When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Xpress Bayou 16 2013 and the Xpress HD17 2011 are flat designs with aluminum construction — 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?
The Xpress Bayou 16 2013 carries a rated maximum of 40 hp. Engine data for the Xpress HD17 2011 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Xpress HD17 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Xpress Bayou 16 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Xpress HD17 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Xpress HD17 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Xpress Bayou 16 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.