Aluminum boat opinions

I am looking to purchase an aluminum boat in the next month for primarily bass fishing. I am looking at xpress, crestliner, xpress, triton, and ranger. I am wanting 4 stroke with 18’ minimum (I’ll look at the 178 from ranger since it’s 17’10) with the best equipment possible. And as new as possible. Speed means nothing to me but do not want to bog with a load so 75hp minimum.

Quality and build are high on my list so this can be at least a 5 year ownership.

My goal is to be sub 17k.

Of the boats listed how would you rank them and why. I value personal experiences.

Thank you in advance!

Also I would look at a lowe.

When I was looking at aluminum boats, I wasn't impressed with the Ranger. I ended up buying a Lund which I greatly enjoy.

Agree; specifically, I'd look at the Roughneck. It has an all welded, thicker gauge aluminum hull (0.125) and is marketed as a duck boat (better value than a "bass" boat). 75hp is plenty for light weight aluminum boats.

G3's are great boats. I bought this one in 2016 and it was my third over a 40 year period.

Agreed, decided 2021 to go with G3 due to price at the time....

I purchased a G3 Bay 17 center console last year. Absolute love it... a lot of versatility but they're bass boats are nicely outfitted also....and unless you ram it into something aluminum gives a lot and much lighter....my bay 17 which is 18 feet with a Yamaha 50 only weighs 900 LBs

I really like my Ranger RT178 with a 75 hp 4 stroke Mercury. Does everything I need it to do. There are several others mentioned that I think are good boats; Lund, Crestliner and Express.

I have a friend that has owned 2 Xpress and they have been good boats. His son owns the Ranger and same results. Being originally from Michigan, I have fished out of Lund many times. Never owned one but the ride was very good and they are known for handling ruff water.

Good luck!

Got a rt 188 ranger very stable plenty storage.

I know you said aluminum….

But $17k can get you into a very nice 18ft8in fiberglass boat. I bought a Skeeter TZX190 with 42 hours on it for $15k. Has a Yamaha F150 four stroke. I’ve added around $11k worth of upgrades, as time and budget allowed. It has been a REALLY great boat.

Avid is the better build boat

They make a really nice hull

I debated between an Xpress, and an Excel. The selling point for me was more dead rise on the Excel. I have a 2022 Excel Stalker 2072 and absolutely love the boat. Not a Cadillac smooth 100% dry ride in serious chop, but definitely not as rough as some of the others. Zero complaints with mine. A 75 on a 17 or 18 foot boat would be plenty. The boats are light, mine has a 150 SHO, and will run in excess of 50 mph, but honestly I seldom run over 20 mph in it.