Both the Xpress 1546SS 2010 and the Xpress Bayou 18 2013 are flat-bottom designs, both built in aluminium, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Xpress 1546SS 2010 at 15,0 ft versus Xpress Bayou 18 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Xpress Bayou 18 2013 tips the scales at 750 lbs - 434 lbs less than the Xpress 1546SS 2010 at 316 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 50 hp, the Xpress Bayou 18 2013 has a 25-hp advantage over the Xpress 1546SS 2010's 25-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Xpress Bayou 18 2013 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Xpress 1546SS 2010 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Xpress Bayou 18 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Xpress 1546SS 2010 comes in at 13 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Xpress Bayou 18 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Xpress Bayou 18 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 5 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Xpress 1546SS 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.