Tracker Pro 160

[big poppa]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any feedback on these boats. Currently I am using/borrowing my brothers 14ft flat bottom john boat but want to get a boat of my own. We put the decks, carpet, rebuilt the outboard etc, so I am not afraid to a little work. I dont plan on doing any major tournaments maybe just a few small club run ones. I fish in the Occoquan reservior 99.9% of the time with the occasional trip to the Occoquan River. The max hp for the reservoir is 9.9 and the majority of the river is a no wake zone so motor size isnt really an issue. Any input would be great! Thanks!

[MacP]

They make a crappie version that's pretty nice too.  The boats are nice enough!

 

A thought too, some 9.9s can be converted to 15s by just doing a carb change. 

[tnriverluver]

This is just my thought but the 9.9 will make that boat pretty useless for anywhere else you might decide to fish later.  The 9.9 on a 14 ft flat bottom will plane the boat and scoot it pretty good.  A 9.9 on a 160 will not do much more than a stout trolling motor.  The boat will be roomier and much more comfortable to fish out of however.

[martintheduck]

Just get a 14 or 16ft john boat, add decks, and get a 101 trolling motor

[Wayne P.]

I have a PT 170 TX with a 9.9 just for the reasons you stated.

It also has a 105# thrust bow trolling motor and I add a 80# electric transom motor when fishing electric-only waters.

 

Been-there-done-that with jon boats, canoes, and fiberglass bass boats.

[big poppa]

Ive thought about going the jon boat route but the by the time Id finish the set up i want, the cost would be about the same as a older bass tracker. At that point I would rather put the extra bit of money to get everything brand new. 

[martintheduck]

New tracker 160 =  $9,000 at LEAST. You could spend $1,000 on a new John Boat, less than $500 on a trailer, about $100 on wood and screws and crap to add decks, a few bucks on carpet, then like $1,000 on a beastly trolling motor ---- You're only looking at about $3,000 there. Maybe go that route? I mean - a tracker 160 is basically a john boat with decks and a console. 

 

I guess I'm not seeing the point of spending $9,000 on a new Tracker with a 9hp motor on the back? There's no real advantage in my eyes. You get a few tiny storage compartments, a 6ft rod locker, a death box (aka: Tracker livewell). 

 

I'd say, if you're willing to spend 9k on a boat, get a used one with at least a 50hp and a big ole' trolling motor that way you could fish the potomac or go south to lake anna or something? 

[Loop_Dad]

New tracker 160 =  $9,000 at LEAST. You could spend $1,000 on a new John Boat, less than $500 on a trailer, about $100 on wood and screws and crap to add decks, a few bucks on carpet, then like $1,000 on a beastly trolling motor ---- You're only looking at about $3,000 there. Maybe go that route? I mean - a tracker 160 is basically a john boat with decks and a console. 

 

I guess I'm not seeing the point of spending $9,000 on a new Tracker with a 9hp motor on the back? There's no real advantage in my eyes. You get a few tiny storage compartments, a 6ft rod locker, a death box (aka: Tracker livewell). 

 

I'd say, if you're willing to spend 9k on a boat, get a used one with at least a 50hp and a big ole' trolling motor that way you could fish the potomac or go south to lake anna or something? 

 

Just curios...Isn't tracker 160 with Mod V? (not sure if there's pro 160 and plain160) Isn't the definition of the jon boat a boat with completely flat bottom?

[Wayne P.]

Just curios...Isn't tracker 160 with Mod V? (not sure if there's pro 160 and plain160) Isn't the definition of the jon boat a boat with completely flat bottom?

Google is your friend:

 

http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/

[tnriverluver]

To make matters even worse, that boat with the 9.9 is $200 more than the same rig with a 20 hp    What are the people at Tracker smoking?

[Loop_Dad]

Google is your friend:

 

http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/

 

This page also says it is Mod-v. I'm honestly confused with the comment martintheduck made, saying it is same as jon boat. Somebody shed some light please.

[big poppa]

This page also says it is Mod-v. I'm honestly confused with the comment martintheduck made, saying it is same as jon boat. Somebody shed some light please.

It is a mod v not a flat bottom like a traditional jon

[big poppa]

If I wanna go to anna my bro has a bass boat that I could convince him to let me borrow but I dont like borrowing other peoples stuff. It makes me nervous and then I cant enjoy it. I was just wondering if anyone has heard of any problems with the boat itself not the logic behind my choices. 

[martintheduck]

This page also says it is Mod-v. I'm honestly confused with the comment martintheduck made, saying it is same as jon boat. Somebody shed some light please.

 

 

It's a tiny V hull with a tiny engine. A boat that size isn't going to be any advantage over a flat bottom john performance wise with a 9hp motor....thus the "it's basically a john boat." If you find yourself in a situation where a v-hull would be significantly better than a flat bottom, I wouldn't WANT to be in that water with a 9hp.... 

 

 

And no - haven't heard any "intrinsic" problems with the boat. I found myself in a similar position to you at the beginning of the year and I ended up going another route than a 160, or even a 175. It might be just perfect for you.

 

Only things I ever heard negative about Trackers are just average things - stuff snaps off, screws get loose.... 

[Wintersun]

These boats have been sold with 25, 40, 50, 60, and larger motors. The people with the 25HP were as a whole unhappy with the boat and felt it underpowered with 2-3 people on board. Similar comments from people with the boats with the 40HP outboards. The deep V has its place but on a protected reservoir it provides little in the way of benefits and you do have a tippier boat for a casting platform.

[BassinLou]

I have owned a Pro 165, for 14 yrs now. Given the opportunity would I upgrade? In a heartbeat, but its not because it's a bad boat. It is a great little boat, that I am still enjoying.  Are there limitations yes, but does it get the job done? Yes.

[big poppa]

Thank yall for your input. Im still considering all options. Honestly, Im looking for something that I can easily use by myself, do a few small tournaments, rough water isnt really a concern but with being a big man extra stability isnt a bad thing.  

[tnriverluver]

Check out the Lowe - Crestliner Styker models.  Similar bare bones boat but much higher quality IMHO.  Priced similar.

[Bob C]

Check out the Lowe - Crestliner Styker models.  Similar bare bones boat but much higher quality IMHO.  Priced similar.

As a Tracker owner, I will say that statement is completely false. 3rd season on mine and very happy with it.

[big poppa]

Just an update. I found an amazing deal on a 14ft tracker jon with outboard, platform, trolling motor, fish finder etc. I planned on buying new but it was too good of a deal to pass up. Thanks for all the help. The support on this site is awesome. 

[slonezp]

Any pics? 

[TrapperJ]

pics or it didnt happen! ha

[big poppa]

Id love to but i dont know how. Im new here haha

[big poppa]

 it came with a trolling motor, fish finder and more but i had to strip it down before I covered it up. 

[dlqdobro]

I’ve got a stupid question regarding a pro 160.  I’ve currently got a 1542 Duracraft with a 25hp motor.  I’ve got a friend selling a 2 year old pro 160 with zero hours.  Long story short, he bought it new, and 2 weeks later was relocated for his job in a foreign country.  He’s never even put fuel in the boat.  My question is this.  I’m a big guy.  Me, my 150lb wife, and 60lb son are able to fit on the Duracraft.  We are pushing its 550ish pound persons capacity for all its worth.  The pro 160 is a longer and wider boat, yet it’s persons capacity is 390. It does have a 40hp motor.  Is this something that would be dangerous? It’s hard for me to fathom a bigger wider boat having that much less of a person capacity, yet I do understand it has more weight built on, and a heavier motor.  Will we be ok or do I need to look for something bigger?  Thanks for your time and insight.