Opinion on Tracker Boats?

[Fishing Rhino]

I have made a living since I quit lobstering working with fiberglass.

Here are two of my products. They are not painted. The color is all in the gel coat which I spray with a cheapo, under a hundred dollars, Binks mini sprayer, that uses paper cups to hold the gel coat.

I've made several with metalflake. Some have laughingly referred to them as bass boats.

[Grey Wolf]

well you asked for it, I think they are junk. It's a tin boat no matter how you slice it. I fit squarely into the category of "those who sneer 'cause the're ig'nernt." and make no bones about it.

wait , it gets better: there are obvious reasons that most serious bass fishermen fish from glass boats. I'm a little biased, I've owned a glass boat since I was in my early 20's, now I'm AARP. There aren't many places that a tin boat can go where I can't follow. Just looking at the bottom of my boat would make that evident. There's probably 2 lbs. of marine-tex stuck in cracks, gouges and holes. I can hop logs with it like a kid on a mountain bike.

I probably won't make a lot of friends here, especially guys in tin boats.

there's only one type of boat I despise more than a "tracker"type of boat. I call 'em pike boats. We've all seen them. Aluminum "Lunds" with high sides, downriggers and the huge 5' net hangin off the back that the've only used in their dreams. Usually seen stirring up my fish. Oh yeah, the guy behind the wheel has his license hangin off his hat. That completes the picture.

Hey, some night when there's nothing going on, ask me to tell you my opinion of bank fishermen.

Welcome.

You probably won't last long here with an attitude  like that.

[K_Mac]

well you asked for it, I think they are junk. It's a tin boat no matter how you slice it. I fit squarely into the category of "those who sneer 'cause the're ig'nernt." and make no bones about it.

wait , it gets better: there are obvious reasons that most serious bass fishermen fish from glass boats. I'm a little biased, I've owned a glass boat since I was in my early 20's, now I'm AARP. There aren't many places that a tin boat can go where I can't follow. Just looking at the bottom of my boat would make that evident. There's probably 2 lbs. of marine-tex stuck in cracks, gouges and holes. I can hop logs with it like a kid on a mountain bike.

I probably won't make a lot of friends here, especially guys in tin boats.

there's only one type of boat I despise more than a "tracker"type of boat. I call 'em pike boats. We've all seen them. Aluminum "Lunds" with high sides, downriggers and the huge 5' net hangin off the back that the've only used in their dreams. Usually seen stirring up my fish. Oh yeah, the guy behind the wheel has his license hangin off his hat. That completes the picture.

Hey, some night when there's nothing going on, ask me to tell you my opinion of bank fishermen.

Sratos 375, I don't know you well enough to call you a "tool" (your words, not mine ). I started bass fishing from a tin "pike boat", and have since moved up to an 18' tin bass boat. It is a bass boat BTW, and I consider myself a serious fisherman. That could be argued if you want, I'm OK with that.

What cannot be argued is that there are MANY others on this site that fish from aluminum boats. A large number of these folks can hold there own on the water with you or anyone else. There are many reasons why fishermen choose aluminum over glass, and if your as experienced and serious as you say you are, I don't have to list them for you. I will if you like.

You can choose to feel superior because you fish from a glass boat if want to. I don't get. I don't have to. What I can tell you is this, if you post on this site "despising" "tin" boat fishermen or bank fishermen it won't make any difference what else you bring to the table, you will not be taken seriously by many of us. Just my $.02

[MtCarmelTriton20x]

Hey should we remind Stratos that a BASS Elite event was won in 2009 out of a tin boat. I think they probably know a little more about bass fishing than he does and Mark got the $100,000.00 check to prove it. I personally have a glass boat with all the bells and whistles but before I got it i had an 18' Monarch(tin boat) with a 75hp Force motor. I had it because it was what I could get at the time and I'm not real sure I didn't catch more fish out of it. Granted my current boat is more stable, has more storage, a lot smoother in chop, and a heck of alot faster. Will any of these help you catch fish? Not really but I am a die hard glass boat lover but I will definately not sneer at anyone who wants to get out and fish even if they are on a plastic paddle boat(I have done this too by the way) only jet skis that buzz right beside me while I'm trying to fish. Now that I got that out of my system a Tracker seems to be a pretty good boat. I have a buddy that I fish with that has one and we do just fine fishing out of it.

[burleytog]

Stratos the problem with people like you is that you are afraid to say what you really feel. ;D BS aside, all opinions are welcome. AND welcome to Bass Resource!

See above Short Mike...

[JohnnyBigger]

The beloved Bass Tracker, pros and cons haha............I looked into buying the Tracker,Nitro,Stratos because of the fact they all are the best boats for the price, I bought a Stratos, but i think the Bass Tracker is a good boat for the fisherman not the tournament angler, big difference. Trackers are good for guys who like to only fish on nice days with low wind, but they can be very versatile, I like to fish in all conditions. i fished with a buddy on lake Walk-n-Water with 15-25mph winds in a Tracker and thought my kidneys were gunna explode. They are very stealthy and can go where my boat cant, very good design and look nice, you get the boat your comfortable with, take it for a ride first and see if you like it. Mark Menendez won a Elite series tourney with an aluminum boat because he had to go through water that was real shallow. All boats have pros and cons, it all depends on what you like and can afford not everybody can buy a 20' boat if you like it buy it

[stratos 375]

my humble apologies, I'll have to go back & re-read the original post. I could have swore it said he was looking for opinions on a tracker. I did offer an opinion of them and other tin boats as well.

I'm sure there a lots of fishermen who could outfish me in their tin boats. Never said I was a great fisherman, I,ve just been doing it a long time.

And maybe along the way, I may make a friend or two here. My old 375 has almost 3,000 trips on her, and she's my second stratos. I don't fish tournaments ( anymore) and have been pounding the lakes is SE PA for decades and know them all extremely well. Anybody who needs advice on them can ask me anytime. If you ever see me out fishing, please don't come near me if you have a pike boat 8-)

[Fishbone]

You fish SE Pa.

How about the Nock? Any tips?

Oh yeah, you left out kayaks. LOL

[Fishing Rhino]

Apology accepted. 

Be sure to read the last paragraph when you gave your opinion of the type of person who fishes from them. 

You know, the guy who has his license hanging from his hat, that completes the picture.

Your post was absolutely fine to that point, until you alluded to the type of person who would own such a vessel.

Yours was not the first comment about the license thing, and I find it funny, because I do not take myself seriously, nor am I easily offended.

Good thing you haven't seen me with my RI license.  Printed it off the internet and carry it in one of those hang around your neck, thingies for displaying tickets or whatever.

RI requires the license to be visible, and it works for me.

Fashion is definitely not my forte.

As an aside, I've seen the environmental police checking licenses at boat ramps.  They ask to see a license, but they have never asked for mine.

They cannot know if whats in that holder is even valid, but they see me loading or unloading and don't even ask to look closely at it.

Welcome.  Be sure to read the rules carefully.  The mods on here can be without mercy.  They sometimes strike without warning.

[MtCarmelTriton20x]

my humble apologies, I'll have to go back & re-read the original post. I could have swore it said he was looking for opinions on a tracker. I did offer an opinion of them and other tin boats as well.

I'm sure there a lots of fishermen who could outfish me in their tin boats. Never said I was a great fisherman, I,ve just been doing it a long time.

And maybe along the way, I may make a friend or two here. My old 375 has almost 3,000 trips on her, and she's my second stratos. I don't fish tournaments ( anymore) and have been pounding the lakes is SE PA for decades and know them all extremely well. Anybody who needs advice on them can ask me anytime. If you ever see me out fishing, please don't come near me if you have a pike boat 8-)

It is not that you gave an oppinion it is the way you gave the opinion. A lot was lost in your delivery. I understand that you don't like tin boats but why degrade people who do? Attitudes like this is what turned me away from bass clubs for years. It seemed like everytime I was fishing one would pull in on the point I was fishing,proudly wearing his club shirt, and I would say did you not see me here. They seemed to always reply yeah but I'm fishing a tournament. I have since learned that not all have this attitude but 1 bad apple can spoil a bunch. I appreciate your oppinion and as you notice mine is the same. I am not a tin boat fan but if that is what fits your budget and your likes I will not fault you for it. That was my point.

[stratos 375]

Greetings Mr. Fishbone. My haunts are Marsh Creek/ Chambers/ Strubble/ Hopewell/ Blue Marsh/ Octoraro/ the Flats. I lived within sight of M.C for many years, have well over a thousand trips on there. Sorry, the Nock's slightly further than I need to drive. Been there a few times, there's better fishing in Chester Cty. Logged about 650-700 trips to B.M as well. There's a few guys up Reading way that do consistently well there, but it's a tough lake any way you look at it. I do Ok there, have many pics to back up my babbling.

As for Kayaks, I love 'em. Paddled from Miami to Key west, the entire perimeter of the Penobscot Bay, Lake Marion & up into the swamp, and all thru the 'Glades. My partner has an authentic seal skin 18 footer that he and an eskimo built. Love Kayaks, as long as the're not made out of tin. I've been looking for a new model that is geriatric compatable. It's hard to get in & out of them anymore.

Pm me if you need any specifics on the lakes mentioned. I'd be glad to help. 

Sorry for getting off track on the originals poster's thread about opinions on trackers, really I am.

[K_Mac]

Stratos the problem with people like you is that you are afraid to say what you really feel. ;D BS aside, all opinions are welcome. AND welcome to Bass Resource!

See above Short Mike...

Burley there are some opinions better stated privately or not at all. PM me if you want to discuss this.

[RoLo]

The beloved Bass Tracker, pros and cons haha............I looked into buying the Tracker,Nitro,Stratos because of the fact they all are the best boats for the price, I bought a Stratos, but i think the Bass Tracker is a good boat for the fisherman not the tournament angler, big difference. Trackers are good for guys who like to only fish on nice days with low wind, but they can be very versatile, I like to fish in all conditions. i fished with a buddy on lake Walk-n-Water with 15-25mph winds in a Tracker and thought my kidneys were gunna explode. They are very stealthy and can go where my boat cant, very good design and look nice, you get the boat your comfortable with, take it for a ride first and see if you like it. Mark Menendez won a Elite series tourney with an aluminum boat because he had to go through water that was real shallow. All boats have pros and cons, it all depends on what you like and can afford not everybody can buy a 20' boat if you like it buy it

You are either young, inexperienced or both.

I cut my teeth in the Atlantic ocean using an aluminum 14-ft Starcraft Seafarer with an 18-hp motor.

I was one of many Tin Cans that made up the so-called Jersey shore "Mosquito Fleet".

During the 1960s and 70s, headboat skippers and charter captains routinely stopped in

at Giglios Bait & Tackle in Rumson, NJ. They'd toss a green machine on the counter,

but the real reason for them being there was to get the skinny offered by the mosquito fleet.

Just days after Hurricane Agnes, I went out alone in my 14-ft can for striped bass.

At the point of Sandy Hook, I had to make a wide berth around several boats

in the 20 to 30 ft range, that decided not to venture offshore. One look at the towering swells,

and they button-hooked back to the safety of Sandy Hook Bay (the little rowboat ventured forth).

On another occasion, my wife & I were dropped off on a large Canadian lake in Quebec

with my 12-ft rowboat strapped under the wing of a Bearcat float plane.

Everyday we traveled a half-hour across windblown bays without another human being

within 50 miles of our umbrella tent.

It wasn't as though we couldn't afford a larger boat, because I also owned several

large fiberglass boats such as a Winner, Key Largo, Hydrasport and Wellcraft,

some packing over 100 gallons of fuel. Still, the mosquito fleet never referred to

the owners of oversized, overpriced vessels as "sissies".

By the way, I lived for several years in Walden Shores, on the north shore of Lake Walk-In-Water.

I was in fact the writer of "Angler's Insight", the local fishing column.

Since we had our own private ramp between Nalcrest and Lakeshore,

I know 'The Walk' like the back of my hand. That little 14-ft Tracker you seen day-after-day

was my wife and myself.

Just last Wednesday we took delivery of a Tracker Pro 175 with a 'Revolution' hull,

(hybrid Deep-V / Mod-V). Mom and I took took our maiden voyage this past Sunday,

in 25 to 30 mph winds, gusting to 35 mph. Even with both 16 gal livewells empty,

the hull never once pounded or slapped.

Roger

[JohnnyBigger]

first off if you lived on walk-in-water why did you move, it is an excellent lake ( my favorite) and yes I am young but I grew up on the water mainly salt when I was younger. I think you misunderstood me, all i was saying was that an aluminum boat does not ride good in rough water compared to a fiberglass, that in my experience it tends to be quite painful when in white caps. I own a 19' boat and I was not trying to sound conceded about the 20 foot boat comment. I may not know all the facts but i have also been on both boats and i know that i enjoyed the glass by far..........just my opinion.

[K_Mac]

first off if you lived on walk-in-water why did you move, it is an excellent lake ( my favorite) and yes I am young but I grew up on the water mainly salt when I was younger. I think you misunderstood me, all i was saying was that an aluminum boat does not ride good in rough water compared to a fiberglass, that in my experience it tends to be quite painful when in white caps. I own a 19' boat and I was not trying to sound conceded about the 20 foot boat comment. I may not know all the facts but i have also been on both boats and i know that i enjoyed the glass by far..........just my opinion.

I have an older aluminum modified-V that will beat you up in rough water if you are not very careful. Those are the times I wish for something else. The newer hulls on Tracker and other aluminum boats are far better and if I had the cash, that is the way I'd go.

[done]

first off if you lived on walk-in-water why did you move, it is an excellent lake ( my favorite) and yes I am young but I grew up on the water mainly salt when I was younger. I think you misunderstood me, all i was saying was that an aluminum boat does not ride good in rough water compared to a fiberglass, that in my experience it tends to be quite painful when in white caps. I own a 19' boat and I was not trying to sound conceded about the 20 foot boat comment. I may not know all the facts but i have also been on both boats and i know that i enjoyed the glass by far..........just my opinion.

I have an older aluminum modified-V that will beat you up in rough water if you are not very careful. Those are the times I wish for something else. The newer hulls on Tracker and other aluminum boats are far better and if I had the cash, that is the way I'd go.

I have a new Tracker PT175 (got it this summer) and I can honestly say, I have been pretty pleased with the ride it gives me. I have had some serious wake, even jumped it a few times.

The ONLY issues I have with my tracker are these:

1. The TM could really be a bit stronger

2. In heavy wind, it can be a challenge to stay put.

The first 1, well, the boat was a steal, you cannot pay for NY a  8 oz strip steak and expect them to bring you a 14 oz Prime Rib.

The second, I wanted a light boat, for towing and storage purposes. Light weight means it takes less to push it across the lake.

I have out fished folks in boats 3 times the cost of mine, I have been out fished by guys in Pond Prowlers and yaks. It is a little presumptuous (to put it politely), to assume the hull material of the boat someone owns (or a lack thereof) is a reflection of the person or their fishing ability.

In either way, who cares. We all have fun fishing. 

BTW, I saw your post on the new boat, good deal man. Good luck, and if you have not already done so, post some pics.

[RoLo]

I should have mentioned that NONE of the small aluminum boats that made up

the saltwater mosquito fleet were jonboats (prams) or flat-bottomed boats.

In a nasty head sea with spindrift and breaking crests, a true Deep-V hull is unparalleled.

The traditional bass-boat hull is a trihedral hull like a catamaran,

which is actually two deep-Vs for increased stability-at-rest.

As mentioned earlier, Bass Tracker's "Revolution" hull is a cross between Deep-V and Modified-V.

The Revolution hull drafts less water than a true Deep-V and gets better mileage.

It also has superior stability-at-rest and when trolling or drifting.

Compared to a flat-bottomed boat or true Modified-V, the Revolutiion hull

can travel much faster in heavy seas without pounding or slapping.

Boats that ride the hardest in heavy seas usually lack sufficient weight for conditions,

have insufficent wave-cutting angle at the bow and/or insufficient deadrise at the transom.

With regard to ride, the big difference between an aluminum hull and a glass hull is "weight".

That is to say, a light fiberglass hull like my 24-ft Hydrasport (kevlar) would not ride as soft

as an aluminum hull of greater weight (the Hydraport CC was a pounder).

It's important to remember that choosing a hull design is "always" a compromise.

There is no best hull, but there is a best hull for each wave configuration

at a given headway. Bottom Line: You can't have it both ways.

To that end, here's a funny story that I have to share:

I ventured a couple miles offshore in my 14-ft Starcraft, the target was whiting (silver hake).

The dry weight of that boat was 200 lbs and the sea was littered with ground swells that day.

Due to the distance between waves crests, a 14-ft hull merely rose-and-fell

with each passing roller. Low and behold, a 27-ft Coast Guard cutter pulled alongside my boat.

One of the boatman hollered something like: "Captain, we suggest you move closer to shore,

we don't want a Mayday". That was good advise indeed, so I obediently though reluctantly

moved my boat closer to shore. That by the way, put me out of range of ling and whiting.

Here's the funny part. As they were issuing their warning I was sitting comfortably in my

little rowboat with my hands folded in my lap (rising and falling gently in the swells).

Meanwhile, the three deckhands on the Coast Guard Cutter had white-knuckled grips

on the grab rails, as their bodies were heaved rudely back-&-forth.

Not to be disillusioned, if the wave configuration had changed that day,

their boat would begin looking better and better in the ocean,

while mine would've turned into a deathtrap!

Roger

[Tin]

I beat and destroyed my Tracker and loved it. I had a 1999 Pro 17. First thing I did was ripped off the little 40 pound Motor Guide and put on an 80 pound. It had a big deck for a 17 footer and could comfortably fish 2 people in the front. The only issues I had was with the livewell. Went through a couple pumps. But the aluminum is great, could hit rocks, jump stumps and laydowns blocking creek entrances, sink it to get under bridges. I miss that boat.

[done]

True dat about the hull Rolo. That is what they have on mine. Good story. I remember many days on Erie in heavy winds. We had a 21 ft Bayliner trophy which took a beating, I remember seeing a couple guys out there one day in a bass boat, looked like they were standing on a log in the middle of that mess. As much as our bilge was working that day, I have no idea how they stayed afloat. We kept an eye on them until they finally motored out of there.

I quick note on the newer Trackers...I ran into an old guy at the dock who had one about 5 yrs older than mine. We were both pulling out so we went up in the lot and chatted a bit. The newer ones actually have a significantly wider front deck. From what I gathered from our conversation, along with that the newer ones are more stable (I have never had a problem with it). Course, I have the "revolution" hull he did not, I do not think. Either way, I will say this, on Lake Wylie I have run into a lot of older Trackers. Longevity does not appear to be an issue with them.

[Bassn Blvd]

I have a 19 foot Tournament TX Tracker.  The boat has done me very good.  I fish it in the intracoastal for snook and tarpon.  I also fish it in the ocean for whatever.  I fish it on Lake Okeechobee and all waters between their and the ocean.  I like it because it's very versitile and fits my fishing needs. 

Now, on the otherhand, If I was going to bass fish only (big money tournaments) then I would get a glass boat for many of the reasns already listed such as it being more stable in the wind and generaly faster.

And for the person who said "most serious bass fisherman fish from glass,"  well, here's a news flash for ya, "YOU CAN KISS MY  ! How's that for an opinion?

[done]

I have a 19 foot Tournament TX Tracker. The boat has done me very good. I fish it in the intracoastal for snook and tarpon. I also fish it in the ocean for whatever. I fish it on Lake Okeechobee and all waters between their and the ocean. I like it because it's very versitile and fits my fishing needs.

Now, on the otherhand, If I was going to bass fish only (big money tournaments) then I would get a glass boat for many of the reasns already listed such as it being more stable in the wind and generaly faster.

And for the person who said "most serious bass fisherman fish from glass," well, here's a news flash for ya, "YOU CAN KISS MY ! How's that for an opinion?

LOL...yeah I would say spending $15k+ on a boat makes you pretty serious, no matter what material a hull is made of.

BTW, I am stealing that smiley. I know a PM who would love to see that one.

[RoLo]

True dat about the hull Rolo. That is what they have on mine. Good story. I remember many days on Erie in heavy winds. We had a 21 ft Bayliner trophy which took a beating, I remember seeing a couple guys out there one day in a bass boat, looked like they were standing on a log in the middle of that mess. As much as our bilge was working that day, I have no idea how they stayed afloat. We kept an eye on them until they finally motored out of there.

In a really big sea I'd rather be in an aluminum pike boat, than a glass bass boat (I've done both).

I ran a Tracker Sweet-16 in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron for a week without any hardship.

It only had "tiller" steering though, so I really needed push-pull steering for crossing

those large bays in a crosswind (sponson-resistance on one arm was tremendous).

We also spent a week at Bass Islands, Lake Erie with a fiberglass 17.5-ft Bass-Boat

and that was a fiasco. We pounded so hard for so long that my Anchormate

finally ripped loose from the bow, and the 12-lb anchor missed my head by inches.

One day for kicks, I left my Deep-V center-console at home and took the bass boat out

for a spin in Sandy Hook Bay, NJ. It only took about 15 minutes to take a wave over the bow,

and watching the water pour into my cockpit-well reminded me of Niagara Falls.

Anyway, since I already owned two Trackers in the past, I wanted to give some other brand a try.

I narrowed the choice of aluminum boats down to Tracker, Xpress, Fisher, Polar Kraft,

Lowe and Triton. Many of the competing brands are using sheet plastic filler-caps,

nylon drain plugs and pin-mount seats without a base flange. Going in the other direction,

the larger Trackers have 4 wide gunwales, bow protector and a full-length rub-rail.

Though it's not something I was looking for, our third Tracker also has drink holders

and lure trays on the bow deck :

IMO though, the most important difference is hull configuration, and of course, weight.

Note the dry weight, squat down and view the hull at the bow,

then check the deadrise at the transom. Good luck with your Revolution hull,

I'd say you did your homework.

Roger

[Freddie Coutee]

On 1/19/2010 at 6:14 AM, Fishing Rhino said:

LOL. I'm one of those guys with his license hanging from his hat.

Harkens back to the days when the law required you to have your license prominently displayed.

To facilitate that you got a "waterproof" plastic holder red, with a clear front and a pin to affix it to your clothing.

I must not be a serious bass fisherman because I have been fishing from a canoe the past two years. And horror of horrors, to make matters worse, I'm going to be getting one of those tin cans before the summer.

Funny thing is, the times I've chatted with guys who have the big fiberglass rigs at the ramp after a days fishing, somehow or other, I've outfished them for the same period of time we've been on the water. And, I've less time on that particular body of water than they.

When I was a commercial lobsterman, most of the guys had better boats than I did, yet I managed to catch more lobsters.

One who was a good friend of mine commented that I did pretty good with that old Novi boat.

I said to him, "Milton, it's the man in the boat that counts, not the boat the man is in." His response, "OUCH!"

My philosphy is that a boat is nothing more than a platform to get you to where the fish are.

Fiberglass boats are nicer than aluminum, but, they neither make one a better fisherman, nor a better man.

Amen on that , just bought one those myself

[Goldstar225]

Did you notice that this thread is almost 8 years old?  

[WRB]

2 hours ago, Goldstar225 said:

Did you notice that this thread is almost 8 years old?  

It's almost 9 years old!