Best Aluminum Bass Boat??

[teamfyss]

Just curious what everyone’s opinions are on aluminum bass boats and/or multi species boats. I’m not a big fan of deep V hulls and I want something a little less bulky.

 

So to anyone who has owned, or fished out of one.. What’s your favorite aluminum bass-style boat?

[A-Jay]

I've been liking this Lund 1875 Pro-V Bass quite a bit.

A-Jay

[nmatthes]

Im partial to xpress. Love the boat and the ride. I have an older model so the compartment setup isnt ideal but the new boats they have a better configuration.  

[J Francho]

I would start making a list of your criteria, and share it.  Someone's best may be a $80k custom boat, while what you really needed was a 16' jon.  Start looking at boats, and write down the features you like.  

Organize that list into these: Must Have, Nice to Have, Not Needed.  Then go back and see what boats fit the criteria.

[NHBull]

I have a Lund impact that is more of a multi-species boat that works fine for me, but may have one similar to @A-Jay next spring

[A-Jay]

4 minutes ago, NHBull said:

I have a Lund impact that is more of a multi-species boat that works fine for me, but may have one similar to @A-Jay next spring

DO IT ~ ! 

A-Jay

[slonezp]

I've got a 2013 Lund Predator 2010 for sale.

https://www.skipperbuds.com/inv/2013-Lund-2010-PREDATOR-SkipperBuds-Volo-B18554/

[gim]

I have a Ranger RT178 (year 2015) with a 4-stroke 75 hp merc.  I previously fished out of a 16 foot Sylvan tiller with a 25 hp outboard and then a crestliner fish hawk 17.5 foot tiller with a 75 hp yamaha outboard until I bought my own boat.  The sylvan and crestliner were family boats that I used growing up.  I do a lot more traditional bass fishing from the front deck than I did in those other boats years ago.  Those tillers are a lot better for back trolling or trolling in general whereas the bass boat I have now is better suited for traditional casting for bass.

 

My Ranger is a mod V hull and it is not very good in waves but I expected that going in and I know what the limiting conditions are for it.  I wish it had the sport track rail that some of the newer models have now for mounting accessories like rod holders, etc.

 

I have been pleased with the boat otherwise and have not encountered any functional or operational issues.  I have not owned or fished out of a fiberglass bass boat so I cannot comment on the comparison of that.

[TheScotsman]

2 hours ago, nmatthes said:

Im partial to xpress. Love the boat and the ride. I have an older model so the compartment setup isnt ideal but the new boats they have a better configuration.  

I'm with you. Though I have an XP170 since I also duck hunt out of it. It's fits my needs but never had an issue with it. 

[TnRiver46]

Here’s my baby. 18.5’ duracraft 50 hp merc 4 stroke. I fish a whole lot and I rarely have to pump any gas into the thing. And it’s tough as nails. If there are waves, I must go slow or go home

[teamfyss]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

I've been liking this Lund 1875 Pro-V Bass quite a bit.

A-Jay

These are flat out SWEET boats.. little out of my price range though haha! I suppose I should have specified my price range but it’s good to know what people like for future reference! I suppose you could get away with walleye fishing out of that too. Also I don’t see why you couldn’t troll out of that unit as well! ?? Super sweet rig

[NHBull]

This is my "compromise" boat.

Last December my Mrs asked if I would rather have a pure bass boat.

She suggested to wait a year and get one next winter......

......so, wanna put a deposit on 1775 Impact and take delivery in October

 

[WRB]

Topics titled "best" turns off objective discussion.

Unlimited budget the most expensive aluminum bass boat are Vexus.

Bullet proof construction aluminum bass boat is arguably Xpress X series.

Construction welded vs riveted, go with welded.

Then all the support services a boat manufacture offers in your location is important.

The OP mentioned he didn't want a V hull, with a few exceptions most replies were V hulls! 

Tom

[J Francho]

I can option out one of these at a lot more than any Vexus:

 

https://gatortraxboats.com/shop/fleet/strike-series-bass-boat/

[Hower08]

I have fished out of a ton of different aluminum boats. Fit finish ride stability storage all goes to vexus for me as being the best. That will 99% be my next boat. More attention to detail than alot of the more expensive glass boats on the water imo. 

[fishingram24]

On my 4th aluminum bass boat and the last 2 have been Xpress, an 2001 X54 and now an 2012 X17 with a 115 Yamaha. Love the ride and fishability and its very quick to plane with top speed of 53. Next and maybe last will be an X18 with 150. Vexus are really nice looking boats but appear to be underpowered for their size. Have fished out of my buddies Ranger 198P with a 150 Merc(max HP) , big boat, good ride and nice finish as you would expect from Ranger but it is also underpowered with top speed of 54. Many good boats out there but you just have to find what best fits your needs and budget. As for me, I choose Xpress.         

[Ppennin986]

In my opinion AJ owns the best bass boat I’ve ever laid eyes on ?I’ve looked at them in person the construction the floor plan the storage are unmatched if it fits your budget it is the choice I’d pick

I myself own a Lund fury xl 1625 but I’m not just a bass person I fish everything that bites lol and it’s a boat I can keep in my garage and it fits my budget 

[Born 2 fish]

I have a LUND 1875 impact I absolutely love it I really like the pro v bass and the LUND renegade.

[Troy85]

I have an Older Model Xpress H18.  I love it, rides great, plenty of room.  I agree with @nmatthes, the compartment layout on their older models is not the best, but they have greatly improved on that the past several years.  The newer Xpress X18s and 19s look awesome.

[J Francho]

I had an H18, and I really liked the port side rod locker.  Made more sense with the single console.  I put a deck extension with storage for tackle below on mine.  I miss that boat.

[kjfishman]

I have an aluminum welded hull 16.5 foot 2001 Fisher Marine Deep V laid out like a bass boat. I have fished everything from small electric only lakes, the Mississippi River, inland lakes and Lake Superior (relatively calm days I am not insane) and happy with it. Bought new no plans to replace it. The only wood in the boat is a small piece on the bow where the navigation lights are mounted on. Not much to go wrong. 

[bassfisher444]

I like my Tracker 175.

[Shimano_1]

I'm sure the lund and vexus boats are a little better quality but they're also a lot more expensive.  I love my Triton 18tx and the ranger line of aluminum rigs

[Mbirdsley]

On 3/18/2020 at 11:58 AM, NHBull said:

This is my "compromise" boat.

Last December my Mrs asked if I would rather have a pure bass boat.

She suggested to wait a year and get one next winter......

......so, wanna put a deposit on 1775 Impact and take delivery in October

 

Do you find any issueS bass fishing out of somthing like that?.  Only reason I ask is am looking to upgrade within a year.  I want to start doing bass tournaments.  However, I also only live 45 minutes from the Saginaw bay.  Home to millions of walleye.  I also could use it for salmon fishing in the fall.
 

I guss what negatives from your experience have you noticed bass fishing out of a deeper v higher sides boat like that.  Also pure bass boats are more expensive up here. Where as those lund type boats are a dime dozen 

[Way north bass guy]

1 minute ago, Mbirdsley said:

Do you find any issueS bass fishing out of somthing like that?.  Only reason I ask is am looking to upgrade within a year.  I want to start doing bass tournaments.  However, I also only live 45 minutes from the Saginaw bay.  Home to millions of walleye.  I also could use it for salmon fishing in the fall.
 

I guss what negatives from your experience have you noticed bass fishing out of a kind like that.  Also pure bass boats are more expensive up here where as those kinds are a dime dozen 

I have a similar layout boat, Smokercraft Pro Mag 182 with a 140 Suzuki, and I’ve also had bass boats in the past. I can say there is absolutely nothing that I can’t do with this boat that I could with my bassboat, and would even say I can do much more with this boat. I use it on smaller lakes as well as Georgian Bay, for everything from shallow frogging for largemouth to downrigging for salmon. Trust me, you can catch just as many bass out of this kind of boat as you can out of a “bassboat”, maybe even more if you fish big water and need to make a long run across 4’ rollers.