Quick Answer
Excel Boats build all welded aluminum boats in Mississippi for shallow water fishing, bay fishing, and duck hunting. Big D Marine and Powersports is an authorized Excel dealer with locations in Huntsville, I 45 Huntsville, and Hitchcock, Texas. Prices for a new Excel run from the low twenty thousands for a compact shallow water rig to the mid fifty thousands and up for a fully outfitted Bay Pro Elite with a large Yamaha outboard.
Why Excel Boats Sell So Well in Texas
Excel has quietly become one of the most respected aluminum boat builders in the country, and Texas has become one of its strongest markets. That is not a coincidence. Excel is built for exactly the kind of water Texans actually fish: skinny backwater sloughs for bass and crappie, weedy timber flats on Sam Rayburn and Livingston, marsh cuts on the middle Texas coast, and open bay flats out of Galveston, Rockport, and Port O Connor.
Where a fiberglass hull gives you a smooth ride and a certain look, an Excel gives you three things that matter more once you actually own it: an all welded hull that shrugs off oyster shells and stumps, a spec sheet built around real fishing use cases rather than showroom curb appeal, and a resale value that holds up because the boat still fishes hard ten years in.
The Excel Boats Lineup at Big D Marine in 2026
Excel Shallow Water F4 Series
The F4 series is Excel’s flagship shallow water line. Built around a modified V hull that runs skinny and drafts less than most bass boats, it is the model that most Texas duck hunters, catfish anglers, and shallow water bass fishermen end up on. The 1751 and 1754 are the two most popular lengths, with the 1860 for buyers who want more deck and rear storage.
F4 boats accept mud motors as well as conventional outboards. That flexibility is a big part of the appeal for marsh hunters and back lake fishermen who need to run water that no bass boat can touch.
Excel Bay Pro Elite Series
The Bay Pro Elite is Excel’s answer for coastal fishing. Built specifically for the Texas bay systems, it comes in 203, 220, and 230 lengths. The Bay Pro Elite 220 is the sweet spot for most Galveston Bay and Trinity Bay anglers: enough deck to fish three comfortably, a hull that handles chop, and a horsepower range that lets you run to distant flats without watching the fuel gauge the whole way. Full lineup on our Excel Boats brand page.
Excel Viper F4
The Viper F4 in the 1751 length is a duck boat specialist. Lower profile, blind ready, built for cold morning marsh work. If your primary use case is waterfowl, this is the model to look at first.
Excel Tomahawk 183
The Tomahawk 183 is the entry point for buyers who want a genuine Excel at the lowest new boat price. Compact, honest, and built the same way as the larger models. A good first Excel.
Excel Outboards: What Engine to Choose
Excel Boats are typically rigged with Yamaha, Suzuki, or Mercury outboards. Big D Marine is an authorized Yamaha outboard dealer, so most of our Excel builds go out with Yamaha power. You can see current Yamaha outboard pricing on our Yamaha outboard pricing page, and browse standalone outboard inventory on the outboard inventory page.
Horsepower guidance for the most popular Excel models:
- Shallow Water F4 1751 or 1754: 90 to 115 horsepower Yamaha for standard rigging, or a mud motor build for marsh use.
- Shallow Water F4 1860: 115 to 150 horsepower for buyers who want to run longer distances.
- Bay Pro Elite 203: 175 to 200 horsepower is the standard rigging for bay use.
- Bay Pro Elite 220 or 230: 250 to 300 horsepower Yamaha SHO is the most common rigging. Buyers who fish distant flats prefer the 300.
- Viper F4 1751: 90 horsepower or a mud motor, depending on hunt style.
New Versus Pre Owned Excel Boats
Excel holds resale value better than most aluminum brands, which cuts both ways as a buyer. A five year old Excel in good shape rarely sells for a bargain, but it does mean the boat you buy today will still be worth serious money if you decide to trade up in a few years. Current stock is on our new boat inventory page, and pre owned Excel and other aluminum boats show up on our pre owned boat page. Our I 45 Huntsville location handles most of our consignment and pre owned aluminum stock.
Excel Versus G3: Which Aluminum Boat Wins for Texas Fishing
This is the comparison we get asked about most in the showroom, and there is no single right answer. G3 is owned by Yamaha and engineered as a full package with Yamaha outboards. Excel is independent, purpose built for shallow water and coastal use, and slightly heavier construction. If your fishing is 80 percent lakes and 20 percent bays, look at the G3 Boats lineup first. If your fishing is 60 percent or more shallow water, marsh, or bay, the Excel lineup is usually the better fit. Both hold up, both fish, and both are covered by our certified service department.
Financing Your Excel Boat
Aluminum boats like Excel typically finance well because they hold value. Big D Marine works with multiple lenders including credit unions and marine specialty lenders. Get pre qualified in minutes with no impact to your credit score on our boat financing page. If you have a boat to trade, get a fair value estimate from our trade in valuation page before you visit.
Where to See Excel Boats in Person in Texas
We keep active Excel stock at all three Texas locations. Our Huntsville flagship on State Highway 19 typically has the largest F4 selection. The I 45 Huntsville location carries both new Excel and consignment aluminum inventory. Our Hitchcock location on the Galveston Bay side is where you will find most of our Bay Pro Elite stock. Full current selection is on the boat inventory page.
Which Lake and Bay Systems Excel Boats Fit Best
Excel boats work across most Texas water, but they shine in specific settings. If you are still deciding which Texas water fits your boating style, our Lake Conroe vs Lake Livingston comparison covers how those two big East Texas reservoirs run differently. Here is where Excel models tend to fit best.
- Lake Livingston and Sam Rayburn: F4 series for the timber and shallow flats.
- Lake Conroe: F4 or Bay Pro depending on whether you are fishing shallow or main lake.
- Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay, East Bay: Bay Pro Elite 203, 220, or 230.
- Marsh and rice field duck hunting: Viper F4 or F4 with a mud motor.
- Toledo Bend and Caddo Lake: F4 series for cypress trees and shallow structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy Excel boats in Texas?
Big D Marine and Powersports is an authorized Excel Boats dealer in Texas, with locations in Huntsville on State Highway 19, I 45 Huntsville, and Hitchcock on the Galveston Bay side. All three locations carry Excel shallow water, bay, and duck boat models.
How much does an Excel boat cost?
Excel Boats in Texas typically run from the low twenty thousands for a compact shallow water F4 to the mid fifty thousands and up for a fully rigged Bay Pro Elite with a high horsepower outboard. Actual pricing depends on model, outboard choice, and options.
What is the best Excel boat for duck hunting?
The Excel Shallow Water F4 series and the Viper F4 lineup are the models most Texas duck hunters choose. Both are built for skinny water access, blind installation, and shallow marsh use, and both are rated for mud motors and standard outboards.
Are Excel boats good for saltwater fishing?
Yes. The Excel Bay Pro Elite series is built specifically for coastal use, with a hull designed for bay fishing and saltwater rated fittings. It is the most popular Excel model at our Hitchcock location on the Galveston Bay side.
Does Big D Marine carry Excel outboards?
Excel Boats are typically rigged from the factory with Yamaha, Suzuki, or Mercury outboards. Big D Marine is an authorized Yamaha outboard dealer and rigs most Excel boats with Yamaha engines. Contact our team for current outboard packages and pricing.
Ready to Get on an Excel Boat
The best way to shop an Excel is to walk one. Come by any of our three Texas locations for a walkthrough. See the current Excel selection on our Excel Boats page or browse the full inventory page to compare against other aluminum brands. Start at the Big D Marine homepage to plan your visit.
