Tracker Boats Pro 170 Or Pro 175 Txw?

[NencBass]

So I am looking to buy my first real boat (not a Jon) and have decided on tracker as my brand of choice. I have narrowed it down to the Pro 170 or Pro 175 TXW. Both fit my needs as far as person capacity and both are geared towards bass fishing.

 

I'm not really sure if the 175 is worth the extra cost, my budget allows for the 170 pretty easily but the 175 is a bit on the high side of my budget. I fish mainly small rivers in my area and the largest lake I will be fishing in is Lake Gaston. The only other uses my family will use the boat for is me and the wife and kids just going out for a swim or maybe some tubing / knee boarding. I will use the boat not only for Largemouth but also Striper fishing in the winter (I live on the coast so my rivers carry lots of large Stripers at certain times of the season.

 

Firstly has anyone had any real experience with tracker boats and how were they? Secondly is the 175 worth the jump in price?

 

Tracker 170

Tracker 175

 

Thanks for any opinions in advance,

 

-Jeff

[slonezp]

The extra cost is justified by having a longer wider hull rated for more horsepower. The standard features are bare minimum on all Tracker boats to keep the price point at a minimum and options add up quick. There is no need to extend yourself beyond your means financially. There are many costs associated boat ownership that we don't think about when making the purchase.Operating, storage, insurance, maintenance etc. all add up

[NencBass]

I have taken into account the extras, this is why I know I cant afford a 190. I agree with the bare minimum and this is why I have picked Tracker. I really like the extra storage with the 175 as well. Power is not really a reason for me, a 40 will be more than enough for this boat, when I start needing more power I will probably be looking for a different boat.

[zachb34]

My buddy has the 175, and it's an awesome boat to me. All of the trackers and Nitros get ripped on by people for build quality. My buddy has had zero problems with the boat though. The don't have the amazing layouts like glass boats do for the most part but most aluminum don't. One thing I would consider is the customer service. Tracker's " Power Pro's" are notorious for being pretty incompetent for the most part. I know my tracker jon boat will chip paint under an everyday garden hose and they where less than helpful the day after I bought the boat brand new.

[NencBass]

Thanks Zach, I had not really thought of the customer service part.

What motor did he go with? (Your buddy)

[zachb34]

It's a 4 stroke mercury, I believe it's a 60 horse.

[tomustang]

Why not look Used at a reputable dealer?

[Chief 2]

I am on my second Tracker and for the most part I am very pleased. I believe you will be happier in the long run with the 175. Get the most HP you can afford also. You won't regret having it when you really need it. Good luck!

[WIGuide]

I would go with the 175 if the budget allowed. It's got a better layout and is also a bigger boat. The layout alone will make it fish much bigger than the 170 despite the size difference not being that drastic. Get the most HP you can afford since. I'm thinking it might be tough to knee board with a 40 hp. 

[Nice_Bass]

I have a 175 and if I were you I would go with that.  For fishing it works just as I need it for the most part (of course there are plently of things I would change.) But for when I bring my family out, the extra space will be critical for you as it crowds quickly with their bags, etc.  the 170 looks a lot narrower to me, and specs say it is.  Also, I am sure my wife will love me putting a picture up on the internet without makeup on, but oh well! 

[Nice_Bass]

also, I bought mine from a dealer about an hour away.  Stay away from bps and those folks, imo. 

[NencBass]

@ Nice_Bass, why is bps worse than any other dealer? Never bought a boat from a dealer, just jons from clist and trading post. This being my first not arguing just unaware of any pitfalls.

[Wayne P.]

When I got my PT 170 TX, the idiots at Bass Pro couldn't correctly set the tach for the motor.

I got the setting on line and did it myself after taking it back three times to fix it.

 

Their service is only as good as the individual performing the service. That goes for any dealer.

[Nice_Bass]

@ Nice_Bass, why is bps worse than any other dealer? Never bought a boat from a dealer, just jons from clist and trading post. This being my first not arguing just unaware of any pitfalls.

I guess I threw all of BPS under the bus, but Wayne's situation is similar to mine.  Around me, they did not really seem like they knew what they were talking about, at all.  I would not trust them at this point to do a whole lot unless I was broken down in their parking lot lol. I never did actually take my boat for any reason into them because when I talked with them, they kept giving me wrong info etc about many things on the boat/engine/etc.

Since it is not your first boat you know your way around, go in and talk to them and see if you can talk to the guys in back and not just the salesman.  Your folks may be really good so I don't mean to sway you one way or the other without really knowing. 

[Dirty South Fishing]

Just like above, go with the 175. That's what I have, 60hp. Haven't had a single problem with it. I duck hunt out of it too haha.

[NencBass]

Sounds good, seems like the general theme here is 175 with a 60. I did some math last night, pretty sure I can afford it and not be boat poor. Lol "hey guys i got this nice boat, she sure is pretty, wish I could afford to put gas in it!". Don't think my wife would approve. Thanks for the info!

[Nice_Bass]

hoping we helped more than hurt! 

I have a 75 on mine and it is great.  it sounds like for the fishing you do you could get away with the 170, but again with the fam on there the 175 will be far better.

[NencBass]

Yeah the 170 would be perfect if all we were doing was fishing, but for the other stuff I think you might be right!

[NencBass]

Thanks for the info and the advice, I have sent in a check request will post pics of my 175 once I get it home!

[zoniezz]

Neithe, unless you want a pressure treated wood deck. I was thinking about it too, until I talked to the dealer and he told me that. Says its warrantied for life, but just think about it...........

[Nice_Bass]

Neithe, unless you want a pressure treated wood deck. I was thinking about it too, until I talked to the dealer and he told me that. Says its warrantied for life, but just think about it...........

or...that's not how it really works anymore...

your decking will not eat a hole in your boat...

[carlm01]

Look at the Lowes Stinger and Stryker first I have the skorpion which is on par with the 165 but the build quality is better IMO  the deck is all metal and it's a bit wider ... Worth looking at since I think they all come in close to each other cost wise.. what ever you decide ..Good luck 

[NencBass]

While I appreciate the advice, I don't really want a Lowe, thanks though.

[Slade House]

I have a 2006 txw 175, go with the 175, the extra room is worth it.  I beat the hell out of my boat.  i used it 300 days last year, and it keeps on ticking. 

[Thornback]

Always go for the better, more expensive, boat when you are looking at two. If you purchase the 170 I guarantee you in 6 months you will be wishing you had purchased the 175. Then you will not like your 170. I have had my 175 w 60 HP 4-stroke for ten years. I fish about twice a month. My boat or motor or trailer have never been back to the shop for any repairs. I do the oil and lube changes and about 3 years back I changed out the original water pump impeller myself. You can't go wrong with either boat, but now that you have a choice, you have to have the better of the two and deep inside you know it