@Woody B oh I know you weren’t knocking it. I am agreeing they are good boats for what they are and serve many people well. 

I’ve got a Polar Kraft, 15ft mod V with a 25 Yamaha-4 stroke. I really like this boat, it’s cheap to run, handles great, stable, two people can fish comfortably but, need to be aware of each other.  It has a live well, but since I don’t keep my catches, or fish with live bait, it’s dry storage.  

On 6/24/2024 at 4:08 PM, Catt said:

Xpress H17 Hyper-Lift Hull

Length: 17'

Bottom: 67"

Beam: 93"

Hull thickness: 0.125"

Catt, how do XPress boats ride in general compared to a traditional mod-V? Are they closer to the ride of a deep-V Pro-V Bass - or somewhere in between? Thx!

@FryDog62 The Xpress Hyper-Lift Hull is a pad hull like a glass boat. The only aluminum hull close is Vexus.

 

If I remember correctly @J Francho is running one or has resentsly ran one.

1 hour ago, Catt said:

@FryDog62 The Xpress Hyper-Lift Hull is a pad hull like a glass boat. The only aluminum hull close is Vexus.

 

If I remember correctly @J Francho is running one or has resentsly ran one.

Great, @JFrancho would be curious how the 18 or 20 foot does in 2-3 foot waves - either straight on or quartering 👍

Interesting discussion, I'm definitely learning, thanks all.

 

My first thought when seeing the thread title was Bass Raider! Course that's not what you're looking for, but it might serve as an interim while you search for the perfect boat.

I ran an 18H Xpress and a Bullet 21XDC concurrently. If I was fishing Erie or another big water, I preferred the Xpress. It handle big rollers and chop over 2' better than the light Bullet. I would not describe the ride as "smooth" but it was safe. There really isn't anything in the bass boat world outside of say a Lund that can really handle true 3 footers. Honestly, being a Great Lakes guy, that's when you look for smaller water to fish. 

I have a bass tracker classic xl 2019 40th anniversary edition its 16'9 long. 

 

I also came from a kayak a nucanoe unlimted. 

 

I prefer my boat by a wide margin but miss the kayak's ability to launch in alot more places, but I woudlnt trade the ability to get up and go for anything.

 

The classic xl cant handle rough water at all, I almost died my second time out. 

 

Im already planning my next boat, I fish big water and want a 20 foot lund pro v. 

If your fishing from a Kayak your fishing by yourself or close to it. and you also don't mind getting your feet wet. you want a small boat Seo doo fish pro trophy. Has fish finder, live well, rod holders, runs over 50mph, uses less fuel, and easy to pull with whatever you drive. 2 people can fish off it pretty easy. i've fished with 3 lots of times and 4 once.

I'm gonna need pics of four people fishing off a Sea Doo Trophy, lol.

 

On 6/27/2024 at 9:34 PM, gimruis said:

I'd personally go with a tiller like @Deephaven posted if going under 17 feet.  You save so much space by not having a console and space is hard to come by on smaller boats.

 

 

I agree 100%.  My dad had a 16' tiller Alumacraft with the same floorplan.  I could bass fish very well in the front of the boat with the little platform and bow trolling motor.  I never felt at a disadvantage fishing from that boat compared to my traditional bassboat I had at the time.  Without a console, the boat was very spacious for a 16'er and we had a lot of good times in that boat.  If cost is a major issue, this would be a great boat.  My dad sold his for around 4K.  It was over 20 years old but in great shape.  

My little boat, the mighty Labbos (Like A Bass Boat Only Smaller), 12ft, 20hp tiller good for about 20mph with two people and a small annoying dog. Works for me. 😄