The Xpress Bayou 18V 2013 is a modified-V design and the Xpress Deck Series - 1756D 2008 is a flat-bottom design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Xpress Bayou 18V 2013 at 18,0 ft versus Xpress Deck Series - 1756D 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Xpress Bayou 18V 2013 tips the scales at 750 lbs - 320 lbs more than the Xpress Deck Series - 1756D 2008 at 430 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 70 hp, the Xpress Bayou 18V 2013 has a 30-hp advantage over the Xpress Deck Series - 1756D 2008's 40-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 4 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Xpress Bayou 18V 2013 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Xpress Deck Series - 1756D 2008. 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Xpress Bayou 18V 2013 and its 70-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Xpress Deck Series - 1756D 2008 with its 40-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.