Looking to buy an aluminum bass boat

[Ohio AMMO guy]

looking for help deciding on getting a 2016 Tracker 175 TXW or Ranger 178. know I want the 75 HP Mercury, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[sully420]

I'm very happy with my Tracker pro guide 16 sc I bought last June I upgraded to the 75 hp mercury. The only thing i would have done differently would have been to upgrade electronics and trolling motor

[kjfishman]

If the tracker has wood floors and the Ranger has aluminum floors I would go with the Ranger.  Also compare the gauge of aluminum  used for the hull.

[Junebugman]

How much more for the ranger? Are you keeping the boat for a while? Then I'd spend the extra money on the ranger they usually have good stuff on them too.

[Tygaiser7]

The trackers aren't bad boats by any means. But I would definitely go with the ranger. They offer so much more

[slonezp]

Boats have been made from wood for thousands of years. Don't let a wood deck be the determining factor. Go look at both boats in person. Climb in them, move around, check out the layouts, the storage, how comfortable the helm is, locations to mount accessories like graphs and such. If you can take a test ride even better. Research the dealer(s) reputations because they will be your point of contact for anything that goes wrong with it.

The Triton hull is identical to the Ranger and will probably run a little less expensive than the Ranger. There are other manufacturers that make modified v aluminum bass boats as well, which may be worth looking into.   

[Gotfishyfingers?]

ranger over tracker. just my .02

[BillyBassMaster]

I have a 2008 175 pro team bass boat and it runs great, but look around both of them to make your mind up. One of the main things is how wide it is and the deck space, these are two big factors. Also look at the storage on it if you have lots of tackle.

[Further North]

On 4/2/2016 at 0:21 PM, slonezp said:

Go look at both boats in person. Climb in them, move around, check out the layouts, the storage, how comfortable the helm is, locations to mount accessories like graphs and such. If you can take a test ride even better. Research the dealer(s) reputations because they will be your point of contact for anything that goes wrong with it.

Great advice.  All the opinions from other folks on what works are just that - opinions.  You have to go look, touch, see for yourself.  Some thgns will work, some won't.

I know a lot of people with boats...I can't think of two that have the same set-up.

[Wileyw]

I like the layout and storage on the Tracker 175TXW better than the Ranger RT178. The ride will also be better on the Tracker which has a better designed hull. I think the finishing touches on the Ranger are better. The main components, steering, motor, trolling motor, batteries, aluminum, carpet, depth finder are all pretty much the same. Tracker is powder coated, a plus. Ranger has a better trailer. Tracker has a wood deck, Ranger has aluminum. Tracker has a recirculating livewell system standard. Ranger is an option. Both good boats and priced pretty close to the same.

[fishnkamp]

Lets take a moment and compare specs.  Floor plan choice is up to an individuals  preference.  But here is somethings to look closely at.  Your Tracker is 17'7" long, with an 89" beam and a bottom width of 60 inches.  The Ranger is 17'8" long with a beam of 92 and a bottom of 64 inches which means the boat is wider.  How far forward the boat stays wide can only be determined by sitting in it,  but I can tell you I have owned a bunch of boats and when I was looking at them in 5 years ago I chose my Lowe Stinger 170 because it was wider than any other at the time.  Its floor plan was my next big choosing factor.  That extra width along with a deeper vee means I get a better ride than other boats I could have chosen.  Mine has the Merc 75 on it as well.  I would also look at the 17 TX from Triton. Good luck on the new boat.

[Wileyw]

In 2008 Tracker upgraded their hull making it the same dimensions that have been carried on to the current model. Unless Lowe has made their hull smaller since you bought yours, the Tracker was the same width on bottom and had a wider beam.

[gim]

The cost comparing the two will be about 5 grand (or more) after you upgrade the outboards on both to a 75 hp.  The Ranger is probably a nicer rig considering all factors and comparing them, but the price tag will be pretty significant.  A couple nice things that the Tracker has that the Ranger doesn't is that big, center rod locker, and the gunnell-attachment rail system.  The console is a lot nicer on the Ranger after you upgrade to better electronics.  If you're able to look at both in person, sit in them, and look at similar upgrades that will fit you relating to your budget, do that.  Think of it this way: you wouldn't buy a car without looking at it, sitting in it, and test-driving it, would you?  Don't do it when buying a boat either.  One more thing worth considering: the dealer you plan on purchasing from.  If the closest Ranger dealer/repair is 3 hours away and the Tracker dealer/repair is 15 minutes away, that's definitely something to consider too.