Thread: 189 vs 1880?

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  1. #1
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    189 vs 1880?

    I’m looking for an affordable aluminum boat. My primary concern is front deck width. I want a bunch of room to fish up there. I don’t care about speed or storage or even ride. I just want a great fishing platform. I live in rural Oregon. 3 hours from any bass boat dealer, so I do all my looking online.

    Which of these two boats has a better front deck. It seems the 1880 is pretty narrow. Is the 189 the same? Any measurements or advice is greatly appreciated.

    Thank you.

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    #2
    following

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    #3
    Have you looked at the Xpress X18 boats or even a Tracker 195? They are both in the 18 foot range and you can get a 150hp on them. The Vexus 1880 is almost 19' long and you can only get a 115 on it which is too small, a boat that size could have a 175 on it.

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    #4
    I have considered the x18. I don’t really care about speed, but it’s nice to have a big motor. I would have the x18 at the top of the list if I knew for a fact that it was a wide boat. Beam doesn’t really help, because that measurement doesn’t have to come from the center of the front deck. I want to know how wide a boat is from the hole where the pedestal seat is.

    I have measured a Crestliner xf189 and a Vexus 1980c. The new Vexus is 55k though.

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    #5
    Quote Originally Posted by GabeJ View Post
    I have considered the x18. I don’t really care about speed, but it’s nice to have a big motor. I would have the x18 at the top of the list if I knew for a fact that it was a wide boat. Beam doesn’t really help, because that measurement doesn’t have to come from the center of the front deck. I want to know how wide a boat is from the hole where the pedestal seat is.

    I have measured a Crestliner xf189 and a Vexus 1980c. The new Vexus is 55k though.
    Crestliner XF189 with a 150 is a good option, the Vexus 1980 has the same undersized motor problem, only a 150 when it should be a 200 at least.

  6. Member Grizzly's Avatar
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    #6
    $48,000 for an aluminum boat equipped with Garmin accessories and a 115 is affordable?

    Asking for a friend.

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    #7
    Ugggg this is a vexus forum right !!!!!

  8. Member BigEasy's Avatar
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    #8
    Gabej This is coming from an 1880 owner, the front of the deck on the 189 is a bit wider. The one thing to keep in mind is the 189 is a Jon boat. It’s a darn fine jon boat but it’s a Jon boat. The ride and handling of the 1880 is far superior if that is of any concern.

    When I bought my boat I literally test drove both back to back. As in drove the 180, walked across the dock and drove the 1880. I got out of the 1880 and told the salesman he just sold a boat but I had to figure out the options I wanted to order.

    I’m 6’4” and have size 13 feet. The front end of the 1880 is plenty big enough for me. Walk around in and drive both and I think you’ll go 1880.

  9. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
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    #9
    The 1880 is were its at. The rear deck is huge. Front deck will fish two guys. 115 will top out at just under 50 mph at sea level.

    Having said that you will need to price out the boat. In some cases you might be better off with a glass boat in the same general price range.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175 (3B414035) Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,

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    #10
    These last two posts are exactly what I was looking for. Thank you, Gentlemen.

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    #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Grizzly View Post
    $48,000 for an aluminum boat equipped with Garmin accessories and a 115 is affordable?

    Asking for a friend.
    Holy shit. Really? That's quite the jump from a few years ago lol.

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    #12
    The storage and ride is quite different between the two. I went with the 1880. I love the ride, storage, fishability and performance. I can get 53 with 2 people and a full tank, and 55 with just me. I don't have a jackplate or anything, factory set up with a different prop. I do find the front deck a bit tight when the butt seat is in. But I just put my rods on the console side. I fish with the butt seat maybe 1 or 2 out of 10 trips out.
    2020 Vexus AVX 1880
    Evinrude E-Tec 135 HO
    Ultrex
    Lowrance

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    #13
    Quote Originally Posted by Grizzly View Post
    $48,000 for an aluminum boat equipped with Garmin accessories and a 115 is affordable?

    Asking for a friend.
    lol I just did my build on the site. So 4 years ago, it was $33K before taxes. Now it's $43K before taxes.

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    #14
    Yup big jump mine was $34.5000

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    #15
    Crazy pricing. Damn.

  16. Member Grizzly's Avatar
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    #16
    Aluminum prices are helping to drive up the cost.

  17. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
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    #17
    Quote Originally Posted by James 10 View Post
    Yup big jump mine was $34.5000
    Agreed. I paid $38,000 for my 2021.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175 (3B414035) Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,

  18. Member
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    #18
    Quote Originally Posted by GabeJ View Post
    I’m looking for an affordable aluminum boat. My primary concern is front deck width. I want a bunch of room to fish up there. I don’t care about speed or storage or even ride. I just want a great fishing platform. I live in rural Oregon. 3 hours from any bass boat dealer, so I do all my looking online.

    Which of these two boats has a better front deck. It seems the 1880 is pretty narrow. Is the 189 the same? Any measurements or advice is greatly appreciated.

    Thank you.

    Affordable is a relative term depending on who the buyer is. You need to simply decide what your max affordable boat budget is and compare front deck sizes on the boats in your price range. You mentioned speed, storage, and ride are not important to you, but front deck width is your primary concern. Easy to do once you decide what is affordable to you. Good luck! BTW, I own a 2022 AVX 1880 and it was affordable but overpriced in my opinion.