Help me choose a 22’ aluminum bay boat

[CRB357]

Looking to go from an 18’ to a 22ft. I fish mostly Louisiana Gulf Coast inshore marshes for Red fish in very shallow like 12”-18” and bays for Spec trout. Also go to Toledo Bend for bass and booze cruising with friends and family. Storage for boat is no longer an issue.

Right now with the 18’ I have to pick my days when the wind isn’t above 12 mph. Bays get too rough and the wind blows the little 18’ around in the marsh. Also, it’s a 2 person max fishing boat size/space wise.

Aluminum is the only way for me. Too many oyster reefs and other stuff. I prefer the light weight and ease of care. So not interested in glass boats.

Not looking for a “flats” boat or anything. Just a regular bay boat that can handle rough water with 4 people and fish in 15” of water.

How shallow can a boat like a 22ft Express H22 or similar type of boat go? People are telling me they can float in 14”.

 

[Crazyboat]

Looking to go from an 18’ to a 22ft. I fish mostly Louisiana Gulf Coast inshore marshes for Red fish in very shallow like 12”-18” and bays for Spec trout. Also go to Toledo Bend for bass and booze cruising with friends and family. Storage for boat is no longer an issue.

Right now with the 18’ I have to pick my days when the wind isn’t above 12 mph. Bays get too rough and the wind blows the little 18’ around in the marsh. Also, it’s a 2 person max fishing boat size/space wise.

Aluminum is the only way for me. Too many oyster reefs and other stuff. I prefer the light weight and ease of care. So not interested in glass boats.

Not looking for a “flats” boat or anything. Just a regular bay boat that can handle rough water with 4 people and fish in 15” of water.

How shallow can a boat like a 22ft Express H22 or similar type of boat go? People are telling me they can float in 14”.

Floating in 14" and running in 14" are very different. add at least another 12" on to that unless you run a JET, even then I'd want to add 6" to be safe. IDK what kind of bottoms you fish, but if firm enough you can always get out and push a light boat as long as you've got some water under you.

 

[CRB357]

Floating in a foot of water fishing with prop up out water. Ha, I’m not running 14” man.

 

[AlanT]

The Avid aluminum boats look nice, but I haven't been on one and no idea of cost.

 

[CRB357]

I believe it was an Avid I looked at a few weeks ago. The front deck was very narrow.

 

[CRB357]

I’m more concerned about bigger boats floating in shallow water. I’ll narrow it down once I know which boats will actually do what I need them to do.

 

[Alvarez1112]

I can't help with the draft of boats, but I would definitely recommend getting eyes on all potential boats that you're interested in. The build quality and fit/finish may choose for you. I just picked up a new Prodrive boat (not the same I know) but I looked at several other manufactures and the build quality was night and day different. I wasn't too impressed with the Excel boats. I checked out an Avid while that the dealer had on the lot and it was quite a bit nicer. Much more solid and quieter, even down to the weld quality.

 

[CRB357]

I guess what I need to know is when a manufacturer says 14” draft, what is the real world number? I’m assuming any specifications are “dry” with no gear, fuel, etc in the boat. I want to know if anyone has a 22ft+ aluminum and if they can fish in shallow water.

 

[surfsidenick]

Looking to go from an 18’ to a 22ft. I fish mostly Louisiana Gulf Coast inshore marshes for Red fish in very shallow like 12”-18” and bays for Spec trout. Also go to Toledo Bend for bass and booze cruising with friends and family. Storage for boat is no longer an issue.

Right now with the 18’ I have to pick my days when the wind isn’t above 12 mph. Bays get too rough and the wind blows the little 18’ around in the marsh. Also, it’s a 2 person max fishing boat size/space wise.

Aluminum is the only way for me. Too many oyster reefs and other stuff. I prefer the light weight and ease of care. So not interested in glass boats.

Not looking for a “flats” boat or anything. Just a regular bay boat that can handle rough water with 4 people and fish in 15” of water.

How shallow can a boat like a 22ft Express H22 or similar type of boat go? People are telling me they can float in 14”.

Aluminum Ranger RB 200 might fit your requirements

 

[David Atkins]

Looking to go from an 18’ to a 22ft. I fish mostly Louisiana Gulf Coast inshore marshes for Red fish in very shallow like 12”-18” and bays for Spec trout. Also go to Toledo Bend for bass and booze cruising with friends and family. Storage for boat is no longer an issue.

Right now with the 18’ I have to pick my days when the wind isn’t above 12 mph. Bays get too rough and the wind blows the little 18’ around in the marsh. Also, it’s a 2 person max fishing boat size/space wise.

Aluminum is the only way for me. Too many oyster reefs and other stuff. I prefer the light weight and ease of care. So not interested in glass boats.

Not looking for a “flats” boat or anything. Just a regular bay boat that can handle rough water with 4 people and fish in 15” of water.

How shallow can a boat like a 22ft Express H22 or similar type of boat go? People are telling me they can float in 14”.

I did a lot of research on just this same type of boat; found the Avid 23 mag. fit my book of needs.

SPECS​

Length
22' 7"
Beam
101"
Transom Height
25"
Max Horsepower
250 HP
Side Height
27"
Bottom Width
69"
Approximate Draft
12"
Aluminum - 5052 Marine Grade Alloy
0.125
Deadrise @ Transom
13°
Deadrise @ Entry
45°
Approximate Weight
1,634 LBS
Fuel Capacity
50 Gallons*
Forward Livewell/Baitwell
25 Gallons
In-Console Livewell
10.5 Gallons
Persons and Total Persons Weight
8/1157 lbs
Max Weight Capacity
2030 lbs

website: https://avid-boats.com/23-mag/

 

[David Atkins]

I believe it was an Avid I looked at a few weeks ago. The front deck was very narrow.

I didn't feel like the front deck of Avid 23 mag was too narrow, but I'm not holding a dance up there either, had my wife and I on it and it seemed like we had enough room to cast and fish together without bumping into each other!