Vexus 189c vs Xpress x18pfc?

[Kirium]

So after going back and forth for about two years I've kind of come down to these two boats. I like things about each but dang I'm having the hardest time deciding.

Any of you with first hand experience of either or both I'd love to hear your pros and cons.

I live in Oklahoma and will mainly be fishing Eufaula, Texoma, Kaw and probably Arcadia as I live about five minutes from Arcadia.

Almost exclusively crappie fishing but will do some bass fishing and striper at Texoma.

Almost always myself and my 14yr old son and with my buddy some too. So no more than three and usually just two.

I had originally thought a 19-20' boat but after measuring them and seeing the sizing im thinking either of these are fine. The vexus is 18'7" and xpress is 18' both have a 94" beam.

I like the hull better on the xpress, the length of the vexus.

Configuration is pretty similar but I do prefer the xpress trailer and sea dek.

Finish might be better on the vexus.

Thoughts?

[skeetbum]

I believe the Venus is glass and the Xpress is aluminum. I had a glass 18’ bass boat and liked it better in the wind than any I’ve owned so far. Better ride and handling in rougher water conditions too. If you’re in brush and wood a lot then the glass might get scratched and dinged more. A hard choice, for sure. You’re in a better place than I am as I have saltwater to deal with too, some of it super skinny. I wish you luck, I’ll be paying attention.

[skeetbum]

I believe the Venus is glass and the Xpress is aluminum. I had a glass 18’ bass boat and liked it better in the wind than any I’ve owned so far. Better ride and handling in rougher water conditions too. If you’re in brush and wood a lot then the glass might get scratched and dinged more. A hard choice, for sure. You’re in a better place than I am as I have saltwater to deal with too, some of it super skinny. I wish you luck, I’ll be paying attention.

[Kirium]

I believe the Venus is glass and the Xpress is aluminum. I had a glass 18’ bass boat and liked it better in the wind than any I’ve owned so far. Better ride and handling in rougher water conditions too. If you’re in brush and wood a lot then the glass might get scratched and dinged more. A hard choice, for sure. You’re in a better place than I am as I have saltwater to deal with too, some of it super skinny. I wish you luck, I’ll be paying attention.

Both boats are aluminum.

Trying to find info from people that own them is pretty tough apparently.

[skeetbum]

Shows what I know, I’ll be quiet now.

[DWILL]

I know guys who own the xpress and love them. I haven't heard anything bad about them. I haven't seen a vexus metal, but if they are like the glass vexus you can't go wrong.

[Grainraiser]

I have seen plenty of Xpress boats and everyone I know loves them. I have never seen a aluminum Vexus so I can't comment on it.

[Micanopy]

I take it these boats are in stock. Hard choices for sure. I waffled about horribly, in torment trying to choose. Then settled on an Xpress Bay boat. Because there are lakes, rivers, creeks, estuaries, the Gulf and the Intracostal and Atlantic ocean all within reach and I wanted a boat that could go to all of those places. Sitting on the boat for a half an hour helped me eliminate several I thought I would like.

[Bstinnett]

I’ve also got an xpress bay boat. Had it for 3 years and still love it. Wish the live well was up front, but that’s the only complain on my end.

[Kirium]

I’ve also got an xpress bay boat. Had it for 3 years and still love it. Wish the live well was up front, but that’s the only complain on my end.

That's a reason why I'm so interested in the Xpress x18pfc. It has a livewell with baitwell in front and back.

Thank you everyone for the responses, I really appreciate.

To answer a previous question, the Vexus 189c is in stock a few places local to me (within 1 1/2 hrs) but the closest Xpress I can find is 4hrs away. I'm trying to find out if Xpress will be coming to the Tulsa Boat show and if so, if they'll be bringing that model.