I love my Express boat!

[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/24625512@N06/3111227349/[/img]

Like I said, It's not really about the boat but the style of boat you get, shallow use versus deeper V, Light weight versus heavy, side console versus CC, ect.

But to me one boat versus another boat, one has better hinges than an other, that is about it, they all float an move across the water.

After that, it's like I said, it's about everything else (Motor, Trolling Motor and the best Electronics, that is what is really important.).

Get the style you want (shallow water or deep, rough water rider or not (is shallow water your thing), want a bunch of walk around room or not (want decks mainly front and back for casting from) want a buch of walking around room or a deep deck to stay in/down in for rough water).

Think about how you like to fish (style), the type of fishing you like to do (shallow versus deep), number of people you like to fish with or take fishing, how much travel (on the road, how much your going to pull the boat, it's weight factor there and the truck you have to pull it with).

But they all float and get you across the water. It's really about Motor, Trolling Motor and Electronics,

I think Mark about said it all. That is the same reason we have all different types of cars and trucks. They will get you from A to B about the same. It is what you customize it with. and learning how to use these tools. The best electronics will not do you any good if you don't know how to use it. The same with a trolling motor you need the power to move the boat into the wind and able to control it and make it go where you need it to go all this time paying attention to where you are dropping that jig or looking at the fish finder to see where the brush pile or marker is you are fishing at. I went with a 4 stroke and it starts easy hot or cold and is very quite.
I have an Aluminum 22 ft XPress center consol and love it. Do what everyone says go and try them on see if you like the way they are set up and go across the lake. If you want to come out to Lake Tawakoni I will bring my boat out and let you try it. I have had it in 5 and 6 ft waves at Tawakoni and stayed dry. It will get you to the next cove without any problem. A cross wind will catch it and move it more than a heavier fiberglass boat. But mine is lighter and easier to pull and cheaper on gas. It will go in 18 inches without any problem. If fishing timber I don't worry about punching a hole in the bottom like I did with a fiberglass. Whatever you get will last until your next boat. Have fun and good fishing.

I greatly appreciate the information guys!! I have a question: How do the Lunds do in the shallows? I was looking at them and am curious as to ease of launching them in shallow water lakes.

My Lund - which is on the bigger side - float shallow water fine. I haven't taken a ruler out to see how shallow I'm floating but I know it's shallow enough for my use.

My Lund, however, takes a bit more water to float initially off of the trailer.

Joe is a fantastic person to deal with. I can't say enough good things about him. Go check out what he has.

Get whatever your banker or bankers will allow, but test drive alot of boats in that price range first IMO! And take a friend with you because they may see or feel something that you don't

Another vote for Lund. I've owned bass boats (both aluminum and fiberglass), ski boats, and even a pontoon for a brief time and now that I own a Lund, I'll never own anything else. I wanted a multi-species boat that would handle big water, shallow water, and everything in between. Lund fits the bill for me. And you won't find a better dealer than Joe Ham at Advantage Marine---great service from a great guy.

You've got to decide where you're gonna' launch it. You say you want to fish in places where there is no ramp. That means a flat bottom jon boat or a kayak. You will never be able to launch a rough water boat from the bank. If you're gonna use boat ramps, then the boats suggested above will serve you fine.

No boat will perform the way you describe and still be capable of launching off the bank.

Check out the G3 at Fun-n-Sun

Ratmo

IMO, you can't buy a better boat than a Lund, and if it's out of your price range, get a Crestliner. My current boat (Lund 1825 Explorer) is the 21st boat that I've owned, so I think I know a little about boats and what goes on them. The one big mistake that you don't want to make, is don't buy 'cheap' just because it's cheaper than something else, because I promise you that you will ultimately be dissatisfied. But a good mid-sized aluminum with a mid-sized Merc four stroke and Lowrance electronics, and put it all on a good trailer. You won't be sorry. Contact Joe Ham at Advantage Marine. He'll treat you right.

Check out G3 at fun-n-sun

I have never seen a Deep V back in the creeks. I am not sure if they will not float in 1 ft of water or if most owners are afraid to scratch 'em up. In my experience most of the center console and deep v boats stay on the main lake. Buy a large semi=v xpress or alumaweld with a four stroke motor. You can't beat their versatility.

Jughead

What Mark said is true. The most important things are not the boat brand. Get one you can afford with a good 4 stroke motor then get a good tm & graph. Fiberglass boats are heavier than aluminum, and one of them get better fuel economy and one of them handle rough water better. The laws of physics are simple. The heavier the boat the less the waves make it move. The lighter the boat the more it moves. Light boats get better fuel economy. Light boats are easier to tow.
Also, test drive your boat if your not sure about it. Drive it across the waves with the wind at a 90 degree angle to you. You'll find out how dry your boat is. I think you'll be suprised how wet some boats are. If you want to talk to a few of my customers about how dry my boat is let me know.

go to bass pro in garland to the fly dept. and see bill aka: fly. he has a lund with very little use and it is set up for three fishers. very nice boat and he needs to sell due to family issues. i dont have his number but if you call bass pro, they can put you in touch. sounds like what you need. i have a triton stick steer with 30 yamaha that works for me but its made for two. i also fish out of a pontoon and it works well for for or five fishers.