Thread: Getting new boat! G3 or Xpress

The perfect boat for south La. would have to be a Transformer. That way it could change to anything from a pirogue to 24 footer on a seconds notice. One can dream or listen to the grandsons.
"gene"

Originally Posted by MO Slab

I'm boat shopping also...Triton has stopped making aluminum boats...G3 and Tracker have wood....Alumacraft has rivets...War Eagle(great boat but pricey)....I think I'm leaning towards Xpress XP170SS with spray liner and 60 Merc 4 stroke Bigfoot......I've talked to several dealers and H&M(Crowley) has the best prices around.....boat and trailer only can be purchasedThumbs Up

Hey Marty....read up on that Bigfoot, that lower unt is mostly made for lugging like pontoons and heavy slower pushes. I've been researching motors too, and didn't realize that until lately. Not sure if that fits your criteria.

Anyway, I've been playing with motor upgrades too. Currently have an Alweld 1548 with custom decks and bench, with 25yam elec start/tiller, has pull start for backup, one battery for all including trolling motor. I tell ya its a great low maint rig for mostly one man fishing like me, its almost 6yrs old now. I can do it all, load with pirogues, hunt, fish, shallow, logs, etc and not sweat the scratches.

But the new motor bug has struck, and unless I get the 15" transom built up to 20", the 40hp elec tiller non-TnT choices are slim. Everything is a compromise, and this will be my first 4stroke when it happens. I certainly have enjoyed eyeing all the different new outboards at Larto/Saline, man you can see them all running in one day and talk to owners LOL. Can't do that anywhere else!

Yeah Mark, I went check out Hanko's awhile back..His son is the one who suggested the "Bigfoot"....larger gear case and prop shaft...certainly would handle more abuse from the areas I fish...I will look into it further though.I'll tell you what guys,that Mercury 4-stroke is awesome! Very Quiet and burns hardly nothing!

Express or Triton aluminum, I have a 17'6" Triton with a 90 Merc. Very good boat and durable. But my crappie boat is a 15'3" Tidecraft Crappie fiberglass boat with stick steering and a 50 Nissan outboard. Probably the best cranking and running outboard I have ever owned.