Bass Tracker deal?

[BigBen77]

I found a 1996 or 1997 Tracker Pro Team 17 with a 40hp mercury motor, motorguide trolling motor, and trailer for $4000. It seems to be in good condition, clean. A little wearing on the carpet. any idea what it's worth, or if it's worth it?

[Starchalopakis]

Have a cruise about in it, and see if you like it. A brand new one is around  $13,000, so $4000 for an 18 year old boat give or take seems a little much. Just my .02

[slonezp]

Is it welded or riveted? Around that time Tracker acquired Fisher and Fisher riveted hulls were known leakers.

[WIGuide]

Figure out what type of motor it actually is. Around that time Mercury had acquired Force and marketed the two tracker engines as the Tracker Pro Series and Tracker Power Series. The power series is what was left of the Force motors and is basically worthless. Depending on the year, some will actually say Force on them and others will not. I believe both said "By Mercury Marine" on them so you need to know what you're looking at. I'd say 4k is pretty high for that year, even with a good motor on it.  

[slonezp]

8 hours ago, WIGuide said:

Figure out what type of motor it actually is. Around that time Mercury had acquired Force and marketed the two tracker engines as the Tracker Pro Series and Tracker Power Series. The power series is what was left of the Force motors and is basically worthless. Depending on the year, some will actually say Force on them and others will not. I believe both said "By Mercury Marine" on them so you need to know what you're looking at. I'd say 4k is pretty high for that year, even with a good motor on it.  

Forgot about Force. LOL We had one on a Bayliner. Lower unit blew up during the first season. OP, Parts are not available for a Force motor

[Slade House]

If it's in good condition, offer him 3750

[dman]

I bought the same boat, 1997 model in 2008 for $4000 so that seems a bit high. It has been a very good boat to me!

[senile1]

BIgBen, get some details off the boat and motor and do your research before you purchase.  I googled a couple of the items mentioned by the other members above and found quite a bit of information.  If you still think you want to buy the boat after that, have a mechanic check it thoroughly and test the motor's compression.  It may cost you $100 - 200 bucks but that is better than blowing $4000.  If the boat checks out and you want it I would definitely work on negotiating the price down.  

[WIGuide]

11 hours ago, slonezp said:

Forgot about Force. LOL We had one on a Bayliner. Lower unit blew up during the first season. OP, Parts are not available for a Force motor

My uncle had a two on Bayliners and he managed to have two that weren't complete grenades like yours was, but even the ones that ran ok had the issue of being way under powered. All outboards are supposed to be within 10% of their advertised hp rating and Force violated that all the time. Where most other manufactures run on the high side, Force was the opposite and were well below the 10%. Their 150's were said to put out something like 80-90hp. 

[Firefish Alumacraft]

I just sold my 1998 Tracker Pro Angler with a 40hp Merc/Force ELPT. It was a great boat that didn't leak, carpet/ wood deck/ hinges/ paint held up extremely well. The Force with Mercury lower and a force powerhead with Merc upgraded electronics worked extremely well. The Force pushed my father and I fully loaded with gear at 30mph with no misfires, hick-ups or dogging. I Understand that the Force was not like very much but it was a solid built engine and very easy to work on. The only problem I had with the boat was the built in fuel tank, the pickup tube broke half way down so I couldn't get fuel past 1/2 tank. I installed a new bulkhead with a custom down tube with a filter and I did a fuel tune up and carb rebuild since I had a stick needle valve. (30min job) Started up with 1-2 cranks.  Sold it for 4500 cash, I was asking 5k but for 4500 I took off all electronics.

 

Any boat can be a POS if the owners never took care of it, I have a feeling that most owners that got the Force were newer boat owners and did not properly take care of it or realized that they didn't get a full merc and were upset.  Go for a ride if you can and look over it really well and if it looks good. 4 is not a bad price.