Choice to Mod?

[user 29]

Hey folks, long time lurker with a decision to make:
Do I keep the 1999 Xpress 1546VJF and do some upgrades OR do I move up to a 16/17 boat aluminum?
I would probably remove the outboard and move it to the new boat.
I need a new trolling motor after my Motorguide 54lb 12V burned out.
The 15' is great when I'm fish by myself but it's a bit cramped for tournaments.
A mod would include:
1. Addition of wood decking/w carpeting near trolling motor mount.
2. Extension of decking/w carpeting to livewell.
3. Addition of rod locker (the biggy).
4. Rear decking with/carpeting.
5. New electric.
6. Trailer Maintenance.
7. Considering removing the current steering console w/attached livewell and swapping with stand-alone steering console and center divided livewell.

I figure a budget (high) of 2K including trolling motor to upgrade my current ride vs minimum of 4K of purchase of new hull w/trailer for 16'.


Pics of my current boat:

 

[user 29]

More:

 

[Jim]

Great looking boat! Will the boat be able to handle the addition of all the decking and stuff? How many and what kind of Tourneys do you fish? I would keep it and upgrade if you can do the work yourself. An additional 2K for 1 additional foot in the end?

 

[user 29]

Final Set:

 

[user 29]

Great looking boat! Will the boat be able to handle the addition of all the decking and stuff? How many and what kind of Tourneys do you fish? I would keep it and upgrade if you can do the work yourself. An additional 2K for 1 additional foot in the end?

Thanks for the compliments! I did a dry run a few years ago with a few pieces of 3/4" and it worked out great for the front deck but the rear deck was a bit rough. My best case would be finding some sheet aluminum in reasonable thickness and use aluminum for reinforcement.
The $/ft does stick in my craw but many of the clubs in this area follow the BASS 16' rule. I currently fish 6 tournaments/yr in a small club and a couple of larger open tournaments with no length restrictions on boat size. It's the BASS thing.

***Sorry About The Dirty Boat***

 

[Jim]

Great looking boat! Will the boat be able to handle the addition of all the decking and stuff? How many and what kind of Tourneys do you fish? I would keep it and upgrade if you can do the work yourself. An additional 2K for 1 additional foot in the end?

Thanks for the compliments! I did a dry run a few years ago with a few pieces of 3/4" and it worked out great for the front deck but the rear deck was a bit rough. My best case would be finding some sheet aluminum in reasonable thickness and use aluminum for reinforcement.
The $/ft does stick in my craw but many of the clubs in this area follow the BASS 16' rule. I currently fish 6 tournaments/yr in a small club and a couple of larger open tournaments with no length restrictions on boat size. It's the BASS thing.

***Sorry About The Dirty Boat***

aaaahhhhh! the 16 foot rule, I forgot about that! Is it exactly 15 feet long or 15 and some change?

 

[user 29]

I've measured it bow to transom at 15'4" BUT the Xpress website states 15' even although this specific model appears to have been discontinued (1546VJF) 1546VJ is the current model.
I have the console/livewell + floor.

 

[Jim]

I think your good! Tell them it's 16 feet, they will never measure it. :wink:

 

[pbw]

That's a pretty nice boat.

 

[user 29]

I think your good! Tell them it's 16 feet, they will never measure it. :wink:

Someone protested me the first tournament of the 2006 season. It caused a major divide in the club, a long story for a long winter night!

 

[user 29]

That's a pretty nice boat.

Thanks very much.

 

[Jim]

I think your good! Tell them it's 16 feet, they will never measure it. :wink:

Someone protested me the first tournament of the 2006 season. It caused a major divide in the club, a long story for a long winter night!

Are you serious?....There is always 1 in the crowd.

 

[pbw]

I don't quiet understand the required boat length. I would have thought no limit would give more options, smaller board harder to fish from but goes to smaller places, larger boats easier to fish from but can't go to all places.

 

[user 29]

I don't quiet understand the required boat length. I would have thought no limit would give more options, smaller board harder to fish from but goes to smaller places, larger boats easier to fish from but can't go to all places.

Some may consider it to be a safety issue.

 

[redbug]

Any Bass. club that hold tournaments has insurance through bass
the insurance company has the length requirement and it is a safety issue.
another thing that most clubs don't realize is that the insurance doesn't cover night tournaments

 

[user 29]

Any Bass. club that hold tournaments has insurance through bass
the insurance company has the length requirement and it is a safety issue.
another thing that most clubs don't realize is that the insurance doesn't cover night tournaments

They should also be aware that it doesn't apply to BASS member to BASS member. It only extends to coverage BASS members liability to non-BASS members.
I find the claim of a 16' boat being much safer than a 15' boat dubious, considering the original boat length requirement for BASS was 14'. Debating the those issues weren't really the basis for this thread, rather getting input on making a decision.

 

[Jim]

If you do more tournaments and are planning to do more with them, then You should go for the bigger boat. That stinks though because your boat is killer!

 

[bassboy1]

If you do more tournaments and are planning to do more with them, then You should go for the bigger boat. That stinks though because your boat is killer!

Jim, you forgot about the possibility of MBS. MBS (multiple boat syndrome) is the best disease I have ever gotten. :lol:

 

[user 29]

Okay, a change in circumstances to report. My wife has made an offer; if I sell my boat and trailer (no motors) and hand her the cash, she will hand back that cash + an additional amount to purchase a new (larger) boat, trailer and new trolling motor. My current outboard would be moved to the new boat.
Now, what is a fair price for the boat and trailer? Xpress 1546VJF. Ideas?

 

[redbug]

What area are you in?
that makes a big difference, also what size motor can you install on the boat?
are there a lot of small limited hp lakes in the area?
i just sold a 1991 alumaweld 15ft with a 15 hp Yamaha stainless steel prop tilt and trim and trailer with 2 new tires it was a bass boat with raised decks and livewell I sold it for $900. I think i could have done a lot better but wanted it gone...


Wayne