Help me choose a 22’ aluminum bay boat

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That would be the X23B Lounge. I need to go see the equivalent Avid. I really like the Crestliner Bay 20. Nice and wide. They don’t make anything bigger than that though. Lowe has nice looking boat too.
 
After thinking on it, I think the best plan is to keep my 18’ and get a bigger 24ft, like that Lounge series from Express. All issues solved. Now to convince wife…🤣
I liked the express with the lounge but didn't consider it because of the poor trailer quality that Express uses under their boats; struggled with let's build a better boat on haul it on a junk trailer to save some money; we don't care about our customers and their issues with hauling their boats around! Turned my stomach! The 24 foot lounge boat was terrific though...
 
I liked the express with the lounge but didn't consider it because of the poor trailer quality that Express uses under their boats; struggled with let's build a better boat on haul it on a junk trailer to save some money; we don't care about our customers and their issues with hauling their boats around! Turned my stomach! The 24 foot lounge boat was terrific though...
They certainly had some weld quality issues in trailers for a period but considering the amount of xpress boats out there on backtrack trailers that have never had issues the problem isn't as large as some make out. They also have several options and upgrades for the trailers including an HD option with larger frame.
 
They certainly had some weld quality issues in trailers for a period but considering the amount of xpress boats out there on backtrack trailers that have never had issues the problem isn't as large as some make out. They also have several options and upgrades for the trailers including an HD option with larger frame.
Yes, I know but after a good fishing buddy of mine had issues with his trailer and then issues getting it fixed I felt the need to go in another direction, the option of buying a larger HD Trailer sounds nice but considering the total cost of the BMT Rig the trailer should have been a better one to start with - just my thoughts here, it's like buying a new card only to find out you need to option out for better tires!
 
How long ago was all this?
2022 later part of that year, we were going fishing when trailer gave way at axle brackets causing all kinds of damage to the trailer but thankfully not the boat. Took him about a month to get things fixed and back on the road with his fishing rig. Dealer was no help at all and just kept saying it's the manufacturers fault and they have to fix it!
 
2022 later part of that year, we were going fishing when trailer gave way at axle brackets causing all kinds of damage to the trailer but thankfully not the boat. Took him about a month to get things fixed and back on the road with his fishing rig. Dealer was no help at all and just kept saying it's the manufacturers fault and they have to fix it!
That's a shame! and is an important reminder that the dealer itself is certainly a part of the equation when picking out a new boat these days.
 
Check out the Sea Ark Shadow series.

I had a Xpress H20Bay. It was a good boat. Has a step hull. Real world draft with a normal fishing load is 12" to float with engine tilted. I probably would have kept it if it was the flat bottom tunnel hull they offer. Some of the areas I fish are super shallow, rocky, and full of oyster bars. I now have a Lowe 1652MT with a jack plate and iPilot trolling motor. Less worry about and I don't usually fish with more than a buddy.
 
I was pretty set on a Express/Excel/Lowe/Avid type bay boat. However I hunt out of my boat. Last week I launched into the Atchafalaya and after running my boat up on the rocks to park it for the 5th time that day, it dawned on me that I couldn’t just do that with a $50k boat. I like not worrying about stuff like that. Right now my “Bay” boat is really just a Jon with Mod V hull with a cc. How big a difference in ride quality is there between your avg mod v jon and one of these aluminum bay boats? I’ve never had the chance to ride in one. Thinking maybe a 22ft jon might be best for what all I do.
 

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