Alright guys; between what I read on here about Excel boats and the current presidential race I'm about over all the negativity. I'll admit I'm new to all this, I've been a member for a while but I have just pulled the trigger on my first mud boat.

And yes, I ordered a new Excel F4 w/37EFI HDR IN 18x54 with the .125 5086 hull. I chose the Excel over the others primarily because of the fit and finish and apparent versatility of these boats. I'm sure there are tougher options out there and I understand that 3/16 is better than 1/4, but we don't have any levees to jump here in eastern NC so I think the .125 5086 might be tough enough for me.

What I am interested in are any positive experiences from other Excel owners. I've read all the bad stuff but I figure Excel builds a lot of boats surely there must be somebody out here with something good to say about them? Am I all alone?


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They look good, they are fun to drive in the open when you dont HAVE to cut hard and b perfectly on a trail and they are definitely tougher than the average jon boat. Oh and they seem to hold their value here in arkansas better than a custom boat for whatever reason. Id advise against waiting til duck season to learn how to drive it. Dont abuse it and it should be a good boat for you

It's kinda late since you already ordered huh?


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Whoa!

Excels aint as bad as what people make them out to be. Id just rather a custom boat. My modv Excel will flat out run for what it is.

^idk about flat out run but it's ok lol


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I had a F4. I liked it pretty good. Biggest gripe I had was all the storage. I thought it was everything I needed, and it turned out to be everything I didn't want. Actually contemplated cutting all the boxes out but decided against it in case I sold it. Few months later, I had to have knee surgery and would be down through the season so sold it. Guy that bought it loves it still as much as the day he picked it up.

See I knew I wasn't the only one... (VALIDATED) Lol

You guys are tough. I've run boats for 40 years my first was an aluminum v hull with a 4hp Evinrude fisherman with the angled lower unit. I've run everything from a custom Gheenoe to a 30' Luhrs express. One thing I've learned is there is no perfect boat they all have trade offs. You all make good points and I'm sure there will be stuff I will dislike about my Excel just as there has been with all the others. I look on here and read about mods and repairs to all types of boats factory and custom alike it's what keeps us out of trouble. I look forward to hanging with you guys and learning more.


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Good luck and congrats. Hopefully it will do what you need it to do.

I have a 1754 F4 and I like it. Up here we hunt from our boats so I like the storage and layout of my boat. Hunts three guys pretty good and keeps stuff outta the way. My only two complaints about the boat are that its heavy as hell so you better have ponies pushing it and that the flotations sucks in the hunt deck. It doesn't like to drain water to well. This summer I'll pry be cuttin mine open and removing all the foam and putting in two liter bottles and pry another drain hole. So now I'll have to plug three freggin holes. Buddy did his last week and without the foam the hunt deck holds 5 gallons of water before its high enough to go over the bracing to drain.

I've read a couple complaints about the foam... is it absorbing water? If they used the two part marine foam it should be closed cell and shouldn't absorb water unless it's been submerged for prolonged periods and is breaking down. I am also a fan of the storage, nothing worse than the dog or me stumbling over stuff thrown in the floor. I'm mindful of the weight thing too, my dealer has a performance pkg. for the 37EFI that turns a legit 30mph @ 4600 on a 1751 F86 with the dual gun boxes and two grown men. That's before installing the hammer, he thinks it will make another 1-3 mph. I've also been told the more surface area you have with these boats the shallower the draft and easier they are to push so my 1854 should do at least as good as the 1751.


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Where you at in eastern NC? And whose your dealer?

Performance East, Goldsboro. I'm currently living in Durham... dang work. They are a relatively new Excel dealer but Neil Weeks and his staff are great and they have been doing performance work on power equipment for a lot of years. I drove 3-1/2 hours to Newberry, SC and was less than impressed with the service before the sale. Not so with these folks in Goldsboro they spent all the time I needed and answered all my questions.


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A lot of people say they don't like Excel on here, but I have yet to see cold hard FACTS which state why they dislike Excel.

I looked at them when I was shopping. They're grossly overpriced for what they are. The fit/finish is absolutely terrible and the construction is cheesy. I crawled all over several. I'd buy a Weldbilt, Alumacraft, Southfork, etc before I'd get an excel. Similar build quality without the fan boy price tag....

I think the reason for all the legitimate hate is the cost of these boats new. Excel markets these boats as the toughest boats you can buy and makes them out to be so great when in reality they wouldn't last a year or two hunting where most of us use them. The money that a new excel costs can get you a very nice custom boat that is designed the way you want and can usually handle the abuse these boats are put through.

but that's just my opinion

I know 2 ppl personally that had to claim their excels on insurance after 1 duck season in AR. Both where totaled.

whenever yall are ready

I just wanna put some money up, sit on the bank and laugh.


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Who u gonna laugh at?


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