Are interested in buying an Xpress boat? Are you wondering what the most popular Xpress Boats models are? L&M Marine and Day Break Marina receive many questions about Xpress boats, including questions about their most popular models. Here are the most popular aluminum Xpress models based on nearly 40 years of experience and why they’re the most popular.

Xpress Boats: One of Our Most Popular Brands

Xpress Boats has been building aluminum boats since 1966 and has always been one of our most popular brands since our start in the 80s. Xpress Boats are great at innovation and coming out with new models that are improved versions of their previous models. You can find an Xpress Boat for everybody’s price point, whether you’re looking for a $25,000 boat or a $60,000 boat.

One pro to purchasing an aluminum boat over a fiberglass boat is there’s typically less fear involved with operating it. People are less scared to actually use the boat as they’re not worried about damaging aluminum boats as with fiberglass boats.

Whenever customers take a look at Xpress models, some are surprised that these boats are aluminum as these aluminum boats don’t look anything like they did in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Aluminum boats have improved vastly in the last 30 years.

Most Popular Freshwater Xpress Models

Both the H17 and H18 models are fast boats that are very reasonably priced and are our top picks for the most popular freshwater Xpress models. Both models have a lot of amenities for a low price, so you truly get the bang for your buck. These aluminum bass boats hold their own against the competition as far as their build, performance, and price point. 

Xpress H17: 

• 90 HP motor

• 18 gal fuel capacity

• Sea deck

• 2 fishing seats + 2 bucket seats

• Rated for 4, comfortably seats 2

• Minn Kota 70 Edge trolling motor

• Helix 5 Chirp GPS

• Aluminum Trailer

One of the most popular Xpress models for freshwater is the H17 which is a 17’ boat that also includes a 6” jack plate, three bank battery charger, lights in the live well, storage boxes and interior, as well as hot foot and saltwater package upgrades. The H17, along with the trailer, is available for between $30,000-$34,000 for new models.

Xpress H18:

• 115 HP motor

• 18 gal fuel capacity

• Sea deck

• 2 fishing seats + 2 bucket seats

• Rated for 4, comfortably seats 2

• Minn Kota 45 Edge trolling motor

• Helix 5 Chirp GPS

• Aluminum trailer

The next most popular Xpress model for freshwater is the H18, which is 7’10” - 10 inches longer than the H17. The H18 comes with a 6” jack plate, three bank battery charger, a livewell oxygenator and recirculate along with lights in the livewell, storage boxes and interior. The H18 also comes with an aluminum trailer and is available for between $33,000-$36,000 for new models.

If you look at 19-21-foot fiberglass bass boats they’re typically over $50,000. Bass boats have always outpriced bay boats and the the H17 and H18 make bass boats available to those who typically can’t afford a boat like that. 

Benefits of the Hyper-Lift Hull

Their padded/stepped hull is what sets Xpress boats apart from the rest, other than their price point. Both the H17 and H18 feature Xpress’s patented, padded hull called the ‘Hyper-Lift hull’ which is built in the same style as a fiberglass bass boat. The hull creates lift upon acceleration, with breaks or steps built in that reduce friction and provide a smooth ride. The combination of being all welded, with the Hyper-Lift hull makes these boats ride very well and are a great value. A lot of Xpress’s most popular models are built with the Hyper-Lift hull design.

The way the hull rides, it creates lift so the only thing that’s in the water when you’re running 30+ mph is the bottom of the boat so when you hit a swell the design cushions the hit between the steps. The style of the boat allows it to lean really comfortably into turns versus a flat bottom boat which always stays flat.

When we compare boats, such as a Bass Tracker 17’ with a 90 Mercury, the cost is around $28,900, versus an Xpress H17 with a 90 Yamaha which you can get for around $31,000. Customers are often blown away when they see they can get a boat from a well-known, family-owned brand with nicer amenities, a Yamaha engine, and a trailer, for only $2,000 more. 

Benefits of an All Welded Boat

Some smaller bass boats have a wooden and carpeted deck which is prone to mildew and rotting. Xpress’s boats are all welded means they have no rivets, a fully welded sea deck, lids, and fully foamed flooring. Xpress even welds the bottom of floors to the support braces which no one else does. The benefits of an all, fully welded aluminum boat are it increases the longevity of a boat and provides a quieter, smoother ride. 

Most Popular Saltwater Xpress Models

The bay boats, including the Xpress H19 Bay and the Xpress H20 Bay, also have the Hyper-Lift design, with a wider platform and taller sides. Much like the Xpress H17 and Xpress H18, these bay boats from Xpress are also reasonably priced, allowing customers to get a quality boat with a lot of amenities for a low price. The difference between the H190 Bay and the H20 Bay and the H17 and H18 is the bay boats are made out of slightly thicker .125 gauge aluminum.

Xpress H190 Bay

• 115 HP

• 36 gal fuel capacity

• Stainless steel leaning post with coconut cushion

• Stainless steel cleats, rod and cup holders

• Rated for 4, seats 2-4 comfortably

• Minn Kota Riptide 70 trolling motor

• Helix 5 Chirp GPS

• Aluminum trailer

The H190 is a great entry-level bay boat, it’s 19’, seats 2-4 people comfortably and has the same size engine as the H20. The H190 has the same Hyper-Lift hull as the Xpress X19 bass boat but features a large seating area. The H190 does not feature any jumpseats, lockers, or forward livewells and overall has less amenities than the H20 Bay, but it does include features such as stainless steel cleats, rod and cup holders, and is available for less than $33,000-$37,000.

Xpress H20 Bay 

• 115 HP

• 40 gal fuel capacity

• Stainless steel steering wheel

• Stainless steel swim ladder

• Rated for 8, comfortably seats 2-5

• Minn Kota Rip Tide 70 trolling motor

• Helix 5 Chirp GPS

• Aluminum trailer

This is one of our highest selling boats here at L&M Marine and Day Break Marina, especially during the summer. The H20 Bay is popular because you’re getting a lot of amenities for a low price including a trolling motor, depth finder, two livewells, and stainless steel rod holders, steering wheel and swim ladder. In our experience, this Xpress model is great for fishing for trout and redfish and is the perfect first boat for anyone. The H20 Bay also has a good fuel range with its 40-gallon gas tank as well as a great warranty. The H20 Bay can be purchased for less than $40,000-$44,0000 average. 

Summary

Bass boats are typically faster than other kinds of aluminum boats and the lower profile/shallower draft of the H17 and H18 make them faster than the H190 and H20. 

If you compare the Xpress H18 with a 115 Yamaha and the H190 bay with a 115 Yamaha:

• The H18 runs 49-50 miles an hour versus the H190 which runs 44-45 miles per hour. 

• The H17 and  H18 have less drag and weigh slightly less, which makes them faster. 

The H190 Bay and H20 Bay are heavier than their H17 and H18 counterparts. 

• The H190 Bay weighs 1,205 lbs

• The H20 Bay weighs 1,436 lbs. 

• They both are wider with taller gunnels and both of these bay boats, especially the H20, ride better in choppy waters and are better for inshore fishing.

In our area of the Gulf, we have a hybrid of both saltwater and freshwater fisheries. You can fish for crappie, brim, and bass in the Upper Delta, then 30 minutes south we’ve got trout and redfish, the H190 and H20 models make all of these areas accessible.\

Any of these models, the H17 and the H18 (perfect for bass fishing on the creek) or the H190 Bay and H20 Bay (perfect for fishing for speckled trout on the bay) would all make for a great first boat.

All of the boats listed are fishing boats, although some people do use them for leisure, tubing, and more. The best boat is the boat that best fits your lifestyle. Take a look at our current Xpress inventory, which can be found at our L&M Marine location in Baldwin County, Alabama. We’d love to show you the most popular aluminum Xpress boats in person, set up a Sea Trial, and answer any questions you may have.