Advice On Tracker Boats

[JEfraze]

Hello,

I am new to this fourm and I am going to buy a new boat after the first of the year. I have never owned a boat before.

I like the looks of an alunium boat and have been trying to find out all I can about boats. I have been looking at the Tracker boats at my local Bass Pro Shop and I really like the Pro Guide 16WT. I like tha way it is layed out and of course the over all price is grate at about $15,000

I would appericate any advice you all could provide me.

Thanks

[Kevinator1]

I've got a 2005 Bass Tracker Pro 17 with a 50 horse mercury and absolutely love it. I bought it new and it still looks and runs great. I did upgrade the trolling motor to a Minn Kota 55lb thrust. Since Tracker came up with the revolution hull, it makes the aluminums run a lot smoother.

[Fishing Rhino]

Good luck with whatever you purchase.

Since you've never owned a boat before, I'd suggest you take a safe boating course. The Coast Guard has a list of available courses.

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boating_safety_courses_.aspx

[Mr. Swabby(aka westtennessee1)]

I own a 2009 Bass Tracker 190TX, with a 115 Mercury Optimax. Absoultely love the boat but regret that I do not get the time to use it as much as I would like. I was torn between a fiberglass rig and the aluminum. Price difference was pretty big, over $5K. Not at all dissappointed in my choice. The deck is large enough to fish up to four people and going with the 115 was wise. I can hang with most other rigs out there as she runs near 50mph. If you are still in the market for a boat next year, let me know as I may be selling mine. I am in the military and will be up for orders to a new location in the summer of 2012. Best of luck trying to find the "right" boat!

[JEfraze]

I own a 2009 Bass Tracker 190TX, with a 115 Mercury Optimax. Absoultely love the boat but regret that I do not get the time to use it as much as I would like. I was torn between a fiberglass rig and the aluminum. Price difference was pretty big, over $5K. Not at all dissappointed in my choice. The deck is large enough to fish up to four people and going with the 115 was wise. I can hang with most other rigs out there as she runs near 50mph. If you are still in the market for a boat next year, let me know as I may be selling mine. I am in the military and will be up for orders to a new location in the summer of 2012. Best of luck trying to find the "right" boat!

Thanks for the reply. I was in the Navy from 1990 -1994 Submarine service in San Deigo Ca. If you were to sell it what would you be asking?

I live here in Kentucky so picking it up wouldnt be much of a problem.

[Jig Man]

I recommend that you look at some other brands before you jump into a purchase of a Tracker. Look into Xpress which rides like a glass boat, Lowe and GIII just to name a few. They cost more but are better boats.

Also be advised that Tracker Marine is geared to first time buyers who don't have boating experience so they downsize everything and get you in cheaper but not necessarily better. Most all of their boats have too small of an outboard, too weak of a trolling motor and the cheapest electronics out there.

Another thing to look for is the engine. Don't let them pawn a Force off on you and call it a Mercury because it isn't.

[3dees]

jigman is right about the G3 and express, but they are a lot more expensive. I went with a Crestliner which is the same boat as the Triton and could'nt be happier. moer expensive than the Tracker but not nearly as much as the other two. as with anything else, you get what you pay for.

[alexofoakton]

I bought a 3-year old Tracker 170 last fall from a man who was upgrading because he needed more room for his gear when tournament fishing. The boat has a 50 hp Mercury and will do about 34 mph. I payed roughly half of what a new one would cost. I'm very happy with it. I just upgraded to 24V as part of replacing the Motorguide #46 motor with a MinnKota 80#. Recommend this type of upgrade if you are going to fish where outboards are restricted or not allowed.