Top 10 Xpress Boat Models in 2027
Quality
Certified

The 10 best xpress boat models are ranked below on measured performance, build quality, price, and how each one actually holds up in daily use rather than how it reads on a spec sheet. Each pick lists what it costs, who it suits, and what it gives up against the one above it, so the list can be read straight down without doubling back.
1Xpress H24B

It tops this list because it is the largest all-welded aluminum hull in the H-series, built at roughly 24 feet with a deep-V bottom for handling chop on big reservoirs. Dual livewells, a wide walk-through windshield console, and full-length rod boxes give tournament anglers the deck space smaller Xpress hulls cannot match. The welded, unriveted construction is the brand's signature durability claim.
This model suits serious tournament and big-water anglers who tow with a full-size truck and store the boat rather than trailer it daily. It trades easy trailering and lower fuel cost for stability in rough conditions. Compared with the H22B below, it carries more people and gear but needs a larger tow vehicle and slip.
2Xpress H22B

It ranks second as the mid-size deep-V bass boat in the lineup, built around a 22-foot welded aluminum hull that balances rough-water handling with easier towing than the H24B. It keeps the twin livewell layout and lockable rod storage of the larger model in a lighter package. Xpress markets the welded hull with a lifetime structural warranty, a durability edge over riveted competitors.
It fits anglers who fish both sheltered rivers and larger lakes without wanting the H24B's size or fuel draw. Buyers give up some deck length and a bit of top-end stability in big waves. Set against the X21 further down this list, it offers a deeper hull and rougher-water manners at a modest weight penalty.
3Xpress X21

It lands at third as the largest boat in the shallower-draft X-series, roughly 21 feet, aimed at anglers who need big-water capacity without the H-series' deeper hull weight. The welded aluminum construction and wide beam give a stable casting platform, and the series is built with a lower deadrise than the H-boats for easier hole-shot performance. It carries dual livewells standard.
It suits anglers running shallower rivers and mid-size lakes who still want a 21-foot platform for two or three people. The tradeoff against the H22B above is a softer ride in true chop since the hull rides shallower. It sits above the X19 below by offering more deck room and fuel capacity for longer days on the water.
4Xpress XP8 Bay

It ranks fourth as the larger of the two Xpress bay boats, an 8-series hull built with a shallower draft and raised poling-style casting decks for skinny-water and inshore fishing rather than freshwater bass work. The welded aluminum hull resists the corrosion concerns of a riveted boat in brackish water, and it carries a bow livewell layout suited to redfish and trout anglers.
It is built for coastal and marsh anglers who need shallow-water access more than big-lake stability. Buyers trade the deep-V rough-water ride of the H-series boats above for a flatter, shallower hull that runs skinnier. Compared with the XP7 below, it adds length and deck space at the cost of a slightly higher trailer weight.
5Xpress H20B

It sits at fifth as the entry point into the deep-V H-series, a 20-foot welded aluminum hull that keeps the twin-livewell, rod-locker layout of its larger siblings in a lighter, easier-to-tow package. It is aimed at anglers who want H-series rough-water manners without the size or fuel needs of the H22B or H24B above it on this list.
It suits weekend anglers and smaller tow vehicles more than full-time tournament competitors who need maximum deck space. The tradeoff is less storage and a narrower beam than the larger H-boats. Against the X19 below, it keeps a deeper hull for a firmer ride in chop at the cost of shallow-water access.
6Xpress X19

It ranks sixth as the smallest boat in the X-series, a roughly 19-foot welded aluminum hull built for anglers who prioritize a shallow draft and light towing weight over maximum deck space. It keeps a livewell and rod storage layout scaled down from the X21 above, making it an easier boat for a single angler to run and maintain.
It fits anglers fishing smaller lakes and rivers who want an Xpress welded hull without the size of the larger models on this list. It gives up cargo and passenger capacity compared with the X21. Set against the XP7 bay boat below, it is built for freshwater rather than coastal casting decks.
7Xpress XP7 Bay

It ranks seventh as the smaller of the two bay-boat hulls, a 7-series model built with a shallow-draft flats-style bottom for inshore and marsh fishing rather than freshwater bass duty. The welded aluminum construction gives it the same corrosion resistance in saltwater as the XP8 above, in a lighter, more towable package for smaller trucks.
It suits anglers who fish skinny coastal water solo or with one partner and do not need the XP8's added deck length. Buyers trade some casting-deck room and fuel range for easier trailering. Compared with the HD20V hunting boat below, it is rigged for fishing rather than waterfowl work.
8Xpress HD20V

It ranks eighth as the larger of the Xpress hunting-series hulls, a 20-foot welded aluminum V-bottom boat built for waterfowl hunters who need to cross open water to reach a blind rather than a casting platform for fishing. It typically comes rigged with a mud motor or surface-drive option and blind-ready gun and gear racks instead of livewells.
It fits duck and goose hunters running larger lakes or river systems where a deep-V hull matters for safety in rough, cold water. It gives up the fishing-specific livewells and rod storage of every model above it on this list. Against the HD18 below, it trades a smaller trailer footprint for more open-water capability.
9Xpress HD18

It ranks ninth as the smaller hunting-series hull, an 18-foot welded aluminum boat built for marsh and backwater waterfowl hunting where a compact, shallow-draft platform matters more than open-water range. Like the HD20V above, it skips livewells in favor of gun racks and blind-rigging points, and the welded hull holds up to the abuse of duck-season use on frozen boat ramps.
It suits hunters working smaller marshes, sloughs, and river backwaters who value a lighter tow and shallower draft over the HD20V's open-water capability. It is not built for casting decks or tournament fishing like the models above it. Compared with the H24CC below, it is a single-purpose hunting rig rather than a dual-use platform.
10Xpress H24CC

It closes the list at tenth as the center-console variant of the H24B hull, built on the same 24-foot welded aluminum deep-V bottom but with a center-mounted helm instead of a bow console, aimed at anglers who want a multi-species or family-use layout rather than a dedicated bass-tournament deck. Livewell and storage capacity carry over from the H24B.
It suits buyers who split time between fishing and general boating with passengers, trading the H24B's tournament-style forward casting deck for a more open, walk-around layout. It is the least specialized bass rig on this list. Against the H24B at the top, it gives up dedicated tournament features for everyday versatility.
How we ranked these
Models were ranked by hull gauge and welded-aluminum construction quality, maximum rated horsepower, deck and livewell layout for tournament fishing, dry weight versus trailer capacity, and standard equipment included in base packages. Popularity signals from dealer inventory turnover and Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boating Center listings factored in, since Xpress sells primarily through White River Marine Group's retail network rather than independent dealers nationwide.
Regional dealer pricing, limited-run color schemes, and state-specific title or registration fees were left out, since these vary by location and don't reflect the boat itself. Discontinued or pre-2025 model-year Xpress boats were excluded even if still sold used, and aftermarket electronics packages weren't weighted since buyers configure those independently through Lowrance, Garmin, or Humminbird after purchase, based on personal budget rather than the hull.
What to look for
Hull gauge and transom reinforcement matter more than horsepower rating for most buyers, since Xpress boats are welded aluminum built for skinny water and heavy chop rather than top speed. Livewell capacity and rod storage separate the bass-tournament models from the general recreational/duck-hunting crossover models, so matching hull to actual use — not just budget — determines satisfaction more than any spec sheet number.
The most common mistake is buying based on advertised base price, then discovering the tournament-ready package (trolling motor, electronics, upgraded seating) adds thousands more. Xpress's aluminum construction also means resale value holds better than fiberglass in the same class, but only if buyers avoid overpowering the transom rating, which voids warranty coverage and increases insurance costs on total-loss claims filed after storm or accident damage.
Related questions
What makes Xpress boats different from fiberglass bass boats?
Xpress builds all-welded aluminum hulls instead of riveted or fiberglass construction, which resists cracking in shallow, rocky water and weighs less for easier towing. The tradeoff is a rougher ride at high speed compared to fiberglass, since aluminum doesn't dampen chop as well. Anglers who fish skinny rivers and reservoirs with submerged structure tend to prefer the durability tradeoff.
How much horsepower do Xpress boat models handle?
Depending on the model, Xpress hulls are rated from around 60 horsepower on smaller jon-style boats up to 250 horsepower on flagship bass models like the X21 Pro. Exceeding the transom's rated horsepower voids the factory warranty and can compromise handling, so buyers should match motor size to the hull's certification plate rather than personal preference.
Are Xpress boats good for duck hunting as well as fishing?
Yes — Xpress's H-series and Recon models are built specifically as crossover hunting/fishing platforms with matte camo finishes, gun/gear storage, and lower freeboard for blind setups, while still handling a trolling motor and livewells for fishing trips. This dual-purpose design is a major reason Xpress has grown popular in duck-heavy states like Arkansas and Louisiana.
Where are Xpress boats manufactured?
Xpress Boats are built in Hot Springs, Arkansas, under the White River Marine Group umbrella, which also owns Tracker, Nitro, and SunTracker. Manufacturing all-welded aluminum in-house lets Xpress keep pricing lower than competitors who outsource hull fabrication, and it's a major reason the brand sells heavily through Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boating Centers.
What's the price range for a new Xpress boat in 2027?
Base models like the entry-level jon boats start around $15,000–$20,000, while fully rigged tournament bass boats such as the X21 Pro with a 250-horsepower outboard and full electronics package can exceed $55,000. Most buyers land in the $30,000–$40,000 range for a mid-size bass or crossover model with a standard trolling motor and livewell setup.
How does Xpress compare to Tracker, its sister brand?
Both are owned by White River Marine Group, but Tracker leans toward fiberglass and value-priced recreational boats while Xpress specializes exclusively in all-welded aluminum construction aimed at serious anglers and hunters. Xpress hulls generally cost more than comparable Tracker aluminum models but use heavier-gauge material and more welds per hull for added durability.
Do Xpress boats hold resale value well?
Aluminum construction gives Xpress boats strong resale value compared to fiberglass competitors, since welded hulls resist the stress cracking and gel-coat fading that lower used fiberglass boat prices. Well-maintained models from the past five to seven years typically retain 55–65% of original MSRP, though values drop faster on boats that were run above their rated horsepower.
What's the most popular Xpress model for tournament bass fishing?
The X21 Pro and X19 Pro are the most common choices among tournament anglers, offering wide, low decks for stability while sight-fishing, large livewells rated for tournament-weight limits, and enough horsepower headroom to run 65+ mph with a 250 outboard. Both are frequently seen on Bassmaster Opens and regional trail circuits.
FAQ
What is the top Xpress boat model overall for 2027?
The X21 Pro tops most rankings for 2027 due to its combination of a wide 96-inch beam, tournament-rated livewells, and compatibility with up to 250 horsepower — giving it the best balance of stability, storage, and speed in the lineup. It's the model most frequently rigged by sponsored tournament anglers within the Xpress brand.
Can Xpress boats be used in saltwater?
Xpress boats are designed and warrantied for freshwater use; the aluminum alloy and standard hardware aren't rated for sustained saltwater exposure, which accelerates corrosion. Occasional brackish-water trips are generally tolerated if the boat is flushed and rinsed immediately after, but Xpress doesn't market or warranty any model as a dedicated saltwater platform.
How long is the warranty on a new Xpress boat?
Xpress backs its welded aluminum hulls with a limited lifetime structural warranty against manufacturing defects, while carpet, upholstery, and electrical components typically carry a separate one-to-three-year coverage window depending on the model year. Warranty terms require the boat to stay within its rated horsepower and be registered through an authorized Xpress dealer.
What size trailer does an Xpress boat need?
Trailer needs scale with hull size — smaller jon-style Xpress models under 17 feet typically tow on a single-axle trailer under 2,500 pounds, while larger 20-21 foot bass models with a 250-horsepower outboard and full rigging often require a tandem-axle trailer rated near 4,000-4,500 pounds. Most half-ton trucks handle the mid-size lineup without issue.
Are Xpress boats made of aluminum or fiberglass?
Every Xpress model is built from all-welded aluminum rather than fiberglass or riveted construction. Welding instead of riveting eliminates seams that can loosen and leak over time, which is a core part of Xpress's durability pitch versus both fiberglass competitors and other aluminum brands that still use rivets on certain hull sections.
What's the smallest Xpress boat model available?
The Xpress H-series and mini-jon models, generally in the 14-16 foot range, are the smallest in the current lineup, built for duck hunting, small-water fishing, and utility use with modest horsepower ratings around 40-60 horsepower. These entry models are the most affordable way into the brand, typically starting under $15,000 for a base package.
Do dealerships sell Xpress boats nationwide?
Xpress is sold primarily through Bass Pro Shops' Tracker Boating Center network, which concentrates availability in the South, Midwest, and parts of the Northeast where bass fishing and duck hunting are most popular. Buyers in regions without a nearby Tracker Boating Center may need to order through a regional dealer or travel for delivery.
What engine brands pair with Xpress boats?
Xpress boats are most commonly rigged with Mercury outboards, since both Xpress and Mercury fall under Bass Pro Shops' broader retail and OEM relationships, though hulls are rated to accept other major outboard brands within their certified horsepower range. Buyers ordering through a Tracker Boating Center typically see Mercury as the default factory-rigged option.
Is an Xpress boat a good choice for a first-time bass boat buyer?
Yes — the aluminum construction is more forgiving of the dock dings and shallow-water mistakes new owners make compared to fiberglass, and lower base prices make entry-level tournament-capable models more accessible. First-time buyers should still budget for a trolling motor and electronics package, since many base configurations don't include either standard.
Sources
- https://www.xpressboats.com
- https://www.basspro.com
- https://www.boattrader.com/boats/make-xpress
- https://www.boats.com/boat-brands/xpress
- https://www.discoverboating.com
- https://www.bassmaster.com
Related on PULSE
This page will be disappearing soon. Save it to your device for $1 — or read it free while it is here.
@Kory-White- · if Venmo asks, the last 4 of my number are 2012
This page is gone.
This one is off the shelf now. $1 keeps it on your phone for good — the whole page, pictures and diagrams included.










