Xpress X19SS

[peters_skeeter]

Has anyone ever owned or fished out of an Xpress X19SS? This is a 19' aluminum boat, similar to a bass tracker, but the max hp is 200. That's crazy! It seems that a boat that light with that much horse power would be a squirlly ride at top speed. 

[djkimmel]

Never been in that model before. I've heard mostly positive things about them, but don't have much feedback based on long term use up here on our Great Lakes. I know a Great Lakes angler who is thinking about getting one, but so far, no purchase.

In Mexico on Lake Comedero, I did fish out of 17' foot versions all week that had 60 HP Yamaha's on them. Nice to fish out of considering we were in the real wilderness.

They seemed pretty stable and though we didn't get into rough water like up here, they did fairly well in bumpy water. Looks like they are well built.

[WayneC]

Frank Keller has an Xpress 19'.  He fishes NBAA and some other tournaments and is very satisfied with it.  He has since switched to a different outboard but my time on his boat has been with the 150hp he used to have.  The boat has a nice deck layout and rides a lot smoother on St. Clair than you might think for aluminum.  It comes down off the waves softly.  I would seriously consider it for myself.

[djkimmel]

If my memory worked a little better... I would have remembered that, though I knew you were fond of them.

[WayneC]

To finish answering the question...I haven't seen a stability problem at WOT.

[Anthony Adams]

The X19 Hull is a standard Mod-V hull design. The construction and build are similar to the Bass Tracker Pro 190 Hull.

There are some big advantages to Mod V hull designs. I can't speak for the X19 but the Pro 190 will run on plane in less than 6 Inches of water. The hull design of the mod V is the most versatile & proven hull design and it originated in the Bass Tracker product line. This one of a kind hull design allows for good rough water performance and great perfomance when maneuvering on the shallow flats.

The hull performs best in less than 2 feet waves. If your a fisherman who spends a great deal of time on rough water you may want to consider a deeper hull design. The flatter bottom design doesn;t offer as much cushion as a deeper hull design does.

[WayneC]

That's some great inside info Anthony.  Considering everything you've mentioned, I've still been surprised by the ride of the Xpress.  It's not the kind of hull that you can overcome the bigger waves with but with some skillful driving even three foot chop can be handled surprisingly well.  It's the way it comes down on the next wave...very soft.  Compared to most boats in that size class I wouldn't feel like I was giving anything away as far as big water performance.  Now when you get into the 21' class, that's a different story altogether.  There is at least one fiberglass boat I would trust to push through anything Lake St. Clair can throw at it with a driver behind the wheel that has average boat handling skills. 

What do you think about the deeper walleye hulls?  I haven't found them to be as forgiving as they look.    My perception of the deeper hulls in the walleye style boats (that would fit with our style of fishing) used to be that they would be a better ride.  No matter what brand of walleye boat I have been on the ride has been consistently disappointing.  Those hulls can work out OK but is always seems to come down to a finely tuned setup to get the best ride.  The other two things that curb my enthusiasm are the pedestal seats and the amount of wind they catch that force over corrections in boat control.

[Anthony Adams]

That's some great inside info Anthony. 

What do you think about the deeper walleye hulls? 

I haven't found them to be as forgiving as they look.    My perception of the deeper hulls in the walleye style boats (that would fit with our style of fishing) used to be that they would be a better ride. 

I assume your speaking directly to me Wayne.

Like Bass boats there are a variety of Walleye hull designs, I could go into length about each one and it's pro's and cons.

The real question is .... what specific Characteristic are you looking for. I am assuming ride since you mentioned that.

Best Ride & Construction - I love the Tracker Tundra 21 - It is the only Aluminum boat that is forged aluminum. It has the benefits of both Aluminum and Fiberglass. The ride is second to none and this boat has been voted best ride for some time.