I'm looking at buying a new rig & I've narrowed it down to 3

Champion 183CX with a Yamaha V Max HPDI 150 HP

Skeeter ZX 180 with a Yamaha V Max HPDI 150 HP

Bass Cat Sabre with a Yamaha V Max HPDI 150 HP

Which would you pick and why?

Bass Cat Sabre.

Because it's much lighter, decently appointed and comes with a stellar reputation of overall performance, quality and customer service/satisfaction.  I fish a lot of small lakes that are somewhat protected from the wind.  I never have to contend with anything that either of these boats couldn't handle easily so the Champions reputation of rough water handling does not offset it's weight for me.  I just don't want that heavy of a boat.  The lighter weight is the deciding factor for me among these 3 choices without knowing price differences.  I've known guys that have had Bass Cats and they say that Bass Cat customer service is unbeatable.  I have a Skeeter dealer very close to me but I'd go out of the way for the Bass Cat.  Nothing against the Skeeter at all, very fine boat but I would pick the Sabre first.

If I was fishing big reservoirs/lakes and susceptible to really rough running conditions quite often, I'd go Champion without a 2nd thought.

I'd choose the Champion, bias of course.

You're fishing Toledo Bend alot which can get rough quick.  The Basscat will provide the most stable fishing platform but they aren't great in the really big chop.  Champion wins on that mark but the 183 is an 18 footer with a 93" beam and only rated for a 150.  That seems a bit light though all the remarks I've seen about that boat is that it runs like a dream with that motor.  The Skeeter will probably be the fastest of the 3 just due to it's narrower 89" beam.  That said, you're losing some space with that narrow beam.

I'm guessing the Basscat will be the most expensive, the Champion behind it and the Skeeter the cheapest of the 3.

Layout wise they're all pretty close. I've never really cared for how a Skeeter is designed both esthetics and the interior layout. Not a knock against quality, I've just never cared for the look of those boats.   The Sabre is an old hull design, almost dated but of the three it's probably the best built. It's also very fishable.  Not that I'd say there would be a quality issue with any of those boats, there probably won't be.

Then it comes down to dealers.  Of the 3, which dealer is the best?  That's who I'd ultimately make the decision based on.

Looks like you've got the motor choices narrowed down nicely!

If it was my money, I'd probably buy the Skeeter. I like the way they fish, and they have a pretty good ride too. I hear good things about Bass Cat service but I just dont like their boats.....just something about them. The Champs are definitely nice boats but like someone said above, they are heavy.

Have you looked at any Gamblers? The lifetime hull warranty says alot. Plus they are all composite and fiberglass, no wood to rot, no soft spots in the floors, trim tabs, large storage compartments, biggest deck you can find and very fast. I owned Rangers, Skeeter, Tracker and once I drove a Gambler I never looked back.(actually once I sat in one it was over.....it was like sitting in a Corvette) I plan to buy a new one in the next few months.

Champion 183CX

I'd choose the Champion, bias of course.

Same here.

I'm sure the others are also great boats.  It doesn't sound like you could make a bad choice though!!  

Tought choice, all great boats.  I would choose based on the type of water you fish.  I understand that Champions do well in big water, not too sure what the other two boats are known for since I am a Ranger dude.  

Also storage would be a big concern, based on how YOU fish.  Do you need more rod storage?  Or more tackle storage?  

If you have the money and the storage space for either go with the one that will best meet the need of your style of fishing and the type of water that you fish.  All three are great boats so i don't think you would go wrong with either choice

Me I like the Skeeter ZX 180

Excellent in put guys; there has been one minor change, I scraped the ZX180 for the ZX190; reason the ZX180 came with just a 24 gallon fuel tank. A boat dealer is a major issue since the only one around is Dawson Marine in Jasper/Beaumont Texas who handles Skeeter but they only have 14 in stock. I'm not into speed so that's not an issue; I need tackle storage, dual console, and handling in chop more then big waves.

Fivebasslimit, I've looked at Gambler but I'm trying to avoid going bigger that 18' and 175 hp.

Robert the only Ranger I like it their saltwater bass boat  

Catt,

Did you consider the Bass Cat Sabre FTD?  The Marty Stone Signature Model?  If you want a lot of storage in a 18' boat that one has it!!  All I would want is a 18' boat too and that Sabre FTD is EXACTLY what I would want (but I want dual console).  Go to their website and have a look at it.  It's a freaking GEM!  BWB  mag has been giving Bass Cat major praise the last couple years regarding all around performance and the guys I know who've had them won't run anything else now unless it is free.  The Stone edition does not have the "hand rails" on it, which makes it a bit better looking in my opinion.

Jeff H, the FTD is a fine boat but I'm not sure they are worth the extra cost; it doesn't have any more storage than the 183CX but I do like it.

Thanks for the in put guys; I'm going to have to find a dealer for each boat and then see what happens. The plan is my wife will be retiring after the first of the year and she has given me the ok to get back into tournament fishing. I asked her if she knew what that meant; she says no what, I said that means fishing 24/7 and she replied see on Mondays.    

Dont own one but I have to say the Bass Cat is best. Just a great all around boat, stable and good in big water, fast, storage. The only bad thing is the out-of-date windsheilds lol. but i kind of like them.

Good engine choice.

Bass Cats are good boats but look like old boat designs to me. Skeeters are an unknown to me.

It sounds as though we are in the same age group. At my age (60) I still tournament fish and the beating of rough water can take a toll. Weather is not the only cause, blast off is rough in any boat and the ride back to weight-in can be as well. Two or three years down the road you may wish you had the Champion.

Just MHO..................Al

ChampioN BABY! I may be a little bias, but they are great boats and ride great in the rough!  

I own a Skeeter, but I have never seen a Bass Cat I didn't like. Never fished out of one but the guys I know that have owned one have all liked them. Might be my next,but I will need one a little longer than 18 ft. You cannot go wrong with any of the three.