Nitro vs. Skeeter

[ScubaLatt]

Guys:

I am looking to buy a used bass boat. I have narrowed it down to either a 1997 Nitro 17.5' with a 75 hp mercury OR a 1996 Skeeter 16' w/ a 75 hp Yamaha. Skeeter is 800 lbs and the Nitro is 1190 lbs. In terms of fishing in windy conditions do ya'll think the skeeter will get blown around a whole lot more thant the nitro? I am also concerned with only a 75 hp on the nitro with the added weight. I don't need to go fast and I mostly fish within 10 miles of my camp at toledo so no far runs to make. Skeeter is 82" wide and the Nitro is 79" wide.

Both boats are in good condition and are clean.

Any information/suggestions/thoughts would be appreciated.

TIA,

Latt

[weedeater]

I fish from my buddies 17.5 nitro which has a 90merc, boats real nice and fishes great but its underpowered so I imagine that 75hp would really struggle.

[redaddiction]

Scuba, there is a 1997 nitro 17.5 foot with a 115 mercury on the sportsman. Looks clean and $6,000.

[ScubaLatt]

Originally Posted by redaddiction

Scuba, there is a 1997 nitro 17.5 foot with a 115 mercury on the sportsman. Looks clean and $6,000.

spoke with the guy who owns this boat. Is clean. But he said he has not ran it in a while so it will need to be serviced. carbs cleaned, new fuel lines probably, who knows what else.

both the other boats are serviced and ready to go.

[ScubaLatt]

Originally Posted by weedeater

I fish from my buddies 17.5 nitro which has a 90merc, boats real nice and fishes great but its underpowered so I imagine that 75hp would really struggle.

my thinking exactly. but I can get it for $2750 to $3000. maybe I can upgrade the engine next year after fishing it this summer.

[weedeater]

Check with CajunChristian and see what having the one with a 115hp serviced would cost......just a thought. Have you looked at Xpress boats. they ride good and require less hp to move them.

[ScubaLatt]

Originally Posted by weedeater

Check with CajunChristian and see what having the one with a 115hp serviced would cost......just a thought. Have you looked at Xpress boats. they ride good and require less hp to move them.

Will call Danny tomorrow AM. I want a fiberglass boat -- less noise in choppy conditions IMO. Also, cant find any xpress type boats for a good price.

[mako1]

skeeters are usually the best riding boat in my experience. cant go wrong with one i dont thing however those 2 u mentioned are very short. i have a 90 hp on my mako. runs about 40mph with 1-2 people in boat and all gear.

[jchief]

Biased. Ran a Skeeter for years. That said. I would go with the Skeeter due to the HP if nothing else.