I have a 6th grader who just started competing at the school level and they did well this year. However, my son thoroughly enjoyed it and I've been looking at boats for us to practice/scout on different lakes and for him to be able to take the boat out when he gets to high school.  

 

I want something that can perform well in shallow water and is safe in rougher water. 

 

I just stared looking and was looking at used skeeters but then Shallow Sport boats caught my eye but I don't know how well they'd do bass fishing, but from everything I saw they are very safe in shallow water and don't mind the premium they command if I can rest easier when he starts taking his own boat out. I know we are far from that yet but I want one he can learn on and do the upgrades so he can be comfortable with it.  I'm open to other options too, just here to get opinons.  

 

Some lakes that they fished this past year was Lake of the pines,  Toledo Bend, Caddo Lake, lake Bistineau, Cross Lake,  Caney Creek reservoir.  

What conditions do you 'have to' go out in?  As soon as you throw Toledo Bend in there, if you 'have to' go out on the day of the tournament regardless of what the weather is doing, then you need a big boy boat for that.  Just do a google images search for toledo bend bad weather to see the sunken boats.  I don't think you're taking a 6th grader out in that, but that lake has a repuration for a reason.  That's not the place to have a flats boat (effectively what a shallow sports boat is).

 

Practically speaking, an 18-20' glass boat will give the most versatility for bass fishing on small to large lakes.  You were looking down the right path with a used skeeter.  A big aluminum boat designed for bass fishing wouldn't be a bad choice either (like a tracker 175/195 TXW and similar layouts by express, falcon, etc).  Aluminum is easier to haul around and lighter on gas on the water, but also can be a little rougher.  A Pro-V bass from Lund is made for big water and a 20' with a 250 will fish anywhere (look up A-Jay's posts here on this forum, he has the 18' with a 200 I think).  They are sweet.

 

Budget will determine everything else as will the tow vehicle you have.  

When I was looking for a new to me used boat, one of the ways I considered what I was looking for was to pay attention to what the locals run on the bodies of water I planned on fishing, keeping in mind that specific manufacturers weren’t as important as size and type.  I will say that if you require safety on big water, that eliminates a lot of choices. And unless you are buying new, there are a lot of things to look at on used rigs. 

Another Big factor is what is your budget is for the boat. That can help with your decision and help with recommendations. 

I own an aluminum mod v bass boat.

 

I can positively say that this is not the boat you want if you are mostly fishing the bigger waters listed above.

 

I’d go with at least an 18 foot fiberglass boat. Anything less will be at the mercy of Mother Nature. And in tournaments you can’t just “go another day.”

 

The 75-75 rule often works pretty well. If it does what it’s supposed to on 75% of the waters in 75% of the conditions, then go for it.

9 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

What conditions do you 'have to' go out in?  As soon as you throw Toledo Bend in there, if you 'have to' go out on the day of the tournament regardless of what the weather is doing, then you need a big boy boat for that.  Just do a google images search for toledo bend bad weather to see the sunken boats.  I don't think you're taking a 6th grader out in that, but that lake has a repuration for a reason.  That's not the place to have a flats boat (effectively what a shallow sports boat is).

 

Practically speaking, an 18-20' glass boat will give the most versatility for bass fishing on small to large lakes.  You were looking down the right path with a used skeeter.  A big aluminum boat designed for bass fishing wouldn't be a bad choice either (like a tracker 175/195 TXW and similar layouts by express, falcon, etc).  Aluminum is easier to haul around and lighter on gas on the water, but also can be a little rougher.  A Pro-V bass from Lund is made for big water and a 20' with a 250 will fish anywhere (look up A-Jay's posts here on this forum, he has the 18' with a 200 I think).  They are sweet.

 

Budget will determine everything else as will the tow vehicle you have.  

I appreciate it, I have a 4wd 1500 Silverado cammed, 4.56 gears, and bigger brakes with a locker so it should pull any bass boat with ease. I used it to tow a 9k lb travel trailer without any fuss. I think $40k could easily be done, can go up if I need to get in a better boat but I figure it’ll leave money to do upgrades as he grows and figures out exactly what he likes and dislikes about the setup, spread the loan out the furthest it can go and make double payments when feasible. 

8 hours ago, TOXIC said:

When I was looking for a new to me used boat, one of the ways I considered what I was looking for was to pay attention to what the locals run on the bodies of water I planned on fishing, keeping in mind that specific manufacturers weren’t as important as size and type.  I will say that if you require safety on big water, that eliminates a lot of choices. And unless you are buying new, there are a lot of things to look at on used rigs. 

We’ve seen quite a few Center consoles at the tourneys which got me looking at the shallow sports boats, but his current partner had them on a 18’ skeeter with a Yamaha VMax 175 or 200 I believe and it did everything they needed. Just seeing if their were other opinions but it seems the skeeter is the safe bet.

I'm a kayaker, no help with boats, so I'll just say welcome aboard!

4 minutes ago, Darren. said:

I'm a kayaker, no help with boats, so I'll just say welcome aboard!

Thank you, I’ve noticed the bass community is very accommodating and willing to spread their knowledge. I can’t wait to get out on the water and spend time with my middle child on something that he thoroughly enjoys. 

10 hours ago, Scubiesteve said:

We’ve seen quite a few Center consoles at the tourneys which got me looking at the shallow sports boats, but his current partner had them on a 18’ skeeter with a Yamaha VMax 175 or 200 I believe and it did everything they needed. Just seeing if their were other opinions but it seems the skeeter is the safe bet.

Good choice… 

12 hours ago, Scubiesteve said:

I appreciate it, I have a 4wd 1500 Silverado cammed, 4.56 gears, and bigger brakes with a locker so it should pull any bass boat with ease. I used it to tow a 9k lb travel trailer without any fuss. I think $40k could easily be done, can go up if I need to get in a better boat but I figure it’ll leave money to do upgrades as he grows and figures out exactly what he likes and dislikes about the setup, spread the loan out the furthest it can go and make double payments when feasible. 

 

No worries.  A full size pickup is more than enough for any boat you're going to want for bass fishing.

 

Since he's still pretty young, I probably wouldn't go over the top with add ons.  Get a good trolling motor and modest electronics.  Leave it for something to upgrade in the future.  Some people upgrade every other year, some keep the same kit for 15 years.  If you're tournament fishing, you might want to be on the shorter side of that time frame, but the electronics available now are so good that there isn't a whole lot more you're going to eke out of them without some big jump in a new tech.  So play with ones on friends and other competitors boats and see what feels right.  In the past I would have said to decide on live imaging first because there was a clear leader and lagger in the market.  But now mega live 2 has caught HBird up to the rest and the Xplore series has touch screen in the entry model (with serious CPU capability).  So pick the brand that feels right and learn it.

 

12 hours ago, Scubiesteve said:

We’ve seen quite a few Center consoles at the tourneys which got me looking at the shallow sports boats, but his current partner had them on a 18’ skeeter with a Yamaha VMax 175 or 200 I believe and it did everything they needed. Just seeing if their were other opinions but it seems the skeeter is the safe bet.

 

Skeeter, ranger, Basscat, phoenix, Stratos, etc.  If you're looking at a boat that's a couple years old (past 10 years) then all will have similar construction (no wood) so you're buying based on the condition of the boat, trailer, and motor.  Accessories are wildcard so unless the owner has upgraded everything I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock/value in them.  Find the hull that fits your needs (length/width/layout) in good condition and go from there.

 

11 hours ago, Scubiesteve said:

Thank you, I’ve noticed the bass community is very accommodating and willing to spread their knowledge. I can’t wait to get out on the water and spend time with my middle child on something that he thoroughly enjoys. 

 

welcome!  you've found the best forum from the start, so mine the info here.

4 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

No worries.  A full size pickup is more than enough for any boat you're going to want for bass fishing.

 

Since he's still pretty young, I probably wouldn't go over the top with add ons.  Get a good trolling motor and modest electronics.  Leave it for something to upgrade in the future.  Some people upgrade every other year, some keep the same kit for 15 years.  If you're tournament fishing, you might want to be on the shorter side of that time frame, but the electronics available now are so good that there isn't a whole lot more you're going to eke out of them without some big jump in a new tech.  So play with ones on friends and other competitors boats and see what feels right.  In the past I would have said to decide on live imaging first because there was a clear leader and lagger in the market.  But now mega live 2 has caught HBird up to the rest and the Xplore series has touch screen in the entry model (with serious CPU capability).  So pick the brand that feels right and learn it.

 

 

Skeeter, ranger, Basscat, phoenix, Stratos, etc.  If you're looking at a boat that's a couple years old (past 10 years) then all will have similar construction (no wood) so you're buying based on the condition of the boat, trailer, and motor.  Accessories are wildcard so unless the owner has upgraded everything I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock/value in them.  Find the hull that fits your needs (length/width/layout) in good condition and go from there.

 

 

welcome!  you've found the best forum from the start, so mine the info here.

 Having said all that, how far back would you go? 
 

found this one for a decent price

 

2003 Skeeter ZX225

20 foot 2 inches

225 Yamaha VMAX HPDI

602 hours

Motor jack plate

Power pole

74 lb Minn Kota trolling motor

Hummingbird Helix 10 w/side scan

Twin 33 gallon tanks

Dual live wells

Built in cooler

Massive dry storage

2 huge rod boxes

Tandem axle trailer

New water pump

Good shape

New boat and trailer registration

 

Compression of 120 psi on ALL cylinders

I’ll let others with better knowledge advise you there.  I’m sure it is worth a look though.  

I have found that other than to nudge you in the right direction, or more specifically help you make your own decision, specific answers should be left up to you.  I’ve seen many, many ads that look good, give all the right numbers and when you go looking at it, it’s a pile of do-do.  You are going to get the fans of the maker they own as the only option you should consider and the haters of other brands telling you to steer away from other makers.  I would never tell you a motor is good then have it grenade your first trip out but I will tell you that you should have any motor on any boat looked at by a good marine mechanic.  Glen has plenty of videos on how to evaluate a used boat.  Take some time and watch them and come back with any questions you may have.  I took my buddy who was a crew chief of a helicopter squadron and who does all the mechanical stuff on my motor and who has owned many, many boats, go with me when I was looking at buying.  He steered me away from a disaster boat I would have bought and pushed me to my current boat that I would have walked from.  That was after me thinking I knew my way around boats pretty well.  

I know my way around engines, but just didn’t know if I should set my sights on  something newer than 03 or at what point is; a boat, a boat.
 

I guess Skeeter started using composites in the hull and other areas inside the boat around 96 or 97 and was trying to get insight into what years to stay away from or are the boats built in the past decade and newer much better than the older ones. 
 

 

I have a ZX225 but mine is a 2011. I really like the boat . Check the compression on anything you buy.

Would I personally turn a 16 year old loose with a 70 mph boat ? No.