Tracker boat quality?

[NavyVet1204]

Looking to buy my first bass boat and tracker is the closest dealer to me. I’ve been eyeballing them on their website a lot lately and they have very attractive price points compared to other competition. 
 

However, I was recently told that if Walmart made a bass boat it would be the tracker brand because of quality. I of course don’t know that to be true, but was wondering if some tracker owners here could speak on their satisfaction? If I don’t go the tracker route then I will most likely be setting in a Lowe aluminum bass boat this summer. 

[12poundbass]

Go take a look at them and see what you think. They’re the number one selling boat so there is a lot of opinions out there, that’s for sure. 

[NavyVet1204]

Just now, 12poundbass said:

Go take a look at them and see what you think. They’re the number one selling boat so there is a lot of opinions out there, that’s for sure. 

I plan to do just that Tuesday!

[12poundbass]

To better help with your question, you aren’t going to be paying Lund or Ranger prices so that type of quality shouldn’t be expected. They’re cookie cutter boats so you need to keep that in mind if you want to make changes. 

[Jig Man]

The price point is normally due to the electronics, trolling motor, and outboard motor.  Mostly they are smaller and less powerful, ergo cheaper.

 

 I have had both.  Imo Low is several grades up.

[NavyVet1204]

3 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

To better help with your question, you aren’t going to be paying Lund or Ranger prices so that type of quality shouldn’t be expected. They’re cookie cutter boats so you need to keep that in mind if you want to make changes. 

Yes sir I am aware that the cost saving to the customer comes at those exact points. I am wondering if the overall construction is an issue. 

4 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

The price point is normally due to the electronics, trolling motor, and outboard motor.  Mostly they are smaller and less powerful, ergo cheaper.

 

 I have had both.  Imo Low is several grades up.

Yeah the Lowe brand is pretty sweet I think.

[12poundbass]

Check out the G3 boats too if you have a dealer near by. I have a G3 Eagle and I’ve been pretty happy with it after two seasons. They’re on par with the Lowe. 

[gim]

33 minutes ago, NavyVet1204 said:

Looking to buy my first bass boat and tracker is the closest dealer to me. I’ve been eyeballing them on their website a lot lately and they have very attractive price points compared to other competition

I know your looking at a Ranger RT178 because you posted that in another thread already.

 

I assume you’re looking looked at a Tracker 175TXW model. I considered this one in 2015 when I was looking at boats too because the price tag was about $4 grand less. The 2 issues I didn’t care for were the dealer/service location being further away and the lack of customizable options. It sounds like the dealer/service location is not an issue for you though.

 

Jig Man speaks the truth. The electronics, bow mount, etc are as basic as they come. You can upgrade it on your own but I don’t think they’ll do it for you.

[12poundbass]

11 minutes ago, gimruis said:

You can upgrade it on your own but I don’t think they’ll do it for you.

The dealer will do it and of course you’ll pay for it and you’ll be stuck with the old electronics. 

[Shimano_1]

They're all cookie cutter boats in my opinion til you get up into the vexus and xpress caliber. Other than things mentioned such as trolling motor and pumps etc. Id venture to say there isn't much difference in quality from tracker to ranger or whatever else. Id go check out all the rigs that interest "you". You know how guys are....my brand is better than the rest. I don't think you can buy a bad rig these days. Find the best choice for what you want and need and pay little attention to anything else. 

I bought my triton tin because the dealer was close and it was 2k cheaper than the ranger. Had I came across a tracker that suited me it would likely be in my driveway 

[gim]

I am not sure anymore but hopefully trackers aren’t still being built with wood components.

[12poundbass]

7 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I am not sure anymore but hopefully trackers aren’t still being built with wood components.

I do believe everything with Tracker is all aluminum now. 

[volzfan59]

I've owned a Tracker, the old P/T 185 with a Mercury 90. It was a great boat! No problem what so ever. I'm thinking about buying another Tracker.

I've also owned a Nitro that never gave me any issues.

[Craig P]

I have a 2017 ProGuide V16 and won't complain.  I have replaced the TM and electronics and it makes the boat really enjoyable.  Does it have some fit and finish issues, you bet but I can find similar issues in those other brands when I look at them at shows.  It is not until I step into a boat at almost twice the price that I start to get envious.  At the end of the day, I think they are worth their price.

[813basstard]

Don’t forget Xpress. I love the absolute s**t out of my little tin rig. 
Believe it was the last year they put 115’s on a 17 footer, but I’ve seen people catch largemouth bass out of Trackers so they must work..I mean, that’s the bottom line right?

[TnRiver46]

Tracker makes a good boat. I’ve never owned one but I have tons of friends that take me in their trackers. As stated above, they cost less because they have less horses! Apparently they also come with the longest lasting trailer tires since the invention of the wheel. One of my buddies was claiming he had 11 year old trailer tires on his, I was saying no way. Another buddy chimed in and said his tracker still had the original tires from when he bought it 13 years ago. I have no clue how this is possible but it happened twice! And these guys are pulling the boat every weekend and some weekdays. 
 

I should clarify, you mean tracker aluminum, correct?? 

[flatcreek]

I’ve fished out of my 18 foot Tracker for the last 17 years. I stripped the carpet and put all new seats on it.folks ask me all the time what I want for it.it ain’t for sale!

[TnRiver46]

1 minute ago, flatcreek said:

I’ve fished out of my 18 foot Tracker for the last 17 years. I stripped the carpet and put all new seats on it.folks ask me all the time what I want for it.it ain’t for sale!

I think there’s some sort of group or club of guys that all have older trackers they have remodeled. I hear and see a ton of them from the late 80s, seems that would mean they make a good hull. 

[flatcreek]

Yep

[DaubsNU1]

Get the best boat you can afford...if you like the Tracker, get the Tracker.  Always going to be people who love them, and people who hate 'em.  

 

My Brother has his heart set on a Lund Alaskan....going to cost him around $28k with a 90hp, and no electronics. It's been his dream boat for years....he's going to retire from teaching in five years at age 55...figures this will be his first, and LAST boat ever. I'm sure there are less expensive boats out there, but this is the boat he wants...

 

Buy once, cry once.  Done. 

 

 

 

 

[NavyVet1204]

9 hours ago, gimruis said:

I know your looking at a Ranger RT178 because you posted that in another thread already.

 

I assume you’re looking looked at a Tracker 175TXW model. I considered this one in 2015 when I was looking at boats too because the price tag was about $4 grand less. The 2 issues I didn’t care for were the dealer/service location being further away and the lack of customizable options. It sounds like the dealer/service location is not an issue for you though.

 

Jig Man speaks the truth. The electronics, bow mount, etc are as basic as they come. You can upgrade it on your own but I don’t think they’ll do it for you.

You are correct fried. Only thing is, the closest ranger dealer to me is over two hours. Tracker is only 20ish minutes depending on traffic. The stinger 175 variant is what I have been looking at as well.

[Spankey]

I own a 19 foot Tracker and love it. 

[gim]

4 hours ago, NavyVet1204 said:

Only thing is, the closest ranger dealer to me is over two hours. Tracker is only 20ish minutes depending on traffic.

Ya that would definitely play a role. Although Bass Pro owns Tracker and Ranger now so technically the Tracker dealer should also service Rangers now I think.

[BBuck]

12 hours ago, 813basstard said:

Don’t forget Xpress. I love the absolute s**t out of my little tin rig. 
Believe it was the last year they put 115’s on a 17 footer, but I’ve seen people catch largemouth bass out of Trackers so they must work..I mean, that’s the bottom line right?

Is it a jon boat or one of the newer H17's? I first saw Xpress boats at the last classic and instantly fell in love with them.

[Craig P]

5 hours ago, NavyVet1204 said:

You are correct fried. Only thing is, the closest ranger dealer to me is over two hours. Tracker is only 20ish minutes depending on traffic. The stinger 175 variant is what I have been looking at as well.

Are you certain your Tracker dealer doesn’t sell Rangers?  I thought Ranger was bought by Johnny Morris.  My local Tracker Dealer is also a Ranger, Mako and Nitro dealer and I thought they were all under the Morris umbrella.