Bass Tracker Project Boat

[ManInBlack]

Hello all. I recently purchased my first outboard motor powered boat. It's a 1987 Bass Tracker Tournament TX-17. I purchased everything in the pictures for $250. Did I get a good deal? The boat has sat outside for the past 3 years and the motor has not been started during that time so I am a little worried about that. I haven't had a chance to hook a battery up to it yet so I don't even know if it will turn over. What can you all tell me about the motor? It's a Mercury Classic 50 with a serial number of 0B238994. I've never worked on an outboard and I'm assuming that I'll need to re-build the carb and replace the plugs. What else should I be looking for?

The inside of the boat will definitely need to be re-done but I figured I couldn't go wrong for the price and my intentions are to completely replace all of the wood and carpet. I'm hoping that all of the wiring is good and that the boat doesn't leak but I won't know until I start tearing into it. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Aluma-Bass]

nice rig you got there it will be great project boat!

[skunked_again]

as long as theres any life left in that motor you got a heck of a deal. the great thing about boats like that is you can create the lay out of the boat. your and sometimes this forums imagination is the only limitation.

should be fun getting the boat read for the water.

[5151]

That is a sweet deal , the trailer is probably close to that price. Do the carbs and plugs like you mentioned if you get some life do the lower unit oil change and impeller. When you tear out the flooring you can put in the water and check for leaks also rewire if you have too. If it leaks find a good local welder.

[CFFF 1.5]

I would say you got a great deal but be prepared to put at least close to if not signifigantly more than $1000 into the boat. I don't know the condition of the boat but I recently bought a boat and motor for $750 and it was a 2004 and I have had to replace the following.

Wheels and tires

Hubs

leaf springs

trailer wiring and lights

new strap

transom saver

gas tank

gas lines

all wiring

running lights

depth finder

switches

carbs cleaned

lower unit oil

before starting change the gas and make sure the oil is mixed properly. If the motor starts and person who owned it before ran the carbs dry before letting it sit, the carbs might not need to be cleaned/rebuilt. Defenitely replace the impeller if you get the motor started. If the motor doesn't start get a compression test before putting any more money into the motor. even if the motor is shot I think you got a heck of a deal. You can find motors on craigslist really cheap right now. It should be a heck of a fishing machine.

[Grey Wolf]

Have fun upgrading your new toy.

[ring fry]

Where are you in Ks.? I've got an 89 Tracker (for sale) that I did a complete redo on a couple of years ago. If you are anywhere near Pittsburg it might be worth your trip to let me tell you what worked and what didn't work. The very first thing to do is get rid of the oil injector system and just mix your own gas. I added on some storage compartments that are definately needed on that boat.

[moloch16]

Wow, even if you sold the metal for scrap you'd probably break even Good luck and if you haven't checked out tinboats.net take a look - lots of experience on the forums.

http://www.tinboats.net

[cato]

I would have bought it too!!!! I love projects like that, you get a real sense of satisfaction after its complete. Be sure to take lots of pictures while you fix her up and keep us informed.

[cart7t]

You could sell that for scrap for more than $250.  You got a good deal.

[nozzleman]

You should definetly checkout tinboats.net it's a pretty good site.

[done]

Sounds like a good deal to me. heck a 1446 tracker riveted Jon hull will cost more than that. As long as it does not have a portal to hell on board (maybe in the rod locker), I would say you go yourself a good deal. If it does, well you go yourself a tourist attraction.

[ManInBlack]

Thanks for all of the tips and suggestions guys.  I definitely plan on dumping some money into the boat to get it running and to make it a decent bass fishing boat.

Ring Fry, I live in south central KS (about 4 hours away from Pittsburgh) but I wish I could see your boat and talk to you about what all you've done.  Could you send me some more pics of your boat when you get a chance?  How stable is the boat for stand-up fishing?  That's really the main reason I bought the boat, to have one I can fish standing up in.  I currently just use a 11 ft. Coleman Crawdad and it just doesn't have the space for me and my buddy when we hit the water.

[backpain...]

For 250 you stole it. For that you should be ashamed, and give me the number of the seller. Hoefully they have another one  

[unhbass37]

Nice deal. I just bought a 97 Bass Tracker pro team 18 with a 40hp Mercury force and love it. From the picture the hull looks good. Have fun with it. Bass Trackers are great boats.

[ManInBlack]

Nice deal. I just bought a 97 Bass Tracker pro team 18 with a 40hp Mercury force and love it. From the picture the hull looks good. Have fun with it. Bass Trackers are great boats.

Yeah, the hull is in really good shape.  I can't see any deep scratches or dents at all.

[tennwalkinghorse]

Nice deal good luck with your new rig

[spin king]

I have a very similar boat, except that mine is a 15.5', and you will have no problem at all standing up fishing.  My boat can feel a little tippy if you have two people fishing and you both take a step to the same side at the same time.  I don't think you could capsize it if you tried, but you could definitely lose your balance and end up in the drink.  I always keep the front seat in so that I have something to help keep my balance.  I've had times where the trolling motor was pointing the opposite direction than I remembered, and I wasn't paying attention when I stepped on the on switch...I haven't taken any swims, but I've been close.  I'm sure it was funny to watch.

You will not regret that purchase.

[ManInBlack]

Well guys, I finally got around to hooking up a battery to the boat tonight and it would not turn over at all.  In fact, when I turned the key I didn't hear any type of noise or anything come from the motor.  I did get a constant beep from the instrument panel but that is all.  Any ideas what could be wrong?  Problem with the wiring?  Blown fuse?  It was getting dark so I didn't get a chance to check all the fuses in the fuse panel.

[basswitch]

Wow, that was one hell of a deal, I'm jealous! You're gonna finish up with a really nice boat. Mine was 200, 12ft, 1957 5.5 horse johnson and a trailer that I kinda think is homemade.

I love my little boat, (it looks somewhat better now) but I wish I'd have found somethin like yours!

[snapshotmd]

MIB - According the my Merc manual, there maybe a 20 amp fuse leading from the ignition to the starter solenoid.  Probably a good place to start.

[ring fry]

Also a good chance that there have been pack rats if it has been sitting that long.  Those little   love shiney things and boat wiring.