Goldstar225

My family goes on two four day fishing trips each year. Having dealt with thieves on a regular basis during my second career I'm not very trusting. On one trip our boats were parked in slips overnight. I pulled my gear and locked it in my truck each night. On night #2 some young adults from the campground hit my brothers and nephews boats. What they couldn't carry away they threw into 30' of water. The crooks were identified and some stuff was recovered. A few years later in another marina on the same lake I and my nephew had our boats in a slip. I had a boat with better storage but I had installed a loc-R-Bar. My nephews compartments were pried open and cleaned out. Mine was untouched. Nothing is theft proof. Sometimes you just have to make it harder to steal your stuff than to steal from someone else. Oh, and locks don't keep and honest person honest. An honest person doesn't need locks to stay honest.

Congratulations! Now get that thing wet and start building memories!

I'm willing to bet that in his world, if you don't catch, you don't eat.

I've used both hand control and pedal steer. I've had a maxxum (now use an ultrex) and highly recommend the maxxum if you can't go for spotlock.. It will take very little time for the use of the foot pedal to become instinctive.

I used my interstate batteries for 6 years (24 series crank, 2X 27 series trolling). They were still serving fine and neer let me down but I replaced them as a precaution.

No problem in our household. I won't sneak, that's gutless. Big purchases get discussed. My wife will go out in the boat with me to relax. A couple of years ago I was contemplated getting an Ultrex, agonizing over the expense. My wife knew it. A few days later one showed up in the garage. Without telling me she ordered it for me. How could I refuse?

Congratulations on the boat. It sounds awesome. Now get it wet and catch some fish!

I just replaced my Interstate batteries (starting and deep cycle) after six years of use. They were still performing well but I prefer to replace before failure.

2018 Tracker PT190, 115 Pro XS, with 80# Ultrex Pros: 1. Plenty of room and stability for me, son, and grandson to fish from. 2. More than enough storage for my gear. 3. Easy to tow, launch & load solo Cons: My only gripe is the access to the batteries. It's a pain pulling the front one out to check the water level.

I'm about to replace my Interstate TM batteries. The current ones have given me six years of reliable service. Buying Interstate again.

Huh! I didn't realize that I've been a member since 2009. As you see I don't post very often. Primarily because I don't have much knowledge or ability to share with others. I'm a low ability bank beater who seeks relaxation in the outdoors and the tranquilty of nature. My brothers and nephews are awesome fishermen. One nephew remarked once that I never have a bad fishing trip because it doesn't matter to me whether or not I a catch a bunch. He's right, being out ther is its own reward for me. (Though I do slightly envy and have huge respect for those who can bring them in😁)

I had a 1987 Tracker. It served me well for several years. The wood in the front deck didn't need replacement until it was 27 years old. Do check the condition of the wood though. I now have a 2018 PT190 that I've owned since new, 6 years now. I've been very happy with it and it's never disappointed me in any way. Good luck with the 175 that you're looking at.

As a satisfied tracker owner (on my second one) check the wooden decking for deterioration. If stored properly it will last for a long time (my 1987 didn't need decking replacement until it was 27 years old). If that concerns you I would steer away from Tracker and go with a brand that has no wood. Have the motor thoroughly checked out, repairs get expensive fast.

Nope, not this guy.

As with everything else in life, buy what you can comfortably afford and be content. For some that will be a basic jon boat and 9.9 outboard, for others a 100K+ boat that they can pay cash for. (FWIW even a 40K boat is not in my future?)

My tracker PT190 definitely sits bow high so it catches the wind. Having an Ultrex and choosing to not fish in high wind conditions though makes it a non-issue for me.

I spend many years fishing out of a jon boat with a 9.9 OB until I could afford what I wanted. I had patience, some don't.

Congratulations! Hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it.

I got a Thetford pota pottie for my wife. Fits nicely in the sunken console area of my tracker. She's a leg amputee so she has no option of going ashore or onto a floating bathroom. A rain jacet preserves her sensibilities. https://www.amazon.com/Thetford-White-92820-Porta-Potti/dp/B07CHVQ3RM/ref=asc_df_B07CHVQ3RM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312192374842&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6129579571148439653&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9025734&hvtargid=pla-571897210515&psc=1&region_id=972485

I have a lake about thirty miles away that's been my quiet get-a-way place for thirty years. A bayou that the state game and fish damed up. 2 1/2 miles long and averages 100-150 yards wide until you reach the bay near the dam. Steep forested slopes on the hill sides. Maximum depth of about 35' on average. Lots of stick ups means everyone travels at idle speed. No cell phone reception and only about 10 homes on the bank.

Arkansas basic fishing license is $10.50, $5.00 more for the trout stamp. Being retired military I was able to get a lifetime license for $10.50 at age 60. All others are able to get the lifetime license at 65 for the same price.

Like others I have the plano edge 3700 terminal box. I really like how it keeps everthing in place.

2014 F-150 Supercrew 4X4 with max tow package. 18-20 MPG empty, 14-15 MPG towing my tracker or utility trailer. Bought it to tow my 35 foot travel trailer. The TT is gone now and don't need the towing capacity anymore but I see no sense in trading the truck off. It's been paid off for five years and I expect to get at least another 8-10 years of use out of it.

I'm running a 115 HP Merc Pro XS 4S. Five years of use and not a single problem with it. On my prior boat I had a Yamaha 70 HP 2S. A 1986 model. After 30 years the only issue I had was that I had to replace the oil tank twice due the seam splitting. The engine and other components seemed to be bullet proof.

And that decision was quickly recinded. They described it as a "mistaken" communication.