Skeeter engineers have been at it again coming up with the new ZXE Series to address the suggestions of dedicated Skeeter owners everywhere.
The new series consists of a ZXE 20 and ZXE 21 hull outfitted with a Yamaha outboard, a tandem axle trailer and a host of standard features, including Humminbird electronics and Minn Kota trolling motor.
The ZXE 21 is significant fishing boat at 21’4” and 97” wide and weighing 2275 lbs. with a 48-gallon fuel capacity and a rating for up to 250 hp.
The ZXE 20 measures 20’4” long and 97” wide, weighs 2,175 pounds with a 48-gallon fuel cell and also rated for up to 250 hp.
The boats feature integrated accents on the sides of the hull that really stand out. They also went back to a fiberglass deck.
Both boats have massive front decks with slam latches and are rigged with 8-gauge electronic wiring with a six-position fuse block in the console and in the bow for today’s large electronics with a handy bow electronics door to access electronics connects.
There’s a new shroud around the trolling motor pedal for a cup holder and stop pads for trimming the motor. A Minn Kota® Ultrex® iPilot® 112 trolling motor is standard on both boats which has been mounted more inboard to avoid tree or dock hits.
Each also receives a Humminbird CMSI Xplore 12” at the console and 9” Xplore at the bow in addition to 8’ Minn Kota® Raptors.
The redesigned cockpits in both feature multi-function digital gauges – one gauge to the left of the steering wheel shows four different functions and the RPM gauge displays motor hours. Reliable rocker switches to the right of the wheel connect you to accessories. There’s also a Hot Foot throttle with Pro Trim on the steering column and USB and USBc plugs. A new gutter and drain system addresses the previous issue of how to drain water. There’s also a three-tiered rod ramp for your fishing buddy.
A larger day box in between the cockpit seats features an electronics cabinet and the seats are bolstered and full flex so you have more of a cushion on rough days.
Under deck storage is massive. On the back deck you’ll find a split lid oversized bilge compartment (30% larger) with a raised battery shelf, two more rear deck storage compartments, rear facing livewell drains and a battery charger plug.
The front deck on each features a center storage compartment with 13 tackle trays, plus an angled door on the port rod locker (so rods don’t go flying when opened) and two positions for your bike seat.
On the starboard side there’s more rod storage plus another, separate day box compartment just in front of the driver’s console that’s 50% bigger than what’s on a ZXR and hold the Humminbird network hub and a fuse block.
An additional step (there are now two) helps you get from the cockpit up to the front deck.
The tandem axle SkeeterBuilt trailer has a tonque step pad and aluminum wheels. There also a cool Skeeter ZXE cutout lighted area on the fender.
Buyers can choose from eight new color packages including white, gray, electric blue, black/ tan, gray/purple, gray/orange.
Most buyers are going to hang the Yamaha 250 V MAX SHO on these boats. The ZXE 21 should run 70 while the ZXE 20 should top out around 75 mph.
Skeeter offers a limited lifetime structural warranty, 10-year limited transferable structural warranty and a three-year limited component warranty on these packages.