your recommendations on a boat

[eric_banks32]

Hi. I'm new to the site. Love what I see so far. Lots of great info. I'm currently deployed to Iraq and am looking to buy a boat when I get back. I wanted to see what your guys recommendations where. It will be my first boat and will be used on both lakes and rivers. Looking for something "affordable" but able to keep up on the river. Preferably alluminum. I was looking at the tracker's and like the 175 but I like the bigger motor on the 190. What would be recommended for motor sizes? Is there any other boats that fit into that rough price range? Any help would be appreciated.

[Jig Man]

I don't know the price of those boats.  If I were looking for an alum.  it would be the Xpress.  They are the best riding alum I have ever been in.

In fact I just heard today that a friend of mine bought a new Ranger and plans to sell his Xpress.  It is a 19'/200 Merc EFI.

[Long Mike]

I've got a 1990 vintage Tracker with a 60hp engine.  It'll do 40 mph.  Unless you plan on tounament fishing I think 40 is plenty fast enough to get from point A to point B.

[Catt]

With out a doubt Xpress  

[frogtog]

Thanks for you service to the Great USA.

Xpress is something you might want to look at.

[bassboy1]

I would stay away from the newer trackers.  We have a couple of friends in the marine business, and the newer trackers really aren't up to par.  I have only heard good about the Express though.  That seems to be the optimal boat in tin.

[Gatorbassman]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service to this country. You guys are the best there is. I was in the Army from 96 till 02. It was the best thing I have ever done.

As for your question. I fish multiple lakes and rivers all over Georgia and I have the perfect boat for both. I own a Aluminum Triton 186Sport with a 90hp Merc on the back. Its top speed is around 40mph. This boat is wider than the Trackers and all welded. It is as solid as can be. The great thing about it is I don't spend a paycheck on gas every time I go fishing. On the average it cost me 20 bucks each time I go. My only recommendation on any aluminum boat be it a Tracker or a Triton, is you need to get the trolling motor upgraded to a 24v motor and install an onboard charger. The trolling motors that they put on at the factory are always under powered.

If you look at Tritons DO NOT get any of the VT models. They are cheaper than my SP model but they are made by another company other than Triton and they have had some serious structural issues lately.

[THEbassmaster]

the Trackers are great boats. we have the Pro Team 175TX, last yrs version with a 60 on it. it has enough storage and is very stable. its worked great so far and is fun to fish out of. just a thought, if you do purchase a Tracker i think they all come with a Lowrance X-37 fishfinder. they are junk, i would reccomend getting a better finder on it before you buy so you dont have to hassle with it. good luck on the new boat.

aaron