I have only fished out of few different model aluminum boats. However I have probably spent several hundred hours fishing out of an Express. A guy I fish with some had an 18 ft Express with a 115 Yamaha and a 6" jack plate. I do not recall what the model numbers was. He ran that boat for around 10 years and in that time I spent many days fishing out of it so my opinion is based on experience.

Excellent hole shot. I ran beside him one day in my boat and he would eat me alive out of the hole. Good speed,my boat has GPS and I pulled beside him running down the lake and he can GPS 54 mph...not bad for a 18 footer with a 115. Bow lift is excellent. I have never rode in any boat aluminum or fiberglass that had such a good hole shot and reached top end so fast. Ride..good for an aluminum boat. Running down the lake you could cross boat wakes with ease.

Deck layout...a lot of wasted space. The large area in front of the console and to the side could use a platform instead of being open. He fabricated a deck insert so 2 people could fish off the front deck. Front storage compartment was one open area. I am not a fan of the design but it was large enough to put his fishing tackle and life jackets in it. I prefer a storage compartment with dividers but his did get the job done. Rod locker...He would put rod socks on his rods and then he would insert 2 in a tube. I "think" he eventually took out the rod tubes but I am not 100% sure about that. I do know he had a couple of rods that were just over 7 ft and they fit in the locker. I do know on my fiberglass boat that when I removed the rod tubes and use rod socks I can get more in there with rod socks verse rod tubes..

Live well was plenty big enough to keep a limit alive in it. Cooler...now that I think about it I do not think his boat had a cooler. I know he always had a portable cooler that was under the deck insert he made.

I know there will be a difference between the 14 year old 18 ft Express with a 115 and a brand new 17 ft Express with a 90 so take that into account on my review.

Overall I like his Express better than any aluminum boat that I have been in. Deck space and lay out need improvement in my opinion but the hole shot and top end are awesome. I have always said if I ever went to aluminum that Express would be on a short list of boats that I would consider. I know you only ask about aluminum but fiberglass is much smoother riding and it does not blow around in the wind as bad as aluminum. On windy days we would take my fiberglass boat just because of the ride and stability. It does not matter what brand of aluminum you buy that is just going to be a factor with aluminum. Based on the type of lakes you said you fish you should be fine. I would not want to go to Cumberland with a 10-12 mph or greater wind but if you pick your days on the big lakes you will be fine. I think you will be happy with whatever you choose...Wish I was choosing what new ride I wanted LOL.

Based on the pictures you posted and both being similar in price it would be nice to have the 115 with more deck space verses the smaller deck with 90...good luck on your decision.