2018 Skeeter ZXR21 — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $38,000–$55,000. There are 3 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.
Kestrel Take
Skeeter builds serious bass boats for serious anglers. The ZXR21 is a high-performance fiberglass bass boat — fast, well-equipped, and purpose-built. Used bass boats get fished hard. Inspect the hull, lower unit, and trolling motor carefully.
Known Issues for the 2018 Skeeter ZXR21
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.
High-speed fiberglass bass boats stress the hull in choppy water. Check the hull interior and bottom for stress cracks, especially at the bow.
Repair cost range: $300-$2,000 depending on extent
Trolling motors get abused — hitting submerged structure, gravel, and logs is normal in bass fishing. Check the trolling motor for bent shaft, prop damage, and bearing noise.
Repair cost range: $200-$1,500
Skeeter runs Yamaha — great engines, but annual lower unit oil and impeller replacement are required.
Repair cost range: $300-$2,000
High-use fishing boats cycle livewells constantly. Check all livewell fill and recirculation pumps function and no plumbing leaks under the deck.
Repair cost range: $100-$500
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Stress cracks in the hull interior or bottom
- ✗Bent trolling motor shaft
- ✗Yamaha outboard with no service records
- ✗Livewells that don't fill or recirculate
Good Signs
- ✓Yamaha dealer service history
- ✓Trolling motor running smoothly with straight shaft
- ✓Hull interior clean and crack-free
- ✓All livewells functioning
Found a specific Skeeter ZXR21?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2018 Skeeter ZXR21 in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
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Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.