Boat guys, opinions please.

I'm presently boatless and it is killin' me! Been without one for a couple years now. Blew a power head on a 200 Merc and just wasn't in a position to repair. I've always been a bass boat man but I'm wanting a center console dual purpose rig for Ross Barnett and the South LA marsh. Kinda leaning toward aluminum due to cost, weight, outboard, towing, etc. I realize I will give up ride but I think with a 20 foot or slightly bigger I will be ok. I like the 20-22' Xpress bay boats but the Excel has also caught my eye. They make a 20' and 22' Bay Pro. Plus I could get by with hanging a 115 on the back. Any thoughts?

If you're a south LA marsh guy that doesn't have to cross a lot of open water, I'd do exactly what you're saying. I know the Xpress bay boats are wildly popular in LA. G3 also has a bay model that would be worth looking at IMO http://www.g3boats.com/bay-20-dlx-de...y-fishing-boat


ETA- if you comb through craigslist and boattrader, you can use my find a great deal on an express. Although it wasn't aluminum, there was a fairly new 20ft cc Kenner w/a 150 with under 40 hours for 15k in craigslist in Alabama. Was a steal and sold quickly. Probably the best deal I've seen/heard of lately.

Wish I had seen that. A deal like that would change my mind on aluminum in a hurry. I get emails from Boatrader when something comes up like I'm looking for. Louisiana Sportsman classifieds are pretty good too.

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Originally Posted by State82

Wish I had seen that. A deal like that would change my mind on aluminum in a hurry. I get emails from Boatrader when something comes up like I'm looking for. Louisiana Sportsman classifieds are pretty good too.

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You're right on La Sportsman classifieds. I'll be on the lookout. If I see any steals like that, I'll pm you

Another option: Lowe 22 Bay

http://images.loweboats.com/images/c...main_23796.jpg

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Originally Posted by MSUDawg4Life

Another option: Lowe 22 Bay

http://images.loweboats.com/images/c...main_23796.jpg

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That's one sexy boat

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Originally Posted by BeastMan

You're right on La Sportsman classifieds. I'll be on the lookout. If I see any steals like that, I'll pm you

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Thanks Beastman. Also, had not thought about the Lowe MSUDawg. Sweet looking rig. I need to investigate those a little further.

I think beastman nailed it on the Xpress. That's exactly what I was going to tell you. They are great boats.

When you go with a bay boat 18 to 22 feet you can use for both fresh and salt. Never, never get a bass boat near salt water the electrical connections will be the first to go.

Also there are many, many choices in a wide price range. Do your research; length, power, layout & storage, trailer ability, and last but not least how much will you use the damn thing. Unfortunately due to life's obligations I have a $30,000 hydra sports bay boat that hasn't been in the water in the past year. That will be remedied soon. Enjoy the new toy.

Another intriguing option:

Triumph 215 CC

Offshore Dawg,

If I could pick out any boat I wanted and price wasn't an issue, I'd get a hydra sport bay bolt. I love those boats

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Originally Posted by Offshore Dawg

and last but not least how much will you use the damn thing.

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Yep. That's the reason I want a dual purpose rig. I'm about 250 miles or so from the ramp in South LA but I'm about a mile from Ross Barnett. I can bass fish out of a 19'-20' center console bay boat just as well as I can out of a 20' Ranger, Bass Cat, Nitro, Skeeter, etc.

State82 I started water skiing in Ross Barnett in 69

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Originally Posted by BeastMan

Offshore Dawg,

If I could pick out any boat I wanted and price wasn't an issue, I'd get a hydra sport bay bolt. I love those boats

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The 23 ft Bay bolt is the newer upgrade of the model I have, and they have more than doubled the cost since I bought mine.