Bass Tracker 175 vs. 190 - pros/cons?

[The Baron]

I'm in the process of shopping for a used aluminum bass boat.  I'll likely end up with a Bass Tracker, which dominate the market up here.  The 175's are readily available, but I'm thinking the extra room on a 190 would serve us better for 3-4 fishermen (typically will be my son and I and a guest, or perhaps a guest and their kid)?   Are there any cons to buying a 19ft. aluminum boat vs. the more common 17ft?  I've never been on a Bass Tracker of any size - wish I could try both lengths before buying but I don't see how that would be an option.

[J Francho]

The 190 is a different animal than the 175. It's much more robust and full featured. That said, four people in a 19' boat is a stretch. It's doable though. 

[flatcreek]

I’ve been running a TV-18 (2004) that I bought new.smooth running boat and no problems with the all welded hull.it’s a discontinued model but if I had to pick between a 17 and 19 i’d Go with 195.4 people is too many people on a 21 foot bass boat for bass fishing.now if you’re hole fishing anchored over a Crappie hole you can get by with fishing 4 but expect to be crowded.

[gim]

I wouldn't put 4 people in either one.  I don't specifically know what the passenger or weight capacity is, but even 3 people is a stretch in a bass boat under 20 feet.  They're designed for two anglers (or one), not four.  If you intend to put 3 or 4 people in one of those boats and start slinging lures, you better all wear a helmet.

[Jigfishn10]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

The 190 is a different animal than the 175. It's much more robust and full featured. That said, four people in a 19' boat is a stretch. It's doable though. 

Just learned something today. I never would have thought a 19'er would have problems with 4 anglers. I thought the beam on those things were wide enough to stabilize the boat? 

 

Thanks for posting.

[Deephaven]

My 20' tiller is crowded with 4 people fishing in it.  Either way if you swing the bigger boat and it fits where you keep it nicely the only downside is the extra investment.

[J Francho]

3 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Just learned something today. I never would have thought a 19'er would have problems with 4 anglers. I thought the beam on those things were wide enough to stabilize the boat? 

 

Thanks for posting.

The beam on the 195 is pretty wide (8-2), and could easily handle two up front and one in the back.  The 190 is only 7-5, so a little tight.  My Bullet was 22-10 and had a HUGE front deck.  I could fish with the two kids up there no problem.

[flatcreek]

I haul so much gear and tackle I can’t stand 3 in my boat for fear of falling and busting my rear

[gim]

These are the capacity limits for the 2023 models the OP listed.  I can't imagine a used one is a whole lot different.

 

175 - 4 persons OR 555 pounds

190 - 4 persons OR 575 pounds

 

Let's just say for hypothetical reasons that each adult is 200 pounds.  That leaves 155 or 175 pounds for two more people.  Unless each kid is about 80 pounds or less, that isn't going to work.

 

Additionally, riding someone in a bass boat outside of the bottom on-plane area is really not very safe either.  My bass boat specifically states that no passengers should ride on either deck while the boat is on plane right on the US Coast Guard stamp.

[The Baron]

Group would typically be myself and my son, likely often with my daughter or another guest.  Some of my guests have kids who would want to come so max. group would be two adults and two yutes.  In those cases I’d think we’d concentrate on letting the kids fish and the adults would just supervise.  And if 4 in the boat, we wouldn’t run far, or fast, or in any rough water.

 

I’m really just looking to find out if the 17ft. is a delight and the 19ft. a poor handling scow in comparison, or vice-versa.  I’d definitely prefer the 19ft, but having never even sat in a Bass Tracker I don’t want to find out after the fact that guys hate the 19s for some reason.

[J Francho]

Two adults and two kids will work on that 195. One adult with both kids up front. Adult probably not fishing much, more running the TM and directing the kids. Another adult in the back fishing a little more. I did it like this in my 18' Xpress with the deck extension. 

[Goldstar225]

I've had my PT190 for 3 1/2 years, prior to that I had a 1987 TX17 for 7 years.  I've fished three at a time in both many, many times.  The 190 does give distinctly more room for three but you still have to consider others when casting. Two on the front deck and one on the stern works just fine.  The biggest advantage on the 190 IMO is that the storage lockers (on my 2018 model) are 30% larger than the lockers on the 175.  The 115 Merc is nice.  I rarely run WOT but cruise at 30-40 MPH running 4,000-5,000 RPM.  Honestly the 175 with the 60 Merc would cover 90% of my needs but at the time I bought mine there was only a $3,500.00 base price difference between the two. Now the base price difference is $6,000.00 ?

 

I have no regrets on purchasing the 190.  I'm just glad that I bought when I did.  The price increase is nuts!  $9,000.00 (about 40%) bump in 3 1/2 years. 

[detroit1]

I have a friend with a Bullet 21xdc, and the front deck is pretty narrow for a boat that length. 

[volzfan59]

When I worked for BPS, the 175 and 190 we're basically the same boat. Obviously the 190 is longer and came with a 90 back then, you could upgrade to a 115. The beam was the same, as was everything from the console back. The 190's front deck was stretched. The 195 was a completely different animal. Longer, wider, more stable and came with a 150.

As I'm not in the market for a new rig, I don't know what the specs are now. For what it's worth, the 175 used to be highest selling boat in the US. I guess it still is? At our store, Kodak/Sevierville TN, we sold a ton of 175's and 195's. We sold a lot of 190's, but not like the other two.

[Woody B]

I'd go with the bigger one.  I bet it will still be crowded with 4 people.  

 

I should have taken a picture.  I saw 5 people today in and older, smaller (fiberglass) Ranger.