Xpress boats are made by Xpress Boats, a family owned manufacturer headquartered in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The brand is known as the original all welded aluminum boat company, building bass, bay, skiff, crappie, catfish, and hunting boats.
Xpress Boats remains privately held and family owned and operated across three generations of the same family.
Knowing that Xpress has stayed family owned since 1966 helps explain why the company has kept its manufacturing rooted in Arkansas rather than moving operations elsewhere.
This article covers Xpress’s ownership, where the boats are built, its Hyper Lift hull technology, and how it compares to fellow value brand Tracker.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Xpress Boats?
Xpress was founded in 1966 by Kermit Bryant, a World War II veteran and avid fisherman who started the company out of a small schoolhouse in Friendship, Arkansas.
The company remains family owned and operated today, now led by Bryant’s grandson, Rory Herndon, who also oversees sister company Veranda Luxury Pontoons, according to a profile of Herndon and Xpress from Arkansas Money and Politics.
Xpress moved its headquarters to Hot Springs, Arkansas in 2000 as the company continued to grow, eventually expanding to a 250,000 square foot manufacturing facility.
Where Are Xpress Boats Made?
Xpress boats are manufactured at the company’s facility in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where more than 200 skilled employees work across 25 different production areas.
Every Xpress boat begins as a flat sheet of aluminum before being hand shaped and welded, a process that leads to longer wait times than some mass produced competitors but results in a boat built rather than popped out of a mold.
Since 2007, Xpress has exclusively paired its boats with Yamaha outboard engines across its entire lineup.
What Is Xpress’s Hyper Lift Hull?
Xpress introduced the Hyper Lift Hull in the late 1980s, becoming the first company to bring a padded hull design to aluminum boats.
The design gave aluminum boats the performance and style previously found only on fiberglass boats, while retaining aluminum’s durability and lighter repair costs.
Xpress now offers 8 different hull types across its lineup rather than a single standard hull, letting buyers choose a design suited to their specific fishing or hunting needs.
Xpress vs Tracker: How Do the Value Brands Compare?
Xpress and Tracker both compete in the value focused aluminum boat market, though Xpress builds every hull with welded construction while Tracker mixes welded and other methods depending on the model.
Forum members frequently describe Xpress hulls as built like tanks, with several noting the welds hold up better in chop compared to some competing aluminum brands.
Because Xpress pairs exclusively with Yamaha while Tracker is tied to Mercury through its Bass Pro Shops ownership, buyers with an engine brand preference may find that distinction guides their choice between the two.
Are Xpress Boats Any Good?
Xpress earns strong reviews from most owners on forums like The Hull Truth and 2 Cool Fishing, with many describing the hulls as extremely tough and rated well above comparably priced competitors.
A documented weld quality issue affected some larger Xpress boats over 17 feet in the past, with pinhole leaks prompting some dealers to temporarily stop carrying the bigger models, though multiple longtime owners report the issue has not recurred on more recent boats, according to a discussion on Refuge Forums.
The most consistent recurring complaint across forums involves wet or leaking dry storage compartments, with several owners specifically calling for a better lid design to keep water out during rain or rough chop.
Other owners note that Xpress trailers have drawn some complaints for build quality, though several buyers say custom fitting the trailer to the boat resolves most handling issues at the ramp.
The honest takeaway is that Xpress delivers genuinely tough, well built aluminum hulls that most owners trust in rough water, but buyers should specifically inspect dry storage compartments for water intrusion and confirm trailer fit before taking delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Xpress Boats
Is Xpress Boats still family owned?
Yes, Xpress Boats remains family owned and operated across three generations, currently led by Rory Herndon, grandson of founder Kermit Bryant.
Where is Xpress’s factory located?
Xpress boats are manufactured at the company’s facility in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Do all Xpress boats come with Yamaha engines?
Yes, Xpress has exclusively paired its boats with Yamaha outboard engines since 2007.
How old is the Xpress Boats brand?
Xpress was founded in 1966, making it roughly 60 years old as of 2026.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.