Lowe 175W Vs. Bass Tracker Pt175

[Tom 513]

Looking to replace my 1st boat a 68' 13ft glass boat which Ive only owned about a year, Ive been looking for alum. bass boats with a 7 to 8k budget in mind,a 2004-06' model 16-17ft boat is want this money will buy. Ive researched boats mainly new ones (G3,Xpess,War Eagle,Lowe and Bass tracker) and have narrowed my choice to either a 2004' Lowe 175w and a Bass tracker pro team 175 (see links) both have 50hp 2 stroke Merc's.http://lexington.craigslist.org/boa/4178420278.html  or http://chillicothe.craigslist.org/boa/4240532719.html 

 I wanted to find out the pro's and con's from owners of these boats? and if there is anything I should look for being a boating newbie? besides the obvious things and a compression test. I do not want or need to make a 8K mistake, thanks ahead of time.

[tnriverluver]

I normally am a huge Lowe fan, but that boat will be way under powered for that model.  The Tracker will be a smoother ride but will also be some what under powered.  I believe that year and model Lowe were rated for 90 hp and the Tracker for 75 hp max.  Although I am not a big fan of Tracker even though I own one, I would go Tracker in this case if everything checked out OK.  I have a customer with that same Tracker with a 25hp and he is still able to get it to plane and runs the Tn river with 2 people.  Just not very fast lol

[Tom 513]

You mention that the Lowe boat even though its the same length would be more under powered than the Tracker, is that because of the weight of the Lowe? I too would prefer a Lowe, I like the idea of a no wood boat, but the Tracker is a find to me being a one owner and in show room shape. Also my current boat has a 9.5hp engine, so I am sure either boat/engine will be a big step up.

We fish Crappie in Spring, so  I am planning on adding side by side seating on the bow deck, and was wondering if anyone had any experiance with this? I cant see it being a big project but would like some feed back.

 

                                              Thanks, Going for a ride in the Lowe today!

[tnriverluver]

The Lowe has a completely different hull design from the newer Trackers and they are generally made of a heavier gauge aluminum (although not sure in this case) meaning they are also heavier.  90% of the Tracker 175 are probably sold with a 60hp so the 50 wouldn't be a huge step down.  For acceptable performance you generally want to stay above 50% of the boats max HP rating.  The 50 would be at 66% of the 75 Hp max.

[Tom 513]

Off to look at the Tracker today

[tnriverluver]

If you go look at the Lowe look at the capacities plate and see what the max HP rating is on that boat.  A 2003 Stinger 170 has a Max of 115, but that is a slightly different boat from the 175W and will make a difference.

[Tom 513]

Well the Tracker was everything the man said about it, it was really hard to tell it wasnt a new boat (a real find), got a lot of extras too, the boat also has a $335 stainless steel prop. Now I just cant wait to get it on a lake! best Christmas ever for Me and my Wife is also pleased.

[Chief 2]

Congrats on the new boat. I just sold my 2001 185 XT Pro Team that had a 50 Merc.  and will be picking up today my new 2013 190 TX that came with a 115 Optimax Pro XS. The 50 I had on my 185 moved it along just fine. Good luck!

 

Gary

[Tom 513]

Thanks You Chief, the tracker is a 10 yr old boat that looks like a new one, and coming from my first boat a 13ft fiberglass tri haul I am sure it will be a delight, although I can see my self babying it too much, might have to keep the old boat for the shallow rivers! Conrads on the 190 that is a nice boat, I know that one well too, You see I've marveled over Trackers brochures like a teenager with a stolen Playboy magazine, funny how Our interest change through Our lives! lol