Crestliner,tracker,triton Positives And Negetives?

[Ror Boy]

Im looking to buy a new aluminum boat. What are your likes and dislikes of those three companys?

[MichBassMan]

The only one of the makes you mentioned that I have owned is Crestliner. I have owned a couple other brands that you didn't ask about. I have fished in a couple trackers. Friends trackers were mid 80s vintage, they rode rough, were slow wet hulls, and developed leaks over time. I have heard they are better now. I currently have a 1997 crestliner fish hawk that I bought new. This boat has been in the rocks, stumps, standing wood and in 6foot waves on lake Michigan. It's not as pretty as it was when it was new. But everything is still original, functional, and no leaks. I could afford a newer boat but I like this one. I still use it 3 or 4 times a week from April thru September. Feel free to message me if you want more details.

[J Francho]

If I were looking for aluminum, I'd be looking at Crestliner, Xpress, and G3.  I own an Xpress.  Here's the drawbacks, and it's not limited to just that brand - storage sometimes leaks, ride can be rough at times, wind moves you and can be a struggle.  Advantages: they are a little lighter than glass, though the good brands are relatively heavy in the tin boat world because they use heavier gauge aluminum, You can beat the heck out of them, and even if you actually break one, a good aluminum welder is a TON cheaper than a glass/gel coat guy.  They usually have pretty intelligent layouts - nod to Crestliner and Xpress in this dept. They are less expensive to own and maintain.  Just hit it with a hose after fishing, no need to wash and wax.

 

I own both a big glass rig and a reasonable Al boat.  Love them both.

[TRYTOFISH]

I had  a 2006 Tracker Targa Sport. Good boat. Tough, dry, and comfortable ride. Bought it new, had to due some modifications over a few years to get the layout like I wanted it. No complaints overall. Only downfall in having a deep v aluminum is wind, Hard to control on windy days. In Kansas that's every day! Since I have moved on to a "real bass boat", Ranger glass, more money, heavier, don't catch any more fish than my Tracker did. I miss it quite often.

[BryanM]

I have a 2005 Lowe 165 Fishing Machine.  Never had a problem with it.  

[cadman]

I had a Tracker 1988 Magna 17 for 17 years. Loved the boat, took it on  the river, to Canada, everywhere. Never had any issues with it. I will second everything that J Franco said about the pros and cons of aluminum boats. I now have a glass Ranger boat, and more maintenance for the gel coat on the boat and trailer

[Capt.Bob]

In Aluminum I would go with the Crestliner, very good boats and reasonable, they will usually hold up better than most others. There are other brands you may want to consider as well, maybe no better structurally but maybe more friendly laid out.

[3dees]

I went with the Crestliner VT19. in my third season and I'm still impressed how well this boat handles and fishes. larger front deck than my last two 19' Stratos's. a bit of a rough ride, but that a con of any tin. customer service is second to none.

[slonezp]

Who's got the best warranty? I have heard Tracker customer service is less than stellar

[TrapperJ]

Still loving my Tracker 175 new from BPS. bought in early March, Personally some of the perks BPS offers are hard to ignore.

 

$500 Gift Card + 2 year VIP that gives you 20% off BPS stuff and 10% off non BPS items. I knew i liked to buy fishing lures and shop BPS.

 

I heard the Tracker decks are wood though and I knew thats a turn off for some people, but I bet that helps shave off some of the price in stead of using aluminum deck.

 

My boating career is still young though and have yet to need to test the customer service out. 

 

 

Best advice i got on the boat which i will pass along, if you can afford it, Max out the Motor and upgrade that Trolling motor to a 24 volt system, you will be glad you did!

[slonezp]

Still loving my Tracker 175 new from BPS. bought in early March, Personally some of the perks BPS offers are hard to ignore.

 

$500 Gift Card + 2 year VIP that gives you 20% off BPS stuff and 10% off non BPS items. I knew i liked to buy fishing lures and shop BPS.

 

I heard the Tracker decks are wood though and I knew thats a turn off for some people, but I bet that helps shave off some of the price in stead of using aluminum deck.

 

My boating career is still young though and have yet to need to test the customer service out. 

 

 

Best advice i got on the boat which i will pass along, if you can afford it, Max out the Motor and upgrade that Trolling motor to a 24 volt system, you will be glad you did!

Wood may or may not be a factor nowadays. Lund, arguably, makes the best tin fishing boat on the market, guarantees their wood decks for life. You're right about Tracker/BPS incentives. The gift cards are only offered early in the year, I believe the discount cards are offered all year long.

[MarkH024]

I got a chance to look at some of the new Ranger Aluminum boats this year. They are really nice for a tin bass boat but what Ranger isn't nice.  I agree with Slone that a Lund is the best bet on a deep v aluminum.  Crestliner would be my second option if I were to go that route. It all depends on the kind of water you plan to fish too.

All in all, whatever you can afford and gets you on the water is what counts.  I hope you find something to suit your needs.  

[MichBassMan]

Ranger Aluminum boats, at least the Cherokee is built on a Crestliner hull.

[cadman]

Who's got the best warranty? I have heard Tracker customer service is less than stellar

 

Before I bought my Ranger I was seriously considering a Tracker Tundra. I had such a bad experience at the Bass Pro in Gurnee, IL, that I would never buy a boat from that store. Now mind you, this has no reflection on Bass Pro boats, the two salesmen I had at Gurnee were horrible The reason I mentioned this is that I was going to buy a Tundra up in WI, but got a better deal on the Ranger. So a lot of it has to do as well with the dealership. Find someone that is willing to work with you, explaining all the ins and outs and the options and you will be a happy camper.