livemusic Posted May 12, 2021 Posted May 12, 2021 It's new to me and FWIW, here's my thoughts. Maybe someone will find value in reading. $31k, Xpress X17 Pro with 115hp Yamaha 4-stroke only about 1.5 yrs old. Pulled the trigger. I have a '99 Progator with 150hp Merc and it died a few weeks ago. And my '97 Tracker is always hard to start. Tired of not having a reliable motor! Over the past few weeks, I missed out on two fantastic deals by an hour. Saw the ad, responded, and rather than say, "I'm coming now," I delayed an hour. And that hour each time cost me those two boats. So, when I saw this, I jumped. Actually, I'm glad, because I like this one better. $31k is what I paid; NADA Marine showed $34k low retail, $36k high retail. I spoke to the mechanic (whom I know) that serviced this boat and he vouched for it being a great boat, the owner being very meticulous. Hope I got a decent deal; I thought it was ok and it was immediately available. Based on this being a seller's market with high used prices currently, I thought his price was a good deal for me. I figure this boat brand new might cost $43k or more. It's 'only' a 17 ft boat but my thinking was... - It's used, so, I save new boat sales tax. - I don't fish big water. Runs I make on lakes I fish is, generally, 1-5 miles. - It's wide! These modern boats are FAR wider than yesteryear's. You should see this next to my 1997 17 ft Tracker! - Width is great for room, storage, stability, ride. Bad for getting between Cypress trees but that's ok. - I actually priced a brand new Xpress the night before on the Xpress website; I was wanting Xpress. Seeing this ad was unreal! - I sometimes fish some very shallow water. Aluminum boat, lighter compared to a big boat, can access shallower. - It has a 6 in. jackplate, which allows shallower water fishing. - If high winds are kicking up big waves, I probably won't be fishing because I, generally, do not like high winds fishing. - It's not new but it's hard to find a new boat these days without a big delay. - It's decked out well. I might add a 2nd shallow anchor. Maybe a spot-lock troll motor down the way, unsure on that. - It has a 4-stroke motor, which I wanted. And I favor Yamaha. - It has two decent sonar units and they are Humminbird, which I like. - Brand new Fortrex trolling motor. I like Minnkota. - It looks great, has been well cared for. I like the Seadek. - Seadek makes cleaning it easy. - A test ride showed it hit 50mph with two of us. That is plenty fast for me. In no hurry, 30+ is fine! - It is very stable to fish off front deck. I am no young buck anymore, that helps. - The trailer is awesome; has real nice, double-wheel jack dolly. - The boat loads really easy! - The trailer and entire package is not super wide like my 19 ft Progator, too wide for my liking while driving. - Plenty storage and it's lighted. At first, I was concerned about getting my rods in the rod lockers of a 17 ft boat but I did it. Even a 7.5 ft rod. - Nice livewell system with oxygenators and CO2 vents and auto-circulate feature. - I would prefer a livewell at front deck but that's not very common. I was first thinking that all things being equal, down the way, if I were to ever get another, I might prefer an 18 ft one or 19 ft but that would weigh more and this one might be just fine all the way around. I don't care for the traditional nav lights, having to find those and insert them into their sockets; I would prefer permanently mounted lights. Stern light atop the Talon. 2020 Xpress X17 Pro Package Yamaha 115 HP SHO (135 Hrs) SS Prop Brand New Minn Kota 80# Fortrex w/Downscan SeaDek Decking Humminbird Helix 9 at Console Humminbird Helix 7 at Bow Minn Kota 8’ Talon Aluminum Trailer Fulton F2 trailer jack Hot Foot 6” Atlas Hydraulic Jackplate BayStar Hydraulic Steering Oxygenators in Livewell CO2 Vents on both Livewell Lids Center Seat (3rd Seat) Lighted Storage Boxes 7 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted May 12, 2021 Super User Posted May 12, 2021 Sounds like a good deal considering the present market & it suits your needs. Enjoy it & slime it up. Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted May 12, 2021 Global Moderator Posted May 12, 2021 Congrats!!! Quote
Junk Fisherman Posted May 12, 2021 Posted May 12, 2021 Very nice. My Yamaha has been great. Very reliable. Quote
Super User gim Posted May 12, 2021 Super User Posted May 12, 2021 22 minutes ago, livemusic said: 2020 Xpress X17 Pro Package Lets see some photos. The "show your ride" thread is waiting. 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted May 12, 2021 Super User Posted May 12, 2021 I loved my Xpress. Congrats! Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted May 13, 2021 Super User Posted May 13, 2021 Congrats on the new rig and 'The Reasonable' price. Best of Luck with her. A-Jay Quote
fishingram24 Posted May 13, 2021 Posted May 13, 2021 Congrats on the new boat. Had a 2012 X 17 that I sold to daughter and SIL last summer after I ordered an X 18 that took 4 months from order to delivery. The newer models are much wider as you stated, my primary reason for the new one, and are great boats at a somewhat reasonable price. Get on the water and enjoy Quote
Alex from GA Posted May 13, 2021 Posted May 13, 2021 Sounds like it'll suit you just fine, congratulations. Quote
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