Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Skeeter SL 180 2004 or the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009?

For trailering, the Skeeter SL 180 2004 has the edge at 138 lbs dry weight versus 185 lbs for the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Skeeter SL 180 2004 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Skeeter SL 180 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 measures 98" wide, compared to 89" for the Skeeter SL 180 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Skeeter SL 180 2004 or the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009?

The Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 has the bigger tank at 6 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Skeeter SL 180 2004. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 are built by Skeeter. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009

Skeeter

Skeeter SL 180 2004

2004

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Skeeter

Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 has a 235-hp advantage over the Skeeter SL 180 2004's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 6 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Skeeter SL 180 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Skeeter SL 180 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeSkeeter

ModelSL 18

ModelZX 22 Bay

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam89 in

Beam98 in

Beam - Meters2.26

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Inches89

Beam - Inches98

Draft [max] - Detail13 in

Draft [max] - Detail10 - 11 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.33

Draft [max] - Meters0.28

Draft [max] - Inches13

Draft [max] - Inches11

Weight - Detail1380 lbs

Weight - Detail1,850 lbs

Weight - kg625.96

Weight - kg839.15

Weight - lbs.138

Weight - lbs.185

Height - Detail49 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.24

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches49

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]21 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Meters6.65

Length overall - Inches21

Length overall - Inches262

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail18.5 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters48.26

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches18.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet21

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Engine max15

Engine max250 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1400 lbs

Maximum capacity1,851 lbs

Maximum people5 Persons

Maximum people8 or 1,096 lbs

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialComposite

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height98 in

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all27 ft. 8 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width102 in

Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Skeeter SL 180 2004 or the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009?

For trailering, the Skeeter SL 180 2004 has the edge at 138 lbs dry weight versus 185 lbs for the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Skeeter SL 180 2004 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Skeeter SL 180 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 measures 98" wide, compared to 89" for the Skeeter SL 180 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Skeeter SL 180 2004 or the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009?

The Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 has the bigger tank at 6 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Skeeter SL 180 2004. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and the Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 are built by Skeeter. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Skeeter SL 180 2004 full specs ← Skeeter ZX 22 Bay 2009 full specs