Tracker Avalanche 18 SC

[bwfish]

I'm looking at buying my first boat and have been looking at used Tracker 175 TXW with 50-60hp.  However, I just found a close by 2008 Avalanche with a Mercury Nitro 150 EFI.  This has a lot more to offer than the 175 TXW as far as things I know I'd want upgraded sooner rather than later - 24V 70lb TM, bigger motor etc.

i haven't seen the Avalanche before and so far not finding much info on them.  However, the limited info I do find seems very positive.  Anyone have any thoughts on these?  Anything I should look for when I go see it?

Both boats are basically the same asking price  $10,000 and same year.  The Avalanche has 250 hours on the motor. 

thanks

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Welcome to the site @bwfish.

I remember these things because they look like a glass boat. I've never been aboard one, but I've heard nothing but good reviews. The last one I saw for sale with a 150 was a 2008 and the asking price was $12k.

 

[00 mod]

@Brian Needham had one for several years. He will be by to give you some info shortly. 

 

Jeff

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

Can't comment on your choices but Good Luck with the purchase.

A-Jay

[Tim Kelly]

A friend of mine has one. I've fished out of it a few times and it's a great boat. Feels more like a glass boat. He has a 150 XR6 on his, and it likes a drink!

[Brian Needham]

Tracker Avalanche...........Ole Bucky!!!

As far as fishing.... I loved mine, big, wide, stable fishing platform. All the benefits of tin, with the look of glass...... best of both world's right? Not so fast......

The Avalanche has a known porpoising issues........ the boat would be a bucking bronco at any low to mid range speed. Wide open it was fine, anything less than say 3/4 throttle without the perfect amount trim and its a true "8second ride"

I tried everything to correct the issue, whale tails, slow , fast, no trim, more trim, changing props, motor height, adding a jack plate weight distribution inside the boat, everything. I even tracked down the guy (retired) that did the hull testing for tracker for the boat and had a long conversation with him

I added the jack plate the week before I sold it..... I think that might have helped, but I only made 1 lake run after installing the jack plate because someone was coming to look at the boat that weekend.

you can google the porpoising issue and see it is a known issue with the boat

the best advice I can give is:

1. DO NOT buy the boat without driving it and spending some time putting it through its paces, at all speed and all trim ranges

2. DO NOT think any porpoising you find in the test drive can be "fixed" later

3. DO NOT by the boat without a lengthy water test

for the record, mine was newer one I want to say 09 or even a 10....... and had a 150 optimax on it.

Many members from here rode in mine, Including 00MOD and Glenn. I hope this helps, feel free to PM and we can talk on the phone if needed

[Al Wolbach]

8 minutes ago, Brian Needham said:

Tracker Avalanche...........Ole Bucky!!!

As far as fishing.... I loved mine, big, wide, stable fishing platform. All the benefits of tin, with the look of glass...... best of both world's right? Not so fast......

The Avalanche has a known porpoising issues........ the boat would be a bucking bronco at any low to mid range speed. Wide open it was fine, anything less than say 3/4 throttle without the perfect amount trim and its a true "8second ride"

I tried everything to correct the issue, whale tails, slow , fast, no trim, more trim, changing props, motor height, adding a jack plate weight distribution inside the boat, everything. I even tracked down the guy (retired) that did the hull testing for tracker for the boat and had a long conversation with him

I added the jack plate the week before I sold it..... I think that might have helped, but I only made 1 lake run after installing the jack plate because someone was coming to look at the boat that weekend.

you can google the porpoising issue and see it is a known issue with the boat

the best advice I can give is:

1. DO NOT buy the boat without driving it and spending some time putting it through its paces, at all speed and all trim ranges

2. DO NOT think any porpoising you find in the test drive can be "fixed" later

3. DO NOT by the boat without a lengthy water test

for the record, mine was newer one I want to say 09 or even a 10....... and had a 150 optimax on it.

Many members from here rode in mine, Including 00MOD and Glenn. I hope this helps, feel free to PM and we can talk on the phone if needed

A man that I worked with at BPS had the same issues with his, not sure if he ever got it fixed. Good advice in this post....

[bwfish]

Thanks for the feedback.  I hadn't heard about the porpoising issue before now.  Granted, I haven't found a ton on this boat model, but what I had has been very good.  I'm going to try and get a test ride, though it'll be a cold one.

I have a mid-size SUV so tow weight is a factor at the moment.  I can't swing buying a bigger tow vehicle and a boat, so I'm working on using what I have so I can get on the water now rather than waiting a few more years.

I have found a third option in the same price range and not too far away.  A 2008 Nitro Z6 w/90 hp Mercury.  Is that too under-powered for the boat?  Keep in mind, I don't do tourney's and I don't need to run 60+ mph (although it'd be fun).  Says it has 150 hours on it.  It seems to be in a similar weight range as the Avalanche, just a little shorter and less powerful motors.

 

[bwfish]

Well, the Avalanche seller backed out and is keeping his boat.  I checked the tracker 175TXW and found I had no legroom.  My knee was pressing the horn and no comfortable and safe way to drive.  The 190 / 195 had just enough room.  But then I'm looking at a new boat.  Twice the cost and term, but the same monthly payment.

back to the drawing board.

[Brian Needham]

I think you will like the z6, it is a great platform.

its better with 115, but 90 might ok....... test drive, test drive, test drive.