XPRESS CRAPPIE BOATS

I'm looking at the X20PFC and wondering if anyone has any experience with them or is there something that is better in the $35k price range. I will be using the boat almost exclusively for crappie fishing with my two young sons. Thank you in advance.

The problem I would have with that is the seating layout,.
I much prefer little or no front deck and side by side seating. Look into a center console model, Really works well with kids.

JMHO

MO

If this is just for crappie fishing, I would look at either a center console as mentioned above, or a smaller pontoon boat. I had an older 18' bass buggy when my two sons were very young, and it was great. Size of the boat was not bad at all, would go really shallow, and was so much more comfortable and safe for the kids.

You could go with a 20 or 22' for about the same footprint as the model you listed. Just make sure you upgrade to a larger engine than the "base" model. Pontoons do catch a little more wind, but with the newer spot lock trolling motors, it is amazing what you can do.

My neighbor just picked up a 22' fishing layout tritoon. Has a 150 four stroke on it. Has the four fishing chairs at each corner, 2 live wells, etc. Super comfortable and plenty of room to fish 4+ people. With the 150 motor, 40+ on gps on calm water. Handled waves much better than my old boat did. He wanted to be able to tub and ski with it also. IF you dont care to go that fast, a 115 would probably by plenty, even on bigger lakes. All mater of opinion. If you are going to be fishing timber or brush, this is about as good as it gets. IF you are going to be dock shooting a lot, then maybe not quite as good, but with the right trolling motor, still a good option.

Good luck and enjoy the kids. They grow up fast!

Ken

For your price range, you could certainly look at the War Eagle boats as well. They are custom built however you would like the layout to be. I have a 2020 Blackhawk 2170 center console and love it for crappie fishing. Feel free to message me, and I can get you in touch with them directly.

Thanks for the reply's. Right now I fish mainly brush piles with a little timber mixed in. I like idea of a pontoon just never knew how hardy the pontoons were fishing timber. I like the safety of the CC and pontoon though I'll do more research on those.

Whatever you decide, I highly recommend leaving room in your budget for a trolling motor that has spot-lock and a livescope. You won't have buyer's remorse with either of those. I also recommend tandem seating up front, whether factory or aftermarket.

I figure the price of my electronics and trolling motor package exceeds what my boat is worth at this point.


Mo

I have a x19 and am very happy. I mainly crappie fish with spot lock. Duel front seats can be used and taken off.

I’ll get spot lock and live scope it’s way to cool not to get. I never thought about war eagle, I’ll look at them as well. Thanks for all the reply’s.

I have a Suntracker fishin barge 20 DLX, 90HP, 24V Xi5 with spot lock, and livescope. We put a lot of crappie in the freezer with that one. We also fish brush piles, timber, and can very comfortably fish 4+ people. Can also load up the kids/grandkids and cruise, swim, enjoy the water when not fishing. All could be had within your budget.

Came from a Tracker Pro Crappie 175 and have not looked back.

If there was anything I would have done different...would have gone tri toon to get a bigger motor and would have gone 36V on the trolling motor (don't even waste your time with a 12V of you want spot lock to work in the wind on a pontoon).

Lol......Me Too!

Love my xpress 18ss, just need a LS

War Eagle 2072LDV

i've got a Pro Crappie right now. i love so many things about it but would like to upgrade to a wider beam. glad to hear you like the toon. i see so many for sale with 40 and 60 HP and just can't get comfortable spending a chunk of change on one that may be underpowered.

i saw a 21 foot tracker party deck with a 150 Mercury on it and called within 15 minutes of it going on FB marketplace and told him i could come see it same day. i think he was asking $6500 and it sold within the hour before i could get it. this one had the V bottom and full couches for afternoon naps plus two fishing seats right up front!

I've got a 2018 Excel BayPro 220 that I would possibly sell in the $35K range. Set up and ready to go for crappie. PM me if interested.

Brian was nice enough to give me some feedback when i was looking for a used War Eagle. I have been watching them closely for a used one in my price range which is probably unrealistic!

Here is one that is set up real nice under your budget. the front deck is sweet.

https://northmiss.craigslist.org/boa/d/water-valley-2017-war-eagle-2170-cc/7138128766.html