Matching a flat Xpress Bayou 18 2012 against a modified vee Xpress H22 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Xpress H22 2011 measures 22,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Xpress Bayou 18 2012 at 18,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Xpress H22 2011 tips the scales at 1 795 lbs — 1 720 lbs less than the Xpress Bayou 18 2012 at 75 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 250 hp, the Xpress H22 2011 has a 200-hp advantage over the Xpress Bayou 18 2012's 50-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 H22 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Xpress Bayou 18 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Xpress H22 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Xpress H22 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Xpress Bayou 18 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.