Thread: Xpress x18pfc vs Vexus 189c????

I'm in the same boat, (pun intended) but I'm comparing the Xpress 18C/ XX18Pfc/ Seaark Stealth 190 and the G3 1810 Pfx. Xpress and Seaarks hauls are tough as nails, I like the pad design on the Xpress though. Fyi the H18c crappie is a cheaper alternative to the X18pfc. After a bunch of comparing Ive decided on the Xpress for 3 reasons, 1st the haul, 2nd Seadeck and 3rd layout, also prefer a Sho motor. The Vexus is a spin off of the Ranger co. and correct me if Ii am wrong but aren't there hauls fiberglass infused aluminum? if so Id be leery, what if the boat needed welding down the road?

Choose wisely. You should find something you like, that you can actually get, and then sit in it for half an hour. Fiddle about, crawl around, imagine yourself out fishing on it.

I bought my boat a year ago Christmas time. Boats were slim in availability. I chose the best one for me and that was an Xpress 20’ redfish edition, which is an aluminum bay boat center console configuration. My choice came down to a boat that could go in lakes, rivers, streams, the intracoastal waterway, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic on very calm days. I wanted stability over a smooth ride. I don’t like being pitched around in waves. Wanted lots of space up front so I could outfit the boat and have plenty of leg room.

I added single rod holders up front ( three each side ). Then added clamp on tube rod holders to the frame of the seat (10 ). I can troll ten rods with no fouling and make tight turns when needed with no hassles. I could add a double seat configuration pretty easily for spider rigging, or simply stand on the large platform and cast and such.

I also did not want a lot of stuff on the boat. Stuff goes bad and most was going to be unusable to me. I only wanted enough storage for the essentials, and still have empty compartments. I wanted an aluminum trailer. I wish the dealer had had the upgrades to the TM and fishfinder that I wanted at that time as I could have put those on the bill. Still, being able to select something modern and perhaps from another company is gonna work out fine.

I am currently upgrading the winch and adding a walk board to the trailer. Had an engine scare that turned out to be just a bad spark plug. Wash it with a power sprayer. Plenty of room to carry people and more than enough power to pull tubes and such. Plenty of room to pitch a castnet.

All these things I tried to consider and imagine me doing on the boat. You should make a list to carry with you and see for yourself how those things would work for you while actually sitting on the boat.

It came down to the Tracker Grizzly 2070 with bow hunting platform and the Xpress. Finally the choice was made when I read that if you don’t like the dealer you will not like the boat. True dat. So be certain to consider the dealer’s location and ability to service you. Then close both eyes, spin around quickly in tight little circles, and then open your eyes and see which one the wife likes best and buy it.

Originally Posted by Micanopy

Choose wisely. You should find something you like, that you can actually get, and then sit in it for half an hour. Fiddle about, crawl around, imagine yourself out fishing on it.

I bought my boat a year ago Christmas time. Boats were slim in availability. I chose the best one for me and that was an Xpress 20’ redfish edition, which is an aluminum bay boat center console configuration. My choice came down to a boat that could go in lakes, rivers, streams, the intracoastal waterway, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic on very calm days. I wanted stability over a smooth ride. I don’t like being pitched around in waves. Wanted lots of space up front so I could outfit the boat and have plenty of leg room.

I added single rod holders up front ( three each side ). Then added clamp on tube rod holders to the frame of the seat (10 ). I can troll ten rods with no fouling and make tight turns when needed with no hassles. I could add a double seat configuration pretty easily for spider rigging, or simply stand on the large platform and cast and such.

I also did not want a lot of stuff on the boat. Stuff goes bad and most was going to be unusable to me. I only wanted enough storage for the essentials, and still have empty compartments. I wanted an aluminum trailer. I wish the dealer had had the upgrades to the TM and fishfinder that I wanted at that time as I could have put those on the bill. Still, being able to select something modern and perhaps from another company is gonna work out fine.

I am currently upgrading the winch and adding a walk board to the trailer. Had an engine scare that turned out to be just a bad spark plug. Wash it with a power sprayer. Plenty of room to carry people and more than enough power to pull tubes and such. Plenty of room to pitch a castnet.

All these things I tried to consider and imagine me doing on the boat. You should make a list to carry with you and see for yourself how those things would work for you while actually sitting on the boat.

It came down to the Tracker Grizzly 2070 with bow hunting platform and the Xpress. Finally the choice was made when I read that if you don’t like the dealer you will not like the boat. True dat. So be certain to consider the dealer’s location and ability to service you. Then close both eyes, spin around quickly in tight little circles, and then open your eyes and see which one the wife likes best and buy it.

Lack of inventory is what is keeping me from deciding. I cannot lay down a deposit on a boat I cant actually view and sit in. I will be headed to Florida from Ohio in a couple weeks and went as far as looking at inventory of dealers on the way, so far no luck.

I would be concerned with buying the boat from a dealer 1,000 miles away. Before I did something like that I would want to have a nice conversation with the local dealer to see whether he would service it. You have to have access to service and will want that to be done under warranty.

Needed the 20 hour service job. Local Yamaha dealership ( Millers Boating Center in Ocala, FL ) asked me straight up and first thing- had I bought boat from them. I said NO. Then she told me four months and maybe then she could see about getting me onto their very busy schedule then. Her way of saying shove it. My actual dealer ( Florida Family Marine in Deland, FL ) is an hour and half away and they had me bring it in within two days and I waited at shop and took it home. They fixed my grab rail and a bad spark plug just as quickly. Nice folks.

So what I am saying is work with a good dealer and see what can be done that way. Have you tried to place an order ?

You might have to adjust your choices a little. Never know, you might find something more suitable anyways. Whatever it will be it will be expensive as prices have risen due to the supply chain scam. Expect high prices.

I looked at Tracker and didn’t like all the holes in the floor. Little plastic plugs were already missing on brand new boats at the dealership. Looked into Ranger until I read that they are now owned by BassPro and made with equal concern for craftmanship. These boats work just fine for so many people, but I just couldn’t dump down the cabbage on one after reading about the horror stories.

They make a Grizzly 2070 with bow hunting platform that had my eye let me tell you it did. That platform would have been killer for two people and gear ( 8’ x 6’ ). Would have bought it anyways despite the bad reviews had I been able to actually crawl down onto the trailer to land the thing. LOL

So my point is no matter what you think you want be flexible and open minded. Make certain that you are not buying the boat you will want to exchange in two years. So many spend time in boats they never should have bought, but did so to save some money. Boats cost money and well there you are. Get something nice the first time and you will not mind making payments on it.

I looked at every major brand and looked at custom builders. Considered driving to Louisiana at one point. Drove all over Florida so I could just sit on boats and imagine how things would go. Eliminated every one but one that way.

Took my Xpress center console out yesterday to do some fishing. It is a year old now and I am still just as pleased with my choice as I ever was. The dealer has about six nice Xpress boats in stock now and I visited with them a little while they fixed my issue. Several were $50K, while I paid $30K. Wouldn’t trade even though they were nicer boats. Mine is the right size to trailer and fish in, the engine is way too fast, and I like being able to power wash it clean. I troll ten rods and can make tight turns without fouling. More boat than I thought I had bought. It needs a better TM and nicer electronics but as these things continue to improve my old boat will be right there ready to run them when I am finally ready to buy them. I don’t even turn on my electronic box with pretty little pictures of dots. Too busy watching ten rods I guess.

First off my apologies the original poster, for taking over your thread. Micanopy- I wouldn't consider buying a boat from a dealer 1000 miles away, I just want to see and sit in as you mentioned the boat I want, and I don't have a issue ordering from a local dealer mainly because I will want to order exactly what I want, not wants left over. I do as much research on anything I buy before making the purchase. I know when I bought a new Silverado in 2007' the salesman told me that I knew more about the truck then he did! lol. As I have told my grandsons, its hard to make money spend it wisely and don't get caught up in all the advertising. I will be fishing on the St.Johns river out of Deland Florida later this month, does Florida family marine have a good stock of Xpress boats? so far the only dealers I've found that has the boats I'm interested is in Mississippi and Arkansas, and thats a long way from Ohio! Obtw I am in a 2004' Tracker pt175, I've owned it for 8 yrs and its been all over the east said of the country, its served me well and is still a fine boat, I'm just wanting more stability, bigger size and the 4 stroke engine.

Wilson Marine in Newberry SC has an 18C in stock. They are about 4 miles off of I-26, North of Columbia SC.