Finer Points Between 18ft. & 19 ft. Bass Boat ?

[ChrisD46]

For an aluminum bass boat , say from :  Crestliner , Xpress , Ranger , etc. where both a 19 ft. and  18 ft. models are offered in the same series - what are the finer points to consider (besides budget) for a novice looking to decide between the two bass boat  lengths ? The easier more obvious part is saying : "The 17 ft. model is too small while the 21 ft. is too long"  - so that tougher decision  between the 19 ft. and the 18 ft. length choice comes into play ... *For those with exprience having either had both a 19 ft. and a 18 ft. aluminum bass boat  before (or friends / relatives) who do - what are the finer points that determined your decision between the two lengths ? To add , in the Xpress series I believe the X19 has a dfferent /  better hull  than the X18 ? This perhaps would be an example of eliminating the X18 due to X19 better ride ...Thanks in advance for replies !

[WRB]

Can't help you with aluminum bass boats, glass I would rank Bass Cat as the top choice today.

Check out the boats layout, standard options and dealers customer service where you live. Engine hp is usually higher with every 6" of boat length between 18' to 19", transom width, free board depth and overall weight.

Tom

[ChrisD46]

Yes Tom , as an example the 18 ft. aluminum boat us usually 150 HP rated while the 19 ft. model is 200 HP rated . Interesting to note that usually the beam and width measurements are the same while of course one is a foot longer than the other ... Besides ride comfort perhaps side to side stability comes into play between the two lengths ? ...A more expensive trailer may be required ? ...Any up charge for insurance or state boat license  between a 19 ft. and a 18 ft. bass boat ? ... Or from a 150 HP up to a 200 HP engine (i.e. hidden cost adders ?)

[fishnkamp]

Chris my experience has been that between the 17s 18s and 19  the differences fall into horsepower ratings, and floor plans.  Obviously the longer the boat the higher the max hp rating, and I always go as close to top HP as possible. It may sound funny but a boat with max hp can give you be fuel economy as well as performance, at least while not running flat out of course.  The cruise speed is often higher because you can run a bigger prop. Also you need less time to jump on plane with the larger engine. If I was looking at the Xpress X18 vs the X19 I would go with the max hp of 150 on the X18. I would go with either a 175 or 200 on the X19. Notice the hull on the X19 is the same width in beam so it only weighs about 100 pounds more.

Several other things happen due to floor plan changes. Again I am going to stick to Express just for my examples.  Often times on a smaller boat you will have a shorter rod box.  In fact sometimes the rod box will extend back further in the cockpit (on the passenger side) making a dual console not available.  In this case the deck is a tad longer on the X19 and a step is built in to access the front deck. This can be a great advantage when you get up and down tons of times a day.  Many times this step is a cooler or a storage box and that can be very useful.  

Many times the "standard package" includes more useful stuff on the bigger more expensive boat. Things like a 24 or 36 volt trolling motor, battery chargers, better electronics may come standard.  In my case, when my wife and I were choosing our last boat we researched most of the boats in the category we wanted and it came down to a Triton VT 17,  the Lowe Stinger 170 and Stinger 175. It literally came down to the storage on the front deck. I never wanted a boat with 2 livewells, one in the traditional location and the second on the front deck. That meant the 175 was out. I preferred the Stinger 170 over the VT17 because of the two huge front storage compartments on either side of the center rod box.  Almost everything else was the same. The Triton did have a step up cooler which would have been nice.

Now compare two 18 footers by Chrestliner Boats. There is a PT 18 and a VT18. Completely different cats for sure. Look at the obvious first. The floor plan is visually not that different.  The PT18 stays wider further up past the console. The beam on the VT is 92 1/4 and the width at the chine 64, the beam on the PT is 96 and 68.  That can make a difference in how that hull plays in rougher water as well as how much realestate you have on the decks.  The VT tops out with a 115 and the PT takes a 150. Next look at packaging. The livewell is larger on the PT, the trolling motor looks like a Fortrex and not a Maxxum, things like the seats are nicer on the PT. It is all these little things that take time to notice.

I hope that gives you some ideas for what to pay attention to if you are doing some research for your next boat.

[ChrisD46]

Thanks fishinkamp - very useful information ! ... I will look at the boats you mentioned - currently I keep coming back to the Xpress 19 and 18 .

[J Francho]

For those two, it's HP and front deck.

[zeth]

don't forget to check out the Gator Trax Strike series

[fishnkamp]

I was not trying to suggest any boat in particular, in fact the opposite. I was using those other boats to demonstrate how two similar models from one manufacturer can vary.  That was sorta the premise of your question.  What is the difference between similar boats.

The Xpress boats are great and if they look right to you go for it.  I was just trying to show how two boats can appear to be the same and yet different.  It is real important in my opinion to go sit and crawl around each model you might be interested.  Make sure you take into account how you like to fish. Most rigs come with a standard package. Lets say you fish in rivers or lakes with lots of current, you might be getting a smaller boat but need a 36 volt trolling motor. Or you could be fishing out of a 19 foot fiberglass  but only on lakes  so maybe a 24 volt tm may be enough. 

[ChrisD46]

Fishnkamp - Thanks , understood ...

[TOXIC]

All things being equal (hull design/deep v/modified v/pad, deck layout, towability) size matters.  It is amazing the difference in ride and handling the extra length gives you.  Now, if you fish small water or are on a tight budget then it may not be necessary or relevant.

[ChrisD46]

15 hours ago, zeth said:

don't forget to check out the Gator Trax Strike series

I did - certainly well built ! ... *OK , who uses the 2nd thickest aluminum in their bass boat builds from the factory ? Who is brand X ? ... Was that a shot against Xpress or everyone else (Ranger , G3 , Crestliner , Lund, Tracker , etc. ) ?

[fishnkamp]

Most likely that was a shot against Tracker

[J Francho]

He's talking about Tracker boats.  Xpress uses a heavy gauge Al hull material.  In fact, other than Gator Trax, I'm not sure there's any other super high performance Al hulls.  Lund and Crestliner are both super heavy duty hulls as well.  Both from the same factory.  Lund if you want riveted or glass, Crestliner if you want welded.  Alumacraft is another really nice boat as well, since we're talking heavier builds.

[Catt]

I spent many hours in both models

 

Xpress's X18 & X19 are both Hyperlift hulls

 

Both have 67" bottom widths

Both have 95" beams

Both are 0.125 gauge 5052 aluminum 

Both have 30 gallon fuel capacity 

 

The only real difference is the performance of a 200 hp over a 150 hp

[J Francho]

9 minutes ago, Catt said:

I spent many hours in both models

I spent many hours in my H18

[Catt]

3 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I spent many hours in my H18

As long as it's a Hyperlift ya good to go! ?

[J Francho]

I miss it soooo much.  That boat had such a cool layout, and fish catching mojo. 

[ChrisD46]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

He's talking about Tracker boats.  Xpress uses a heavy gauge Al hull material.  In fact, other than Gator Trax, I'm not sure there's any other super high performance Al hulls.  Lund and Crestliner are both super heavy duty hulls as well.  Both from the same factory.  Lund if you want riveted or glass, Crestliner if you want welded.  Alumacraft is another really nice boat as well, since we're talking heavier builds.

Thanks again Fishnkamp & J Francho ! ...If location matters for length and hull I'll be fshing in Florida at same lakes FLW and Elite Series fish (Harris Chain , Kissimmee Chain , Lake George , Lake Toho , St. Johns River, etc. ) ... From this thread I have learned : Get the longest boat & largest motor for it you can afford ! While rocky structure is not an issue in Florida there is the vegetation and wood in most  areas . Wind can kick up waves on shallow lakes , so would seem to favor a 19 ft. for those conditions / location ... Reading and research are your friends - I will do both , greatly appreciate the replies to date !

[Catt]

200  V MAX SHO on a 19'  ?

[NHBull]

I just went through the same thing on my lund impact 1775 vs 1875.  Both boats are virtually identical with the exception of 1 ft.

Being that I am by myself 90% of the time, I wanted something that was easy to handle in my senior years.  I also realized that a 115 that was max on the 1775 was more than ample for my lake.  Had I went 1875, the 150 would have been the choice and the difference between the boats was about 10k.  I am sure there will be times I wish I had more room, but for the majority of thine and 10k, I am happy with an 18' boat

 

This is the last boat I am going to buy.........again!

[ChrisD46]

Catt / J Francho  : It does not appear the X18 / X19 series have the Hyperlift Hull ? ... Is it just the H18 / H20 (no 19 ft. ) with the Hyperlift Hull ?

[J Francho]

36 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

Catt / J Francho  : It does not appear the X18 / X19 series have the Hyperlift Hull ? ... Is it just the H18 / H20 (no 19 ft. ) with the Hyperlift Hull ?

First thing listed in standard features of all Xclusive, Xclusive Pro, and Xculsive Pro Team: Hyperlift Hull.

[fishnkamp]

Check this out:

Take notice towards the end they show the seats being raised and there is a cooler located in the middle. tat is part of several packages. It upgrades to better bucket seats and no middle seat, instead it has a step lid. It is a nice touch.

 

[ChrisD46]

14 hours ago, J Francho said:

First thing listed in standard features of all Xclusive, Xclusive Pro, and Xculsive Pro Team: Hyperlift Hull.

Thanks to confirm - *I did not drill down far enough on the web page !

[slonezp]

16 hours ago, Catt said:

200  V MAX SHO on a 19'  ?

My buddy has the X19 with a 175 SHO and is more than happy with it.