Does anyone use this brand boats? The are good looking but not a flashy as the major brands like Majek, Transport, etc. Metal just doesn't sell as high I guess, but they are supposedly really tough, with a lifetime hull warranty.

I looked at a 20 foot blown on bed liner like covering, right around $28,000.00, boat, trailer, and 115 Yamaha, and now I'm trying to decide if a $28,000.00 aluminum boat makes sense. Shorter are cheaper, but I thought longer would give a better ride. What do you think?

Thanks!!!!

Ray

Sounds like waaay too much money for that rig! 115 is not enough horsepower for a 20 foot boat.

I have a 18 ft. Starcraft aluminum bass boat with a 75 hp it is more motor than I need.

I have a 20 ft Xpress with 115 Yamaha. It does 40 MPH plus which is fast enough for me.

Thats too much for an alum rig. I'd buy a used alum boat in good condition (all welded, one of the better manufacturers), and get a new engine for it. It will be much cheaper.

Thats what I did and I couldnt be happier.

Harold,

You may get a lot of opinions on this question. Express is a top line aluminum boat. Extremely well made. Heavier gauge hull than most. Still lighter than fiberglass. You're talking new price I reckon. Most people looking at aluminum are looking for entry level and way cheaper than fiberglass. If the 115 is a four stroke it will be reliable and will move that boat if you're not looking to go 65 mph across the water. If you WANT an aluminum boat and it fits your style of fishing, the Express is a good one. Do not buy aluminum if you are still looking at slicker fiberglass models. In the end, you'll probably be sorry you did.

Harold, are you looking at the one at Yowells? I saw that one when I picked up mine. I was very tempted to go for an xpress cc, but went with the xp18cc with the 70 yamaha.

I have yet to open it all the way up, but cruising I'm getting around 30 on gps.

They are great boats, and Jim will treat you right

First of all, what are you looking for in this boat. Bass, Catfish, Crappie, big lakes, small lakes, rivers, coastal. A 115 will push a 20 ft boat if it is setup and propped right. I would look for a bigger motor for sure, but you can do it with that one.

Also, depending on your applications, I would make sure I got a model that had the Hyper-lift hull. It will ride WAY better than the Hydro-dynamic Falt bottom ribbed) style hulls, regardless of size. For $28,000 I would be looking at an X-19 with a 150. I promise this boat rides well and has plenty of power.

Id rather take wood and build my ownn boat that sucker sounds like a scam

no wood in an xpress

I'm in my 4th Xpress----19ft, 150hp Yamaha

Yes; I looked at several, and we eventually worked our way through the Xpress line models he has there. I don't have to have the 20 foot model and one that nice, but I thought it would probably ride better than a shorter boat, and it did have some good options. I am a total boat neophyte. I know a good bit about kayaks and ZERO about boats, but my grandchildren are growing up, and they like to do what I do, so I thought a boat could hold us all and get us where we wanted to go. This would be both a freshwater Central Texas boat and a saltwater Aransas Pass and PINS boat, or at least, that is the plan.

I don't have to get anywhere FAST!!!!!, so I'm sure a 115hp would get me there, wherever there is, as fast or faster than I would want to go.

Yowell's has been in Waco a long time, and I haven't heard anything bad about them. At the time, I was just looking and trying to decide what I wanted to do.

I am just trying to make a good decision and would have nothing against buying a used, well cared for boat, but I often buy new simply because I don't like buying other people's problems. If I buy new, I normally use whatever it is a long time. My trucks go at least 10+ years normally, and my equipment is well cared for until it wears out. That us the way I would treat and care for a boat.

Thanks!!!

Ray

there is a nice sea ark with a 115 on craigslist in belton, no it is not my boat and i have no idea who it is. sea ark has a good reputation with the catfish guys as being tough, well built

Ive got a X19 with a 150 merc on the back of it. It's a 99 model and I absolutely love it. It's got a deck extension on it, has plenty of room, and goes plenty fast enough. It's definitely not a fiberglass boat, but that's a good thing in a lot of ways. If you get an xpress I'm sure you'll like it. I gave 7000 for mine and I think that's about right.

I was in Yowells yesterday picking up my boat from routine service. They seemed to have a pretty big selection of the Express aluminums. I have nothing but great things to say about Yowells. I bought my boat there new, and have had all service done there, Jims a good guy.