1st Boat - What options do I need??

[NCLunker]

After a long time I can finally buy my 1st boat and I want either a 17' or 18' Pro Bass Xpress. Looking at the bottom of the page at their site there are a number of options available.

https://xpressboats.com/xclusive-pro-bass/

 

My question is what options are listed there that are either a must have or a "I wish I had bought X" to make your life and fishing easier or better. Thanks much.

 

P.S. I am good with the 115hp Yamaha.

[RoLo]

 

Above all, target the hull configuration, hull material and hull length

based on your personal homework (a long read). Power up with the engine maker of your choice,

at the maximum power rating. Favor the largest capacity fuel tank and livewell capacity.

After that, you're free to wing it with accessories and trailer options.

 

Roger

 

 

[camman]

23 minutes ago, RoLo said:

Power up with the engine maker of your choice,

at the maximum power rating. 

 

This is the most important one

[slonezp]

I highlighted must haves. If you're going to be fishing with a partner or wife/girlfriend, a passenger console is probably a must have. The Fortrex trolling motor is a much better motor than the Max. Generally, you should buy the largest electronics you can afford. 

 

 

Carpet Upgrade from Xtreme Coat to Carpet for X-Series Charger 2 Bank to 3 Bank Upg. Console AM/FM Radio w/ Bluetooth & Speakers Infinity Premium Sound System – 4 Speakers X-Wing Passenger Side w/ Glovebox Controls Hot Foot Blinker Trim (Requires Hydraulic Steering) Pre-Rig Flush Mount Control Box w/ Cables Hardware Lift Arms on Lids Stainless Fold Down Deck Cleats (4) Tackle Organizer for X19/X21 X-Grip Cell Phone Holder Retractable Rod Strap (Each) Trolling Motor Recess Filler Jack Plate 6” Jack Plate 6” Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate 10” Jack Plate 10” Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate 10” Jack Plate to 10” Hydraulic Jack Plate Upgrade Paint 2 Tone Upgrade From Paint Upgrade Spaghetti Matting in Front Deck Storage Plumbing Automatic Bilge Pump Pro Livewell Oxygenator Prop Upgrade to PowerTech SS SM/Med Hub Prop Upgrade to PowerTech SS Large Hub Prop Upgrade to Yamaha SS Large Hub Prop

SeaDek SeaDek Liner for X17/X18/X19/X21 SeaDek Liner for Cockpit Area (X19/X21) Seat Euro Style Fishing Seat w/ Small Seat Pole Exchange Fold Down Seat for Euro Style Seat (Each) Fold Down Fishing Seat w/ Small Seat Pole Center Seat for Tuck & Roll Steering BayStar Plus Hydraulic (150HP or Less) Upgrade to SeaStar Hydraulic Tilt from Hydraulic (Greater Than 150HP) Wiring 6 Gauge TM Harness (Reg. Upg. For All 80lb & Larger TM’s) Lights in Livewells, Storage Boxes & Interior Electronics Upgrades Humminbird Helix 7 Chirp MSI GPS G3N Humminbird Helix 9 Chirp MSI GPS G3N Graph Upgrade – Helix 7 Chirp MSI GPS G3N to Helix 9 Chirp MSI G3N Graph Upgrade – Helix 7 Chirp MSI GPS G3N to Helix 10 Chirp MSI G3N RAM Mount For Helix 7 SI to Helix 12 SI Minn Kota 10’ Talon with Bracket (Installed) Trolling Motor Upgrade – Minn Kota Max 70 to Fortrex 80 BackTrack Trailer Options Lighted Logo Trailer Step (Both Sides) Aluminum Wheel Upgrade (Per Axle) 15” Aluminum Wheel Upg. From 14” Alum Aluminum Spare Tire and Mount 18” Aluminum Spare Tire & Mount Galvanized Spare Tire and Mount Single Axle with Brakes Swing Away Tongue Tandem Axle w/ Brakes on One Axle

[Teal]

5 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I highlighted must haves. If you're going to be fishing with a partner or wife/girlfriend, a passenger console is probably a must have. The Fortrex trolling motor is a much better motor than the Max. Generally, you should buy the largest electronics you can afford. 

 

 

Carpet Upgrade from Xtreme Coat to Carpet for X-Series Charger 2 Bank to 3 Bank Upg. Console AM/FM Radio w/ Bluetooth & Speakers Infinity Premium Sound System – 4 Speakers X-Wing Passenger Side w/ Glovebox Controls Hot Foot Blinker Trim (Requires Hydraulic Steering) Pre-Rig Flush Mount Control Box w/ Cables Hardware Lift Arms on Lids Stainless Fold Down Deck Cleats (4) Tackle Organizer for X19/X21 X-Grip Cell Phone Holder Retractable Rod Strap (Each) Trolling Motor Recess Filler Jack Plate 6” Jack Plate 6” Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate 10” Jack Plate 10” Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate 10” Jack Plate to 10” Hydraulic Jack Plate Upgrade Paint 2 Tone Upgrade From Paint Upgrade Spaghetti Matting in Front Deck Storage Plumbing Automatic Bilge Pump Pro Livewell Oxygenator Prop Upgrade to PowerTech SS SM/Med Hub Prop Upgrade to PowerTech SS Large Hub Prop Upgrade to Yamaha SS Large Hub Prop

SeaDek SeaDek Liner for X17/X18/X19/X21 SeaDek Liner for Cockpit Area (X19/X21) Seat Euro Style Fishing Seat w/ Small Seat Pole Exchange Fold Down Seat for Euro Style Seat (Each) Fold Down Fishing Seat w/ Small Seat Pole Center Seat for Tuck & Roll Steering BayStar Plus Hydraulic (150HP or Less) Upgrade to SeaStar Hydraulic Tilt from Hydraulic (Greater Than 150HP) Wiring 6 Gauge TM Harness (Reg. Upg. For All 80lb & Larger TM’s) Lights in Livewells, Storage Boxes & Interior Electronics Upgrades Humminbird Helix 7 Chirp MSI GPS G3N Humminbird Helix 9 Chirp MSI GPS G3N Graph Upgrade – Helix 7 Chirp MSI GPS G3N to Helix 9 Chirp MSI G3N Graph Upgrade – Helix 7 Chirp MSI GPS G3N to Helix 10 Chirp MSI G3N RAM Mount For Helix 7 SI to Helix 12 SI Minn Kota 10’ Talon with Bracket (Installed) Trolling Motor Upgrade – Minn Kota Max 70 to Fortrex 80 BackTrack Trailer Options Lighted Logo Trailer Step (Both Sides) Aluminum Wheel Upgrade (Per Axle) 15” Aluminum Wheel Upg. From 14” Alum Aluminum Spare Tire and Mount 18” Aluminum Spare Tire & Mount Galvanized Spare Tire and Mount Single Axle with Brakes Swing Away Tongue Tandem Axle w/ Brakes on One Axle

I'm with @slonezp.  This is on the money.   Get then18' with the optional 150hp.  Add the stereo option.    If ya gotta make payments, do it with music.  

[NCLunker]

Thanks guys! Especially @slonezp. This is extremely helpful. 

 

I seriously doubt I will start fishing tournaments, so is there any reason to max out the motor? Being aluminum (and lighter) would 115hp not be enough? Am I way off here?

 

If I did decide to max out the motor wouldn't it make sense to get a jack plate as well?

 

I am thinking about splurging on the SeaDek Liner instead of carpet. My understanding is that it is much easier to clean and you don't have to worry as much about mold.

 

 

Edited May 22, 2020 by NCLunker

[gim]

32 minutes ago, NCLunker said:

am thinking about splurging on the SeaDek Liner instead of carpet. My understanding is that it is much easier to clean and you don't have to worry as much about mold.

Yes! I would advise against the marine carpet and go for the hard surface interior. As you stated it is much easier to clean and maintain. No stains, maintenance free. I’ve had it in my boat since 2016 and I’ll never have carpet again in a boat.

[slonezp]

There are a couple different theories about maxing out the motor. The one you always hear about is resale value. If you're buying a boat and planning on keeping it 1-3 years, I'd max it out. If you're going to keep it for any length of time, maybe not so critical. Second is performance. Hole shot,top speed, and quick planing time. If you will be fishing alone lightly loaded, not so critical. If you're fishing with 1 or 2 guys and loaded down with fuel, tackle, and a full livewell, than maxing it out is important. Third, having enough motor to outrun the elements. Anyone who has spent anytime on the water knows weather can turn quick. Can you outrun the storm and make back to the dock safely? Do you have enough motor to keep up with the waves in a following sea? May not be an issue where you fish, but it can be an issue where I fish.

 

[camman]

No by opting with a bigger motor you don’t have to get a jack plate.  Though it will help with motor efficiency and getting on plane quicker.

 

Really the larger motor has nothing to do with fishing tournaments.  The more weight you add (tackle, people, etc) it slows the boat done quite a bit.  

[Dirtyeggroll]

Here are my thoughts having just purchased my first boat about 18 months ago. These suggestions are in order of my opinion of priority.

 

1. Get the biggest boat (longest/widest) you will want/can afford/will fit in the garage or whatever. You can't change this once you buy it. If I were to do it again and had $5k extra to spend on a foot of boat or on electronics, I would pick the foot of boat. You can always add electronics, and they will just get out of date and become cheaper as time goes on.

 

2. Get the biggest motor the boat is rated for. No one ever complains about having too much power. Its much cheaper to just start with the biggest rather than thinking about repowering in the future. You will unlikely every think "I wish I had gone with the smaller motor." More likely you will at least occasionally think "I wonder what the bigger motor would do." Again, money on motor vs. electronics, I go with motor.

 

3. Get a trolling motor with spot lock/anchor function. It doesn't appear that the boat you are looking at comes with the option to add a trolling motor with the spot lock/anchor function from the factory. In that case, buy the absolute cheapest trolling motor (or without a trolling motor) and buy a Ghost/Force/Ultrex to have put on it instead.

 

4. Electronics - if its a must that it comes from the factory with them, then go with the biggest available from the factory (Helix 9 MSI G3N). If not, save the money and get the biggest graph you can afford to add - also, consider what trolling motor you are buying and match manufacturer for integration features.

 

The rest of the information I would follow as suggested by Slonezp. I would say to also prioritize the following:

 

- Swing tongue on trailer

- A lot of people swear by a Hot Foot (but its a bout a 50/50 split on opinions),  go read about them and determine if its something you want - if it is then also add the Blinker Trim. The Hot Foot is probably the safer option if you get the bigger motor.

 

 

Happy to help explain any more of my thoughts on the matter if you have questions. Good luck