June 22, 2012
By Sam Hudson
The Xpress Boats H20 Bay boat may be the smallest vessel in the Hyper-Lift series, but it sure doesn't feel that way. The aluminum hull—that's right, Xpress Boats are all-welded aluminum boats—allows for a fast holeshot and sharp turning radius. Testing the boat on a nasty day, the boat handled the chop while running wide open, yet it was quiet during drifts for seatrout.
“That's because of the Unibody Injected Foam construction,” said Xpress Boats' Clay Connor. “It's not ‘hollow' like other aluminum boat manufacturer's builds.”
Wet decks won't trip up anglers because of Xpress' Xtreme Coat floor liner. Top features include two fold-down fishing seats with 13-inch extensions, two stern “jump” seats, built-in lockable rod boxes, leaning post and loaded fiberglass center-console with baitwell.
Florida Sportsman's Sam Hudson met with Clay Connor, Bobby Bittinger and other crew from Xpress Boats to test out the 20-foot aluminum bay boat on the Indian River Lagoon. The team from Xpress was on a cross country trip, touring its new boats from their headquarters in Arkansas. Home base is in Hot Springs. Xpress Boats first made a name for itself in bass fishing, and has now crossed over into the saltwater arena.
Check out the exclusive photos below of this unique aluminum boat.
Xpress Boats
www.xpressboats.com
199 Extrusion Place
Hot Springs, AR 71901
501-262-5300
Xpress Boats H20 Bay Specifications:
Length Overall: 20 feet, 3 inches
Beam: 7 feet, 11 inches
Fuel capacity: 30 gallons
Maximum horsepower: 150 hp
Transom Height: 22 inches
Approximate Weight: 1,436 pounds
Base price: $22,995 with a Yamaha F115
*Click on image to view caption.
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