Sold my 620 and have a burning desire to buy a wx2100 but cant find a used one anywhere in the USA. I did find a wx1880, how bad would I hate myself for going that route? Mostly bigger water use. I never thought it would be so hard to buy a used boat!!! :banghead:
Fuzzy

Anchor Marine in Appleton wis has two used wx2100 they have a black and white one and a blue and white one............http://www.anchormarineinc.com/pages/myinventory#BrandId=100000330

I own a 2010 WX1850, which is the same as the 1880. I absolutely love my boat and wouldn't trade it for any other boat in it's class, however, you are talking about going from a 20 foot boat (your ranger) to a 18 foot boat. I think you would notice the difference and you would regret it. That would be like me going from my 18 footer to a 16 footer. I know how tough it is to find the right boat. I've wanted to buy used the last 3 boat purchases, but in every case, I bought new because I couldn't find what I was looking for, and would have regretted buying something that "would do". Be patient and good luck.

That is one of the reasons I choose Skeeter over Ranger. There are a million used Rangers out there. However trying to find a used Skeeter is harder than finding a polar bear in the Grand Canyon.

To me that means everyone who owns a Skeeter, holds onto is and isn't trying to get away from their purchase.

Love my WX2100, DON'T DOWNSIZE. Buy a WX2100 and run in it on big water and you will wonder why you didn't sell your Ranger sooner.

The Skeeter will have more room in the back even with the 1880 or 1850 because it dosen't have the big storage compartments in the back like the ranger. But for big water it is hard to beat the 2100.

That is one of the reasons I choose Skeeter over Ranger. There are a million used Rangers out there. However trying to find a used Skeeter is harder than finding a polar bear in the Grand Canyon.

To me that means everyone who owns a Skeeter, holds onto is and isn't trying to get away from their purchase.

It can also mean that alot less are sold? :rolleyes:

Theres a 2008 listed in the Appleton WI craigslist on 5/17 for 35000

The skeeterstore in Wisconsin has some 2010 new holdovers. The last two used skeeters here sold in less than 2 days.

It can also mean that alot less are sold? :rolleyes:
I can't speak to that. Except for the fact that this year Skeeter can't keep up with orders.

It could have something to do with the earthquake and such since its a Yamaha boat company.

It could have something to do with the earthquake and such since its a Yamaha boat company.
I think the earth quake did affect the 300 Off Shore production. At least that's a rumor I heard.

I heard the same thing about he T8. Plus I figure if yamaha's behind, that could explain ranger getting delayed with some rigging. Yamaha probably wants to make sure skeeter get priority in terms of engines and such.

nice looking boat in lil chute on craigslist.

That is one of the reasons I choose Skeeter over Ranger. There are a million used Rangers out there. However trying to find a used Skeeter is harder than finding a polar bear in the Grand Canyon.

To me that means everyone who owns a Skeeter, holds onto is and isn't trying to get away from their purchase.

That's like saying 'I wanted to buy a Yugo, because I can't find any for sale.

One of the reasons you see a lot of Rangers for sale is because the Pro Staffers sell their boats every year to get a new one.

The Grand canyon must be over run with polar bears, because I Googled Used Skeeter Boats For Sale, and found about two bazillion of them across the country for sale.

That's like saying 'I wanted to buy a Yugo, because I can't find any for sale.

One of the reasons you see a lot of Rangers for sale is because the Pro Staffers sell their boats every year to get a new one.

The Grand canyon must be over run with polar bears, because I Googled Used Skeeter Boats For Sale, and found about two bazillion of them across the country for sale.
Huh, you must be a better searcher than the OP or I are.

going from a 20' to an 18'? wow.. this is the first time i heard of something like this. Also the first time i heard someone say they want a skeeter over a ranger. Not that skeeter is bad by any means, i just think Ranger is top notch.

Also the first time i heard someone say they want a skeeter over a ranger.


Not that I care what others have (I'm beyond 4th grade), but, I compared Skeeter to Ranger and others; I bought the Skeeter. Most guys who buy Ranger, Yarcraft, etc. go through the same process before they choose their boat. They're all great boats, but to never have heard someone choosing Skeeter over Ranger? I just thought I'd be the first on your list. Tight lines.

going from a 20' to an 18'? wow.. this is the first time i heard of something like this. Also the first time i heard someone say they want a skeeter over a ranger. Not that skeeter is bad by any means, i just think Ranger is top notch.
I'll be #2, actually #3 if you count the OP. For me, it came down to Ranger and Skeeter. The new Skeeter will be here this week.

I too chose a Skeeter over Ranger and Warrior in 2008 and the money wasn't a factor. I fish Lake Oahe and Francis Case almost every weekend and alot during the week also. I don't have any regrets and have had zero problems with my Skeeter WX2100, Yamaha F250 and T-8.

That search should be refined to either "WX" or "2100" or 2050. Bass guys love their skeeters too....

It can also mean that alot less are sold? :rolleyes:

Well the 2100 has only been out since 08'. I am not gonna argue that there are more rangers then skeeters out there but the last few years Skeeters have been showing up everywhere! Most the time Skeeters dont even make it to the open market. Most are sold by word of mouth.

There are a few 2100 and 2050's out there. I am not sure down where you live but there are some here in MN.

As for Ranger vs Skeeter...I had never fished in a 620 till this year and I am sorry but thats a glorified bass boat. The front nose is way to close to the water and there is no room in the back. Wasnt happy with the rough water ride either. Fit and finish Ranger is a great boat, no question they make a very well crafted boat.

There are a few 2100 and 2050's out there. I am not sure down where you live but there are some here in MN.

As for Ranger vs Skeeter...I had never fished in a 620 till this year and I am sorry but thats a glorified bass boat. The front nose is way to close to the water and there is no room in the back. Wasnt happy with the rough water ride either. Fit and finish Ranger is a great boat, no question they make a very well crafted boat.

:popc1:

:: Grabs popcors from Phowler and grabs soda::

:rotfl:

i just recently purchased a new wx1900 and couldnt be any happier with it. i left my options open and did plenty of shopping around and concluded that this boat was suited best for my fishing needs. so heres another guy that chose a skeeter over a ranger. dont get me wrong there a nice rig but just wasnt suited for me, i do alot of 3 man tourneys and that just wouldnt of worked out to well in a ranger with all the wasted fishing space due to the storage.

I am saying that basing purchase decisions on the lack of availability has no scientific merit .The consumer purchase decision process consists of five stages. They are problem recognition, information search, alternative evaluation, purchase decision, and postpurchase behavior. Problem recognition is perceiving a difference between a person's ideal and actual situation big enough to trigger a decision. Information search involves remembering previous purchase experiences (internal search) and external search behavior such as seeking information from other sources. Alternative evaluation clarifies the problem for the consumer by (a) suggesting the evaluative criteria to use for the purchase, (b) yielding brand names that might meet the criteria, and (c) developing consumer value perceptions. The purchase decision involves the choice of an alternative, including from whom to buy and when to buy. Postpurchase behavior involves the comparison of the chosen alternative with a consumer's expectations, which leads to satisfaction or dissatisfaction and subsequent purchase behavior. This was not a Ranger vs Skeeter post. now:deadhorse:

I had never fished in a 620 till this year and I am sorry but thats a glorified bass boat. The front nose is way to close to the water and there is no room in the back. Wasnt happy with the rough water ride either.

If you weren't happy with the rough water ride of the 620, then you won't be happy with the rough water ride of any boat. Certainly not the Skeeter.

There's a reason why you see a hundred Rangers for every one Skeeter on the water.

If you weren't happy with the rough water ride of the 620, then you won't be happy with the rough water ride of any boat. Certainly not the Skeeter.

There's a reason why you see a hundred Rangers for every one Skeeter on the water.

The FLW tour did great things for Ranger and if you were a pro fishing the circuit you would be a fool to fish in anything else because of the contingency money available. Since there is no contingency money in the AIM series I think there was 3-5 or more guys this season that switched to Skeeter.

People see what most pros drive and simply buy for that reason. If someone can seriously take both these boats out in rough water and say the ranger was better they are lying. My buddy who just bought his 07' 620 bought it cause he couldnt find a skeeter and after one weekend already said it doesnt ride as nice.

Either way I dont care they are both nice boats but some people buying is not based on performance more so just to say I have a ranger. Kinda like a Harley guy lol.

If someone can seriously take both these boats out in rough water and say the ranger was better they are lying. My buddy who just bought his 07' 620 bought it cause he couldnt find a skeeter and after one weekend already said it doesnt ride as nice.


Well, with that kind of concrete, huge data sample I can now see the light... :blahblah:

Been in 2050's, 2100's, 620's and 619's. The Skeeters sit higher in the water which can be an advatage or disadvantage. For me, I like to multispecies fish so a boat that sits lower is ideal for casting. Can't say that I've noticed a huge difference either way in the ride, they both ride nice. I'll contend that at least 75% of the "ride" is how the boat is driven. Get someone that knows what they are doing, the ride is much better than some clown deciding that they should try to go fast in 3 footers. All of my "sample" data has come on big water - Mille Lacs, Rainy Lake, Upper Red Lake and Lake of the Woods.

As others have said, the fit/finish and quality of the Ranger stands out. They pay attention to the details - ever look at the wiring by the batteries on a Skeeter? Yikes. Put two guys on the front deck lid on a Skeeter and then a Ranger - you'll see a big difference.

Again, they are both nice boats. What you may like, I may not and vice-versa. Bottom line is that I'd be very happy owning and fishing out of either. I'll be in mine on Rainy Lake on Saturday. :)

Good luck!

Scott

i rode in a 620 pretty consistently for 2years and in the beginning i thought when i get a boat this is for sure what im going to get. But after seeing the "awesome workmanship and quality" continue to break down and deteriorate from carpeted storage lids wearing out quickly, seats breaking, pumps malfunctioning. So that excuse shouldn't be a deciding factor. I decided to keep my mind open to other brands last summer when i ended up purchasing my boat. The deal was sealed when i test drove my boat in 3 footers on bago and was amazed at the ride and continue to love the fishability. Don't get me wrong all boats deteriorate over time; but for the price there are better options out there and skeeter, yarcraft, and warrior (used) are a few of them.

Some people want to go 36mph in 3 footers if they have too!

But after seeing the "awesome workmanship and quality" continue to break down and deteriorate from carpeted storage lids wearing out quickly, seats breaking, pumps malfunctioning. So that excuse shouldn't be a deciding factor.
Some people want to go 36mph in 3 footers if they have too!

Really? My brother has a '93 692 Ranger and still has the original carpet, seats, etc. Looks great and he's on the water at least 90 days a summer. But, he also takes care of his boat.

I had a '98 690 and now a '07 619 and haven't had any carpet issues or broken seats (pedestals, bases, hinges, snaps, vinyl). But, I also take care of my boat. Did lose a pump in the 690, but I left water in it by mistake and it froze and cracked. Easy replacement with the easy-access Ranger provides to the bilge.

If you beat on your stuff (like going 36mph in 3 footers), leave it out in the sun for for extended periods, don't maintain it or exercise some level of care in it's use...well, stuff is going to break. I'd say that about any brand.

Many of the parts are not specific to a brand of boat. Lund, Ranger, Skeeter, Triton, etc. all buy their pumps and valves from 1 or 2 manufacturers. So, the odds of it breaking in one would be the same as it is for the other.

Good luck -

Scott

Good point made Scott,
basically what i was trying to get at is i don't believe the quality and workmanship is that far and above the skeeters and other brands out there.

I will say, that same ranger 620 had a ski boat t-bone it going 25+ mph and thrown both passengers out of it. No catastrophic damage to the hull except a lot of spidercracks in the gelcoat. Its probably being used right this moment.

Former Ranger owner, now on my second Skeeter. Advertised my ZX2050 here on Walleye Central on a Saturday, sold it the next day. The WX2100 Ihave now is a great big water boat. Personally I wouldn't go down to an 18 or 19 footer. The smaller Skeeter's are nice, but length and freeboard mean a lot on big water.

If you beat on your stuff (like going 36mph in 3 footers), leave it out in the sun for for extended periods, don't maintain it or exercise some level of care in it's use...well, stuff is going to break. I'd say that about any brand.


I take well care of my stuff probably better then 90% of the people out there but being that I fish tournaments I am forced to go out in harsh conditions. If my boat couldn't handle going 36mph in 3 footers I wouldn't be very happy if I am in a 20+' boat.

I also can run 36mph in 3'ers but, even w/ suspension seats my a$$ likes 23mph. Now, when caught in 5'ers , Motor trimed waaay out, nose up, 3000rpms and about 11mph is just about right to pound my way back ! Skeeter/Ranger ? Different strokes for different folks. Enjoy your choice !!

Cant imagine going backward in size when you were happy fishing with the bigger boat in the same waters. If you were going to downsize waters then mayyyyybe downsize boat. Bought my 620 last year and have fished from big lake/rivers down to a small trolling motor only lake. My brother had a Lund Tyee that I had fished out of before and didnt like trying to stand in the bottom of the boat and cast and then bring the rod down toward the water to reel in. I would always want to get a little higher in the boat. Oh and I'm not 4'-6" tall by the way. That would be the next crack. Being able to get up on the storage lids of the 620 and cast was what I wanted for my guests. My kids like to hide out under the casting pratform as well. This just worked better for us than the open back even though I sometimes have six in the boat. Was drifting Francis Case this weekend and had some of these higher side boats blowing by me even with 2 drift socks out. We had none and I can say that we were catching more fish because of the speed difference. Ran back from crow creek to Chamberlain in 4 footers at 20-25mph with my 73 year old father in the boat and he couldnt believe we werent getting beat up. Now when I first got the rig you would have just came out of a prize fight. You have to learn how to drive them all. (When to trim or not to trim that is the question?)

Wait and buy the bigger boat!!!!!!!!

Bill

I take well care of my stuff probably better then 90% of the people out there but being that I fish tournaments I am forced to go out in harsh conditions. If my boat couldn't handle going 36mph in 3 footers I wouldn't be very happy if I am in a 20+' boat.

Boat can handle it, just about any of them can...at least for a while.

I'm just back from Rainy and (happily) we had no 3' waves. Just lots of smallies and limits of walleye. :)

Scott

, i do alot of 3 man tourneys and that just wouldnt of worked out to well in a ranger with all the wasted fishing space due to the storage.


Geeze honey, this house is really nice, well built, top's in the world really, but I just don't like all that extra storage.

:crazy:

Test drive before you buy ! With that said if you do buy a used Skeeter, make sure you are aware of the warranty restrictions before you buy and follow the directions to a T .
The fit and finish of a boat may not be worth a couple extra grand when you are buying but in a few years when you have a problem with cracking and clear hazing it will be.

Trust me on this and I own a Skeeter.

I am on my second skeeter. I had the 1850 which was very nice, but my new 1880 is much better. the fit and finish has gotten much better, and the weight has gotten about 400 pounds heavier (still 300 pounds lighter than the ranger) but the extra weight has helped in the better ride. for the price, you can't go wrong with the skeeter. they do make the best bass boat out there, because of that, there bass boats are a little more spendy.

as far as going from a 20 footer to the 1880, as many have said 18 footer, but the 1880 is actually 18' 9" long, so its closer to a 19 footer. but still for big water, I would go with the 2100.

FIRM north of mille lacs has a 2100 for sale.

FWIW; I got a call from the Skeeter Boat Center about my 1850. They were rigging it and putting on the Ranger Rails I ordered for it. Ranger has a 44" rail where Skeeter only had a 36" and 60" rail. Anyway they called me cause the studs on the Ranger Rails were to short as Ranger's hulls are thinner than Skeeter's hulls. So they had to order me some custom made 48" rails.

That right there told me a lot about the build of the two boats and confirmed I made the right choice with Skeeter.

Also that and some other small issues proved that Skeeter Boat Center is the dealer that all other dealers should be judged against. Unbelievable service that is second to none.

FWIW; I got a call from the Skeeter Boat Center about my 1850. They were rigging it and putting on the Ranger Rails I ordered for it. Ranger has a 44" rail where Skeeter only had a 36" and 60" rail. Anyway they called me cause the studs on the Ranger Rails were to short as Ranger's hulls are thinner than Skeeter's hulls. So they had to order me some custom made 48" rails.

That right there told me a lot about the build of the two boats and confirmed I made the right choice with Skeeter.

Also that and some other small issues proved that Skeeter Boat Center is the deal that all other dealers should be judged against. Unbelievable service that is second to none.

I am very happy that I own a WX2100, but I think you might have stirred the pot.

Does anyone know a good reason why the Skeeter WX 2000T is only rated for a 115hp motor?

You can get a 150 on it with hydraulic steering. I have one with a 115 and have no issues. I had to do a little playing around with the prop and added a hydrofoil to get the hole shot I wanted but it will do about 35 -39 mph with a full load.

NCESI,

Are you sure you can order a 2000T rated for a 150hp motor? The Skeeter website says the max hp rating is only 115?

I am not into hydrofoils but I know some like/need them.

Even if one can order a 2000T rated for a 150hp motor are not most 20 foot tillers rated for a 175 or 200 hp motor with power steering?

When I read the max hp is 115 on the Skeeter website it makes me wonder if maybe Skeeter has discovered their 2000T is not built strong enough to handle a 150, 175 or 200 hp motor with power steering.

I have nothing against Skeeter boat but I do wonder why the 115hp rating on the 2000T.

NCESI,

I guess another possibility is the 2000T is built strong enough to handle a 175-200 hp motor but maybe Skeeter has discovered a design problem which makes the boat unsafe with the higher horsepower motors.

FWIW; I got a call from the Skeeter Boat Center about my 1850. They were rigging it and putting on the Ranger Rails I ordered for it. Ranger has a 44" rail where Skeeter only had a 36" and 60" rail. Anyway they called me cause the studs on the Ranger Rails were to short as Ranger's hulls are thinner than Skeeter's hulls. So they had to order me some custom made 48" rails.

That right there told me a lot about the build of the two boats and confirmed I made the right choice with Skeeter.

Also that and some other small issues proved that Skeeter Boat Center is the deal that all other dealers should be judged against. Unbelievable service that is second to none.

You know, I have nothing against any brand of boat, I only have experience with 3 brands anyway. That being said, unless you are having the rails mounted to the hull and not the gunnels of the top-cap, what they told you tells you very little about the build of the two boats.

All that matters to anyone is that they are happy with their own boat as it seems you are without even having it yet.

NCESI,

Are you sure you can order a 2000T rated for a 150hp motor? The Skeeter website says the max hp rating is only 115?

I am not into hydrofoils but I know some like/need them.

Even if one can order a 2000T rated for a 150hp motor are not most 20 foot tillers rated for a 175 or 200 hp motor with power steering?

When I read the max hp is 115 on the Skeeter website it makes me wonder if maybe Skeeter has discovered their 2000T is not built strong enough to handle a 150, 175 or 200 hp motor with power steering.

I have nothing against Skeeter boat but I do wonder why the 115hp rating on the 2000T.

The 2009 WX2000T is rated for the 150hp. 2010 and 2011 are rated for the 115hp. It has nothing to do with Skeeter. It has to do with our beloved gov't officials in the USCG and them having their heads up their rear ends.

A long time ago, the USCG created these "ratings" formulas, which effectively rate a "tiller" controlled OB at roughly 1/2 the hp rating of a "remote" (steering wheel) version, on the same hull. I've heard rumors that development work is underway, and prototypes are out there, of a "remote" tiller that will satisfy the USCG/AYBC definition of "remote", yet use a "tiller" handle, like these pics show.
HRG

FWIW; I got a call from the Skeeter Boat Center about my 1850. They were rigging it and putting on the Ranger Rails I ordered for it. Ranger has a 44" rail where Skeeter only had a 36" and 60" rail. Anyway they called me cause the studs on the Ranger Rails were to short as Ranger's hulls are thinner than Skeeter's hulls. So they had to order me some custom made 48" rails.

That right there told me a lot about the build of the two boats and confirmed I made the right choice with Skeeter.

Also that and some other small issues proved that Skeeter Boat Center is the dealer that all other dealers should be judged against. Unbelievable service that is second to none.

Wade -

Glad you're happy with your Skeeter, but I have to call "BS" on the info you're sharing re: the hulls of Ranger vs. Skeeter.

The rails on the Rangers go on with stainless screws and are mounted directly on top of the gunnel. Now, for those of us that have drilled into the Ranger we know that the top of the gunnel is about an inch thick. I know this from re-rigging an antenna on my 1998 690VS, from removing the rear rails on my 690 to polish the boat and from work that I've done on my 2007 619.

I have no idea what "studs" the Skeeter Boat Center was referring to, but the Ranger rails for their walleye boats are NOT mounted with studs (i.e. bolt thru with a washer and lock nut on the underside). You'd never be able to get to the underside towards the nose of the boat as there is no access and it's filled with foam with only a large tube running within for rigging of electronics. To be a bolt-thru application they would have to be put on at the factory and never be able to be taken off.

I'd say it's more likely that your Ranger rails (that are made to fit Ranger hulls) weren't a good match for the Skeeter hull (for whatever reason, curvature, etc.). Why they would tell you what they did? Well, they did sell you some "custom" rails...

To be clear, I think that both Ranger and Skeeter are good hulls and either will serve their buyer well.

Good luck! If you have some pictures of the rails and studs that were too short to go through the Skeeter gunnel I think we'd like to see them.

Scott

Wade -

Glad you're happy with your Skeeter, but I have to call "BS" on the info you're sharing re: the hulls of Ranger vs. Skeeter.

The rails on the Rangers go on with stainless screws and are mounted directly on top of the gunnel. Now, for those of us that have drilled into the Ranger we know that the top of the gunnel is about an inch thick. I know this from re-rigging an antenna on my 1998 690VS, from removing the rear rails on my 690 to polish the boat and from work that I've done on my 2007 619.

I have no idea what "studs" the Skeeter Boat Center was referring to, but the Ranger rails for their walleye boats are NOT mounted with studs (i.e. bolt thru with a washer and lock nut on the underside). You'd never be able to get to the underside towards the nose of the boat as there is no access and it's filled with foam with only a large tube running within for rigging of electronics. To be a bolt-thru application they would have to be put on at the factory and never be able to be taken off.

I'd say it's more likely that your Ranger rails (that are made to fit Ranger hulls) weren't a good match for the Skeeter hull (for whatever reason, curvature, etc.). Why they would tell you what they did? Well, they did sell you some "custom" rails...

To be clear, I think that both Ranger and Skeeter are good hulls and either will serve their buyer well.

Good luck! If you have some pictures of the rails and studs that were too short to go through the Skeeter gunnel I think we'd like to see them.

Scott

Thanks Scott. Not sure about all that, just reporting what I was told. They didn't charge me any extra, so it's not like they were trying to get more cash out of me. I paid for the new rails what I paid for the Ranger rails.

I put Ranger Rails ordered from Cabelas on my previous Lund. You are right, they were a flush mount type with stainless screws.

These are aft deck rails, not bow rails. There is access to the underside of the gunwale through some access ports back in the deck. No access port up in the bow. I'm sure Skeeter and Ranger are similar in that.

Wade,

I am aware of the Coast Guard rating system.

1. Why would Skeeter change something on the 2000T which they must have known would derate the max hp from 150 in 2009 to 115 in 2010. As far as I know the Coast Guard fomula did not change so the Skeeter inputs must have?

I am also aware of the new remote steering system being developed and I have pictures of it. Some will like it but it's not for me.

I would hope Skeeter would do what if simulations using the Coast Gaurd formula to determine what changes would be required on their WX 2000T to allow it to get a 150-200 max hp rating and then build that boat. Until then my tiller boat will be either a YarCraft 2095BT or a Ranger 620T.