Bass boat shopping, need info

[inspectorlance]

Well, its time to find me a bass boat. Im looking at cheap boats in my area. There seems to be mostly skeeters, Nitro's, Rangers, and Stratos. Were talking cheap, like late 80's boats. Which is the better boat, and has the most performance potential ? Any opinions ?

Thanks
Lance

[The Big Al]

Lance, you have opened a can of worms.

In a true performance bass boat, none you have listed qualify.

But out of those, in the 80's Ranger had great workmanship. as they do today.
In the 80's only a hand full of boat company's used quality materials and procedures. NITRO, Skeeter, Stratos, Hydrosports Bassboats being the wham bam thank you Mame boat! Lots of open wood, heavy layups.

Now they all build a great quality boat in the last 10 years, but back then, not so!

Now a good performing hull if you can find one Dollar for dollar is a Tide-craft. But can have some quality issues.(get what you pay for)

A used Bullet or Allison, Allison being the performance first fishing second.
Bullet is a true fishing boat, layout is great, the great performance is a added bonus. Quality is Superb as with the Allison.

Just my 5 cents worth.

out of your list!

RANGER
Stratos
Skeeter

Nitro would not be a option!

[inspectorlance]

Thanks Al.

Yes, I would love to have an Allison, or Bullet, but doing this on a budget, and want to find something kinda local. I found a Ranger with a 150 magnum Mariner Im looking into for $3500.00 yep I wasnt kidding when I said cheap :) We have lots of old 80's Skeeters running around here, I thought they were susposed to be hand laid and quality ?

I guess quality , and performance is two different questions. How are the Ranger hulls for performance ? I have enough OMC looper parts laying around to put together another motor.

Lance

[neveredge]

What size are you looking for and are you looking for turn key or a cheap project?

The only Rangers that perform well are the 360 series and the 340V.

I have a 361V and with a Johnson GT175 I could run 65 with a real fishing load. It was radared once at 72 MPH with low fuel and just me and my wife in it. No fishing gear. Prop was a 28" hoss triton RE.

The 340Vs with a 150 and set up right are mid 70s boats. Most are not set up right and run mid 60s.

The 350V and 370 series are about 10 mph slower than the 360 series boats with the same power.

[The Big Al]

A ranger can go 75mph, and can be easy to drive.
Past that, your gona need so major hp!

Being a Magnum V6, being the same as a XR6, carb change and tunner change, module removal will give ya a 200hp engine.

Been there done it!

Al

[inspectorlance]

I see a Ranger 373V, and a 168V for sale. do these boats have different hulls ?

[The Big Al]

I see a Ranger 373V, and a 168V for sale. do these boats have different hulls ?

I'm no help on that!

AL

[inspectorlance]

Al. ya allready been a big help, ya got me away from looking at the Skeeters

[neveredge]

I see a Ranger 373V, and a 168V for sale. do these boats have different hulls ?


The 373 has a cushion in front of the passanger console but not in front of the driver console. It will run high 50s with a 150.

The 168V is an older hull design and I believe it was 17 feet long with an angled bow at the point of entry. They stopped making the 168 in I think 81.
The 373 was made until the mid 90s.

You should be looking for something newer than 88 as that is when they started switching to the no wood transoms.

[RNM018]

LANCE , If you can find and live with smaller boat ,Skeeter made a Wrangler 120 15' bas boat . It was basicly a Hydrostream Viper with a fishing deck . Also Hydrostream built a 17' Varmit bass boat (Vector with a fishing deck ) . Ranger also had a 17' that would run well . Just have to shop hard to find a solid older boat that want tap your wallet with structural repairs . Good Luck . Rich Martin 018:cool:

[fullauto4u]

Ranger!

[inspectorlance]

I like the idea of the 15' Viper hull. Did they really just copy the viper or is it just simular ? I dont mind a smaller boat. looks like this Ranger 168v is a 1979. That the only year thay make that model.
what years did Mariner do the Magnum 150 ? here is a pict

Lance

[RNM018]

No . It was not a direct spash , It shared a lot of the Viper and the Ventura . I beleive mine was a '84 model . The boat later became a Glasstream . I spoke with the Skeeter boat mfg. while I has mine and was told they where regularly rigged with V6's by experianced owners . I was very pleased with mine but as far as the Glastreams I wouldn't know . Try going to fastbass and see if anyone over there has any info on the Skeeter Wangler 120 . Rich Martin 018

[Riverratt]

I had a Ranger 330V with a 115 Merc and that was a low to mid 50's boat. Did very well in rough water

[RNM018]

Oh Ya LANCE , Check with One Bad Action , He had some pics of his Grand Father Ranger It was either a 16' of 17' I can't remember . Rich Martin 018:o

[neveredge]

Oh Ya LANCE , Check with One Bad Action , He had some pics of his Grand Father Ranger It was either a 16' of 17' I can't remember . Rich Martin 018:o


That boat is a 340V. Very fast when set up right.

[MTOLLEY]

LANCE , If you can find and live with smaller boat ,Skeeter made a Wrangler 120 15' bas boat . It was basicly a Hydrostream Viper with a fishing deck . Also Hydrostream built a 17' Varmit bass boat (Vector with a fishing deck ) . Ranger also had a 17' that would run well . Just have to shop hard to find a solid older boat that want tap your wallet with structural repairs . Good Luck . Rich Martin 018:cool:
skeeters boat was a "wrangler hp150" rated for a 150hp outboard and 16'2" in length and yes they were pretty fast. good luck finding one these days that aint rotten though. they also made the smaller version but i dont think they came with the 150hp rating, not that it matters though

[inspectorlance]

correct. I see Wrangler 150hp at 16", and Wrangler 120hp at 15". I also noticed on the Nada guides that the Wrangler 16' has a 7' beam and weighs 925 #, the 15" Wrangler is 6'11", and only 825#. Then there is the 15' F80, and FS-80 that has a 6'6" beam and only weighs 700 # :) now that could be fun. I have seen these come up for sale around my area in the past. I will have to do my homework, and keep my eyes open.

Lance

[YELLOWXD]

Help me out here, exactly why would you stay away from a Skeeter? Don't know how you would get it to Seattle from here but I know where a nice 17-18 Norriscraft is that would probably fit in your budget. I also know where a 17 ft Bullet is. Anyone that tells you to stay away from a Skeeter as a fishing boat simply does not know what he is talking about.

[tlwjkw]

Don't know if there are any in that part of tha country, but tha 17 or 18' V bottom is a good fishin' boat and can be VERY quick with tha right stuff. Look for 1985 or better. Start with a 150 and after a while you will want to go to MORE hp. This seems to be one of tha more unknown performance bass boats around. I guess its 'cause there just not many out there............TW

[1BadAction]

you guys gotta remember where lance is... not exactly the mecca of bass fishing. he isnt going to have the choices and odd-ball boats that we have down here.

id say go with the ranger. the Magnum motor could be one of three, the mag1 was a 2.0L XR2. the mag2 is the same as a 2.4 XR4, and the mag3 is the same as a 2.5 XR6. the one in your pic looks like a mag1 or early mag2.

[1BadAction]

Yea the old mans boat is a 340v. if you can find one for cheap that would be awesome. but I doubt you'll be able to find one for less than 5k, unless its a rat.

[The Big Al]

Help me out here, exactly why would you stay away from a Skeeter? Don't know how you would get it to Seattle from here but I know where a nice 17-18 Norriscraft is that would probably fit in your budget. I also know where a 17 ft Bullet is. Anyone that tells you to stay away from a Skeeter as a fishing boat simply does not know what he is talking about.

I will help you, Skeeter boats Built back in the 80's like he is looking at have a lot of rot problem as with most boats built in that decade.

They used open wood transoms, the quality of gels they used were not lasting. Fade real easy. The quality of the boat was not great, now by the standard of that era they were OK.
But Ranger was way ahead of the times back then.

And if you know where a Bullet is for him, post it,or you don't want everyone calling and waisting time?:eek:

But I guess you owned one and that makes it great.:rolleyes:

But I don't know what I'm talking about!

[1BadAction]

skeeters that age are junk. my dad had an 85 when it was 10 years old and the transom was mush. they used a ton of chopper gun, and their gel faded if you THOUGHT of leaving it in the sun for a few days.

[YELLOWXD]

I will help you, Skeeter boats Built back in the 80's like he is looking at have a lot of rot problem as with most boats built in that decade.

They used open wood transoms, the quality of gels they used were not lasting. Fade real easy. The quality of the boat was not great, now by the standard of that era they were OK.
But Ranger was way ahead of the times back then.

And if you know where a Bullet is for him, post it,or you don't want everyone calling and waisting time?:eek:

But I guess you owned one and that makes it great.:rolleyes:

But I don't know what I'm talking about!
Well smart ass, What do you expect out of a 80s model boat and what he wants to spend a show piece. You are correct alot of boats in that era do have issues but considering they are over 20 years old what do you expect. As previously posted he is in Seattle, how many options can he have. As far as posting Bullets for sale there are three on ebay right now. There is a Norriscraft on hwy 24/27 in Albemarle 1 mile out of town. Since your the great Big AL I figured you know that already

[YELLOWXD]

Look AL here is one.

http://p069.ezboard.com/fbulletownersfrm4.showMessage?topicID=233.topic

[YELLOWXD]

Here is AL there is 20 more of them. Pay special attention to the 91 20v for 5800.00.
http://www.bulletowners.com/FORSALE/BOATSFORSALE.htm

[YELLOWXD]

But I guess you owned one and that makes it great.



No never owned a Skeeter but have fished out of many of them and they are nice boats. I will tell you what though, I was riding in a Bullet one time that got out run by a Skeeter

[YELLOWXD]

Inspectorlance, I did not mean to high jack your thread but if you are interested there are alot of Bullets for sale. Here is a link to another one. It has been for sale a while maybe you could make and offer on it. Just not sure how you would get it to Washington. The 91 20ve is a nice one also for 5800.00.


http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/2/3/85791923.htm

do you know these guys in Walla Walla, check out the Champion they have.
http://www.nixonsmarine.com/main.htm

[Massbasser]

I have trouble believing the guy who said a 360 Ranger will run 75 with a 150. My buddy has a 372 and it runs an honest 63 with a full tourney load and a 6" chop on the water, I know because I was driving and looking at the LMS350 on the dash. That boat with the right prop would probably run over 65 under ideal conditions, but I don't think it would ever hit 70. It has a 150 Promax on it, which is a lot stronger than some of the other ones out there. There are very few bass boats out there that will run in the 70's with a 150, especially Rangers, hell some Rangers with 250's won't touch 70. :D

This link will help you decifer what Rangers you are looking at. I agree for that budget and that vintage a Ranger would be your best bet.

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/rangerspecs.htm

[inspectorlance]

Thanks for all the info guys. I would love to get an Allison, or Bullet, and I will some day. But for now I am just going to get into something cheap, and fun. I have the STV and will probally put more $ into it this winter than I will put in a bass boat. But still need a bass boat all the same. I an really looking at the Skeeter 15'-16' Wranglers, and starfires pre 1986. I know they may have some rot issues, but so do all the Hydrostreams. cool little boats, and the really haul. 800# with a V6

Lance

[inspectorlance]

As Rich Martin mentioned in page one , these hulls are very simular to the Hydrostream Viper, and Ventura. I have been looking at them and comparing. These do look to be identical, maybe even a splash. the one on the left is the hydrostream Ventura/ viper, and the right pict is a skeeter Wrangler

[inspectorlance]

in 1986 they changed the hull. likley to make it more driver friendly, and not so like driving a V-pad.

[1BadAction]

I have trouble believing the guy who said a 360 Ranger will run 75 with a 150.

he said a 340V will run that. and if you think a 340 runs like ANY other Ranger, you're sorely mistaken.

[inspectorlance]

I found one in my area for $ 2700 with a 87' merc 175 hp 2.4 . I just cant go look at it for another week. Hope it dont get sold. Buying one of these is like buying an old Hydrostream. Ive heard of them being rottom, waterlogged, and so on.



Lance

[Massbasser]

he said a 340V will run that. and if you think a 340 runs like ANY other Ranger, you're sorely mistaken.

What year did the make a 340? :confused:

[Massbasser]

I guess I was assuming he was talking about a 340 being the same 17'10" hull the rest of them are. It's a 16 footer rated for a 175, now I can see it being faster. :D

[1BadAction]

1985 only i believe...

[1BadAction]

Well smart ass...
He must live in a Yellow Submarine, a Yellow Submarine, a Yellow submarine. :D

[The Big Al]

He must live in a Yellow Submarine, a Yellow Submarine, a Yellow submarine. :D

LMAO!

You know what they say!

50 men go down,

25 gay couples come up!

LMAO!!!!!

[neveredge]

I guess I was assuming he was talking about a 340 being the same 17'10" hull the rest of them are. It's a 16 footer rated for a 175, now I can see it being faster. :D

The 340V was made for about 3 years I think. It was almost 17 feet long. It had the same beem as the 360 series. It was only rated for a 150. Not 175. It would do 75 MPH with a 150. Close to 80 with a 175. I would guess that it would be over 100 with a Merc 280, if you had the balls to hang it out there.

My 361V with a bone stock Johnsom GT175 has gone 72 MPH. With a FULL FISHING LOAD it will routinly run 65 MPH. The 72 MPH was radar speed not speedo. The 360 series hull bottom is very similar to the 340s bottom only longer and the boats are much heavier.

The 370 series are not fast boats unless they are set up unconventionally. I mean with a huge setback hydrolic plate, max HP and a bow lifting prop.

I was huge Ranger fan back in the 80s and 90s, until they started making the 500 series barges.

Oh, the Skeeter Starfire 150 will run 65-68 MPH with a 150 and a fishing load.

Another boat to look for that was made well is a Cajun "Rajun Cajun" The 16'8" version. It will run almost as fast as the 340V and is built like a tank. The 83-86 year boats are the good ones if I remember correctly.

[YELLOWXD]

Yep some of the Cajuns were nice to. Guy in my club has one. I also like the older Champions.

[Massbasser]

Yup but a lot of those Cajuns and Rangers didn't has GPS units back in the day, so I'm sure they all ran 70 something with a 150. :D I know you said you had yours Radar'd. I could believe 72 Stripped with a 175 and the right prop though.

[1BadAction]

the ole mans will still do 65 on gps with the original laser1 prop, but the motor probably has over 2000 hours on it- the compression is around 102ish on all cylinders. it went 82 ready to fish, 30 gallons of gas, with a stock efi 2.5 200 and a smallish cupped chopper prop.

the 340 isnt a good boat for alot of HP.

[neveredge]

Yup but a lot of those Cajuns and Rangers didn't has GPS units back in the day, so I'm sure they all ran 70 something with a 150. :D I know you said you had yours Radar'd. I could believe 72 Stripped with a 175 and the right prop though.



Where I lived in Ohio we used to have an annual run what ya brung event. There was a timed course and a radar course. I saw many boats run that were much much much slower than what their owners were claiming. However, the 340Vs (2 of them) really ran mid seventies with their 150s. One boat had a Merc XR2 150 and the other had a Johnson GT150.

My Ranger did indeed run 72 MPH. The prop was an over hub Hoss Triton 3 blade round ear. 28" pitch. I was hitting the limiter on the motor. The fishin prop was a 27" Shooter to the limiter. I had a hydro plate on it. I was the only guy around then who had a hydro plate. I remember the dealer telling me that I was wasting my money on that plate. He didn't want to order it. And I pissed him off every Wensday night when we fished the night tourny cause I would smoke his identical boat to the fishin hole.


Hey one bad, have you ever looked at your dads boat from a distance while it was haulin? They look like they are about to lift completely out of the water. I bet Ronnie could drive one with a 280. Man I'd love to see that.

[1BadAction]

Hey one bad, have you ever looked at your dads boat from a distance while it was haulin? They look like they are about to lift completely out of the water. I bet Ronnie could drive one with a 280. Man I'd love to see that.

it used to run like that, but even with a fresh 150 its on the edge of not lifting (it used to run really good when I made passes when I was 11-12 yrs old). they run better with 200s.

its not if its drivable or not with big HP... its how it reacts to changes in wind direction and current. Actally I think its EASIER to drive than my stream or action. once its flying fast, the wide beam packs air and takes some of the edge off the chinewalking. BUT a small cross wind, or current (like comes from the spill ways on the sides of the river) will ass that boat in a hurry. Its just too damn short and wide to be a good boat for going really fast.

80-85, its good, any more and you're flirtin with disaster.

[Little Jon]

Dad had a LAser bass boat. Had a 200 black max or a 175 black max i dont remember. He said he had it around 90 and it was a very stable boat of what i remember.. i was 3-5 years old when he had it.

[tlwjkw]

Yep Jon, they are a very fast hull when the are set up right. I ran lasers and allisons for a long time. Did a little drag racin' with 'em also. Tha Laser bass ran a honest 87 fishin' ready And I never saw a ranger, skeeter, champion tidecraft or anything else other than my ally or a bullet would come anywhere close. All this was up until about ten years ago. This was before everyone started comin' out with all these monster motors. Now I'm trying to figure out how to keep tha trollin' motor on tha boat in avatar:D

Later......TW

[gaineso]

A ranger can go 75mph, and can be easy to drive.
Past that, your gona need so major hp!

Being a Magnum V6, being the same as a XR6, carb change and tunner change, module removal will give ya a 200hp engine.

Been there done it!

Al

A Ranger at 75 MPH is either on the trailer or has one, very light, person and 2 gallons of gas. They aren't known as "Lead Sleds" for nothing.

[Racemore]

Whats up Gaines?? Long time,hope it's all good.c ya Lonnie...sorry guys

A fast little bass boat a long time back was a hydrosport kevlar.Im thinking it was 17 ft and ran over 60 with a 140 omc.This was when surface driven boats were race boats.fast in it's day

[Corona Mike]

Lonnie, that was the 158-v/168v or 178v's The boats ran VERY GOOD!! Just VERY HARD to slow down!!:eek: The 168V with a 200 on it would run rite at 80 but if you chopped the throttle---you would end up in the direction you came from! Very Interesting at times!

[inspectorlance]

Im leaning towards the skeeter Wrangler with an 87 merc 175. The guy claims 80 mph, but that is a little hard to believe. He also gave me a serial # from the motor of 1579-6606 the # really doesnt add up ? does that # make sence to anyone ?

Im also likley going to look at a 1981 Ranger 168V with a 1991 mariner 2.0 lt. It sounds like these Rangers can really move too.

The ranger weighs 1050# and the skeeter is 800# ya would figure the skeeter would be faster.

[gaineso]

In the mid to late 80s the Glasstreams were just about the fastest bass boats on the water, at least around the Lower Alabama area. There was a Laser with a BP that would run around 100 but it blew over. The 17V (16' 10") would run right at 80 on radar with a Magnum and a 28" chopper. My 15V would get about 65 with a 24" chopper and the TM removed with the '86 115 Inline. 60 with 2 batteries and a 12V TM.

I get about 55 now, with 3 batteries, TM 24 gals of gas and Bass pro Shops all loaded aboard.

[tlwjkw]

Someone finally put up some realistic information! One of our guys here had a Wrangler right after they first came out. Tha thing was pretty quick up to about 70. He finally got it to run a little better after some extensive bottom work. Tha factory bottom was terrible. Ran upper 70's with a 200 but was still a hand full. Ended up with a hard hittin' 140 V4 running 'bout tha same as tha 200 and a lot easier to drive. I tried a good 260 on my Laser and found out you could get into trouble real quick if ya didn't stay on top of it. but it was VERY fast when ya got everything right.................That 80mph Ranger was tied on to a twin turbo Ford GT going down interstate 45 ;)

Later........TW

[1BadAction]

That 80mph Ranger was tied on to a twin turbo Ford GT going down interstate 45 ;)


I know that comment wasnt directed at me, because id be willing to bet you've never even seen a 340 let alone ran one :rolleyes:

[tlwjkw]

I'm not fallin' into that trap. And yes I do know what your talkin' about. I've been jackin' with these things since tha early 60's. Believe what ya want and I'll do tha same. I'm not gettin' into a pissin' contest about a Ranger........TW

Besides a well set up Stratos would wear a Ranger out back in those days:D

TW

[1BadAction]

If you knew what a 340v was, you would know that performance wise its 180° from anything else ranger has produced. I guess my GPS is a liar like me right :rolleyes:
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4349/d13sq.jpg

[inspectorlance]

Did the 80's Glasstreams have a concave pad ? or was it a flat one ?

[tlwjkw]

OK, you win and I'm glad your happy with your Ranger...................TW

BTW.........I forgot to mention that there is a 340 four houses down from me with one of my old carb BP on it.

[gaineso]

Did the 80's Glasstreams have a concave pad ? or was it a flat one ?

The Glasstream 15 and 17 looked like this picture.

Unfortunately, I can't find a pic of mine and it's to much trouble to move the boat to get one now. But they were concave and the 15 and 17 had the transom corners flared in, sorta like this pic of mine shows. That helps reduce wetted area.

[gaineso]

Whats up Gaines?? Long time,hope it's all good.c ya Lonnie...sorry guys



Just been hangin around. not much boating but that is fixin ta change..

c ya gaines

[inspectorlance]

Well seems that the skeeter Wrangler pre 1986 is the same hull at the late 80's Glasstream. Someone stated this earlier. Kinda funny that some say bad things about the skeeter, and others say great things about the glasstream, and their the same boat. I think I keep heading towards the skeeter, and away from the 1200 # rangers

Lance

[gaineso]

Actually, I'm not sure who first came out with that boat. I know there were Skeeters, Glasstreams and Magnums and probably others. In fact, the last ones were around 2002 or 2003 and were called Bastreams. The boats were good and what they are like now depends on how it has been cared for in the last 20 years. I still have my (one owner) Glasstream and it looks sorta bad from oxidation and I just carpeted rub rail to rub rail. Call it the "Magic Carpet Ride". Transom is solid, had to replace some flooring and do some rewireing. It is 20 years old and it has been used since 1989 in salt water occasionally. Heck, I've even had it out the inlets at Jupiter and Palm Beach and as much as 15 miles off shore. Jeff_G did some engine work last year and it's running great.

No matter what you buy, check it over carefully, especially the transom. Floor is easy to repair, but transom is a pain. If it's the 16' 10" hull it will be very quick with a 150 and insane with something bigger. Not the best storage and it is sorta small, but they do make a good fishing platform. They won't ride in rough water like a heavy 20 footer but I have run Lake George in my 15 at about 25 MPH when the Toons and Rangers were struggling to go 35 because of the waves.

YMMV

[inspectorlance]

As far as I can tell these started as a viper/ ventura hull then skeeter copied it for thier 15-16' boats in 1975 and produced the hulls till 1985, then sold the hulls to Glasstream that produced from 1985 to 1988ish, but they all started from the hydrostream ventura / viper

[RNM018]

Lance , I owner a Wrangler 120 15' Skeeter so I can tell you it was a well built boat . All hand laid glass as far as I could tell ,there was no visable chopper gun work anywhere . As far as the Glastream goes I've never crawled around in one ,so you will need to check this for for yourself . I don't ever recall seeing anyone over power a Glastream though they did come out of the same mold doesn't necessarly mean there built the same . If you can locate both ,crawl around them and look realy good see about knees ,stringer and contruction quality . Good Luck ! Rich Martin 018:cool:

[MTOLLEY]

As far as I can tell these started as a viper/ ventura hull then skeeter copied it for thier 15-16' boats in 1975 and produced the hulls till 1985, then sold the hulls to Glasstream that produced from 1985 to 1988ish, but they all started from the hydrostream ventura / viper
correct. skeeter started with the wrangler 150 as a prototype in 1975 and production in 1976. my father bought the second prototype in 1975 rigged with a 150 inline and it would haul ass! should have seen the skeeter hawk(1974) that the 150 was on before the wrangler. he got a 150xs and put on it in '76 or'77 and then it would move. have to dig a pic i got around here someplace.

[Corona Mike]

Hurst also coppied the same design. The advantage the fishermen had while using the Skeeter was they came with stainless "wing tips" that added extra over-all width to the boat. That gave them a 150hp rating. If you fished B.A.S.S. you could getaway running a larger motor vers. a Hurst for instance which was rated for 120hp. A lot of guys ran the Skeeters with the inline 140/150 h.p. mercs or the 135/140 jon-rudes. Of corse I am aging myself talking about that--1976/77:eek:

[inspectorlance]

I was wondering why the metal corner wings stuck out so far. great info. Cant wait to get one. Sure hope I never get any crazy idea's like putting the motor from the STV on the little Skeeter !! Wonder how many beers that would take ?

[inspectorlance]

What year is your Skeeter ? any pictures ? Ya dont see many 15'ers mostly the 16' NADA says that the 15' weighs 700 #

[MTOLLEY]

Hurst also coppied the same design. The advantage the fishermen had while using the Skeeter was they came with stainless "wing tips" that added extra over-all width to the boat. That gave them a 150hp rating. If you fished B.A.S.S. you could getaway running a larger motor vers. a Hurst for instance which was rated for 120hp. A lot of guys ran the Skeeters with the inline 140/150 h.p. mercs or the 135/140 jon-rudes. Of corse I am aging myself talking about that--1976/77:eek:
when my dad got his the insurance company wouldnt insure it, and it didnt have the "wing tips" on it. when he called the dealer about that is what they (the factory) sent to solve the problem. it added just enough beam to the boat to get the 150hp approval from the insurance company.

[RNM018]

Lance , I beleive mine was a '84 year model , but I could be mistaken .It was twotone blue with red trim ,and was last know to be in the Lake Co. area of Fl. , but I've never seen the boat again sense I sold it .Unfortunatly many people buy boats because they think they want them ,then just leave the out in the yard to rot away. I only had a couple of pics but haven't seen them in years (moved many times after hurricane Andrew) ,but I poke around and see what turns up . Rich Martin 018:D

[inspectorlance]

I found myself a good deal on a 87' Skeeter Wrangler. only $700 :) with a 88 115 merc inline. This should be a fun little boat. It appears to be basicly a Hydrostream Viper with a bass deck.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q22/inspectorlance/generalpicts2019.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q22/inspectorlance/generalpicts2020.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q22/inspectorlance/generalpicts2025.jpg

I just need to do some upholstry ans carpet work. Might even drop a v6 on it.

Lance

[Corona Mike]

Can't beat the price! Now all you need is a 77' 175 merc and those damn S.S "wing tips" and you are set! Good Luck with it! (brings back PLENTY of memories) I thought I killed all those brain cells!:D :D Mike T.

[inspectorlance]

Im not sure they did the wings on the newer ones. This one is a 1987, and the last year I believe. Its rated for 140 hp. I wonder if the wing thing changed after the Hp rating changed to prop shaft rated ? This boat was a steal, and it spent its life in So Cal till 2004 and then in a carport in Seattle since. No rot and great transom. The gel has some oxidation on the top, but it rubs right out.

Lance

[inspectorlance]

The motor runs great but has low comp on one cylinder. I got a spare omc 225 v6 and a omc v4 sitting in the shop. Some day I might drop the hot motor from the STv onto it just for some fun.

[Corona Mike]

I'm afraid the OMC V-6 may be a bit heavy. From what I can rember, the old merc. 175 was pretty lite--335lbs--They ran pretty good with those motors! Didn't stop worth a crap:eek: They would kind of swap ends if you chopped the throttle--made for a interesting ride! Now don't forget that was 76'/77' There wasn't any good nose cones or off-set jack plates back then so we raised the motor straight up off the transom--sometimes building a aluminum plate for extra height and support. If the V-4 is a looper, that's the motor that I'd try! It should run very good with that motor. Let us know how it turns out. Mike.

[BullittBen]

Just in case anyone in the Southeast wants one, I found an 80's 15' Skeeter today in Georgetown, SC. It looks like a good but dirty hull (white / blue) and no motor. He's asking $500. Trailer looks to have a little rust but I didn't look that close. If anyone wants me to look further let me know. I have some pics off of my phone, but can't get them to my email yet.