Opinions on the new boats-i20,z20,tr20x2,BC

[raymond]

Just curious from the guys who either own one of the new boats or some of the non-boaters who have had the chance to ride in some of the new boats.

I really like the way Ranger finishes there boats,ie;huge seats,padded deck But i hear they still are wet and rough

I like the way the Tritons are layed out and have the rad look,but i hear they are squirly at top speeds and not as stable

Had a couple of rides in Skeeters i20 on calmer water at open throttle and very stable no chine but dont necessarily like the layout and look

Havnt had a chance with the Bass Cat

Anyways it would be usefull to me to hear some honest opinions.

I had a bad experience
The ride sucked
I got soaked
My body ached
Deck was un stable
U know

[kb]

Raymond, I have a 2007 Triton TR 20X2 with a 250 Optimax Pro XS. I don't know where you live but if you would like to come up or meet me at an event I would be happy to get you out on the water, put you behind the wheel of the boat and let you drive it. The X2 is not hard to drive at all, runs very well and handles rough water awesome. I ran down from Lakeport in the big water on Wednesday at Stren and not a drop of water came in the boat. Drop me a line and I would be happy to get you out in this boat.

Kent Brown
Triton Boats Factory Pro Staff

[Rick G]

Sounds like you need a ride in a 210 Champion. Call your local dealer and have him take you. Also Try the 520-521 model Rangers, less $ and all the Ranger Quality. Rick G.

[Fast 492]

I have a Ranger and have always loved the big champions but I have know that the the new TR20x2 is one awsome ride. If I was looking for comfort and speed I would go with it, but if it was pure comfort I would go with the new Champion, by far the best riding boat in it's class.

[NoCAL]

Tritons may have had the "squirrely" reputation in the past ( and my 21X does chinewalk pretty bad) but the X2 is a brand new hull. From what I understand they can be driven by a complete novice. So you still get the rad look and have a fast, stable boat. Take Kent up on his offer. You won't be disappointed by a Triton. I love mine.

NoCAL

[Guy Kelley]

Rick............As a non-boater for some years, then buying one, then fishing Pro/Am's for two seasons as the backseat, I have had the opportunity to fish out of just about every type of bass style of boat there is and them some that are not. Here is my 2 cents worth......NOTE>Please guys, don't beat me up if I don't rate your boat as high as you think I should This is in Ascending order. $ Cost Not a factor. Just overall rating of Rough Water, Deck Layout, Fit and Finish, Performance, Re-Sale Value not considered.

#1. Ranger 500's. Best overall.
#2. Triton TR's. Equal to Ranger
#3. Cobra's. Awesome Boat Dude


#4. Bass Cat, They Need to work on Fit and Finish
#5. Ranger Zs Deck Layout Poor, You will get wet
#6. Skeeters The upper end one's have improved a lot.
#7. Allison. Very Very FAST, Will beat you up, Hold On
#8. Champion, Chine Walks, Wear your Rain Gear
#9. Nitro's Good Boat for the $. Stay with the #900'
#10. Gambler, Hmmmm!!!, School still out on that one

That Enough for a good comparison didn't rate the allunimen, Save your money until you can buy fiberglass, you wont be sorry.
I own a Ranger 393VS, 1994 Model, Completely restored to new with a blue printed bottom, So its very different to whats out there.
fish in as many as you can, Not just test drive, There is a big difference between fishing and just driving around on the lake. And try to test/fish on a windy day with some white caps on the water. Go ahead a spear a wave or two. the dealer or seller wont like it but it tells you a lot about dryness and recovery, also get behind a big house boat or 35 foot Carver, surf the wakes, again boat handling and recovery. One other note; Stay as big as you can afford its better to go large than small, you wont regret it, 20 foot perfect, no engine size restriction and fits in most garages When i got ready to buy mine I looked at probably 100 boats and drove a dozen, until I found what I liked.

[Terry Smith]

BassCat, BassCat, BassCat Oh did I mention BassCat? The Puma for all around performnce!!!Ride,fishabilaty,speed it has it all. Cougar has A little more top end and different deck layout my favorite is the P4 Great all around boat handles big water better than most 21's.and then there is the sports cars the P2,Classic and Sabre. You need to get to Mossdale Marine and set up A test drive you can't go wrong with A BassCat. Also take A look at the Legend Boats very nice set up even though there not A BassCat.




http://mossdale-boats.com/

[Guy Kelley]

Hey Terry !.I get the impression that you like BASS CAT
Sorry never had a chance to ride/ fish out of a Legend. hear there pretty good.....But if you got the $'s BASS CAT VERY GOOD

[Mr Gambler]

Don"t buy a Gambler, they are ugly as someone said a while back, they are cheaply made, small front deck ,.they are slow,low slung so you are on the trolling motor all the time in a small breeze , the worst thing is you will not see 5 other ones just like it when you go to the lake I always was a none follower , oh and one last thing the trailer they come on, lousy cheap powdercoat paint & 4 leaf springs per axel Good luck on whayever you decide on Mike Matthews

[BassCatPuma]

Ray,
They all make good boats. You are the one that is going to have to decide which one to buy.

With that being said, you need to get in as many as you can and decice which one works for you.

I am more than willing to spend a day with you on the water running a Bass Cat and we can run several models. The Puma is by far my choice as I am running a Puma with a 250XS and my new one is a Puma with a 225 Etech. We can run those along with a P-4 and a P-2, Classic, and a Sabre.

I am located in Stockton near the Delta so if you are interested just shoot me an Email @ basscatpuma@sbcglobal.net

Thanks

Tim Hendricks

[Lance]

Ray,

Take KB up on that ride in a 20x2, it is THE softest ride I've ever been in, yes I fish as a AAA. It also has a really wide deck and a really good layout. The 20X was the series that chine walked but the new 20X2's, you can drive those with your pinky.

L

[Robert F]

Since nobody threw one out for the Skeeter here is my opinion. I own a Champion but have had quite a few backseat rides as a Co-angler in the FLW series. My Pro travel/practice partner has been borrowing a 21i with a Yamaha 250. This boat is bad to the bone. I have drawn all the brands. Actually more Champions than any other. I am ready to drop the Champion flag. The 210 was not impressive to me though it is a great looking boat. I dont know how anybody could have the opinion that the boat is wet or walks but it did seem to lack some of the little features for the passenger, the price is excessive and My 2pm backache (probably from the way the boat sits in the water) was just as bad in the 210 as it is in my 203. The Skeeter is priced very well. About 10 grand less than the Z-boat or the Champ. The amenities, fit and finish in the I-class are top notch. As you use the storage and operate the boat your appreciation for things like the position of the grab handles, number and placement of the rod holders and the design of the electrical system controls will become evident. The lack of damage to my rods is noticeable in the Skeeter versus the older Rangers and the Champ. The seats are as good as the new Z-boat and far better than the Basscat. The ride was far better than the Basscat and the older Rangers. I do feel that the Z-boat has a great high speed attitude but the 21i was just as steady and sure. The Triton scared the crap out of me. The Basscat was better than the Triton but not close to the Z-boat or the I-class. The Z-boat was laid out well for storage but it bugs me to see cheesy deco features like the stainless accent panels not line up. Sorry but if you are spening the kind of money these things run they should look good. All said, the Skeeter will take me out of the Champ family.

[raymond]

Thanks to all for the posts,
I guess i left out a little info on the boat i am looking for.
Difinetly?(spelling) a 20 footer.
I guess its hard to put all of the plus' of all the major names into one boat,there are always sacrifices.
The rough water ride of the champion
The sleek looks and layout of the triton
The awesom interior/finish/look of the ranger

I was looking for a 1 year old boat up to 40k
I saw several i20 boats with less than 100 hours going for 38k
I saw several z20 boats for the same price,also cats

I have not seen any triton 20x2 boats in the classifieds. hmmm

I have an status 201 pro elite that is for sale and need to make the next jump.Dont want to by a brand new boat but with my impulse shopping might get talked into it if i walked into a dealership.

Saw some 1 year olds but has mega hours on them and are beat up like
guide boats Ugg.

Your insight is very helpfull its hard to schedule a test ride in the worst of conditions to test out the sea-worthy of a boat but at this time i dont think i need to be in 5 foot rollers at the narrows,but maybe in a year i will.
Want to keep the next boat for awhile-u know

Thanks again for the posts and would love to hear some more.

KB-- i live in San Jose and go to the delta often and on occassion CL

If you know someone that needs to unload a x2 i would love to meet you in your boat and go for a test if its convenient for you ill meet you on one of your outings.you can pm me or ill get in touch when i am boatless
r 408 374-9532

[NoCAL]

Kinda tough to find a 1 year old X2 for sale right now. I think they only came out about 9 months ago. I might be wrong on that though. There was one for sale a couple months ago. Justin Lucas was selling it in Arizona. Be patient and you will find one. Try taking a ride. I think you'll be impressed. Plus you can fish the Triton Owners tourny at Clear Lake this year.

NoCAL

[Matt Moreau]

Dont know if a Nitro is on the books for you. I have owned 2 and love them. For a 20' boat i would go with the 911.... Its the driest ride you can get and has the widest deck 98''... They ride awesome IMO. I can always take you out in my 901 if you like. Ill be at Clear lake for the next 3 weekends but then i am back at the delta.

VvAKIRAvV@aol.com

[Phil]

GO OVER TO GONE FISH'N MARINE. SEE MARK, TELL HIM JIGS SENT YOU......YOU'LL GET THE BEST DEAL.......GO WITH THE NEW Z9 NITRO, IF I HAD NOT BOUGHT MY NEW 591. I WOULD GO WITH THE NEW Z9 ! HOLY MOSIS YOU CAN'T BEAT IT WITH A STICK,

JIGS

[Matt Moreau]

Yes Mark is a GREAT GUY and will take care of you... Thats where i got my boat! You cant beat the service!

[buddy brown]

<#8. Champion, Chine Walks, Wear your Rain Gear>

Come on bro. Champion is not the fastest boat or the boat with the best fit and finish, but the champs have the smoothest dryest ride. Faster hulls like the triton are more apt to chine walk. While the faster boats need to weave through or prepare for chop, the champs goe right through em without thinking twice

[FRANK D. LOZANO]

Hey Ray,

Make sure you check out the hottest new boat on the market.
The Legends.
Swing by and check them out, we can take one out for a hot lap.

Speed, Strength, Stability, Style

The new 2007 Alpha 199 is one bad looking ride.

[Hollywood]

And here is what that rig looks like! (my pictures finally arrived)

WOW.... And I thoght I heard it all...


<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g267/ ... inJ003.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g267/ ... inJ001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

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[buddy brown]

Hollywood,

sick boat dude. How the hell can you open that thing up on those japanese little ponds out there

[Hollywood]

little ponds? Biwa is bigger than Mead, Kasumigaura is bigger than Clear Lake! Plenty of open water to run! And that's just two lakes, the others are descent size too. I sure can't wait to open it up once it comes off the cargo ship!

[Kevin]

Kevin, you have nice taste in engines!

Nice looking boat dude!

[Hollywood]

Thanks Kevin, the graphics on them new Pro XS look sick, goes with the red fade and black boat.... Sure can't wait to open that puppy up!

[JRock]

Nice Engine, I never did like the Reebok ensignia though! They should of just put a Nike swoosh instead; now that would of been hot .

[scott h]

I have a triton 21x and that is one sweet ride but here shortly Im goin to see ryan at galaxie and my next boat will be the 20x2 w/250 pro xs. Just my opinion but triton is the best all around boat out there I have ridden in em all but still favor the triton.

[Matt Moreau]

Hey Wood is that thing a tub toy? Here is a real boat!!!

<img src="/shared/photos/photoother/resized/257_resized.jpg">

[NaCl]

Ray,

I'm going into my 4th BassCat. I can afford any boat I want but when I had my very first BassCat, it developed a hull problem and was out of warranty. The BassCat owners were contacted by my local dealer and insisted on recalling the boat to the factory where they completely reconstructed the hull....for free!!! In addition, they apologized for the problem and threw in a bunch of new stuff like new seat skins, fresh carpet and buffed out some sun-fade on the surfaces facing up. I'll tell you from first hand experience, I KNOW why BassCat has had a lock on the JD Power Award for Customer Satisfaction. The Pierce family goes the extra mile to protect the good reputation of their company.

Bottom line is there are lots of good boats out there. And, most will serve you for many years with no problem. But, if something DOES happen, and things do happen to boats from ALL manufacturers, you can't be in any better place than Bass Cat.

Just my un-biased opinion! LOL!

.....NaCl