1850 Skeeter

[MnWalleye]

I was looking at buying a used 1850 skeeter. Iwas wondering what others have thought of it. I know they dropped it when they got the 1950 & 2050.

Thanks,
Mike

[Pitts]

You don't say what year it is.

Pitts

[MnWalleye]

boat, motor and kicker are all 1999.

Thanks,
Mike

[SkeeterBoy]

I don't have any first hand knowledge on the 1850 but I have a 1775 SC that has been great for three full seasons, going on four. It's a good boat and fishes well in all kinds of conditions.Any particular questions I might be able to answer, e-mail me and I'll try to help...Good luck...SkeeterBoy

[Pitts]

There are a lot of 1850's out there being great big water boats and one of the dryest rides on the market.
They did have some issues in the mid 90's of gelcoat cracking but I think that had been resolved by 99 so if it's a good deal go for it.
I have a 1775 WT DC that I really like and the boat is dry and smooth riding plus very fast.
They are a heavy boat so make sure it has a tandem axle for good trailering which is what it should have because it came with one.

Hope you hear from 1850 owners because I think it would be a great boat.

Pitts

[Modog]

I had a '97 Skeeter 1850DV. Was very unhappy with the boat and ride. I had problems with the floor cracking, seat bases pulling out, livewells breaking up, and the typical windshield problems due to the severe hull flexing. My dealer stood behind each problem, but Skeeter would not acknowledge or respond to any of my questions reguarding these issues. I believe this was the first year this hull was available, and that probably had alot to do with it. (It was a fast ride though)

[FISH PRO]

MnWalleye,
There are lots of previous Skeeter 1850 posts in the archives, with many opinions both pro and con. I'd suggest you read them.
You don't indicate which style of Skeeter 1850 you are considering. Is it a single or dual console? Is it an 1850 or an 1850DV? I have owned an 1850d (dual console) for the past six years. I can tell you as a licensed guide and Walleye tournament angler, my 1850 Skeeter is one of the best boats on the water. The 1850 was designed as a Walleye tournament boat, i.e., designed primarily for two anglers. It is not a family fish and ski boat, but it will handle just about any tournament situation. Over the past six years, it has been a very dependable and safe vessel. I've been on Lake Erie with honest 8ft waves and returned safely. In terms of speed, I have a 150 hp Yamaha ProV which consistently pushes the boat in the mid 50 mph range in one to two foot waves. That's with the Yamaha ProV 150 running at 5900 rpm with a 21" Yamaha 3-Blade SS prop. Naturally, with a full fuel load (42 gallons), filled livewells, two anglers (at over 200 lbs each) and a full complement of tackle boxes, etc., the boat runs closer to 52-53 mph.
I moved into my Skeeter six years ago after running an aluminum boat for a number of years and always getting wet and beat-up from the waves. We still get wet on those occasions when we're trying to make the weigh-in and running at an angle into the
wind! But, overall, it is a great boat! The livewells are just awesome, with an excellent water recirculation system.
The only design problems I've experienced are the lack of storage space and the windshield design. The primary rod locker on the port side is large enough to store 20 rods and reels with rods up to 7 1/2 ft long. But the starboard one is too short and is primarily used to store things like the running lights and misc. items. The only dry storage area is in the bow, just forward of the battery compartment. There is some wasted space just forward of the consoles that could have been better designed, but is effective for storing anchors, etc. The windshields are the smoked-acrylic, bubble-type that have a tendency to pull loose when anglers move from the stern to the bow and grab the wiindshield for support. Securing the windshields with some fender washers seems to help.
Overall, in my opinion, the Skeeter 1850 is one of the best designed Walleye boats on the water. I'd not hesitate one second in buying my boat again. However, my next one will be a Skeeter ZX2050, as soon as Yamaha releases the 250hp VMax.
MnWalleye,If you want more info from a truly "delighted customer", email me.

[Pitts]

LAST EDITED ON May-25-01 AT 06:19AM (CST)[p]Fish Pro if you 1850's layout is the same as a my 1775 WT DC pull the kick plates in front of your feet out on both sides and cut the top outside corner off to allow rod tips to slide past it beside the front livewell. There's nothing to stop it and you can add 3' to your top rod locker length they will hold 10' rods then great for trolling rods. Then get some aluminum angle and use the corner you cut off at a right angle and use it as a brace between the floor and the kick plates to make it a lot more solid. I even moved my skeeter charger up on the kick plate on the drivers side from the floor which makes for more room and easier cleaning in that corner.
I agree that Skeeter makes a great boat for the money and it is truly a dry riding hull.

Pitts