zx202 info??

[illinoisbassfishin]

Looking to buy a new boat and make a huge upgrade for me and be the nicest boat I've ever owned.  The upgrade would be selling my 84 17' ranger 330v with 83 mariner 115 inline 6 which is still in amazingly good shape for it's age, then buying a 2000 20' 2" skeeter zx202 with a 99 yamaha vmax 225.  It as a motorguide digital 36 volt trolling motor.  Only thing it will need is depth finders because the last owner took them off.  It is a repoed boat at the bank and they want to get out from underneath the loan so it's a pretty good deal compared to other prices of the same model boat on the internet.  I have only owned the one ranger I am talking about and I also own an aluminum boat with a 25 hp for the smaller motor power plant lakes here in Illinois.  I would just like to get some info before I bite and buy the boat.  What can anyone tell me about Skeeter boats or even this particular model in general?  I have looked it over a little and it's in great shape and I can say compared to my old Ranger it has a HUGE front deck and spacious storage.  Are they a good riding boat and do they handle well?  Also what can anyone tell me about the yamaha xmax motor and are they dependable and a good motor?  Any kind of information would be appreciated.  Thank you.

[Mike Cork]

I once owned a zx200 and it was a great boat. Road very well, handled rough water great. I only had a 200 mainer on it but it was a low 70's boat. You'll enjoy it very much. I don't think they corner as well as some others but that may not be an issue for you. Here we fish alot of lakes that require 90 plus degree turns and it would slide some in a tight corner, but you learn to adjust to it. Over all it's a very good fishing platform.

As far as the Yamaha, in that year model, the only thing that comes to mind is they had prop problems. Props would sling blades at high RPM. That said, if it's the original prop and hasn't had an issue it's not going too. Odds are it's not an original prop.

I am sure you will love it!!! I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it if the numbers were right. As with any used boat purchase make sure a mechanic looks at it first and gives it a blessing. Especially a Repo, you don't know how he treated it once he knew he'd loose it. But his lose your gain

[illinoisbassfishin]

The bank that repoed it actually had to go to a mechanic shop and pay the mechanic bill just to get the boat and take it to the bank.  The bank said they didn't know what was wrong with it but it wasn't a big bill.  The bank gave me the number to the shop to talk to them and get info on the boat and motor.  The mechanic told me the guy just had it in for routine preventive maintenance the owner actually brought it in twice a year to have it looked over and do basic maintenance.  Said it ran great and was a great boat.  Only thing it doesn't have is depth finders because the previous owner took them and left he mounts and transducers in the boat.  It has a 36 volt motorguide tour digital which is I believe a 109 lb thrust.  The bank wants to pay off the loan and get out from underneath of it and they are asking 10,000 for it.  I did blue book value and the my bank where I get my loan did blue book and it actually is listed for right around 15,000 so I thought it would be a good buy.  Thanks for your reply Mike.

[Mike Cork]

Sounds like a great deal Good Find

[illinoisbassfishin]

Ur saying at high rpms the blades on the prop would just break off?  Is that what you mean by slinging blades?  How often and how big of a problem was it?  Props are expensive!!  That sounds kind of scary lol.  I guess I'll have full coverage insurance and that might cover a new prop.

[iClass]

Like Mike had said, if it hasn't had an issue then it probably won't.  May not even be origional prop.  Yamaha is a very good and reliable powerplant.  I think you will find the Skeeter to be an exceptional boat. A lot of improvements in hull designs in 17 years.  Show some pics when you pick her up!

[illinoisbassfishin]

didn't pick it up lol.  took it to the shop for check up before I bought it......compression check was great, all numbers were 100 except 1 that was 105, spark check good, leak down test good, and lower unit was good but they could not get the motor to fire up or run.  I knew the boat had been sitting quite a while and I got to looking and the latest illinois dnr sticker was 09 on it so it has been that long since it's been ran and touched the water.  The mechanic took some of the gas out and it was nasty nasty.  Real dark color and it about knocked us over when we got a good whiff of it.  He said his best guess would be the whole fuel system would need to be taken apart and cleaned out and checked for new parts etc.  He said I was looking at $1000-$2000 based on what parts you needed and didn't need.  Bank that had it didn't want to come down on price and didn't want to fix it and they want to sell it as is so I said forget about it.  Turned out when I looked at it a little bit more that the clear coat was about gone is some places and looked pretty dull and bad.

There is another repo boat that this same shop had to be checked out before going to auction and it is a 2005 skeeter tzx200 with a 2005 vmax hpdi 200 on it.  When they did the check up on it they said it fired right up and ran like a brand new engine.  It looks really nice!!  I thought about getting a local dealer here to make a bid for me at the auction but I'm sure it will go way over my price range which is 10-12 grand.  It's a dual console boat and being that I have a few 7'6" and 8' flippin rods I don't think I would like a dual console because the rods would be right up against the console and have a good chance or breaking.

[iClass]

I am soooo glad you had it checked out.  It is probably one of the most important things you can do.  Sorry about the results, but it will save you a lot of grief in the end.  Yes, if you could swing the other boat, especially for 10-15K you would be stealing it.  I wouldn't worry about the DC as much, you can use the longer rods, (I have a 20' and have no issues) although the DC will not be an option I get on my next boat, just because It adds wt and I don't really need it.  My fishing partner can just bundle up a little more! 

Good Luck.  Keep us advised!