addition to the other parties, William J. Self and Progressive Insurance Co. were named in the suit.

Under the settlement, Yamaha will pay Davis $6 million in compensatory damages, Dawson Marina and Boat Sales will pay $750,000 in damages, Yamaha Skeeter will pay $100,000 in court costs and Progressive Insurance will pay $25,000 in damages and $10,000 in court costs, the newspapers reported.

__________________
A bad day on Quinte is better than a good day at work

Posted by Paul_M on 09-12-2003 10:11 AM:

LP,

Canuckbass is 100% correct with the technique for stopping chinewalking. It's the only way to "drive through" chinewalk.

Paul

Posted by Lpbassman on 09-12-2003 10:25 AM:

Canukbass,
Your own admission of "not for the faint of heart" should tell you something. It might work, but it is not a safe procedure.
As far as the article goes.....
I read this a few days ago myself. As the sales manager for the NMMA's NY & Atlantic City boat shows I receive all kinds of industry news, facts and info on a daily basis. While this incident is unfortunate, it also shows how many boat owners operate their vessels using inadequate safety measures (myself included). It clearly showed me that the driver of this boat was not operating with a "KILL SWITCH LANYARD" attached to his person. Had he been wearing it, the boat would have come to an abrupt stop seconds after he was tossed overboard. Too many times that I have read stories of this nature and someones lawyer is very quick to blame the manufacturer instead of the his clients own carelessness, recklessness and stupidity. I'm sorry but a 19 foot Skeeter is more than capable of handling a 200 or 225HP engine. The driver had to have been showing off in order to have caused this incident. Not MHO--FACT!

__________________
"early to bed, early to rise--fish like hell and make up lies"

Posted by Jet300 on 09-12-2003 10:31 AM:

I think what we are ggetting hung up here on is the term "SNAP" ...

The propper technique is probably more akin to a "twitch" in one direction and then the other .... Abrupt movements of 1/4 turn while chinewalking over 65MPH will prolly result in catastophic results .... Most likely your moving the wheel less than 1/8 of a turn in either direction .. Once again ... just variations on how people explain things ....

The main point is if your gonna drive thru chinewalk ... dont try ANY abrupt movements or your in for a bad day ...

Here's a great page on chinewalking .....

www.bassboatcentral.com/new_page_2.htm

Posted by Jet300 on 09-12-2003 10:53 AM:

Now for the Skeeter issue ...

Skeeter hasn't made a 90 inch wide boat in quite a few years ... the current production models that rate at 200 HP and up are 92" for the ZX performance series and 94" for the SX Tournament series .... These date back to 1997 or so ...

Its apparent here that they were out on a test drive and someone form the dealership was driving the boat ... The main issue is not the boat, its the fact the operator was not wearing his kill switch lanyard ... Had he, this would have ben prevented ...

I have no idea how old this boat was but the newer Skeeter hulls such as the 2000+ ZX200 which replaced the 1996-1999 ZX202, are really point and forget type boats, Skeeter made them a bit slower and really just designed the chinewalk out of them so even novice drivers could drive em safely .....
For example the older 202's were faser hulls 74MPH+(gps) with a 200 3.1L Yamaha on the back, yet to get those speeds you had to setup the boat properly and know how to drive thru the chinewalk should it occur .... The ZX200 which replaced it is a relatively slower hull, about 70 MPH(gps) with a 3.1L yamaha on the back, yet is very docile and has no chinewalking characteristics to speak of .... Just point it, trim it and go .....

Rangers have never really had histories of chinewalking unless they were setup improperly. They are designed to be steady, safe hulls while running and fishing ... They never were desgined to be the fastest of the bunch ... yet are great rough water boats, handle very well and fish great.

Posted by Skeet on 09-12-2003 11:48 AM:

Mark,

Our nearest dealer is in Wilkes-Barre, PA. You could be there in less than 1.5 hours. Email me for directions.

Canuckbass,

I am not sure why you felt this information was appropiate

This was an unfortunate and terrible accident. It shows the dangers that can occur anytime we take to the water.

Now lets look at the lawsuit....
"A 90-inch-wide Skeeter boat should not have 200 or 225 horsepower Yamaha engine on it, or any motor of that size," Davis' attorney, Chris J. Roy Sr., told the newspapers.

First of all Skeeter's hulls are 92" (ZX250, ZX225, ZX200) and 94" (SX200). Those are the only bass boats capable of handling a 200 hp motor. If the attorney was making a generalization regarding the beam then you can plug any of the bass boat manufactures in for Skeeter since most beams are in the low 90's.

Second..... Out of the 6.885 million, Skeeter is paying $100,000?? Not hardly a big portion of the claim. The main argument was the power of the motor, which could have been any manufacturer since most have a 200hp or 225hp in their stable and not Skeeter's design as evidence by the payout of the claim.

Third.... Skeeter boats are NMMA certified. To the best of my knowledge still the only bass boat manufacturer who can make this claim. (the other manufactures are NMMA registered) The National Marine Manufactures Assn. has stringent requirements to become certified. You can go to their web site to see all the requirements. Pay close attention to the flotation requirements.

Ok... time for my disclaimer.....

Not everyone will have the same requirements for what they want out of a bass boat. Which is why there are so many manufactures and models. For MY fishing requirements, Skeeter, I feel is the best choice for me. My major requirements are storage, front deck space, fishability (how the boat rests in the water), rough water ride, and speed to name a few.

I do not want to get into a debate regarding Skeeter or any other manufacturer, but merely asked Marc to consider Skeeter in his boat buying process. I even offered to take him out in my boat to get a feel for the boat and to see if it is right for him.

Everyone has their own opinion on what they like which is why I guess every Miss America is not 5'9" with blonde hair and blue eyes!!

Posted by Lpbassman on 09-12-2003 12:00 PM:

Skeet,

Great Post!! Thank you for the info regarding NMMA guidelines for certification. As the National Sales Manager for the NMMA's New York and Atlantic City Boat shows, these are rules and guidelines that I live by.
FYI: There are a few other bass boat companies that are also NMMA certified as well.

__________________
"early to bed, early to rise--fish like hell and make up lies"

Posted by canuckbass on 09-12-2003 12:29 PM:

Skeet,
I went back and removed the "appropiate" comment. I like Skeeters and only ended up in a Ranger because the price was right.
Paul_M,
I get 70.7mph on the GPS hardly slow but keep up the trolling you might catch a lunker yet LOL!

__________________
A bad day on Quinte is better than a good day at work

Posted by Jet300 on 09-12-2003 01:15 PM:

FYI ..

Here is the of NMMA "certified" boat builders ... a bunch of big bass boat builders not on there ....

www.nmma.org/certification/programs/boats/boatlinks.asp

Posted by Skeet on 09-12-2003 02:13 PM:

Thank you, Jet300, Canuckbass, and LPBassman.

Jet300, we were on the same page regarding the post.

Canuckbass, I appreciate you removing the post.

LpBassman, I figured there were a few more builders who were added to NMMA. Last year, Skeeter made a big push, for us to incorporate the information into our sales conversations. We had the brochures from NMMA at all our shows and used them as a sales tool basically to say these boats are fast and safe!!

Guys, maybe we can drag our boats to a lake and use them for what they are made to do....... get us to the fish SAFELY.

Good luck the remainer of the season and I will hopefully see some of you at the area shows.

Gary Kanwisher

Posted by Jet300 on 09-12-2003 03:38 PM:

quote:

Originally posted by Skeet
Guys, maybe we can drag our boats to a lake and use them for what they are made to do....... get us to the fish SAFELY.

Good luck the remainer of the season and I will hopefully see some of you at the area shows.

Gary Kanwisher

Good deal Skeet! ... Couldnt have said it better! .. Hope to see you out there one day! ... Hey BTW: Check your PM"s ... I sent you a message ... Thanks!

Posted by MarkNJBass on 09-12-2003 04:37 PM:

Maybe I'll stick with my Monark!!!

Man....this sport is getting dangerous!!!! Hehe...just kidding..I have always believed it's often driver error, not the product that causes accidents. I think I'm a safer boat driver than when I'm in my truck! I appreciate the information everybody....but lets leave out the lawsuits in the future....Mark

Posted by John M on 09-15-2003 06:18 PM:

Might be missing the boat, all of the boats have certain advabtages and disadvantages,Rangers are layed out better for the tournament fisherman. The best riding boat in my opinion is the Champion. If I draw a partner with a Champion, I know ill have an enjoyable ride,(barring the fact that he's not foolish-then a shot in the arm usually rectifies that problem).
There is nothing more disconcerning than being caught out on the lake when the winds and waves intensify.
My choice of a Champion is not only for the safety aspect(handling in rough water) but at my age I try to avoid the bone jarring hits from being bounced around in other boats