Skeeter SX 170 2008 vs Skeeter ZX 250 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Skeeter SX 170 2008 or the Skeeter ZX 250 2004?

For trailering, the Skeeter SX 170 2008 has the edge at 119 lbs dry weight versus 176 lbs for the Skeeter ZX 250 2004. 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 SX 170 2008 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Skeeter ZX 250 2004 tops out at 3 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 SX 170 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Skeeter ZX 250 2004 is certified for 6. 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 250 2004 measures 94" wide, compared to 87" for the Skeeter SX 170 2008. 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 SX 170 2008 or the Skeeter ZX 250 2004?

The Skeeter ZX 250 2004 has the bigger tank at 5 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Skeeter SX 170 2008. 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 SX 170 2008 and Skeeter ZX 250 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Skeeter SX 170 2008 and the Skeeter ZX 250 2004 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 SX 170 2008 vs Skeeter ZX 250 2004

Skeeter

Skeeter SX 170 2008

2008

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Skeeter

Skeeter ZX 250 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Skeeter SX 170 2008 vs Skeeter ZX 250 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Skeeter SX 170 2008 vs Skeeter ZX 250 2004 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 115 hp, the Skeeter SX 170 2008 has a 112-hp advantage over the Skeeter ZX 250 2004's 3-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 2 gal and 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Skeeter ZX 250 2004 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Skeeter SX 170 2008 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Skeeter ZX 250 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Skeeter ZX 250 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Skeeter SX 170 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeSkeeter

ModelSX 17

ModelZX 25

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam87 in

Beam94 in

Beam - Meters2.21

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches87

Beam - Inches94

Depth - Detail19 in

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters48.26

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches19

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail12 in

Draft [max] - Detail16 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Meters0.41

Draft [max] - Inches12

Draft [max] - Inches16

Weight - Detail1,190 lbs

Weight - Detail1760 lbs

Weight - kg539.77

Weight - kg798.32

Weight - lbs.119

Weight - lbs.176

Length - Feet16

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail21 ft

Length overall - Meters5.08

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Inches2

Length overall - Inches252

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail46 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.17

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches46

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]23 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialComposite

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max115 hp

Engine max3

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs

Maximum capacity1484 lbs

Maximum people3 or 400 lbs

Maximum people6 Persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Height62 in

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 4 in. in. With swing-away tongue: 19 ft. 1 in

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Width93 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Skeeter SX 170 2008 vs Skeeter ZX 250 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Skeeter SX 170 2008 or the Skeeter ZX 250 2004?

For trailering, the Skeeter SX 170 2008 has the edge at 119 lbs dry weight versus 176 lbs for the Skeeter ZX 250 2004. 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 SX 170 2008 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Skeeter ZX 250 2004 tops out at 3 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 SX 170 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Skeeter ZX 250 2004 is certified for 6. 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 250 2004 measures 94" wide, compared to 87" for the Skeeter SX 170 2008. 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 SX 170 2008 or the Skeeter ZX 250 2004?

The Skeeter ZX 250 2004 has the bigger tank at 5 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Skeeter SX 170 2008. 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 SX 170 2008 and Skeeter ZX 250 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Skeeter SX 170 2008 and the Skeeter ZX 250 2004 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 SX 170 2008 full specs ← Skeeter ZX 250 2004 full specs