Boat Purchase opinion

[dwctjohnson]

Honest info/opinion please.

Please be as unbiased as possible. I would like honest good and bad on both if you have experience with them.  

I am soon to be purchasing a new boat and have narrowed it down to two boats

1: Tracker 175 TXW Tournament Edition 

2: Ranger RT178

Both equipped with 75hp Mercury engines

I would mainly be fishing lakes in central North Carolina. Jordan Lake, High Rock, Randleman Sharon Harris mainly fishing for bass.

With the occasional trip to the coast to fish the flats and back creeks for Reds, Flounder and Specs.  

Please drop your opinions.

 

 

  

[RHuff]

I have a Triton VT-17 with a 50HP so I can relate.. easy boat to pull and maintain.. easy on gas.. light by bass boat standards so will get blown around by solid wind (I added motorguide tour pro with pin point = game changer).. I get around 32 on gps by myself with calm slick water.. 27-28 loaded with 2 people.. I’d give ranger the lead on fit and finish but either would be a solid

boat for a first time owner like I was…Either of those boats will get you to any spot you want to fish. I have ran mine on Chickamauga from Dayton to Chester Frost multiple times with no issues it may just take you longer to get there… Do I wish I had a big rig? Sometimes.. Am I thankful my smaller, less expensive boat is paid for? Every time I see those big rigs ?

[Junk Fisherman]

Without having done research on both models, I would get the Ranger since the brand and what it means is important to me.    From their reputation, Ranger has the higher quality, with a better trailer, better carpet, seats, ect.  Plus, I would rather say I own a Ranger than a Tracker.  

[Catt]

Both are pretty close to identical, my opinion would be to go with the best deal with the best service department.

 

One suggestion on both, upgrade the trolling motor, 45# thrust will not cut it.

1 minute ago, Junk Fisherman said:

Plus, I would rather say I own a Ranger than a Tracker.  

 

Ranger is owned by Tracker ?

[Lead Head]

Upgrading the trolling motor is great advice! Many people feel like light boats are fine with 12 volt 45lb trolling motors. They are... in no wind or current. I have found that a light boat getting moved by wind and current forces me to use my trolling motor near constantly. If you plan to be on the water more than 3-4 hours at a time, I highly recommend a 24 volt system. 

[Junk Fisherman]

30 minutes ago, Catt said:

Both are pretty close to identical, my opinion would be to go with the best deal with the best service department.

 

One suggestion on both, upgrade the trolling motor, 45# thrust will not cut it.

 

Ranger is owned by Tracker ?

 

I know.  I'd rather have a Lexus than a Toyota too.  

[padon]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

Both are pretty close to identical, my opinion would be to go with the best deal with the best service department.

 

One suggestion on both, upgrade the trolling motor, 45# thrust will not cut it.

 

Ranger is owned by Tracker ?

yes for sure get a 24 volt trolling motor. one of the ways the keep the prices down is to go cheap on trolling motors and electronics.

[cyclops2]

One day you WILL NEED that big trolling motor  with several 12 volt batteries to get you to safety or start the big engine. COUNT on it. I have been in a 18' when BOTH main gas died repeatedly. & the batteries gave out.  I became the motor in the bow with a oar. Early spring . No other boats out. 5 miles down river to our dock.. Buddy was trying anything to get motors to start. FINALLY anasty old guy refuses to tow us untill his son forces him to turn around and tow us to town dock. Some modern boats , engines AND GASOLINE will test your limits and being best prepared in a deserted area. That break down convinced him to do it far better. We have SEPERATE gas engines 4 separate 12 volt batteries. Adjustable wrenches to swap cables and or JUMPER CABLES.  Prepare for the worst. Only had 1 common fuel tank FILLED with bad gasoline just before we left.  GOOD engines do start on over sized DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES. USe 2 separate gas tanks. Always. NO cheap junk 1 tank setup by a dealer

9.9 hp electric starting trolling motor.  The fish do not stop biting when a idling gas motor goes by. a VHF radio with a fold down antenna.  NGK spark plugs are excellent in any idling motors. Indexing of the spark plugs should be done.

Enjoy your new boat safely.

 

Enjoy the new boat  

[gim]

@dwctjohnson, I bought a new Ranger RT178 in 2015, which I still have.  I posted a review of it last summer.

 

One of the other boats I was considering was the other one on your list, a Tracker 175 TXW.  There was no "tournament edition" at the time.  Also, Ranger was still their own independent company.  As @Catt stated, Bass Pro now owns Ranger.  The other rig I was considering was a Crestliner VT in the same size.

 

The Tracker was about $4 grand less than the Ranger and Crestliner.  All of them max out at 75 hp so that was the motor that was going on all of them for me.  While I did not intend to sell the boat before I bought it anytime soon, I believed Ranger to have a much higher resale value.  I think it probably still is the case, but maybe not as much as it would be now that Bass Pro owns them.  If you maintain your boat, it will look brand new.  I still have people ask me if mine is brand new after 6 years of use.

 

All three boats came with basic bow mounts and electronics (sonar only, at the console only).  One of the selling points for a Ranger was the choices when it came to upgrades.  I already had electronics that I had purchased for the boat ahead of time so that was a moot point.  But the options were still much better with Ranger.  Tracker was very limited on upgrade options.  I didn't care for the layout of the console that tracker had either.  It won't allow you to flush mount the electronics into the console.  They have a stupid cell phone holder and the instrumentation is too close.  The one thing besides the price of the tracker that I did like was the center rod locker.  Ranger and Crestliner have theirs off to the side.  I prefer a big center one.

 

The dealer/service location was the part of it that probably sold me on the Ranger the most.  The nearest Tracker location was 30 miles in each direction and the Ranger dealer was half that at only 15 miles.  Not a really big deal but given a choice, I'd take the shorter distance every time when hauling a boat.  I have not had any issues with my Ranger and I take it into the same dealer/service every October for winterization.

 

If you are willing to and have a Lund dealer nearby, I would consider the Lund Renegade series.  The same size class boat in that line can handle a 90 hp outboard.  This line of boats was not introduced until 2016 (a year after I bought mine), so it was not an option yet.  If it had been, I would have definitely considered it and I think you should too.

 

Good luck with the boat purchase.  Its an exciting moment when you haul it home and start using it.  Make sure you post pictures in the "show your ride" thread too.

 

[Bird]

I just looked at a Tracker 175 TXW last weekend at BPS in red and it had 24v trolling motor. 

Perhaps this is a Pro series feature. Idk

[J Francho]

11 minutes ago, Bird said:

I just looked at a Tracker 175 TXW last weekend at BPS in red and it had 24v trolling motor. 

Perhaps this is a Pro series feature. Idk

It probably had the Tournament Edition package add on for $2600.

[Captain Phil]

I bought my Ranger 178RT last year.  I have owned or rode in just about every bass boat they make.  My choice was between a Ranger and a Tracker.   I have owned them both previously.  Both dealers are nearby.  On the surface, both seem similar.  You can't tell the difference between the two until you ride in them both.   The Tracker feels like an aluminum boat.  The Ranger feels more like a solid bass boat.  It doesn't pound in a chop.  The floor doesn't flex.  The console is solid as a rock. This little boat exudes quality everywhere you look.  My boat came with a 24 volt Minn Kota and two Lowrance Hook Reveals.  You don't want a 12 volt trolling motor.   The 75 Merc 4-Stroke pushes this boat near 40 mph and uses very little gas.  The Ranger trailer is also first rate.  The most significant advantage of buying quality is when you sell it.

 

 

[Bolar]

1 hour ago, Captain Phil said:

I bought my Ranger 178RT last year.  I have owned or rode in just about every bass boat they make.  My choice was between a Ranger and a Tracker.   I have owned them both previously.  Both dealers are nearby.  On the surface, both seem similar.  You can't tell the difference between the two until you ride in them both.   The Tracker feels like an aluminum boat.  The Ranger feels more like a solid bass boat.  It doesn't pound in a chop.  The floor doesn't flex.  The console is solid as a rock. This little boat exudes quality everywhere you look.  My boat came with a 24 volt Minn Kota and two Lowrance Hook Reveals.  You don't want a 12 volt trolling motor.   The 75 Merc 4-Stroke pushes this boat near 40 mph and uses very little gas.  The Ranger trailer is also first rate.  The most significant advantage of buying quality is when you sell it.

 

 

 

 

What is the manufacture of your trailer, Trailstar?  Other than the wheels, that trailer looks exactly like what I have under my Tracker. 

 

Plastic fenders with a step I can't use.  I'm not a big guy, but every time I've put any weight on the step I get a crack or pop.  I don't trust them not to break off.  BTW nice boat. 

 

 

[Captain Phil]

21 minutes ago, Bolar said:

 

 

What is the manufacture of your trailer, Trailstar?  Other than the wheels, that trailer looks exactly like what I have under my Tracker. 

 

Plastic fenders with a step I can't use.  I'm not a big guy, but every time I've put any weight on the step I get a crack or pop.  I don't trust them not to break off.  BTW nice boat. 

 

 

 

My trailer is a Trailstar, most likely the same as yours.  It came as a package with the boat and motor.  I'm 6' 230 pounds and I would never step on those fenders.  I have Trick Steps on my boat and they are very strong. 

 

 

[Tennessee Boy]

My first boat was a Tracker.  It served me very well but that was 30 years ago.   My current boat is a Ranger RT188 and I'm happy with it.   I fish regularly with a friend who has a new Tracker.   I would consider both of the boats you are considering to be about equal.   Ranger has the reputation as a premium brand thanks to Forest Woods.  Forest is gone and I predict that Johnny Morris will change Ranger's reputation over time.  I would go with the boat that fits your style the most in terms of storage, layout and accessories.

[gim]

52 minutes ago, Bolar said:

Plastic fenders with a step I can't use.  I'm not a big guy, but every time I've put any weight on the step I get a crack or pop.

My 2015 model has metal fenders, not plastic ones.  Perhaps that is one of the items that Bass Pro has decided to implement since they acquired Ranger - cheaper fenders.

 

I stand on mine all the time to get in and there's no flex to them.

 

The trailer has a u-frame so its a lot easier to access wiring when needed as opposed to a completely sealed-frame trailer.  Moisture and debris can't accumulate either.

 

A couple other items I can clearly see have changed from my 2015 to @Captain Phil 2018 version: they have moved the front wheel dolly to the frame instead of the front, and they have moved the spare tire further back.  Mine is mounted right up against the v-portion of the trailer frame.

[Big Rick]

Although you've already chosen the 2 models you desire to purchase I want to throw in a feature on an aluminum boat that is absolutely required when I purchase. That is a smooth bottom with no ridges or strakes running the length of the boat. Here's why; I fish a lot of lakes with stumps, logs, and underwater debris and these strakes cause untold aggravation when I get on a stump. It's either power all the way over it or back off it which usually means I strike the trolling motor on the stump. A smooth bottom often allows the boat to slide off the stump to the side and I keep fishing. 

 

These lakes you refer too may be clean and devoid of underwater obstacles. But, if you do have them you will rue the day you purchased a boat loaded with ridges that run the length of the bottom. YMMV

 

This Lund Renegade pic shows the smooth rake. 

 

 

[cyclops2]

dwctjohnson

 

 I have learned to ask for advice on things I will buy.  

BUUTT

  I still pick out the item that I can smile at and say.

 

   "  I want to take you home with me. "  Most things are built safe enough today. If built as designed.   Buy what makes you smile  and want. 

[mcipinkie]

I'd buy the Tracker of the two.  It's a good enough boat.  Put the savings in upgrades.  Better trolling motor.  You need an Ultrex or similar.  Better electronics.  If you don't get side imaging or similar, you'll wish you had. 

 

The Ranger is probably a better boat, but not worth the premium cost when you can get in an upgraded Tracker for about the same cost.

 

I'm really not familiar with either of these boats, so can't discuss storage, fishability, layout, etc.  You need to look at those issues and see which boat you like best. 

 

I am assuming that these two are the only dogs in the hunt.

 

[cyclops2]

Gasoline is 6.3 pounds per gallon.

Water is 8.3 pounds per gallon. 

 What does your big tackle box weigh?   ?

 

My 3 standard ? Planos total 6 ? pounds

[gm4511]

The Tracker 175 is a very nice boat and well laid out.  The main negative for me is the bow sits higher on the water than the Ranger RT178.  

 

Plus, when I built each model on the respective web sites, prices were very close.  A clincher for me would be the Ranger offers an Ultrex 80 lb. 45" as a factory option.  Adding this to the build, prices were about the same.

 

If you decide to go Ranger, Anglers Choice in Lexington did a great job for me when I bought my aluminum Ranger.  They also have locations in Spindale, NC and Martinville, VA.

 

[gim]

6 minutes ago, gm4511 said:

Plus, when I built each model on the respective web sites, prices were very close.  A clincher for me would be the Ranger offers an Ultrex 80 lb. 45" as a factory option.  Adding this to the build, prices were about the same.

That is something that has probably now changed with the ownership of Ranger by Bass Pro Shops.  I'm sure many of the raw material suppliers are the same with boat rigs whereas before that was probably not the case.

 

When I bought my Ranger in 2015, I could "delete" any basic electronics or bow mount that came with the boat and add my own if I wanted to.  Which is exactly what I did with my electronics.  The dealer should install whatever you want to, you just have to bring it to their shop.  You can save a lot of money if you buy your accessories on your own instead of just "adding them" to your boat purchase.

 

Another thing that has not been mentioned yet is that the Ranger aluminum series has no wood as a component.  I don't know if Tracker is still using wood.  I would certainly hope not.  Wood rots.  Aluminum does not.

[gm4511]

27 minutes ago, gimruis said:

That is something that has probably now changed with the ownership of Ranger by Bass Pro Shops.  I'm sure many of the raw material suppliers are the same with boat rigs whereas before that was probably not the case.

 

When I bought my Ranger in 2015, I could "delete" any basic electronics or bow mount that came with the boat and add my own if I wanted to.  Which is exactly what I did with my electronics.  The dealer should install whatever you want to, you just have to bring it to their shop.  You can save a lot of money if you buy your accessories on your own instead of just "adding them" to your boat purchase.

 

Another thing that has not been mentioned yet is that the Ranger aluminum series has no wood as a component.  I don't know if Tracker is still using wood.  I would certainly hope not.  Wood rots.  Aluminum does not.

Agree, I've done that many times.  However, in this case, Rangers price for Ultrex exchange is $2325 installed.  Minn Kota now prices the same Ultrex for $2899.99.  I'm sure the OP will shop wisely.

 

[Tennessee Boy]

1 hour ago, gm4511 said:

Agree, I've done that many times.  However, in this case, Rangers price for Ultrex exchange is $2325 installed.  Minn Kota now prices the same Ultrex for $2899.99.  I'm sure the OP will shop wisely.

 

On the Ranger web site the Ultrex 80/US2/IP 45" BT is $2325.  That exact trolling motor on the Minn Kota web site is $2499.  If you order the boat with no trolling motor you get a $200 credit so the cost would be $2299 if you buy your own. $26 less.   I don't think you're gonna find anyone that will install it for $26 so I would go with Ranger however there are many different versions of the Ultrex that Ranger doesn't offer.  Doesn't look like Ranger offers iPilot link or the MEGA imaging options on the Ultrex.  When I bought my Ranger RT 188 in 2018 I ordered the boat with no TM and had the dealer install the Ultrex I wanted.  I think they charged me $100 to install it.

[gm4511]

Tennessee Boy, you're right!  I priced with I-Pilot Link and should have picked I-Pilot GPS.