Skeeter’s ZXR21 offers serious anglers a packaged bass boat that looks, performs and is rigged like a custom boat. It is a serious fishing machine that’s designed and hand-built to last for many years of rough-water running and hard angling. Sure, it’s fast and sleek, but more important, it’s a spacious tournament-ready fishing platform.
With Yamaha’s VMax SHO 250 bolted to a 12-inch manual Slidemaster jack plate—a hydraulic option is available—we recorded a solid 70 mph top speed at just over 6,100 rpm. On the way there, the Skeeter hull took on boat wakes and midday lake slop easily, giving sure-footed handling. Those who cruise will find its best efficiency is just over 27 mph at 3,000 rpm, where a 170-mile range can be had from the 48-gallon tank, leaving 10 percent in reserve.
Skeeter bonds the transom and stringer grid system together to the hull, with the deck cap bonded and bolted to the hull perimeter. Hull and deck finish are typical Skeeter fare, with crisp tape lines and a metal-flake gelcoat with a brilliant shine.
The construction is proven over time and proved solid in our tests. Fore and aft casting decks are all-aluminum, lightening the hull and adding rigidity. They’re additionally supported by adjustable struts beneath. The foredeck is Skeeter’s Team Advantage deck layout, with padding under the carpet, center rod storage, twin day boxes, and two trays capable of holding six Flambeau 5007-size boxes each. Also on deck is the Minn Kota Ultrex MDI iPilot Link 112 trolling motor, giving anglers autopilot control of position.
The cockpit is wide with depth (21 inches from deck cap to floor), fitted with pilot and passenger seats that are cushy but hold firm. The pilot’s console is a sleek fiberglass pod fitted with a flared Lexan windscreen, standard Humminbird Helix 12 (with Helix 9 at the bow), thick-rim steering wheel, Pro Trim steering-column-mounted trim switch, hydraulic steering and standard foot throttle.
The passenger sits next to a built-in rod organizer. There’s ample room between the pilot and co-pilot seats, and a wider step in between allows easier access to the aft deck. A carpeted step up to the foredeck features built-in tool holders and an anodized aluminum fish-measuring board. The transom features a standard Power-Pole Pro Series.
High Points
- Standard Minn Kota Ultrex MDI iPilot Link 112 trolling motor.
- Easy, predictable handling all the way through 70 mph.
- Standard foot throttle and 12-inch manual jack plate enhance performance and control.
- Aluminum fore and aft casting decks add rigidity while lightening the hull.
- Deploying the standard Power-Pole Pro Series on the transom lets you quickly hold position in shallow water without dropping anchor.
Specs
LOA: 21′4″
Beam: 8′1″
Draft: 1′5″
Dry Weight: 2,275 lb.
Seat/Weight Capacity: 5/737 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 48 gal.
Price: $62,495
How We Tested
Engine: Yamaha 250 VMax SHO four-stroke 250 hp
Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha T-II VMax SHO 15-1/8″ x 25″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Fuel Load: 48 gal.
Crew Weight: 400 lb.
More Information
Skeeter Performance Fishing Boats – Kilgore, Texas; 903-984-0541; skeeterboats.com