First Boat, Tracker

[Gotfishyfingers?]

I just did a search on craigslist for bass boats in your area ( Mont. Al). Search key words "bass boat" & "Aluminum" in the boat section. There are some decent looking boats for under 10,000.00. Also, there are some new boats for not a bad price either. Check it out!

[Dave P]

I fish a lot out of a 175 and it's been a good boat for us. The only time it gets tight is times like now when you have heavy clothes to take off and stow when it starts warming up.

[RyneB]

I would honestly hold out for the 175. Not only do you get a bigger boat and a LOT more storage, but you get a standard 60hp with it as well. On the 165 and 170 the storage will be a nightmare. Think about the stuff you should have with you at all times (anchor, rope, pliers, screwdriver, throwable device, 2 lifejackets, running lights, rain gear, registration and permits, paddle, bailing device). This includes no tackle at all. In my boat I have one whole storage compartment dedicated to this stuff and I have a rod locker and a storage unit left over for tackle and rods. I vote to keep saving and get something youll love for a long time and not be wishing you had waited a year down the road.

exactly what he said.

[born2fish94]

well guys today i drove to southside alabma because it was my off day and looked at some g3 boats. man those things are nice! i like the 176 quite a bit and i like the fact that it comes in a vinyl too. im leaning towards the G3 brand now, it seemed better pricing and better quality

[Koofy Smacker]

well guys today i drove to southside alabma because it was my off day and looked at some g3 boats. man those things are nice! i like the 176 quite a bit and i like the fact that it comes in a vinyl too. im leaning towards the G3 brand now, it seemed better pricing and better quality

If you want to see any pics of my 175 Id be more than willing to post some up and show how I have it set up to see how you like it

[born2fish94]

If you want to see any pics of my 175 Id be more than willing to post some up and show how I have it set up to see how you like it

id love that man you can pm them to me! i was looking at the 176 vinyl though. vinyl is definitely the way i wanna go. because even though i will be primarily bass fishing i will be doing some jugging for fish frys, and we bowfish alot down here so it would be easier to clean up

[Koofy Smacker]

ill get some to you sometime in the next few days. its supposed to pour rain here tomorrow so the cover probably wont come off. Ive seen the vinyl 176 before. Pretty neat setup and cleanup is a breeze with them.

[born2fish94]

ill get some to you sometime in the next few days. its supposed to pour rain here tomorrow so the cover probably wont come off. Ive seen the vinyl 176 before. Pretty neat setup and cleanup is a breeze with them.

yea it rained all the way down here in bama really bad today. but there was no lightning so me and buddy went out and slaughtered some spotted bass on white spinnerbaits. cant beat a spinner bait in the rain!

[slonezp]

Check out the Lowe Stinger while your at it. Ranger has also introduced a tin line for 2013 http://www.rangeraluminum.com/ Triton, Crestliner, Sea Ark, Xtreme, Xpress, to name a few more.

[james 14]

What do your grades look like working 40 hours a week?

 

I applaud you for putting in the work for what you want and I'm going agree with those who tell you to buy a used boat instead of a new one. I can sympathize with the desire for a warranty but you're essentially paying double and, therefore, going into debt just to get a piece of paper that you will likely never use in any capacity to justify the difference you paid. Take that extra money you'd be paying to go new and put it into upgrades and set some aside in a reserve fund. If the motor does die you have money to fix it. If the motor doesn't die you have money for whatever else life may bring your way...and being only a senior in high school life has only just started.

[Sam]

Born, I picked up my Tracker power poles today and just brought them home.

 

Will install them next week when the weather clears up.

 

Can't wait to use them.

 

You can do anything with a Tracker!

[TrapperJ]

I fished out of a two man boat for the last few years, to me there is just something about being on the water vs fishing from the bank, even if its a 8'10" Bass Tracker with a 27lb thrust hand controlled trolling motor.

 

Some of the best advice I got was go climb in some boats, walk around, sit in the seats, open compartments etc. Vision what your routine is in that boat, have I got enough space to be comfortable?  This is what i did at the Tulsa Boat show since lots of models were on display all at once.

[born2fish94]

What do your grades look like working 40 hours a week?

 

I applaud you for putting in the work for what you want and I'm going agree with those who tell you to buy a used boat instead of a new one. I can sympathize with the desire for a warranty but you're essentially paying double and, therefore, going into debt just to get a piece of paper that you will likely never use in any capacity to justify the difference you paid. Take that extra money you'd be paying to go new and put it into upgrades and set some aside in a reserve fund. If the motor does die you have money to fix it. If the motor doesn't die you have money for whatever else life may bring your way...and being only a senior in high school life has only just started.

i actually just got my report card today and had all a's and b's. but yes i understand that exactly and it makes alot of since. but i have now decided i definitely want the 176 G3 vinyl. and im not sure if i can find one used for sale

[Crookedneck]

_{Keep working for what you want.  A couple words of advice.  When it comes time to put your boat together.  1.) make sure you have enough storage for what you plan on doing.  If you plan on fishing tournaments and you are planning on having a partner, make sure it has room for at least one compartment for your partner.  2.)  Don't skimp on the trolling motor.  Get the biggest trolling motor you can afford.  If you are going to go with a 17' - 17.5' I recommend at least a 65-80 # thrust.  Some people will say it is over kill for an aluminum boat.  One day you'll need it and it will keep you on spot when it counts.}

 

_{Good luck with the purchase.  I too would recommend keeping your eye open for a used boat.  You might get lucky and find a killer deal.  If not, then buy new.}

[Koofy Smacker]

_{Keep working for what you want.  A couple words of advice.  When it comes time to put your boat together.  1.) make sure you have enough storage for what you plan on doing.  If you plan on fishing tournaments and you are planning on having a partner, make sure it has room for at least one compartment for your partner.  2.)  Don't skimp on the trolling motor.  Get the biggest trolling motor you can afford.  If you are going to go with a 17' - 17.5' I recommend at least a 65-80 # thrust.  Some people will say it is over kill for an aluminum boat.  One day you'll need it and it will keep you on spot when it counts.}

 

_{Good luck with the purchase.  I too would recommend keeping your eye open for a used boat.  You might get lucky and find a killer deal.  If not, then buy new.}

When I bought mine it had a 40 on the front. Thought it was fine. Then I got stuck on the down wind side of a lake with a dying battery on a windy day... That spurred me to put in two batteries in parallel. By the end of the year I said screw it and got a 70 maxxum on the front off a fellow member and have been happy ever since!

[Sam]

Go for it!

 

Send pics of the boat.

[Dave P]

The one we fish out of has an 80. There are times where it doesn't feel big enough.

[born2fish94]

i just looked on the internet for the g3 176 vinyl (thats exactly what i want) and i was able to find some good used ones a whole lot cheaper, i dont have the money yet but im sure i can find some when i do

[Oldplug]

Well if you can get a good used one 18 ft or better with a lot of freeboard I would suggest that. I have a lot of rough water experience both from storms and excessive cruiser traffic. To go out into either situation in a 16 to 17 ft shallow metal metal bass boat like a tracker is nothing but dangerous. I have had several boats. I would advise you to learn with something different. Even a calm lake can turn into a raging ocean in a storm. And if you are going to fish where there are heavy boats like cruisers and cigarette boats you can be swamped like slapping a fly with a swatter.

.

[JellyMan]

Find a used 175 Pro Team. 

 

That's what I'm looking to do in the future.