Best all around boat?
 

Need some advice guys. I need opinions on the best all around bay boat for not only Big Lake, but also marsh, shallow canals and occasional trips to Grand Isle beaches. I'm thinking Xpress HD 18 or 20ft. I know i'll take a pounding with that hull, but I wont have to stress about scraping the bottom on oysters. Oh yeah, 20K max. Just missed on buying a loaded 2009 18 footer in Beaumont and was wondering if that would have been a good choice. I'll consider all advice, thanks

i think xpress is the way to go. Take a look at The h20b-ss. It has the hyperlift hull, which will give you a better ride.

http://www.xpressboats.com/view/212

22' would be my minimum length for any bay bote. Don't box yourself in by only thinking aluminum, plenty more great glass botes in your price to choose from.

JMO

ASR....callin' ASR......:cool:

U know it's coming!

19ft Frontier available for 16K, love the boat but love the idea of less maintenance with the aluminum

I got a 20' xpress w a 115, upgraded 36v trolling motor, 8' power pole, stereo , 3 yrs
old I'll sell you ...... Don't buy new let me take the hit!

maybe a texas style cat or something that can go shallow but won't jar your teeth.

You were selling that boat last year right? Your last post was sold pending a compression test. Did that not go well.

I ran a fiberglass bote on a oyster reef doing 35 mph. Just a couple scratches. Buffed rite out. Don't rule out figerglass.

That 19ft Frontier is mighty PURTY!

No compression test went fine.... Ex wife went wrong n shot me down on a new boat , so now she's my ex wife and I never reposted the boat but if someone wants to buy it , I'd sell it

I had an Xpress HD 20 a few years ago with a 115. Oustanding boat for the marsh, easy to tow and great on fuel. Difficult ride with any chop at all. I fished mostly in Grand Isle with this boat and once or twice in Big Lake. If it were me I would focus on a glass boat with a reasonable draft. Unfortuantly there is no perfect boat that will work for everything. I bet you can find a good 21 or 22 foot used glass boat near that price range if you look around. As far as alum goes, Xpress does make a great boat, I never had one problem with my HD 20.

Repost it, put some pics, specs and a price

My father just informed me he wants to take his grandchildren(my kids) fishing and would love to go in half on a boat, this raises all kinds of possibilities

Well the wife is gone, you getting that Blackjack or what?

I really want one but I'm starting a new business venture. So we'll see my boats paid off and I could use the 60k that I'd spend on a bjack rigged how I want on growing my new business . But who knows I may just wake up n decide to buy one .....

You ARE gonna buy in on the new collision center then?! I could hug you right now!!! Lol

:shaking:

Vending machines.

Pox, that Jack is $15k more bote than that 24' Haynie? :eek:

Ive fished big lake a few times in my hd18 express and if there is a mild chop it beats the **** outta ya. Highly recommend for marsh and river though. I've fished it 18 ft fiberglass keener too though and its almost as rough. I think length is more important then hull but I'm no expert at all. I would sell it if interested at a price u can't beat, I'm looking to upgrade as well .

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

Look for a custom built aluminum boat. I found mine a year ago and it was only 2 years old. Its 21x6 bay boat and its made out of 3/16th aluminum asnd will take a lot more than an express could dream of. I've never fished Big Lake but I used it offshore out of the DU and it performed flawlessly.

Maybe cuz it's 15k better than the hiney!!!!!!! Just like osu> ark and lsu< ark so osu > lsu

:*****::*****::*****:

Now, where's that startup money for OUR new shop?! To hell with Salty's vending machines! With collision, you don't have every chump out there saying, "Yo machine took my grip. I's tryin to feed my babies out dis machine and dat's alls my money. Checks don'ts be's coming for 2 mo weeks!":*****::*****:

:eek:
:eek:
:eek:

How much sears? Light blue with the 90 Yamaha?

Thanks for the advice guys, its going to be a tough decision. Isnt there a boat show in Lake Charles next weekend, are they usually any good and is it worth my time?

Used shearwater in American Mess for $27,9000, split it will cost ya $14,000 and run circles around any aluminum boat made!! Buy used and let that Sucka take the hit!! No deals at boat shows can match that.

I rode in a Shearwater at one of JLT's bungles. Probably the best-ridin' bay boat I've ever seen.

I have a buddy of mine in Beaumont Tx that is tryn to get rid of a 08 Nautic Star 2110 w/ a 150 Yamaha 4 stroke w/ 3 years left on warranty. He's asking $22,000 but i'm sure thats neg. If interested Call (337) 313-3133...ask for Brent.

Thats very tempting Capt B, i'm sure its a great boat, going to go aluminum though. Cant see bringing that beautiful, heavy boat into some of the nasty places I like to go. If all I did was fish the lake and near shore it would be different. I guess I need two boats

Cape bay.....nuff said.....

Yes Dink, wonderful idea, ill start scratching lotto tickets tomorrow. I agree awesome boat

Trust me man go custom. Give Casey at Sportsman's Fabrication in Morgan City a call and he can build you a boat that will last a lifetime. If you ever get down around Houma your more than welcome to come check out mine.

Salty, I also used to hit JLT's bungles and still talk to Mark who had that Shearwater and then sold it to Nick. Damn nice boat. I almost bought it when he sold it. Pm me as we must know each other

Barrett?

Yep

I kinda lost touch with you guys since hunt 'n' fish. Great guys over there.

Been a long time. We all still talk. Trying to get another bungle together. Those were good times

What is American mess?

Lake Charles American Press(Newspaper)...

Xpress H20CC-SS, saw it at the boat show. Fits my needs perfectly. Getting it next week, upgraded to 80lb Minn Kota, color GPS, really like the Hyperlift hull, thank you all for the advice, going to get it slimy in 2 weeks.