Need Help Choosing My New Boat

Hi Everyone,

I’m moving back to my home area and will have daily access to Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Niagara River and various smaller lakes on the Trent Severn Waterway.

If all I would be doing is trolling for walleye\trout on Ontario and Erie, the choice would be a no brainer for me: WX2190.

Multi-species is definitely my game, so will also be fishing bass on Erie and Ontario. When the winds are whipping up the big water, I’ll be drifting the Niagara. And, like my set of criteria isn’t large enough, I also love chasing bass in deep cover and pitching docks on the smaller Trent Severn lakes. My concern with the WX2190 is that it won’t lend itself very well to these other fishing styles due to its high bow and sides… my feeling is that the wind will catch those and turn it into a sail boat – which is why I would never go back to aluminum (currently have a 18’ Princecraft).

I really like the Skeeter MX2025 and looks like it would match all those other fishing styles but I’m concerned that it may not be adequate enough for trolling walleye\trout on Erie and Ontario. I would equip it with air-ride pedestals for the seats, which currently work really well for me in the tinner when bashing through 2 footers. And, to compensate for the lower sides, I would use a Traxtech 4-6” riser system with a 48” track similar to what James did (see links below).
http://cdn.in-depthoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/bbu_images/fishing/post_images/1379608656_salmonsetupfullboat.jpg
http://cdn.in-depthoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/bbu_images/fishing/post_images/1379608613_closeupofrailcapandtrax.jpg

I’d like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not the MX2025, with mentioned adjustments, would safely fish Erie and Ontario in 2-3 footers while trolling walleye\trout. Keep in mind that I’m not forced to fish those lakes when it’s blowing too hard and can easily head to the Niagara or Trent Severn lakes – but at the same time, don’t want to get pushed off in moderate conditions. I’d also like to hear your thoughts on the WX2190 with regards to the effect of the wind and its use on the Niagara and smaller Trent Severn lakes.

Although i didn’t mention it, maybe the WX2060 would be that sweet spot that i’m looking for…. I’m looking at the 2190 because it’s longer and length counts. Am definitely open to the 2060 though.

Thanks in advance!
mike p

I fish Michigan a fair amount and fished Erie for the first time this spring. I think the MX would be just fine with the lower sides. The one suggestion I do have is to forget about air ride and go full suspension like a smooth moves for the 2 main seats. Nothing even compares to a full suspension ride.

Not sure on how the big water would handle on any of these boats however, i wanna note one this before you read any further. I’m picking up a MX2025 with a 300 off shore in 2 months, totally my dream boat and cannot wait to get it.

I was just at the state fair and looking at the new ranger FS series boats. Really nice boats. The 621 and 620 have a ton of room, options are nice as well, batteries in the floor is a nice add imo. Not sure how they handle yet. Another boat they had was the 2080vs wish was new or redesigned i think. If I wasn’t already on the hook for boat, i would serious consider the FS620.

michael poulin wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I’m moving back to my home area and will have daily access to Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Niagara River and various smaller lakes on the Trent Severn Waterway.

If all I would be doing is trolling for walleye\trout on Ontario and Erie, the choice would be a no brainer for me: WX2190.

Multi-species is definitely my game, so will also be fishing bass on Erie and Ontario. When the winds are whipping up the big water, I’ll be drifting the Niagara. And, like my set of criteria isn’t large enough, I also love chasing bass in deep cover and pitching docks on the smaller Trent Severn lakes. My concern with the WX2190 is that it won’t lend itself very well to these other fishing styles due to its high bow and sides… my feeling is that the wind will catch those and turn it into a sail boat – which is why I would never go back to aluminum (currently have a 18’ Princecraft).

I really like the Skeeter MX2025 and looks like it would match all those other fishing styles but I’m concerned that it may not be adequate enough for trolling walleye\trout on Erie and Ontario. I would equip it with air-ride pedestals for the seats, which currently work really well for me in the tinner when bashing through 2 footers. And, to compensate for the lower sides, I would use a Traxtech 4-6” riser system with a 48” track similar to what James did (see links below).

http://cdn.in-depthoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/bbu_images/fishing/post_images/1379608656_salmonsetupfullboat.jpg

http://cdn.in-depthoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/bbu_images/fishing/post_images/1379608613_closeupofrailcapandtrax.jpg

I’d like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not the MX2025, with mentioned adjustments, would safely fish Erie and Ontario in 2-3 footers while trolling walleye\trout. Keep in mind that I’m not forced to fish those lakes when it’s blowing too hard and can easily head to the Niagara or Trent Severn lakes – but at the same time, don’t want to get pushed off in moderate conditions. I’d also like to hear your thoughts on the WX2190 with regards to the effect of the wind and its use on the Niagara and smaller Trent Severn lakes.

Although i didn’t mention it, maybe the WX2060 would be that sweet spot that i’m looking for…. I’m looking at the 2190 because it’s longer and length counts. Am definitely open to the 2060 though.

Thanks in advance!
mike p

I will say the react keel on the WX2190 pretty much all but takes away any wind catching and sailing. It does VERY well with that. Also does very good when running cross current in a river.
I ran a 2190 on the mississippi river for a year, and had zero issues fishing with it. Is it overkill for the river? Yes it was but there wasnt anything I couldnt do because of having that boat on the river. I have no idea what size these smaller lakes and rivers are that you are fishing though. I do know that you wouldnt regret having the 2190 on Erie though.

The 2025 and 2060 may also be good choices for you. All 3 boats have a slightly different layout so that may factor into your decision also.

My best piece of advice would be to drive all 3 and get a feel for the ride and layout and let that help you decide which one would work best for you.

michael poulin wrote:

I’d like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not the MX2025, with mentioned adjustments, would safely fish Erie and Ontario in 2-3 footers while trolling walleye\trout.

Absolutely, yes. The MX 2025 is a fantastic big water boat. I still have wind burned cheeks from my weekend trip to Superior fishing lakers in my 2025. We had a stiff N-NE wind yesterday which kicked up 3 – 4 foot waves and the 20025 handled them easily. At times we were over 20 miles from shore and at no time did we feel over-matched or unsafe. While the MX 2025 doesn’t have the high sides like the WX 2190 that doesn’t mean it can’t handle itself on big water. Now if you were looking for a boat that would be used on big water only and primarily as a trolling platform the WX 2190 might be a better choice. But if you mix in smaller bodies of water and you like to rig, cast jig or cranks, fish bass, pike or muskie… that’s where the 2025 shines. I’ve had mine for 2 seasons now and wouldn’t trade it for anything and I have no apprehensions about taking it out on the Great Lakes when it is reasonable to do so.

James Holst wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>michael pioulin wrote:</div>
I’d like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not the MX2025, with mentioned adjustments, would safely fish Erie and Ontario in 2-3 footers while trolling walleye\trout.

Absolutely, yes. The MX 2025 is a fantastic big water boat. I still have wind burned cheeks from my weekend trip to Superior fishing lakers in my 2025. We had a stiff N-NE wind yesterday which kicked up 3 – 4 foot waves and the 20025 handled them easily. At times we were over 20 miles from shore and at no time did we feel over-matched or unsafe. While the MX 2025 doesn’t have the high sides like the WX 2190 that doesn’t mean it can’t handle itself on big water. Now if you were looking for a boat that would be used on big water only and primarily as a trolling platform the WX 2190 might be a better choice. But if you mix in smaller bodies of water and you like to rig, cast jig or cranks, fish bass, pike or muskie… that’s where the 2025 shines. I’ve had mine for 2 seasons now and wouldn’t trade it for anything and I have no apprehensions about taking it out on the Great Lakes when it is reasonable to do so.

I’ve got a full season on my 2025 and agree with James 100%. When I’m Salmon fishing in 3-4 foot waves, I do think at times it would be nice to have a deeper hull, but when fishing smaller lakes and doing a lot of work from the front deck, I wouldn’t trade the low sides and bow for the world. It’s all a balancing act and comes down to personal preference. For me, I’ll sacrifice the big water ride a bit for the awesome flat water fishability of the 2025. As James said, the 2025 is no big water slouch, I’ve just found that when the waves get to 3-4 feet and you need to run right in to them, you might be going 13 MPH average to keep from getting beat up too bad.

I bought my MX-2025 this past March 8th. So far, I fished from it on the Miss River, Wisconsin River, Menominee River, Lake Wisconsin and Lake Michigan.
Walleye is what I primarily fish for and that’s what we targeted on all the systems listed above except for Lake Michigan. We’ve been targeting salmon & trout out on Lake Michigan this summer.
So far, I have zero regrets and love the way this boat has performed on all waters.
Like tosetter above, I’m not a balls to the wall kind of guy. When we get in 3 to 4 footers on Lake Michigan, (like this past Saturday) I will generally run between 15-19mph. I’m in no hurry and just want to get there safe and preferably, “dry”. This boat makes that possible.

Every time someone asks how I like the MX2025 for Salmon fishing, I forget to mention my favorite part. THE ROD STORAGE!!! It’s simply awsome. I haul 14 Salmon rods from 8-12 ft in length, and every single one of them is full length and stored away in a compartment. That is SO nice! On my old boat, I had to break them all down. I typically haul the 12 ft dipsy rods plus a couple 9 ft board rods in the side compartment and the rest of my 8 and 9 foot rigger and board rods in the bow rod storage. I’ve also got a large specail mate spoon box with ~130 spoons plus boxes with 50 or so flys and 30 or so flashers plus a stupid J-Plug box (hate J-Plugs:)…). All are stored away as are the rigger balls, S-N-T probe, 6 planer boards, ect. The guys I’ve taken Salmon fishing can’t believe it. They step in the boat and ask where everything is….. I even stopped bringing a cooler and just throw my fish in the 50 inch rear livewell with some ice. I’ve had 15 Salmon and trout in there and it wasn’t full yet. Something to strive for next year:).

I will tell you, if you try to bass fish out of a 2190 you won’t be the happiest of campers….of course it will work but even to reach the water to lip a bass from the back deck requires a little work, and forget about it from the front deck, way too high.

It’s just not made for that type of fishing. It’s an amazing big water boat and built for walleyes/salmon.

The MX2025 as everybody as said sounds like the perfect boat. I’ve been along on a couple occasions where it was getting a little hairy, weird 4 footers coming from 2 directions (current) and it handled extremely solid. Would a 2190 be better for big water, you betcha! But for fishing both types of lakes and styles the 2025 would be the clear choice. I would MUCH rather fish big water out of a 2025 than fish smaller lakes for bass out of a 2190.

Thank you so much guys!

I was really hoping that hear that I’d be safe in those conditions on Erie\Ontario with the MX2025 because it’s really the boat that I have my heart set on. With such great input from actual owners, I feel confident in making the appropriate decision. I really do think that this boat will be perfect for my needs and can’t wait to pull the trigger this winter. I’m not a runner-and-gunner either and do prefer to take my time and be safe, as opposed to going fast in rough conditions…. Oh, and I really love Ben’s statement: “I would MUCH rather fish big water out of a 2025 than fish smaller lakes for bass out of a 2190.”

I have two dealers available to me; one within 1 hour and the other at 2 hours away. Will be visiting each and hopefully will be able to choose the right one, because as we all know, the dealer makes a huge difference in the whole experience.

Thanks to all those that provided their opinions and input – such an invaluable asset!

Mike p