back in 2013 my father and I bought a Tracker 175 txw pro team. Been an excellent boat but some storage/cleaning practices my dad did while I lived in an apartment has it needing a little refreshing. Carpet needs to either be replaced or glued back down in some areas, seat stitching broke because he decided to use a bleach solution to clean the seats (fabric still perfectly fine) and the amount ive been fishing lately I'd really like to upgrade console and bow electronics and new TM with at least spot lock. Not a fan of how the storage compartments dont stay dry but I think I can minimize that with a little sealing work.  Other than that I dont have any complaints about the boat.

 

Talking with the wife and my father about everything I wanted to do they both suggested I take advantage of the current market, sell it now, use my kayak this year and buy a new or newer boat with more of what I want next season. Wife just wants something we can occasionally beach on a sandy bottom island on one of the lakes we go to often. So here we are. Although used deals may sway some of these choice I wanted to have a clear idea of what I wanted and what it would cost if I had to or wanted to go new.

 

Glass:

Triton 179 TRX : 115hp upgrade, bow/consol electronics and TM will run about $38K 

Nitro Z18 Pro: 175hp upgrade will run about $39K

Ranger Z175: will run about $38K 

 

Aluminum:

Xpress H18: Website its frustraing, dont know their motor options or what their electronics cost but $26K +5k in electronics/TM if needed. I love they use seadeck instead of carpet or hard rawhide. 

Vexus AVX189: 115hp motor, garmin electronics/TM will run me about $35K

 

Being that all 3 glass boats are owned by the same company, is there truely any difference in the build quality/service? Can the hull take a few beachings a year? 

 

Of the two aluminum I'm leaning xpress for the rod locker and seadeck locations, any reason the Vexus would be a better choice due to its hull? Vexus seems like the compartment seals would be far better than any other aluminum but I'm not sure. 

 

 

Overall I wont be on any lakes that would classify as rough waters but its not to say I wouldnt take a fishing trip to one of them for a long weekend once a year or every other year. I wouldnt want to chose based on that once a year trip though. So thoughts? Suggestions....recommendations? Overall I think im leaning towards the H18. 

Xpress! 

If you are buying a glass boat new, have the factory install a keel guard. That answers your beaching question. Nitro, Triton, and Ranger are made in different factories and have different hulls. They do utilize "universal" parts that mix and match between brands. The quality of service lays on the dealer, not the factory.

 

Curious as to why you have narrowed aluminum choices down to those 2. Sea Ark makes a quality boat that would be similar to the Xpress and the Crestliner Bass Hawk would be similar to the Vexus only it's been around much longer and the hull is the same as their Fish Hawk which is their top selling boat. It has a real nice layout.