Sent you a pm

If you fish shallow go aluminum. I bought my xpress 19’ off here a few years ago with a blown Yamaha on it for $2200. Had the Yamaha rebuilt by Charlie’s outboards for $4600, added an Ultrex, and a couple HDS 12s that I also bought use on the TFF. Stripped all the carpet and put in no slip Bedliner type material. All in under $10k and it’s a fishing machine!

I'm not talking the 70's I talking mid 2000's. Prices go up but they have REALLY gone up in recent history

Pre ultrex and graph upgrades. Good luck!

you did very well ! nice rig if you can put a recess in the bow and lithium in it and you will be amazed.

Yes sir. I’m a welder and specialize in aluminum. It has a recessed tray and some other goodies. Forgot to mention the aluminum trailer was in bad shape but I rebuilt it and added plenty of gussets and thicker material where needed it’s bullet proof now.

very cool, at some point you will find that Xpress failed geometry and be able to use your skills. I can tig but usually have some one do mine when I am fabbing or repairing.

I still feel there is no better lines than xpress especially if you rearrange them inside and balance them. The big knock on all of them is if you can't get the stearn up they are no better than a glass boat in the shallow. I wish they extruded 3/16 hulls to order.

I hope to talk them out of an outer hull w no warranty and finish out myself for my next one.

To the O.P.

Are you looking to stay with a center console or looking for a bass boat style aluminum?



I agree with this, but I like my chances much better in a 3/16" custom aluminum than a 1/8" factory job and repairs are pretty simple.



IMO this attitude is silly. You can buy a cheaper used custom aluminum due to depreciation in the motor's value, but have seen the custom hulls maintain or gain value over the years. Few end up in recycling yards.

Do you know about Pierce Aluminum in Broussard, Louisiana? I’ve built a handful of custom boats and that’s the go to supplier for hull material. They will roll out whatever you like as long as you don’t get obnoxious with copying anyone. They break sides as well to your specifications. All the duck boats I’ve built are 3/16” bottom 1/8” wall for the most part.
I of course TIG as well, but I also have the Miller 350P mig push/pull set up. You can run traditional mig or a pulse mig. It’s the ticket for throwing a boat together....

I trust my welds more than a strangers....

Gator trax and never look back

I am not there yet, but these guys are not strangers to me.

you haven't seen what I do to a boat.......to each his own.