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Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
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My New Rig!
#14908008
11/24/23 08:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,051
texcajun
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,051 |
![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2023/11/full-2869-205825-img_8196.png) ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2023/11/full-2869-205826-img_8192.jpg) I have been looking to upgrade my ride ever since I got out of/off of my old Scandy White Open Pro Tunnel. Wanted to stay with the aluminum rigs for simplicity and durability. I also wanted to stay at or below $20k. That's a crazy tall order considering I was looking at Avid, Excel, Xpress (hyperlift), and possibly Vexus. It became readily apparent the Avid and Vexus were never really in the picture. The Xpress H series boats were looking really good to me, but again, hard to find a good clean one in the price range. And the Excel's were similar to the Avid and Vexus in availability and price. I almost pulled the trigger on 2 Xpress's but one of them wouldn't stay running on the test run, and the other had a motor, that while it seemed to run okay, had a ton of corrosion under the cowl. I kept coming across the Excel in the photos above, but the gentleman wanted what was a fair price that was just out of my range. Regardless, it sat out there for over 2 months and he finally relented and accepted my offer. The offer was contingent on me doing a personal inspection and test drive. The boat was 240 miles from my house, but I made the trip. When I got there, I couldn't believe my eyes. This thing was beyond clean. It was spotless. It was in a heated and airconditioned garage. While it is a 2015, it looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. The motor under the cowling was clean enough to lick. The test drive didn't disappoint either. A Mercury Pro XS 150 on the back of a 20' aluminum rig is almost too much, but it ain't a bad problem to have. The motor has less than 150 hours on it. Even the trailer looked brand new. The electronics are what pushed it over the top for me. Garmin 1022 Live Scope up front and Garmin 93SV console unit with SI. The trolling motor is a Minn Kota Ultrex 80lb model. I have come to the conclusion that the start of hunting season is a great time to buy a clean used rig.
2014 Excel Bay Pro 203/2014 Mercury 150 Optimax Pro XS Point me towards the water!
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908010
11/24/23 09:02 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,903
TR176
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,903 |
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: TR176]
#14908012
11/24/23 09:09 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 16,864
Kicker16
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 16,864 |
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908015
11/24/23 09:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,219
Pokie1
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,219 |
Nice 
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908017
11/24/23 09:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 513
T-Slab
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 513 |
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908022
11/24/23 09:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 31,116
Gusick
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 31,116 |
Very nice! Remember to put the plug in it so it doesn't sink.
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908026
11/24/23 09:25 PM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 15,029
tmd11111
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 15,029 |
Sharp rig. As much as I like my bass boat I miss my center console at times.
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908032
11/24/23 09:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124,672
TexDawg
Top Dawg
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Top Dawg
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124,672 |
That’s very nice, congrats
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908035
11/24/23 09:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 27,367
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 27,367 |
When is the maiden voyage?
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908036
11/24/23 09:51 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 28,950
T Bird
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 28,950 |
Congrats, nice ride. 
Okie by birth, Texan by choice. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2021/01/full-47849-80883-111.jpg) USAF "Thunderbirds" Alumni 1985-1989
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908039
11/24/23 09:56 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 30,557
Duck_Hunter
house cleaner
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house cleaner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 30,557 |
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: SteezMacQueen]
#14908041
11/24/23 09:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,051
texcajun
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,051 |
When is the maiden voyage? Last Sunday! ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2023/11/full-2869-205832-img_4992.jpg)
2014 Excel Bay Pro 203/2014 Mercury 150 Optimax Pro XS Point me towards the water!
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908049
11/24/23 10:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,153
DanXB-21
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,153 |
 ... Dan
"The problem with having a sense of humor is often that people you use it on aren't in a very good mood"... Lou Holtz
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Re: My New Rig!
[Re: texcajun]
#14908069
11/24/23 10:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 166
IRBF2
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 166 |
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