In the market for a new boat

I need to upgrade from my little SeaArk 1648 MV Special. I have two boys and the little jon boat aint cutting it. Back in early 2000's I had a G3 gator tough, it was a decent boat but I am wanting some more bells and whistles. I have been eyeballing Excel EX 203 crappie, SeaArk Flex 21 Pro ($$$$$$), Excel bay pro 220, and Avid 22 Recon. I know SeaArk probably makes the best aluminum boat, but they are impossible to find on a lot to see the layouts etc. Anyone have any experience with Xcel or Avid. I see cracked hulls on facebook for the xcel, so that is worrisome, but you only see the negative reviews. Are there any boats that I am overlooking? Be used to crappie fish, bass fish, and maybe some catfishing.

I likes the flex and the seaark flat cat jet.

I have the Seaark BC 210 . If you want some input on mine shoot me a pm. Scott

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Originally Posted by BAMA S

I likes the flex and the seaark flat cat jet.

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how would that flat cat fish for crappie and bass? No doubt it’s fantastic for fishing cats.

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Originally Posted by msu33

I need to upgrade from my little SeaArk 1648 MV Special. I have two boys and the little jon boat aint cutting it. Back in early 2000's I had a G3 gator tough, it was a decent boat but I am wanting some more bells and whistles. I have been eyeballing Excel EX 203 crappie, SeaArk Flex 21 Pro ($$$$$$), Excel bay pro 220, and Avid 22 Recon. I know SeaArk probably makes the best aluminum boat, but they are impossible to find on a lot to see the layouts etc. Anyone have any experience with Xcel or Avid. I see cracked hulls on facebook for the xcel, so that is worrisome, but you only see the negative reviews. Are there any boats that I am overlooking? Be used to crappie fish, bass fish, and maybe some catfishing.

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There's a beautiful Triton in the for sale section by Blueball, check it out!.

I have a Tracker pro crappie 2006 175 with a 60hp 4stroke merc. its been a good all around boat. with bait wells. I multispecies fish out of it on the Mississippi and the only issue I have is the wind. if its over 15 to 20 mph. sips fuel and I fit 4 comfortable on it.
I've put it through the paces and it withstands it well for a cheap price point.

Yeah, wind can be an issue with aluminum boats. I am looking at used bass boats too.

I fish out of an aluminum boat, and the only downside is the wind. Everything else is a plus for me. :twocents

agree with you. Id rather have aluminum for various reasons. Those high sides and being light weight makes windy days nearly impossible.

I have fished out of an aluminum boat since 1993 and finally got enough and bought a glass boat. I still have my Triton 1860SC aluminum boat and love it but got tired of getting blown around and beat to death if the lake has much more than a chop on it. The boat I bought is a 04 Triton TR21 X with a 24 Mercury 250 ProXS, wish I had done it years ago. I gave 26k for my boat, there are some good deals out there if you just look around.

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Originally Posted by justinp61

I have fished out of an aluminum boat since 1993 and finally got enough and bought a glass boat. I still have my Triton 1860SC aluminum boat and love it but got tired of getting blown around and beat to death if the lake has much more than a chop on it. The boat I bought is a 04 Triton TR21 X with a 24 Mercury 250 ProXS, wish I had done it years ago. I gave 26k for my boat, there are some good deals out there if you just look around.

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I totally agree lol. if i fished nothing but lakes id buy a glass boat. dream boat is a ranger 622.

So many used glass boats for sale. I am not sure on what is good and what is not. I just have not researched them much. Here locally there are quite a few phoenix boats for sale. I believe they are built down the road from me in Winchester TN.