I am looking at 19 and 20 ft bassboats with 175 to 200hp motors. Anybody have ro rode in one of the new aluminums like a Express. I will be guiding and fishing tournaments around the southeast out of the boat. I fish shallow and up creeks and rivers alot. The new Express seems like it will fit the bill. Yet I am still considering a used Triton,skeeter, or Ranger and a few others. Like the price of the Aluminums especially having a new motor as compared to a used motor i know nothing about.

What are the pros and cons of each?

First off, I have owned a 17.5' aluminum and now own a 18.6' fiberglass, the difference between my two boats personally was the fiberglass is more stable, but it takes so much more care, no slamming into logs and tearing it up.  I tend to baby the fiberglass more to keep it looking good and not scratched and chipped.  If i could find a very stable and fast aluminum boat I would go with it.

Look at War Eagle's boat line... best handling Aluminum Boat in the Bizness

I've driven and fished out of several Express bass boats and can tell you they are the only aluminums that will run with and handle like glass boats.

If I was buying a new boat I would buy a Ranger, I dont know if its just Ranger or if all the new fiberglass boats are like this but the way the fiberglass is tempered now the fiberglass hull is stronger than that of aluminum. This isnt some crap Ive heard I read this on Ranger's website.

www.rangerboats.com

If I could afford a new Ranger, I would buy one......I think the Xpress is going to be the way to go for me. Have heard nothing but good things. A few FLW series guys run them and they have no complaints.

I used to be in the business and have been in lots of boats both alum. and glass.  The glass boats will give you more stability and handling in windy conditions.  However, the Xpress is the only alum. on the market that handles like glass.  The down side is the light weight and problems with wind.

If you're fishing up creeks and rivers you sure don't want to mess with a fiberglass rig.

I don't know how much research you have put into the Express but have you looked at what size fuel tank come in them. If Express has a draw back it is the fact any thing under the LE Series has a rather small fuel tank.

As for your concerns about the effects of wind and Express being to light let's shed some light on that.

Ranger Z19: approximate weight single console 1,625 lbs

Ranger Z20: approximate weight single console 1,735 lbs

Ranger 519VX: approximate weight single console 1,580 lbs

Ranger 519VX: approximate weight single console 1,725 lbs

Express LE19: approximate weight single console 1,583 lbs

Express LE21: approximate weight single console 1,685 lbs

Thanks Catt. Those weight figures pretty much helped me make up my mind.Best info I have gotten on this site in a while. Now to find a dealer that actually wants to sell me a boat. I couldnt even get a price yesterday on the phone.

I noticed the fuel tank sizes yesterday when I was looking around online. I am looking at either the SVX or a X19TS or X20TS.

Just got a price on the X19w/ 200 yamaha- $32,500  They have went up since last year....

Georgia

Athens Marine, Inc.

135 Trade Street

Bogart, GA 30622

PHONE: (706) 549-1326

FAX: (706) 353-6840

Bainbridge Marine

P.O. Box 2432

1907 Dothan Rd

Bainbridge, GA 39817

PHONE: (229 246-9547

FAX: (229) 246-9032

Mitchell Marine, Inc

370 Davis Road

LaGrange, GA 30241

PHONE: (706)-884-2594

FAX: (706) 883-7095

Email: mitchellmarine@mindspring.com

Townsend Marine, Inc.

DBA Shoreline Marine

3517 Darien Hwy

Brunswick, GA 31525

PHONE: (912) 261-0444

The Grass Shack

6002 Holiday Rd

Buford, GA 30518

Phone: (770) 271-7529

FAX: (770) 271-0364

Valdosta Outboard

3761 Bomar Ln.

Valdosta, GA 31602

PHONE: (229) 249-8252

FAX: (229) 249-0299