Nothing 'Hybrid ' about it, the Skeeter SX 230 is pure serious 'Bay Boat ' through and through.
February 27, 2019
By Florida Sportsman Editor
Bucking the trend to build boats that combine features which do a little bit of everything on the water, Skeeter offers a very specific purpose built “Bay Boat” designed with serious anglers in mind. Built on the original concept of what a Bay boat should be, the Skeeter SX 230 is designed to offer shallow backwater and near coastal anglers a platform that will extend your open water range, get you across open expanses of water safely while allowing shallow water performance. A true bay boat offers opportunities to shallow water specialists that present some challenges to a smaller shallow water poling skiff. Among them are extended range due to the ability to cross rougher open water, enough real estate on deck to accommodate more anglers, and increased capacity for both insulated storage and a larger supply of live bait.
Skeeter's roots as a Bass boat company remain consistent when it comes to building a tough hull that will stand up to the encounters with the submerged obstacles frequently found on a Bass lake and this concept continues below the decks. Interior storage compartments are constructed around a roto-molded liner which is extremely durable compared to gelcoat and fiberglass. Beneath a very roomy forward casting deck are matching insulated lockers to port and starboard which can be used for rod storage (port) and a large fish box (starboard.) An additional large insulated box divides them at center deck. An anchor locker lies ahead of the center hatch. On the lower deck forward they provide a wet storage compartment for cast nets etc. Two additional roto-molded storage boxes are found in the outside corners on the rear casting deck along with two lift out storage trays beneath the port and starboard fold up jump seats aft.
A convenient feature which adds comfort on a boat designed for this type of fishing is with increased size you're able to add comfortable seating under a shade top while not giving up fishing space. This 23- footer handles an optional full sized hard top with ease that in no way interferes with her fishability. Remember this is a fishing platform first. Anglers will appreciate a standard 30- gallon live/release well in the center deck aft along with an insulated 20-gallon well in the forward console seat which doubles as a drink cooler. A helm station rocket launcher leaning post also fits a drink cooler or a 42-gallon live well helm station is also available for the hardcore live baiter.
Our testing proved the SX 230 to be an able sea boat running the east coast beachfront that handled the coastal chop with ease. We also got to put the boat through its paces in some very tight backwater creeks with water scarcely a foot deep and found it very easy negotiating the tight confines of a mangrove creek washout with the optional trolling motor and PowerPole. This is a boat with fish specific details and features that will be appreciated by the serious angler that hasn't tried to stray out of the sweet spot she was originally designed for.
Skeeter SX 230 Specifications
Length: 23 feet 6 inches
Beam: 8 feet 2 inches
Draft: 10 inches
Weight: 2875 pounds
Fuel: 59 gallons
Maximum Horsepower: 250
Base price with 200-HP: $64,000.00
Nothing 'Hybrid ' about it, the Skeeter SX 230 is pure serious 'Bay Boat ' through and through.
Nothing “Hybrid” about it, the Skeeter SX 230 is pure serious “Bay Boat” through and through.
The extra deck footprint that a 23-foot boat provides is noticeable here.
Forward storage lockers are built tough out of Roto-molded liners for durability and provide rod locker space as well as insulated fish holds.
The shade top on a Bay Boat provides welcome relief from the hot sun and this forward console seat/drink cooler set up is a comfortable spot to enjoy that relief.
A simple blackout dash panel electronics display face reduces glare on your MFD unit.
Plenty of extra spots for your spare outfits are available alongside the console on both sides of the boat.
Thick padding adds comfort whether seated or leaning on this convertible helm seat arrangement.
The Helm Seating is offered with a drink cooler storage option below it or as seen here, rigged with a 42-gallon live well.
Sticking to the original “Bay Boat” deck plan, the rear casting deck seats are low profile and fold completely flush when not in use.
Lift out storage trays beneath the rear jump seats are handy for stowing gear.
The aft casting deck also hides another pair of Roto-molded storage compartments along with a 30-gallon live well.
