Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Skeeter SL 180 2004 or the Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008?

For trailering, the Skeeter SL 180 2004 has the edge at 138 lbs dry weight versus 255 lbs for the Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008. 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 24 V 2008 is rated to a maximum of 300 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 24 V 2008 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 24 V 2008 measures 101" 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 24 V 2008?

The Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Skeeter SL 180 2004. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and the Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 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 24 V 2008

Skeeter

Skeeter SL 180 2004

2004

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Skeeter

Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 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 300 hp, the Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 has a 285-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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 carries 8 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Skeeter SL 180 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 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 24 V 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 24,0 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 24 V

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam89 in

Beam101 in

Beam - Meters2.26

Beam - Meters2.57

Beam - Inches89

Beam - Inches101

Draft [max] - Detail13 in

Draft [max] - Detail14 - 16 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.33

Draft [max] - Meters0.41

Draft [max] - Inches13

Draft [max] - Inches16

Weight - Detail1380 lbs

Weight - Detail2,550 lbs

Weight - kg625.96

Weight - kg1156.66

Weight - lbs.138

Weight - lbs.255

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 - Detail24 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Meters7.34

Length overall - Inches21

Length overall - Inches289

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail19 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters48.26

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches19

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches0.5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max15

Engine max300 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1400 lbs

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs

Maximum people5 Persons

Maximum people8 or 1,160 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 all30 ft. 6 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width102 in

Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Skeeter SL 180 2004 or the Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008?

For trailering, the Skeeter SL 180 2004 has the edge at 138 lbs dry weight versus 255 lbs for the Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008. 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 24 V 2008 is rated to a maximum of 300 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 24 V 2008 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 24 V 2008 measures 101" 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 24 V 2008?

The Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Skeeter SL 180 2004. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and the Skeeter ZX 24 V 2008 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 24 V 2008 full specs