Skeeter SX 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Skeeter SX 180 2004 or the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005?

For trailering, the Skeeter SX 180 2004 has the edge at 1 270 lbs dry weight versus 2 550 lbs for the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005. 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 Bay 2005 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Skeeter SX 180 2004 tops out at 130 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 180 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 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 Bay 2005 measures 101" wide, compared to 82" for the Skeeter SX 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 SX 180 2004 or the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005?

The Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Skeeter SX 180 2004. That 56-gallon difference translates to roughly 168–280 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Skeeter SX 180 2004 and Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Skeeter SX 180 2004 and the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 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 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005

Skeeter

Skeeter SX 180 2004

2004

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Skeeter

Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Skeeter SX 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Skeeter SX 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 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 Bay 2005 has a 170-hp advantage over the Skeeter SX 180 2004's 130-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 Bay 2005 carries 80 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Skeeter SX 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 Bay 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Skeeter SX 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 Bay 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 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 SX 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

ModelSX 180

ModelZX 24 Bay

Model Year2004

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam82 in.

Beam101 in.

Beam - Meters2.08

Beam - Meters2.57

Beam - Inches82

Beam - Inches101

Draft [max] - Detail12 in.

Draft [max] - Detail14 in. - 16 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Meters0.41

Draft [max] - Inches12

Draft [max] - Inches16

Weight - Detail1270 lbs.

Weight - Detail2,550 lbs.

Weight - kg576.06

Weight - kg1156.66

Weight - lbs.1270

Weight - lbs.2550

Height - Detail46 in.

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.17

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches46

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in.

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in.

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0.5 in.

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Meters7.34

Length overall - Inches212

Length overall - Inches288.5

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 - Detail24 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Gal80

Engine max130

Engine max300 hp

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1150 lbs.

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs.

Maximum people5 Persons

Maximum people8

Trailer Info

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height97 in.

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all31 ft. 10 in.

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width101 in.

Skeeter SX 180 2004 vs Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Skeeter SX 180 2004 or the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005?

For trailering, the Skeeter SX 180 2004 has the edge at 1 270 lbs dry weight versus 2 550 lbs for the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005. 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 Bay 2005 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Skeeter SX 180 2004 tops out at 130 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 180 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 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 Bay 2005 measures 101" wide, compared to 82" for the Skeeter SX 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 SX 180 2004 or the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005?

The Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Skeeter SX 180 2004. That 56-gallon difference translates to roughly 168–280 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Skeeter SX 180 2004 and Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Skeeter SX 180 2004 and the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 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 180 2004 full specs ← Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 full specs