Nice boat man! Gas shocks for the compartments would be easy to add. Alot of boat builders leave them off for more budget boats or to separate the basic models from higher end models. 🤙🦀🌴
Hey man, awesome vid, loving this boat, and to answer you ( sorry if someone already did) YES, the new model x18 has the hydraulic things you mentioned on all hatches now 👍
Thanks man! Yeah I’ve now seen some of the new models and saw that they do have it! Im glad they decided to add them but sucks that they didn’t do it sooner 😂
@@jamiehegarty_ You should reach out to Xpress and let them know others are looking at their boats because of you and maybe they can send you some hydraulic hinges! If not you could always look them up and install them yourself. I think they would be worth it.
If you're thinking about switching trolling motors, the Garmin force is much quieter than the Minnkota Ultrex. Something to keep in mind. I've have used them both.
Very nice boat! I am sure it is great to have aluminum as you can go into shallow water easier. I have some hydraulic lid supports (2) you can have as I bought them for my grandkids toy chest and never installed.. I will throw them in the truck and give them to you when I see you again. Love the Seadeck!. Pat
Thanks man! I really appreciate that!! Ill let you know when I’m heading back to the lake! Im currently at the beach doing some saltwater fishing! Thanks again Patrick!!
What your looking for is a gas strut, probably a 100nm resistance, any higher and you may bend the lid or damage the hinge further by applying unnecessary pressure to close. Thanks for the vid bro appreciate it, tight lines.
Just bought the same boat and love it except for trying to use reverse. Mine is completely useless in reverse in current or wind. How do you compensate for the lack of control in reverse? Good video
In a video i saw a guy said to trim the motor up so the force is pushing under the boat instead of into the transom like it would if the motor is trimmed down
Yes that’s what I normally do when it’s hard to reverse is trim up! The back of the boat is so flat it makes it really had to get any momentum going backwards
Do you still have this boat? I an looking at purchasing one now. You said you used yours in the intercostal water ways, how well did it handle waves and chop?
When it comes to problems with Xpress, they never listen to the customers! In my opinion, if they would move the gas tank up to where the driver and passenger sits, they can have a larger front deck for more space for rods and tackle and it’ll make more room for the batteries, extra prop etc etc!
So how long of a rod can you fit in the rod locker would you say with out bending the tip? My longest I have a 7'2" but most of my rods are 6'8 and 6'10.
well buddy....I saw you at the ramp with the Piedmont a few months back. I think we should get together and let me ride in that rascal. I am looking at getting the X19 but no one around here has one. Not been in an Xpress yet.
Yeah I remember you! Im currently spending some time at the beach right now trying to catch some salt water fish but ill let you know when I’m back in raleigh!
@@jamiehegarty_ Let's hit Falls before it gets too cold bubba. I have yet to take a test drive in an Xpress. I might bring you a few baits I make for the trouble. LOL If you are fishing the Piedmont Final on Kerr this Sat I will be there at weigh in since I have to do the sponsor thing there.
@@Markisuncfan sorry for the late response man I’m just now seeing this. I’m still on the coast right now and I’ll probably be spending the rest of winter here. I’ll be back in Raleigh for spring though!
Hey Jamie. I see you're in NC, I would love to hook and up go out on the water sometime. I am looking at purchasing an Xpress 18 as well, so I would like to check it out. I've been on a 21, but never the 18. Let me know if you'd be willing to do that.
Is the locker on the starboard side technically a rod locker too? In other words could you reverse the way you have your front deck organized and put your tackle in the port side and have 8' rod storage on the starboard side?
The trolling motor getting louder might be a side effect of using it in salt water. Make sure to thoroughly rinse it off after use. Could need to clean/grease the gears or whatever turns it.
Also you are looking for a pneumatic strut for the middle hatch. You might could find one that will rivet in without much modification/fabrication. The hinge could use some silicone lubricant or white lithium grease
There is something you can do which I did..is send your prop off to a reputable prop machine shop and have them put a little cupping on the edge of the blades and have them etched.. this will give the boat a little more lift and the blades grabbing the water more should give you a little more speed.. and it also helped my whole shot..
Why are the areas under the compartment lids so rusty/dirty? Also seems like there is a lot of dirt or rust inside some of the compartments. Does water get in or sit around the compartments?
Theres no rust on it. Its just dirt and dust and water doesn’t seem to get into the compartments from the top but the bottom of the compartments will get damp after fishing in the rain
May I ask how much it was when you bought it? I’ve been looking at this exact boat on their website it says 33,495$. But my local dealers is saying 44,499$ and that’s just the h18 not the x18.
I just bought the h18 in September and the dealer price is different than the price on the xpress site mainly because of the different upgrades. Everything on this boat is an upgrade but prices have gone up everywhere. I definitely like the boat and would recommend it for sure. Make sure you get the 24 volt trolling motor on it. You won't be happy with the 12 volt edge. It's a fun boat
No it’s definitely not waterproof. If You’re planning on leaving it outside or fishing in the rain, the bottom of the compartments will get soggy and damp.
Well i have a humminbird on the back and a garmin on the front so I don’t think the hummingbird transducer thats on the ultrex would work on the garmin if thats what you mean
@@jamiehegarty_ no, no. can you tuck the excess wire from the trolling motor for the built in transducer into the trolling motor head? the terrova allows this
Like i said in the video in the video I don’t have much experience with other boats to compare it to but I’ve had my buddies tell me it handles it good!
Thank you. That was the best review of Xpress I have seen. And you answered the questions I had, the rod locker and the speed with a 115.
Thank you I really appreciate it! Im glad i was able to help!! Let me know if you have any other questions man!!
I agree, wholeheartedly. Great job reviewing.
I have a 2021 x19 with the exact color scheme with a sho 175 and I’m very happy with it 👍🏻
Nice boat man! Gas shocks for the compartments would be easy to add. Alot of boat builders leave them off for more budget boats or to separate the basic models from higher end models. 🤙🦀🌴
Hey man, awesome vid, loving this boat, and to answer you ( sorry if someone already did) YES, the new model x18 has the hydraulic things you mentioned on all hatches now 👍
Thanks man! Yeah I’ve now seen some of the new models and saw that they do have it! Im glad they decided to add them but sucks that they didn’t do it sooner 😂
@@jamiehegarty_ You should reach out to Xpress and let them know others are looking at their boats because of you and maybe they can send you some hydraulic hinges! If not you could always look them up and install them yourself. I think they would be worth it.
@@SaulMaddox yeah I don’t think they’re that expensive online so I’ll probably order some soon!
The hydraulic struts can be purchased at any auto parts store.
If you're thinking about switching trolling motors, the Garmin force is much quieter than the Minnkota Ultrex. Something to keep in mind. I've have used them both.
Very nice boat! I am sure it is great to have aluminum as you can go into shallow water easier. I have some hydraulic lid supports (2) you can have as I bought them for my grandkids toy chest and never installed.. I will throw them in the truck and give them to you when I see you again. Love the Seadeck!. Pat
Thanks man! I really appreciate that!! Ill let you know when I’m heading back to the lake! Im currently at the beach doing some saltwater fishing! Thanks again Patrick!!
Excellent job. Looking at Xpress now. Narrowed down to Xpress or Crestliner. Thanks for the review.
Thanks man! I hope its was helpful with making your choice!
Which crestliner? Did u choose one and why? I’m looking at crestliner xf189
Thanks for the vid. How’s the boat still holding up? Trying to decide between this boat and the x19!
What your looking for is a gas strut, probably a 100nm resistance, any higher and you may bend the lid or damage the hinge further by applying unnecessary pressure to close. Thanks for the vid bro appreciate it, tight lines.
Thank you! I really appreciate the info! Im going to need to get those installed ASAP!
Just bought the same boat and love it except for trying to use reverse. Mine is completely useless in reverse in current or wind. How do you compensate for the lack of control in reverse? Good video
In a video i saw a guy said to trim the motor up so the force is pushing under the boat instead of into the transom like it would if the motor is trimmed down
@@burgermeister3443 thanks burgermeister. I'm gonna give that a shot.
Yes that’s what I normally do when it’s hard to reverse is trim up! The back of the boat is so flat it makes it really had to get any momentum going backwards
Do you still have this boat? I an looking at purchasing one now. You said you used yours in the intercostal water ways, how well did it handle waves and chop?
When it comes to problems with Xpress, they never listen to the customers! In my opinion, if they would move the gas tank up to where the driver and passenger sits, they can have a larger front deck for more space for rods and tackle and it’ll make more room for the batteries, extra prop etc etc!
WD40 on those hinges might do the trick. Great review! Thank you!Brian
So how long of a rod can you fit in the rod locker would you say with out bending the tip? My longest I have a 7'2" but most of my rods are 6'8 and 6'10.
well buddy....I saw you at the ramp with the Piedmont a few months back. I think we should get together and let me ride in that rascal. I am looking at getting the X19 but no one around here has one. Not been in an Xpress yet.
Yeah I remember you! Im currently spending some time at the beach right now trying to catch some salt water fish but ill let you know when I’m back in raleigh!
I'm looking at an x19 as well. I'm in fuquay. You fish Harris at all? I can't find one to go see before I buy! 😪
@@jamiehegarty_ Let's hit Falls before it gets too cold bubba. I have yet to take a test drive in an Xpress. I might bring you a few baits I make for the trouble. LOL If you are fishing the Piedmont Final on Kerr this Sat I will be there at weigh in since I have to do the sponsor thing there.
@@Markisuncfan sorry for the late response man I’m just now seeing this. I’m still on the coast right now and I’ll probably be spending the rest of winter here. I’ll be back in Raleigh for spring though!
That works. Thanks
Hey Jamie. I see you're in NC, I would love to hook and up go out on the water sometime. I am looking at purchasing an Xpress 18 as well, so I would like to check it out. I've been on a 21, but never the 18. Let me know if you'd be willing to do that.
Is the locker on the starboard side technically a rod locker too? In other words could you reverse the way you have your front deck organized and put your tackle in the port side and have 8' rod storage on the starboard side?
The trolling motor getting louder might be a side effect of using it in salt water. Make sure to thoroughly rinse it off after use. Could need to clean/grease the gears or whatever turns it.
Also you are looking for a pneumatic strut for the middle hatch. You might could find one that will rivet in without much modification/fabrication. The hinge could use some silicone lubricant or white lithium grease
As long as your RPM at wide open throttle is within the recommended range, i would just keep the prop you have
There is something you can do which I did..is send your prop off to a reputable prop machine shop and have them put a little cupping on the edge of the blades and have them etched.. this will give the boat a little more lift and the blades grabbing the water more should give you a little more speed.. and it also helped my whole shot..
How much $$$?
Why are the areas under the compartment lids so rusty/dirty? Also seems like there is a lot of dirt or rust inside some of the compartments. Does water get in or sit around the compartments?
Theres no rust on it. Its just dirt and dust and water doesn’t seem to get into the compartments from the top but the bottom of the compartments will get damp after fishing in the rain
How well has everything held up to saltwater? Im looking at one of these but looking to run in solely in brackish and salt.
Are you satisfied with that 18 gallon gas tank or do you wish you had a bigger tank ?
I’m pretty sure it’s bigger than 18, but I haven’t noticed it if is, i probably have to fill it up every 2-3 trips!
Mine is 32 gallons
How is the flooring holding up?
The seadeck or just actual floor?
How does this boat turn, when you have this thing going fill tilt?
May I ask how much it was when you bought it? I’ve been looking at this exact boat on their website it says 33,495$. But my local dealers is saying 44,499$ and that’s just the h18 not the x18.
I just bought the h18 in September and the dealer price is different than the price on the xpress site mainly because of the different upgrades. Everything on this boat is an upgrade but prices have gone up everywhere. I definitely like the boat and would recommend it for sure. Make sure you get the 24 volt trolling motor on it. You won't be happy with the 12 volt edge. It's a fun boat
How well does it handle 10-15 MPH winds?
Pretty good! Something I should have mentioned is that it’s good at deflecting the water when your going straight into to wind and the rollers!
Dose all the storage stay dry? Because that's the biggest problem I run into with tracker there so called dry storage sucks.
No it’s definitely not waterproof. If You’re planning on leaving it outside or fishing in the rain, the bottom of the compartments will get soggy and damp.
My tracker front storage is where I used to keep my life jacket until it got wet and inflated in that small compartment
Do the boxes stay pretty dry in the rain ?
Yessir
🙌🙌
Are you still liking your boat??
Yes! I’ve recently ran into some trolling motor issues but besides that the actual boat has been great!
can you not shove the excess humminbird wire into the unit? you can with the terrova
Well i have a humminbird on the back and a garmin on the front so I don’t think the hummingbird transducer thats on the ultrex would work on the garmin if thats what you mean
@@jamiehegarty_ no, no. can you tuck the excess wire from the trolling motor for the built in transducer into the trolling motor head? the terrova allows this
How fast does it run fully loaded with two people
About 46mph!
I think I just fount my new favorite CZcams fisherman the ones that are local seems better because I try to copy how they fish 😂
Haha thanks bro. I hope my videos help!
How long of a rod will it hold
8ft is the longest i can fit
what kinda drone you use?
Dji mini 2
what is the draft?
Like 15” i think
How does this handle rough water? Does the hull smack a lot making it a hard uncomfortable ride?
Like i said in the video in the video I don’t have much experience with other boats to compare it to but I’ve had my buddies tell me it handles it good!
Oil the hinge
Snoozzzz
Is the sea deck loud? As far as rattling
Also do the compartments leak bad? I see they don’t have seals