Hey guys. Buying a bass boat and need some opinions and advice.

#1-- 2006 skeeter sx180 w/ 115hp mercury optimax. Low hours, extremely clean, stock fish finders, 70lb 24v minnkota, $10,500

#2--2005 nitro nx882 w/ 150hp Merc xr6, 8ft power pole, fixed jack plate, hydraulic steering upgrade, hummingbird 597ci, garmin 500c, 24v 75lb minnkota, boat had had a LOT more use than skeeter, carpets worn, all seats need to be replaced. $11,250

Both boats have on board chargers and hot foot pedals. Idk if skeeter is a better boat but I will be sacrificing the upgrades on the nitro for a newer boat In better condition with less hours. Can you guys please give me honest opinions and help direct me to the better choice? This will be my first boat and will have to consider the 2 strike vs the 4 stroke. Thanks guys

I'm sorry. The skeeter had a 115hp Yamaha 4 stroke not a Merc optimax

Skeeter!!!!

Can you explain why?

If the Skeeter is in better overall condition, why not? The Yammie 4 stroke is a very reliable motor. 115 on an 18' boat may be somewhat underpowered, but for a first boat, you'll want to have as little problems as you can. If the Nitro has been beat up pretty good you may want to pass. Either way, have a competent mechanic look at whichever boat you buy before you hand over the cash. If it cost you $100 to prevent a $10k mistake, it's well worth it. 

Can you explain why?

Just my personal opinion, but during those years I am sure Skeeter built a better quality boat than Nitro.  With their latest offerings though they are much closer together.

Really I see this as a no brainier decision I have to say with what you state. Skeeter.

1).There are some appealing upgrades to the Nitro but I am curious to the care what was taken with it as the carpet and seats are in bad shape and that is something that I am VERY particular to.

2).The Skeeter is a fine boat and would be my hands down choice in the years you are looking even though the Nitro line in the last few years are very appealing...I would like personally a little more HP out of the Skeeter but you should be very satisfied with from what I have read a very reliable 115 Yamaha motor.

3). With the 2 & 4 stroke debate you may as well search here for that and other sites to decide what it is that you want.  There are pros and differences (note I didn't say "cons") to these types of engines that may be more appealing from one to the next.  

 

Can't wait to see what you get!

 

-Lewi

Keep looking, the nitro's beat up and with the Skeeter you'll always want more HP.

Look out for the skeeter trailer, I've seen some (think they were ezloader) really messed up ones when I was looking for boats, some even had split/cracked rims because they mixed different alloys. Getting a new trailer could be as bad as getting a repower.

How's the wear on the nitro?

The nitro is 6 hrs away and the skeeter is 2 hrs away so it's kind of an issue to see before I buy and both are winterized and covered so I can't really test drive them either

Those carpets don't look bad at all, seats are ripped beyond repair.

If the guys want to sell their boats they better get them ready to run so you can test them.

I can get brand new seats for $380 and they told me they've meticulously maintained the boat and ALWAYS had it serviced and even more often than needed. They said what normally needed to be done every other year always got done every year and they've never had an issue with the engine. I know the Xr6 is one of mercury's best built engines. I've read nothing but great things about it. What actions can I take to ensure its in good condition with it being 6 hrs away?

Does he have copies of the maintenance records?

He said he has most but not all because the original owner didn't keep them

If go and run it myself but like I said, it's my first boat and I'm not sure what to listen for or look for

For me, it would be neither. The Skeeter is underpowered and the Nitro has a black motor hanging off of it.

You need to have them to take it to a boat shop and have the compression checked and everything looked over. You will need to pay for this regardless if you buy it or not.

If it checks out go for it if you like the boat...

It's not a bad looking boat for the money but I'd look at the top cap and see if it's faded

The seats and carpet can easily be replaced but gellcoat is harder to fix

I would personally get the one with more options.

DON'T BUY ANY BOAT WITHOUT PUTTING IT IN THE WATER AND FISHING OUT OF IT. RUN THE MOTOR, USE THE TROLLING MOTOR, USE THE DEPTH FINDERS, THE LIVE WELLS, THE BILGE PUMPS, ANY OTHER ACCESSORIES. UNLOAD AND LOAD THE BOAT YOURSELF TO SEE HOW IT SITS ON THE TRAILER AND IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES WITH LOADING/UNLOADING. $10-12 GRAND IS A LOT OF MONEY TO PUT OUT AND BE SURPRISED BY ADDITIONAL EXPENSES LATER. I KNOW IT'S COLD IN THE NORTHEAST BUT BELIEVE ME, DO IT NOW INSTEAD OF FINDING SOMETHING WRONG LATER.

Also, I didn't notice anyone mention the hydraulic steering. I think that's worth about $2000 maybe less if you do it yourself. The power pole is $1500.

Lots of $$$.

The four stroke motor on the Skeeter is a serious upgrade but it's a 115. An 18' boat normally has a 150. That would be a serious underpower issue I think.

Those are the things I would have consider if I was making this purchase.

Just my 2Cents worth.

I've actually found a new contender lol

2008 nitro z6 w/ 135hp optimax w/ 55 hrs

24v 74lb Minnkota Maxum trollin motor that was just purchased 3 months ago

2 humminbird 898csi fish finders. 1 at console and 1 at bow

Humbly keel protector

Nitro ratchet style cover

All new batteries purchased 3 months ago as well

$12,500

That should run 55? That doesn't sound like a bad boat.

Boat Buying 101.

 

Is the boat big enough for your current needs?

Is the boat powered close to the Max rating for the hull?

Does the boat look like it has been well maintained?

 

 

Wear on seats and carpet are good things.  It mean the boat is used often and they are cheap to replace.

Electronics and other goodies are nice but are also cheap (relatively speaking) to upgrade.

 

If you don't answer YES to the first 3 questions, then keep looking.  IF you find more than one boat with a yes, then it's just a personal choice.

Here's a vid of the NX882

 

I found the pics of that boat, it looks good, couldn't find the skeeters though.

Please stop considering underpowered boats, please.

A 17ft with a 135 is not underpowered

He said the boat comes very close to 60 on the gaps and yes it does have everything I need and more. As far as speed is concerned, I'd only need it for tourneys and although I'd like to start them this year, I don't care if I have the fastest boat or not. The engine don't catch fish and yes it may get you to a spot before the other guy, I'm sure they'll be fish in a different spot. I'm more concerned with the quality of the engine. I think all the opinions I've gotten have been excellent and I'm very grateful for them. However, the more I get, the more confused I'm getting. I have to keep up front that ultimately I can't please everyone by buying what they think is best and like TR said, I have to find what's best for me. I dint think 135 hp on a 17ft is underpowered at all. I'm sure plenty of people might but if I get this boat at the right price then im getting it