In search of 19-20 ft Aluminum tournament ready boat

[Lasher]

I am having a hard time finding used Aluminum boats in my area of Western North Carolina/ Upstate South Carolina.  I'm looking for  2010-2016 models with  upgrades for tournament fishing and occasionally family trips with grandkids/tubers.  Any suggestions?

[Troy85]

https://www.carolinasportsman.com/lpca/index.php?section=classifieds&event=view&action=list_ads&cat=BO

 

The Louisiana equivalent is where I found my boat.  Hope it helps.

[Lasher]

11 minutes ago, Troy1985s said:

https://www.carolinasportsman.com/lpca/index.php?section=classifieds&event=view&action=list_ads&cat=BO

 

The Louisiana equivalent is where I found my boat.  Hope it helps.

Thanks for helping, but nothing on this listing works for me.

[Troy85]

Yeah, mine didn't either at first.  I checked that site  a couple times a week for about a month or 2 before I found the boat I wanted.  

[nocluefisher]

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/d/2014-alumacraft-pro-185-lp/6451571322.html

 

craigist is loaded with them

[fishnkamp]

Lets get more specific.  What brands are you interested in the most? What is your budget? How big an engine does your dream boat have on it? How far are you willing to travel?  Would you consider looking at these.They are lokated near Knoxville TN ( I know you want it in your backyard, but...

 

https://bunchmarine.com/Power-Boats-Outboard-Triton-VT-19-2007-Harriman-TN-b264e55f-6276-46de-986b-a83200dd2749

They are asking $13,995 and it has an upgrade 24 volt 82 pound trolling motor, some electronics added to it and a stereo when you are tubing and playing with the kids.  I also personally have dealt withthis dealer and they are awesome to deal with.

 

Next they have a boat I would  love to bring home. Look at this one. It definitely fits the bill for "Upgraded".

https://bunchmarine.com/Power-Boats-Outboard-Xpress-X19-2015-Harriman-TN-c6bf0374-df94-40f4-93c6-a8620144b14e

They are asking $24,995 and that rig is probably priced $15,000 below what a new one equipped similarly would go for. Good Luck on your search.

 

 

 

[J Francho]

That Xpress is nice.  A little under powered, but I know from in person it flies with a 200 on it, so a 150 is probably fine.

[fishnkamp]

You probably give up 5 mph on the top end, but even a new one says 150 to 200 max.

[Lasher]

Thanks for the help.  To Clarify.  Interested in Triton, Xpress, Alumacraft and Tracker but honestly don't have lots of experience with Aluminum brands so any feedback is appreciated.? Budget is 20-30K. Looking for decent electronics and storage. I don't need a big engine and speed is not important to me. I hear 150 on aluminum is plenty and I would be fine with a 115. Willing to travel 2-3 hour and Knoxville is certainly doable.   

[12poundbass]

I'd be all over that Xpress. That's a nice looking boat!

[slonezp]

You can get into a new tin for under $30k Why are you looking at used? EDIT, I see you are looking for a 19-20 footer. Carry on

[J Francho]

7 minutes ago, Lasher said:

Thanks for the help.  To Clarify.  Interested in Triton, Xpress, Alumacraft and Tracker but honestly don't have lots of experience with Aluminum brands so any feedback is appreciated.? Budget is 20-30K. Looking for decent electronics and storage. I don't need a big engine and speed is not important to me. I hear 150 on aluminum is plenty and I would be fine with a 115. Willing to travel 2-3 hour and Knoxville is certainly doable.   

My 18' Xpress H18 had a 115, and I felt it was a little under powered at times.  Not so much from a top speed standpoint than needing the power in less than calm seas.  I would go no less than a 150 in 19'.  My buddy had an X19, and it was really nice to fish out of.

 

2 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I'd be all over that Xpress. That's a nice looking boat!

 

Yep, in budget, and looks like it has good electronics.  Turnkey boat - go see it.

[Lasher]

7 minutes ago, slonezp said:

You can get into a new tin for under $30k Why are you looking at used?

Even with upgrades for tournament fishing? Good Electronics, jack plate, aluminum trailer.

[J Francho]

Under $30K? Not an Xpress outfitted as above.....

[slonezp]

6 minutes ago, Lasher said:

Even with upgrades for tournament fishing? Good Electronics, jack plate, aluminum trailer.

My mistake. I missed that you wanted a 20 footer. You can get a loaded 17-18 footer for under 30k

[J Francho]

Once you jump to 19', so too does the price.  I barely added options to a Tracker 195, and it comes in at just under $30, but with some pretty crummy electronics and an under power troller.  My kayak is more sophisticated, lol.

[Lasher]

I have never been in an Xpress and honestly never heard of them until I started looking at Aluminum.  I guess it's time to learn more but all reviews/feedback is welcomed before I drop a chuck of money.

[fishnkamp]

Okay that is a healthy budget to get a nice machine. I suggested Bunch because I have dealt with them personally. The owner went out of his way to help me when he did not have to.  My next boat will more than likely be from there.

I also suggested Bunch because of their location. They are not too far from you. They have a good supply of used boats most times. Also you get the benefit of them being a dealer for Ranger boats, Triton boats, and Tracker boats. So they have plenty of new boats in stock to consider as well.

I am going to say it this way, and of course there will be guys I will upset with the statement but it is true.  There are several premium aluminum hulls out there that perform much more like a fiberglass boat. I am not talking "custom" ones, just ordinary factory boats.  Xpress, with its Hyper-Lift hull is one of them. That is an all welded, true stepped pad hull. It performs much more like a glass hull.  On BIG water today, the answer may be a Lund Pro V Bass with its long respected hull design. Of course that is a much higher priced boat fully equipped.

The next level of performance comes from companies like CrestLiner boats. These too are out of your budget, but there are guys competing in the BASS Elite series or FLW out of these tin rigs.

Next you get to the Ranger, Triton, Lowe, Alumacraft, Sea Ark or War Eagle, even G3 and, Trackers.  Many of these boats can handle local tournament duty, as well as have good electronics, power poles, high power trolling motors etc.  None will run with that Xpress.  i say all of that and fish out of a 2010 Lowe 17 1/2 and it has a 70# 24 volt tm, on board charge, good upgraded electronics etc. and I could easily compete in many local tournaments, but that 17 footer is limited to 75 hp not 1115 or 150.

I hope this gives you some kind of understanding of how good a deal that Xpress is and also you would be able to compare it to some new boats there as well.  

[Lasher]

4 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Okay that is a healthy budget to get a nice machine. I suggested Bunch because I have dealt with personally. The owner went out of his way to help me when he did not have to.  My next boat will more than likely be from there.

I also suggested Bunch because of their location. They are not too far from you. They have a good supply of used boats most times. Also you get the benefit of them being a dealer for Ranger boats, Triton boats, and Tracker boats. So they have plenty of new boats to consider as well.

I am going to say it this way, and of course there will be guys I will upset with the statement but it is true.  There are several premium aluminum hulls out there that perform much more like a fiberglass boat. I am not talking "custom" ones, just ordinary factory boats.  Xpress, with its Hyper-Lift hull is one of them. That is an all welded, true stepped pad hull. It performs much more like a glass hull.  On BIG water today the answer may be a Lund Pro V Bass with its long respected hull design. Of course that starts at a much higher priced boat fully equipped to begin with.

The next level of performance comes from companies like CrestLiner boats. These too are way out of your budget, but there are guys competing in the BASS Elite series or FLW out of these tin rigs.

Next you get to the Ranger, Triton, Lowe, Alumacraft, Sea Ark or War Eagle, even G3 and, Trackers.  Many of these boats can handle local tournament duty, as well as have good electronics, power poles, high power trolling motors etc.  None will run with that Xpress.  i say all of that and fish out of a 2010 Lowe 17 1/2 and it has a 70# 24 volt tm, on board charge, good upgraded electronics etc. and I could easily compete in many local tournaments, but that 17 footer is limited to 75 hp not 1115 or 150.

I hope this gives you some kind of understanding of how good a deal that Xpress is and also you would be able to compare it to some new boats there as well.  

Therefore do you consider Xpress better than Crestliner, ranger, triton, lowe alumacraft, Sea Ark, etc?  Thank you for this feedback.

[J Francho]

Unless you go custom build from a place like Gatortrax, you're not going to do much better than an Xpress.  The Lund Pro-V bass has only been out a couple years, so you probably won't find much in the used market.  Also, that's a V hull, hot a pad hull.  I'll say this, I preferred my 18' Xpress in Erie and Ontario over my 22' bullet.  The Xpress handles rough water well, if you know how to drive.

 

A quick video of @clayton86 and I on Lake Ontario, freezing our butts off for nothing.  

 

 

[slonezp]

 

3 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Unless you go custom build from a place like Gatortrax, you're not going to do much better than an Xpress.  The Lund Pro-V bass has only been a couple years, so you probably won't find much in the used market.  Also, that's a V hull, hot a pad hull.  I'll say this, I preferred my 18' Xpress in Erie and Ontario over my 22' bullet.  The Xpress handles rough water well, if you know how to drive.

 

A quick video of @clayton86 and I on Lake Ontario, freezing our butts off for nothing.  

 

 

Looks to be an average day on the Great Lakes

[J Francho]

Yep, those deceptive 12-14" rollers that are like 12' long.

[fishnkamp]

Absolutely! Call and talk to Jeff White or one of the other guys in sales.  Tell them you are serious about taking home a boat.  Tell them you have never run a Triton nor a Xpress. Line up the opportunity to run both.  You will see exactly how much different a VT19 with a 90 ( max hp is a 150) and the Xpress with its 150 (max is 200)are. Neither boat is max hp and both are equipped with the more "standard" engine package.  The Triton is more like my Lowe. It is called a Mod V design.  It will never get up and run like the Hyper-Lift hull.  Pay attention to fit and finish and comfort things like the seating and storage compartments on each. Ignore the fact you are comparing a 2007 to a 2015, as both brand's new boats are almost identical in their hulls as these are.  The number out there is 865-375-7227. They are located in Harriman TN, just minutes from the Clinch River. That is part of Watts Bar Lake.

[Lasher]

3 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

Absolutely! Call and talk to Jeff White or one of the other guys in sales.  Tell them you are serious about taking home a boat.  Tell them you have never run a Triton nor a Xpress. Line up the opportunity to run both.  You will see exactly how much different a VT19 with a 90 ( max hp is a 150) and the Xpress with its 150 (max is 200)are. Neither boat is max hp and both are equipped with the more "standard" engine package.  The Triton is more like my Lowe. It is called a Mod V design.  It will never get up and run like the Hyper-Lift hull.  Pay attention to fit and finish and comfort things like the seating and storage compartments on each. Ignore the fact you are comparing a 2007 to a 2015, as both brand's new boats are almost identical in their hulls as these are.  The number out there is 865-375-7227. They are located in Harriman TN, just minutes from the Clinch River. That is part of Watts Bar Lake.

I spoke with Jeff and the boat is under contract, but not sold.  I am in a backup position.  I will keep looking and thanks again to all of you for help and info.

[fishnkamp]

did he say anything about the vt19