Guy i work with has the 18 express and runs to the islands pretty regular. The boat will handle it if it gets bad but it wont be a fun ride.
Boat questions xpress 18' cc
So I've been throwing around getting a "real" boat for many years, and I really like what I see with the xpress bay boats and have a friend with an 18' cc for sale at what seems like a good price. This boat will do 90% of the fishing I'd like to do, but I'd really like a boat that could do 99% of the fishing I'd like to do.
What I'm wondering, and I'll take all the opinions I can get whether you have any experience with this boat or not, is what kind of waves can this thing take if the winds kick up while I'm making an island run?
I do have some experience in 18' aluminum boats on some 4' waves on some huge lakes in Minnesota, and while it can be terrifying, it seemed like I could always make it home safe with a little common sense and taking it easy on the speed. However my experience is on deep V aluminum boats and these Xpress boats seem to have a pretty shallow draft and also lighter weight.
I know folks take these boats to the islands pretty regularly but I'm not sure if they're just getting lucky that the weather man is right, or if this is a pretty dependable hull design for some ugly weather.
What I'm wondering, and I'll take all the opinions I can get whether you have any experience with this boat or not, is what kind of waves can this thing take if the winds kick up while I'm making an island run?
I do have some experience in 18' aluminum boats on some 4' waves on some huge lakes in Minnesota, and while it can be terrifying, it seemed like I could always make it home safe with a little common sense and taking it easy on the speed. However my experience is on deep V aluminum boats and these Xpress boats seem to have a pretty shallow draft and also lighter weight.
I know folks take these boats to the islands pretty regularly but I'm not sure if they're just getting lucky that the weather man is right, or if this is a pretty dependable hull design for some ugly weather.
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Not as bad as it seems. Trim down slightly back off throttle Worst part is when the wave drops out from under you. I've got a 16 fter I run all over the coast.
Thanks guys. The reviews on these boats are so mixed from the "roughest ride ever" to "handles 4-6' seas no problem". Seems like the reviews get better with the xpress boats in the 20' range, but thats probably a bit out of my price range, towing, and storage capabilities. Plus this one for sale has been owned by someone I know takes care of it. Seems like they hold their value fairly well, so I guess if I scare myself or bruise my butt, I can always try to resell.
I've read many reviews that say you're gonna get really wet in the 18' versions and others not so much, but I'm sure how one drives is a big factor.
I've read many reviews that say you're gonna get really wet in the 18' versions and others not so much, but I'm sure how one drives is a big factor.
I had a 19' Xpress bass boat and I loved it for bass fishing and inshore fishing, but it could get rough quick south of deer. The bay boats look really nice, but the hulls don't look much different than the bass boat hulls. In my opinion it could probably be a rough ride, but on good days you shouldn't have any problem with the boat. Just my 2 cents
The thing about a flat bottom boat is it does not do well with on coming waves. It's actually rougher in mine Does it have a floor in it. I have the main problem of busting the ribs in my boat.Thanks guys. The reviews on these boats are so mixed from the "roughest ride ever" to "handles 4-6' seas no problem". Seems like the reviews get better with the xpress boats in the 20' range, but thats probably a bit out of my price range, towing, and storage capabilities. Plus this one for sale has been owned by someone I know takes care of it. Seems like they hold their value fairly well, so I guess if I scare myself or bruise my butt, I can always try to resell.
I've read many reviews that say you're gonna get really wet in the 18' versions and others not so much, but I'm sure how one drives is a big factor.
When you crack the hull I hope they stand behind it. Mine started cracking at about the water line where the weld starts going up the bow. The company said it must have been a bad rod they used welding. I think they have a life time warranty now, but mine was out about a year before I found it.
When I took the rod box and floor out I found my braces were also cracked. Not very much bracing where you think the hull would take a beating.
When I took the rod box and floor out I found my braces were also cracked. Not very much bracing where you think the hull would take a beating.
It does have a floor. Don't know much else about these boats other than I like the idea of a metal boat for towing and durability and upkeep, but don't typically like the ride of a metal boat. It's an 05 model 18' bay boat which he said is actually 19' with a 90hp yamaha. So I don't know how many different hull designs they made in 05 for that length of cc, but I noticed the newer xpress boats have about 3 different hull designs for their bay boats now.The thing about a flat bottom boat is it does not do well with on coming waves. It's actually rougher in mine Does it have a floor in it. I have the main problem of busting the ribs in my boat.
My best bud had a 18'CC and it is a great all around fishing boat. From trout in the Bays to reds in the ponds, its limitless. It rides a little rough but what aluminum boat doesnt
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