Best Tin Bass Boat?

[wsdv135]

Hey guys,

I am in the market for a new tin boat. If you were to get a tin boat, what would you buy? (I can't afford a Vexus).

I have a 2013 RT 188 w/ a 115 ETEC and I just have not been happy with the performance of the motor and find that the "little extras" on the 188 itself were not built to handle the test of time. I bought the rig in '17 and have had to deal with the following issues:

Livewell pump not working properly
Bad Impeller
Bad Stator
Bow and Stern foot grips came unglued and flew off on the water
Both trailer guides (on the port and starboard sides) on the trailer snapped off at the welds for no apparent reason
Cracked cupholders for no apparent reason
Compartments not water - tight, rubber seals were peeled off after 6 months of ownership. Had to install new rubber material to keep water out.
Factory Cover does not actually fit the rig - constant water in back compartment - have to use extra tarps - very time consuming to put away after each trip.
Trailer lights seem to not function randomly, had to get wiring regrounded multiple times due to Road Armor messing with the ground.

That's what I can remember off the top of my head. In sum - I just haven't been happy with the quality/performance of the boat. I get it's BOAT (break out another thousand) and a used one at that - but for the life of me, every time I take it out, it's got a new issue.

I want to get another tin boat - I was looking at Crestliners, but the reports on the PT 18 and 20 have scared me off from the new MX line.

I was wondering what all of you would recommend if you were going to buy a new or gently used Tin?

[Johnnyred]

... I like my RT198P so far.

[froggerbass]

Both i and my fishing partner run xpress. His is an x19 and mine is an 18’. We are both very pleased with our boats. Even now when pleasure boat traffic gets out of hand they do well.

[1pooldoc]

xpress

[Transom]

Gator Trax but honestly we cannot answer your question. You are asking about the best but are kind of asking about ones that are affordable.

[Goldstar225]

What price range is in your comfort zone? Best is usually associated with most expensive but there are many serviceable boats below nose bleed prices.

[Pagregss]

This one's pretty nice:

[XingEyeballs]

I wouldn’t buy a crestliner personally. Best on a budget, the Xpress is going to be hard to beat in storage and features.
Also, Vexus builds a fine aluminum as close as you can get to a glass boat.

[wsdv135]

Trying to stay relatively modest, not looking to drop $70k - 90k on a Vexus

[E-rude_Dude]

I have the Triton version. With the exception of small transom cracks needing repair do to poor driving. Mine has been very good to me.
There was a period where I tried to make it a racetrack bass boat. It cost a lot of money to gain 2 mph. And I came to realize it’s an excellent fishing boat that has great fishing features. It’s not made to compete with a fiberglass high performance hull. You have to drive it as such.

[wash-n-lures]

Trying to stay relatively modest, not looking to drop $70k - 90k on a Vexus

You can buy a brand new Vexus 1880 with a 115 hp engine in the mid $30k range - and a gently used one would be in the $20's. It is a great boat.

[Lou22]

Trying to stay relatively modest, not looking to drop $70k - 90k on a Vexus

Are you referring to a Vexus tin or glass boat? An Avx 1880 which is similar to your current tin boat, is no where close to 70K-90k.

[sclark]

Trying to stay relatively modest, not looking to drop $70k - 90k on a Vexus

Base Price of the Vexus AVX1880 is about $32K with the Suzuki and $34K with the Mercury
Base Price of the Vexus AVX1980 is about $36K with the Suzuki and $37K with the Mercury

just saying,

[goose pit]

Lund pro v bass

[Panama]

If I was buying today it would be an Xpress x19 with a 200 SHO on it. Before he passed away, I fished with a friend in Florida and that is what he had. That is a great setup....fast, sturdy, thick metal for the hull, fishes great, takes rough water great... and they have been making boats a long time....AND all they do is aluminum. They are good at it.

[ajw18]

I have an Xpress and would recommend it. If I were shopping today I’d look at Xpress, Vexus, and Avid.

[BOATS]

Signature says it.

[j791]

Lund Pro V Bass

[MarkG52]

What Steve Clark said. If my 1880 cost between $70-90K, it would not be my Vexus.

[E-rude_Dude]

The one you can afford👍