Skeeter vs. Phoenix: The Best Bass Boat Is...

Two of the hottest bass boat brands in the market right now are going head to head! Which is better… Skeeter - or Phoenix?

HISTORY

Skeeter has been a staple in the boating industry since 1948. Renowned for their bass boats, deep V boats, and center consoles, they have consistently led innovation in hull construction by being one of the pioneers in using fiberglass. Owned by Yamaha, Skeeter benefits from substantial marketing and R&D investments. They operate out of Kilgore, Texas, where their legacy of quality and performance continues to thrive.

Phoenix bass boats are a relatively new contender in the bass fishing world. Established in 2007 and based in Tennessee, Phoenix is independently owned, with leadership deeply rooted in the fishing community. The CEO is a former Bassmaster Elite Series pro, and the executive team includes veterans from renowned brands like Champion and Stratos. Phoenix boats are crafted with insights directly from seasoned fishermen, ensuring a focus on performance and reliability.

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS

Bass boat layouts and construction are fairly similar across the board, but there are a few differences between these two brands:

Skeeter boats are known for their aluminum transoms and bracing, adding strength and durability. In contrast, Phoenix uses Coosa Composite material in their transoms, which is both strong and lightweight.

Maximized storage space is a hallmark of Phoenix boats, with multi-layered bins in the cockpit floor and a cooler integrated into the step up to the deck. Their innovative removable dual console design adds versatility, while the use of stainless-steel components emphasizes durability over style. Phoenix takes an industrial approach to component selection, prioritizing reliability. For example, they use a manual stainless-steel drain plug instead of a plastic cable-actuated version found in Skeeter boats. Phoenix also opts for rubber plugs in the livewell instead of prone-to-failure valves, enhancing dependability.

The livewell system in Phoenix boats features a completely divided 6-pump design with dedicated pumps for pump-in, pump-out, and recirculation. This system uses switches instead of valves for pumping out, ensuring ease of use. In contrast, Skeeter boats feature a single large livewell box with a divider, sharing a fill pump and recirculation pump, and utilizing a valve-operated pump-out system.

Phoenix boats also favor traditional single rotary switches over digital touchpads, a choice proven to enhance reliability in the long run. This approach ensures that the focus remains on functionality and longevity, key factors for any serious angler.

Skeeter leverages its extensive R&D budget to design stylish machined aluminum accent panels and trim, particularly around the console area. While Phoenix uses vinyl-coated plastic for these components, Skeeter's choice of aluminum adds a premium touch. Skeeter’s seats are known for their sturdiness and comfort.

Skeeter also takes pride in their in-house trailer construction, utilizing innovative technology to align each axle precisely, maximizing tire wear and longevity. Their trailers come standard with fiberglass fenders and 18” wheels, which are optional upgrades in Phoenix trailers. These thoughtful design choices and superior materials highlight Skeeter's commitment to quality and performance in every detail.

Skeeter boats feature twist latches for boxes, while Phoenix offers both slam latches and twist latches depending on the model. The decks and cockpits on both Skeeter and Phoenix boats are carpeted, except for select Skeeter models that feature EVA cockpit padding. Phoenix boats have the option to upgrade to EVA cockpit flooring, but this does not come standard.

Both brands use marine-grade polyvinyl upholstery, with slightly different aesthetics. Skeeter’s upholstery offers a sleek, modern look, while Phoenix aims to embrace the organic appearance of leather. Skeeter boats come equipped with pop-up cleats on all models, whereas Phoenix uses smooth recessed pull-up cleats.

A unique feature on Phoenix bass boats is the extra storage locker located at the portside cockpit area, providing additional storage space that Skeeter boats do not offer.

PERFORMANCE

When it comes to speed and performance, Phoenix boats are known for their faster hull design. This can be exciting for some, but it requires some "driver input" to balance the boat at high speeds. If you trim it all the way up and push for maximum speed, the Phoenix hull can chine walk, which means it may wobble side to side at high speeds, demanding more skill from the driver to maintain control.

On the other hand, Skeeter boats are designed to be more stable at high speeds, eliminating the risk of chine walking. While this means they might not be as fast or thrilling as Phoenix boats, the drivability is much more reliable and requires minimal balancing from the driver. This typically results in a few less miles per hour on the top end, but provides a more secure and stable experience.

In fact, Skeeter is one of the few bass boat companies that explicitly states in writing that their boats will not chine walk. Essentially, if you enjoy the adrenaline rush of being on "the edge," a Phoenix will offer you more top-end speed. However, if you prefer a stable and modest top-end experience, Skeeter might be the better choice for you.

I’ve recently been on a Phoenix and the riding experience was great. The lake was glass-like, which of course helps the ride, but the handling and maneuverability were all incredibly responsive. I’ve never ran a Skeeter full throttle, but even at 40-50mph, the boat handled choppy lake water really well.

Think of the Phoenix as a race car, delivering high-speed thrills, whereas the Skeeter is more like a family sedan, offering comfort and reliability in performance.

FEATURES

This is where things get really different!

Each Skeeter model has 8 standard color options to choose from, while Phoenix literally has millions of color combinations from gel coat, flake, carpet, and upholstery…

All Skeeter boats come with a Yamaha outboard, whereas Phoenix come rigged with a Mercury or a Yamaha. I’m a big fan of both Yamaha and Mercury, they’re industry leaders for a reason, but for those who are partial to one brand over the other, Phoenix grants you a choice between the two. If you want to see our take on the Yamaha vs. Mercury battle, we made a video on that too!

Skeeter also comes pre-packaged with Humminbird and MinnKota electronics. This means your graphs and transducers will be Humminbird and your trolling motors and shallow water anchors will be MinnKota. Humminbird makes a really good graph but their sonar imaging is trailing behind brands like Garmin and Lowrance. Of course, you have the option to add or remove whatever electronics you want after the point of purchase, but you are confined to those two brands before.

Phoenix, again, is a lot more mix-and-match. You can purchase a Phoenix pre-rigged with a Garmin and Humminbird graph dual-mounted on the bow with no issues or restrictions. Furthermore, you can run it with a MinnKota trolling motor and Power Poles! Having the ability to dictate your electronics rig at the point of purchase is great - and something that Skeeter just plainly doesn’t offer.

For the sake of comparison, let’s look at the features on the Phoenix 920 Elite and a Skeeter FXR21 APEX, the two brands’ premier models. Both have some custom features, and we tried to match them as best as we could!

CONTINGENCY

This is another very important subject! Both Skeeter and Phoenix have established contingency programs, with Skeeter’s “Real Money” Rewards program, and Phoenix’s “First Flight” program.

SKEETER REAL MONEY

Let’s start with Real Money. There are three levels to Real Money: MAX, Grass Roots, and Limited. To qualify for all levels, you must purchase and/or own any new or used Skeeter boat with a Yamaha outboard motor that has been warranty registered to the original owner within twenty-four (24) months of the qualifying Contingency paying event.

Real Money MAX (as the name suggests) is their top contingency tier. If you sign up for Real Money MAX ($100 annually), you are automatically entered into the Grass Roots and Limited Levels. If you fish a qualifying Real Money MAX Tournament, you can win the first place bonus of $7,500 up to 5 times in the 2024 calendar year. That’s $37,500 just for fishing out of a Skeeter and Yamaha package! We actually run the Carolinas Bass Challenge, which gives out Real Money MAX and an exclusive CBC Skeeter and Yamaha bonus - so there are some great opportunities to fish and win big in a Skeeter in the Carolinas.

Moving on to the Grass Roots level, the annual fee is $75 and you receive automatic participation in Real Money Limited. There is a 50 boat (or 100 angler) minimum, and of course you have to be fishing in a qualified Grass Roots tournament. You must be fishing in a 2 year old or newer Skeeter/Yamaha package and can win up to three times in 2024.

If you’re fishing out of a 250HP Yamaha, Real Money Grass Roots will match the first place prize up to $5,000.

We have plenty of Foothills Marine-sponsored tournaments that qualify for the Grass Roots level and offer great payouts!

Last but not least, Real Money Limited. The annual entry fee is $50 and you must be fishing out of your 2 year-old-or newer Skeeter package. They require a minimum of 30 boats (or 60 anglers) to qualify for Limited, and are structured similar to the Grass Roots level.

You can collect these prizes up to 3 times in the 2024 calendar year.

PHOENIX FIRST FLIGHT

Phoenix First Flight has two tiers: Tier One and Tier Two. They offer membership packages for $99 and $49 a year, each including your membership, merch, and decals to qualify your boat for First Flight.

First Flight Tier One offers some impressive payouts.

For 2022, 2023, and 2024 model year Phoenixes with a 250HP motor, you can win up to $8,000 at a qualifying tournament with more than 60 boats!

For original owners of the Phoenix, you can collect these payouts a maximum of two times per calendar year. For second owners, you can only collect it once. Phoenix even grants payout bonuses to those fishing out of a 2021 Phoenix, but the payouts are cut by more than half.

In Tier Two, Any Phoenix Boat owner who finishes in first place in a Tier Two Tournament (with a minimum of 30 boats) will be paid First Flight Tournament Rewards as listed below:

Head-to-head, Skeeter’s total max payout is $37,500, whereas Phoenix is $16,000. There are 40 trails and over 300 events that qualify for Skeeter Real Money Max; — and 172 trails that qualify for both Grassroots and Limited payouts. There are a total of 65 trails that qualify for First Flight tier one and 288 tournaments that qualify for First Flight tier two - so plenty of opportunities to fish and win!

WARRANTY & SUPPORT

Firstly, it’s important to note that most warranty work deals with the boat’s engine and not the hull itself - but this is still good info to know! If you want to learn more about engine warranties, we made a video on that too!

Skeeter Boats Warranty Overview:

Structural Warranty: Skeeter offers a Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty for hull, stringers, and transom to the original owner, with the option to transfer it to a second owner within the first ten years. This provides extensive coverage for the boat's core structural components.

Component Warranty: Skeeter provides a 3-year Limited Component Warranty covering various factory-installed parts and components. While this warranty is not transferable to a second owner, it offers coverage for essential components such as steering, aeration pumps, electrical systems, and more.

Transferability: Skeeter allows the Structural Warranty to be transferred to a second owner within the first ten years for a fee of $200, providing added value and peace of mind for resale.

Phoenix Boats Warranty Overview:

Structural Warranty: Phoenix offers a Lifetime Structural Warranty for hull, stringers, and transom to the original owner, with a transferable warranty to a second owner for a period of ten years from the purchase date. This provides long-term coverage for the boat's core structural components.

Component Warranty: Phoenix provides a 3-year Limited Component Warranty covering various factory-installed parts and components. Similar to Skeeter, this warranty offers coverage for essential components such as steering, electrical systems, and deck hardware.

Transferability: Phoenix allows the Structural Warranty to be transferred to a second owner within the first five years for a fee of $150. Additionally, the original owner is entitled to the coverage remaining under the warranty period, which is ten years from the purchase date.

Comparison and Analysis:

Both Skeeter and Phoenix offer a limited lifetime warranty on their structural components, providing significant long-term coverage for the hull, stringers, and transom. This demonstrates a commitment from both brands to stand behind the durability and quality of their boats for an extended period. The component warranty length is 3 years for both Skeeter and Phoenix.

In terms of transferability, Skeeter's option to transfer the Structural Warranty within the first ten years may be more appealing for potential resale, as it provides flexibility for future owners. However, Phoenix's warranty also offers a competitive option, allowing transfer within the first five years and providing coverage for the remaining ten-year period to the original owner.

PRICE AND VALUE

As each brand has numerous models, pricing obviously depends on what boat you’re looking for and what options and electronics are installed!

Skeeter nationally advertises their price, so the starting price on every model is the same. On the lowest end, a base model Skeeter ZX150 and trailer starts at $45,295. Moving all the way up to their flagship FXR21 APEX model, the base price is $101,295.. Quite a range of prices, but allow room for anglers with tighter budgets.

Phoenix rigs vary a lot in their electronics and options, so naturally the prices fluctuate. The base model Phoenix 518 Pro starts at around $42,000 with standard 7” graphs. Moving up to their most expensive model, the 21 XE, starts around $89,000.

Both brands have a good range of economical and premier bass boat options.

CONCLUSION

Alright folks, we've covered a lot of ground today. It's clear that both brands bring a lot to the table, each with its own set of strengths and features tailored to meet the demands of serious anglers.

If you're someone who values modern-design, reliability, and a long-standing reputation in the industry, then Skeeter might be the perfect fit for you. With their rich history dating back to 1948 and a focus on quality construction and innovative features, Skeeter bass boats are a testament to durability and performance. Plus, Skeeter's Real Money Rewards program provides anglers with the opportunity to reel in some serious cash just for fishing out of a Skeeter and Yamaha package.

On the other hand, if you're drawn to performance, customization options, and a more traditional approach to bass boat functionality, then Phoenix could be your ideal match. As a newer player in the game, Phoenix has quickly made a name for itself with its attention to detail, versatile rigging options, and good contingency programs.

No matter which brand you choose, you're sure to find a bass boat that meets your needs and helps you reel in those trophy catches. Thanks for reading!