Although widely credited with developing the modern bass boat, Kilgore, Texas-based Skeeter Boats has also racked up its share of accolades for innovation in multi-species fishing platforms. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the company’s breakthrough WX 1910.
Replacing the previous WX 1900, the WX 1910 can be considered an incremental upgrade to what was already a really good, versatile design. Where the 1900 was a great boat to start with, the changes to the new hull are numerous enough and significant enough to warrant a new model designation.
The WX 1910 follows a common platform shared by many other multi-species fishing boats, with a raised front casting deck, an open cockpit and a second casting deck in the stern. But the devil is always in the details, and what the WX 1910 does is refine and improve that basic platform to provide a greater level of all-weather comfort and fishability.
Let’s start up front, on the oversized front casting deck. With a centrally-positioned aluminum base for a removable fishing seat, bicycle seat of leaning post, the big deck conceals a veritable mountain of storage space beneath its carpeted surface, accessed through a pair of hatches on either side. The storage space is particularly deep, allowing the two compartments to accommodate a lot of gear. An additional hatch just ahead of the helm opens to allow access to a convenient bait well. The long hatch along the center line is a massive in-deck rod locker, with capacity for rods to eight feet in length. All of the storage is lockable, and all of the storage compartments are carpeted on the inside to protect your gear. The bow pad provides a dedicated mounting space for a bow-mount electric motor like the Minn Kota Terrova mounted on our review boat, along with the connecting plug and a handy engine trim switch.
Examples of how the WX 1910 refines the basics are amply evident in the bow, where we find niceties like twin courtesy lights, optional stainless steel grab rails, and retractable stainless steel cleats that fold flat when not in use, reducing the chances of them snagging fishing lines. It’s also evident as you leave the bow and descend through the sturdy walk-through windshield into the main cockpit. A well-placed carpeted step does more than just ease your passage – it also conceals a handy cooler, ensuring a cold drink is always close at hand.
The windshield is a bit lower than the glass in the previous WX 1900 model, making it much easier to fit the new boat into a standard garage. Gracefully curved and sturdy, it still provides effective protection when boating in cold weather, and the glass offers minimal distortion when viewing through the corners. For those who prefer it, the full windshield can be replaced with individual “double bubble” plastic windshields mounted to each of the helm and passenger consoles.
The helm is all business, with twin Yamaha digital multi-gauges mounted on either side of the beefy chrome-on-black tilt wheel, and above a row of lighted toggle switches that control the lights, live wells and accessories. Sea Star steering is standard on this boat, as are the thoughtfully placed cup holder and courtesy light. The dash keeps a low profile, in order to preserve one’s view even after mounting aftermarket electronics on its flat top.
The passenger console features a locking glove box that’s surprisingly deep and spacious, with a small tray up top for convenience items like sunscreen or insect repellent, and a convenient grab handle.
The cockpit floor has four seat bases, and comes with premium bucket seats, each mounted on shock-absorbing pedestals. There’s also an extra base at the stern which accommodates a ski pylon. The flooring is fiberglass, covered by snap-in carpet for extra comfort. A large compartment in the main cockpit floor provides access to the batteries – another change from the previous model which had them eating up precious storage space in the bow. Our review boat included a Minn Kota three-bank charger as well.
One thing the WX 1910 offers is plenty of storage. New in this model is what Skeeter calls its “double decker” storage compartment in the starboard gunnel, which fits everything from 3700-size tackle trays to marker buoys. A corresponding compartment on the port gunnel provides yet more rod storage. The gunnel caps on both sides are wide and flat, making it easy to mount rack systems or downriggers.
The stern casting deck conceals a large live well along the center, plus a pair of flip-up jump seats in the rear cockpit corners. Under the port-side seat is a compartment that accommodates a number of Plano 3600-style boxes.
One significant change between the new WX 1910 and the previous 1900 model is the deeper bow on the new boat. With its React Keel design, additional hull depth and bow flare, the 1910 rides much more smoothly in big waves while keeping everyone aboard absolutely dry – something I was grateful for on the day of our sea trial, with a stiff wind churning up tall whitecaps on the main lake.
After taking a few minutes to get a feel for the boat, I motored into a more protected bay to see what it could do. With a Yamaha F200 trimmed right in, a full tank of fuel and me driving solo, the Skeeter WX 1910 jumped up on plane in two seconds flat. Adding a bit of positive trim, I managed a top speed of 49 mph in the little protected bay before I began to run out of water, and was forced to haul back on the throttle.
Although Skeeter may be best known for its bass boats, the WX 1910 is proof that this manufacturer can excel in the multi-species fishing market as well. If you’re looking for a versatile fiberglass tournament boat that can also do weekend with the family, look no further.
Skeeter WX 1910 Specs
LOA: 19’ 1”
Beam: 95.5”
Weight: 2,175 lbs.
Draft: 13”
Fuel capacity: 34 gal.
Passenger capacity: 5
Maximum Power: 200 hp
Info: skeeterboats.com