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[rodandroll]

I am looking buying at a 2020 xpress h20b bay boat. Is is all welded aluminum with a 115 Yamaha. It is in very good condition with low hours. Never been in saltwater but it will be if I buy it.

Any thoughts or opinions on this boat would be very helpful.

Thanks
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[Rxfire]

They are built and rigged (electronics, etc) for saltwater. Bernie's Boats and Motors in Victoria sells a lot of them, in addition to their own boat line (Desperado Boats).

https://berniesboats.com/#
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[reallifetexan]

I bought a used 2010 Xpress 20' in 2012 with a 115 Yamaha, and owned it until 2019. Top speed was somewhere around 35mph, but I never really pushed it to the limit as I am not one to push top speed. Here's a few opinions:

Pros
- Lightweight boat - we once got it stuck and pushed it through a couple of inches of water and mud, and were able to do it.
- Floated in really skinny water and could pole it fairly easily. Fished the flats in it a lot. I had a jack plate on it, so shallow water running was adequate.
- Was less worried about parking it in sand or nicking an oyster shell due to the metal hull.
- Overall a good, tough boat, had a lot of good times and good fishing in it.

Cons
- Because it was light and flat on the bottom, was not a good boat in chop - really got beat up in rough water.
- Wasn't that quiet due to the all-metal construction, but this wasn't that big of a deal.
- Had to take it to a welding shop twice to get some seams re-welded due to them cracking. Had to find a shop that could lift a boat up and weld aluminum. I don't feel like I beat up the boat, was actually fairly conservative, but eventually stuff like this happens on a welded boat.
- Had some problems with the back wings on the trailer breaking as they were poorly designed, but I think they've changed the design on this and that's less of an issue these days.
- Isn't a self-bailing boat, so have to keep your bilge pump operational and just be conscious of it. Also had a drain plug fall out once as they used the standard push-in-and-fold-over drain plugs. Wish they had had integrated drain plugs that don't get lost or fall out.

My overall impression was positive of the boat, until it got older and started needed to be rewelded. Hope you have many years of fun in yours.

[BayFly]

Love Bernie's! Although not the Express hulll you are considering, I fished out of a 19' Polar Craft aluminum hull for a couple of years and I totally agree with the comment about running in rough or any significant chop being uncomfortable. Otherwise, shallow water access and fishing is great. I only had a 75 hp yamaha and a trolling motor on mine, but the utility and ease of maintenance was great. The Polar Craft was not a welded hull, and never had a problem with the hull leaking. If you get a welded aluminum hull and need some re-welding done make sure you find an accomplished aluminum welder. That doesn't sound like it would be a problem, but it can be. Enjoy!

[rodandroll]

Appreciate the comments. Most of what you guys have mentioned I was aware of. I had a 21 ft Cajun fishmaster for several years. It is actuallly what convinced me I didnt want another fiberglass hull. In choppy water it wallowed like a pig because it was so heavy. I am at the point that I dont even try to go out any more if I think the water is too choppy. It isnt any fund and just isnt worth it.

Heavy as hell to trailer and pull and had to have more horsepower to get decent performance out of it. Much harder to clean and keep clean than aluminum.

Ever tried to have fiberglass fixed? I have and it is a royal PIA. Boat shop kept it for about 6 weeks to do what I consider a little fiberglass work. I figure finding a place and getting an aluminum crack welded will probably be cheaper and quicker than having fiberglass re-laminated and/or fixed.

The drain plug issue is interesting. I had the same issue with my fishmaster. Wen to the twist tighten plug and used pliars to tighten when I put it in. Problem stopped. Guess I better get a couple of those and keep in the boat.

Thanks for all the comments guys. The pros and cons you mentioned were great and I think I am still going to go with the xpress. Hell pulling the damn thing down from Kerrville will be a joy compared to that old heavy fishmaster.
_________________
Now that food has replaced my sex life I can't even get into my own pants!!!!!!!!

Even duct tape can't fix stupid ... but it can muffle the sound!!!