I am partial. But look at the X-17 Xpress. It has a 95" beam. Very stable for a small boat. My son has one with a 115 Yamaha 4-stroke.

Have you check with Butch & Beth West at

www.westboats.com

Natedogg, pm sent.

Big Red 12, I actually looked at the Xpress boats and met Beth on Saturday. My wife and I looked at them (originally went for the Fish'n Ski package) and ended up really liking the H18 model the most. I prefered a little different model, but the wife liked the floor space of the H18 the best. My only problem is that the pricing for an Xpress is a bit up there. I'm not speaking ill of West Boats by any means, they were very courteous and Beth was great to talk with us for a while and go over the options, but the pricing was quite a bit more even with a 90hp yamaha than the bass trackers. I honestly liked the Xpress boats the MOST of all that I've looked at so far, but due to pricing... I'll have to stay along the Bass Tracker pricing.

I am planning on calling Beth again to ask about out fitting one with a 50hp 2 stroke, and maybe dipping to a 16-17' boat. If they can be in the same price range as the Bass Tracker 175 TXW, then I'll definately consider them again. My father-in-law has taken motors to them for years for repair and recommends them and I've heard nothing but good things about them (that's why they were my first stop on Saturday).

Depends on the kind of fishing you do. If you do a lot of big/open water fishing/running, I would recommend a glass boat with a deep V or a larger deep V aluminum such as Lund. Problem is a Lund costs as much as a glass boat.

If you fish smaller water, a semi v aluminum will work fine and same you some money.
Keep in mind that there are lots of windy days in North TX.

I guess I better speak to how I plan to fish and my style and that may shed some more light to everyone?

I will mostly be fishing Ray Hubbard, Tawakoni, Cedar Creek, Timpson, and Murvaul. Primarily I will be on Ray Hubbard as its really close to me. I will fish probably once a week, twice if I get the chance. I like to drift fish a lot to fill the cooler, and I will also do a lot of crappie fishing. I would like to get into some bass tournaments, smaller amatuer ones for fun, not really looking to do this professionally. Since I've started getting into the bass fishing a little more, I'm really starting to like it and thus why I'm currently working on converting my jon boat to bass jon. I'll still keep it as I really am looking forward to doing small lake tournaments with the Texas Small Water Tournament Trail group. This new boat I'm looking into will be my everyday fishing boat, and maybe 1-4 tournaments around locally for amatuers.

I had a 17' Sea Ark bass boat with a 50hp. great on fuel, hull was nearly indestructible. Butt (always one of thoes arent they) It was a wet ride on windy days. I just traded for a 18' express CC with a 90 yammy. I like the boat a lot, much dryer ride. but the main reason was my old crippled body was having a hard time getting behind the wheel of th basser. It may prove to be that I wis I had gotten the 70 yammie I wanted, verdict is still out on that. but it had the 90 on it and it was only $500 higher than the 70hp.

got to go with aluminum! is lighter so u can pull it without using as much gas and if u get a leak in a fiberglass u might as well buy a new boat. u can fix a leak in an aluminum boat very easily. also goes faster in the water because it is lighter. also an aluminum boat will last longer. thats pretty much all that I can think of right now but hope you can find a good boat!

I chose a 175txw a year ago this month. My main reason was weight, I drive a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I loaded her up with 75hp Optimax and upgraded to a 24v system with a 70# motorguide. I have been really happy with my choice and have met 2 others on the lake that agree with me. One of those guys even pulled his with a Wrangler also. Cool man. It's easy to turn a 13k boat into a 20k one. Still cheaper than a 50k Skeeter.
Hurry up and get out there before she changes her mind, the spawn is on!

I'll be most likely staying with a 50 hp 2 stroke due to my budget, but I'm interested to know what difference a 24V vs. a 12V system makes? The bast tracker comes with a 46 lbs 12V system, does it really need a 24V with a larger trolling motor? I would think if it did, the manufacturer would start it out with it?

look into carolina skiffs, lower priced than most fiberglass boats.
I hear they have a good ride, i am goin to find out on fri when i test one out.
Also look into a 4stroke motor. Much quieter and more fuel efficient
I HAD a alum bass boat, if I HAD fillings i would not have them anymore. My uncles G3 rides ruff too so i do not think i will be going back with Alum, until i get into one that changes my mind.

24v system will last 3 times longer on the water. I can go 2 or three trips without having to charge the batteries if I had to. I hate running out of juice on windy days. In the past, in my old jon boat, when my old johnson quit on me I have had to troll back to the dock. (My old johnson boat motor, not the other johnson).

There was a nice Xpress H51 17ft on the sale boards a few weeks ago, it is just what you need.