Looking At Buying A Bass Tracker 175Txw-Help

[rcwhitten22]

Looking at buying a basstracker 175 TXW, the first on my own, and was wondering if anyone owned one and could tell me about it. Do you like it? What about you like or what you would change? Would you recommend it? Or anyone who owns a similar boat in size and price, help me out as well. I like the G3 Eagle series too, anyone know about those?

Any help is appreciated

[Brian Needham]

friends of mine that fish club tournaments fish out of a 175 and they like it, so suits them well. with a 70 on the back it takes some time to make those "long runs" .

I think it is a great first boat, one you can pay off in a few years and move up if you want.

The tracker is going to ride WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY better than the G3, you way be assurred of that.

[Jig Man]

They are both made close to me. I would take a G3 over a Tracker.

[alexofoakton]

I bought my first bass boat, a 2008 Bass Tracker Pro Team 170, which is a little smaller than what you are looking at, off of cragslist in the fall of 2010. It came with a Mercury 50 hp and two humminbirds that the first owner had installed. I got such a good price that I don't feel bad with my own upgrades: 80# minn kota trolling motor, two humminbird SI sonars, and, recently, a replacement of the 50 hp with a Mercury 9.9 hp bigfoot. I fish mostly restricted hp or electric only bodies of water. If you're careful, you can get more for your money with a used late model. Plus, consider where you are going to fish most of the time. Remember, Trackers are considered entry-level boats: you'll wind up upgrading a lot of stuff on one.

[Zoff]

Can I ask why nobody ever mentions the Stratos 176XT? I bought one new for less than the Tracker. Only had it on the water 4 times this year but it seems to be a good boat. Unless you are set on the Tracker, I'd look at the 176XT.

[rcwhitten22]

Zoff12 - I had never heard of the Stratos 178 XT before. Obviously a fiberglass would be much smoother on the water, and the price is definitely reasonable! I was leaning towards the Tracker but will definitely consider the Stratos now. It's going to be later in the year before I can make a move anyway, so I have time. I'm still in the preliminary stages of looking but definitely will take all the help I can get.

Thanks for all the input thus far and I will still take all the help anyone wants to offer. Thanks guys

[Zoff]

Thanks for all the input thus far and I will still take all the help anyone wants to offer. Thanks guys

RC... it's a 176XT. Here's a link... Stratos 176XT

[rcwhitten22]

RC... it's a 176XT. Here's a link... Stratos 176XT

Haha yeahh I meant 176 but sometimes my fingers out run my mind. Thanks for the link, great looking rig!

[Zoff]

I can tell ya... smooth on the water and easy to maneuver. A little slow. I didn't get the 75 it is rated for as nobody have one in stock and I was impatient. Still... 50 to 60 is enough motor for the 176. Cheers!

[jeremyt]

I have a 2006 PT 175 TX I love it other than a few minor issues. The rod storage, you can get a 6ft rod in the locker , anything over that you will have to strap to the deck. I wish the battery/gas compartment was a little bigger, for a third battery. I got it for a deal and I can get it into places that my buddies with glass boats can't get. Now the downside is I only run about 40 mph (gauge not gps) and it takes me a little bit longer to get some places than my buddies, but not too much longer. The other plus is that I can fill my 15 gallon tank about 1/2 the times that they do.

Basically the Trackers are good boats, as many times as I think about selling and buying a new Phoenix ( my dream boat ) I can't justify it right now with the locations I can get and gas prices. You will find things that you hate about them and other things that you love, but overall I think the good outweighs the bad. If you have any particular questions let me know.

[youngbassman]

see them all the time out on the water and have never seen one broken down so that shows something hah. have you looked at a mid 90's ranger. great boats and ride great if you keep lookin you can get one for a good deal

[rcwhitten22]

Youngbassman - A Ranger is/always has been my dream boat. I've seen a few used ones but none in my price range. I'll keep a look out on those too. I'm just getting out of grad school and my budget is limited on what I can spend. But if anyone sees a Ranger like that please let me know

[youngbassman]

Yeah luckily for me we were able to pick on back up in 2004 pretty much brand new it is a z520 comanche with a evinrude 225ho on the back and hydraulic jackplate. with a min kota fortrex 101 on it. We got it with less then twenty hours on it for pretty cheap. If we wouldnt of found that deal we would not have it. But i will always have her.

[the crab]

I have a 2006 PT 175 TX I love it other than a few minor issues. The rod storage, you can get a 6ft rod in the locker , anything over that you will have to strap to the deck. I wish the battery/gas compartment was a little bigger, for a third battery. I got it for a deal and I can get it into places that my buddies with glass boats can't get. Now the downside is I only run about 40 mph (gauge not gps) and it takes me a little bit longer to get some places than my buddies, but not too much longer. The other plus is that I can fill my 15 gallon tank about 1/2 the times that they do.

Basically the Trackers are good boats, as many times as I think about selling and buying a new Phoenix ( my dream boat ) I can't justify it right now with the locations I can get and gas prices. You will find things that you hate about them and other things that you love, but overall I think the good outweighs the bad. If you have any particular questions let me know.

I have an 07 and it will fit 7 1/2' rods no problem. I have a 60 4 stroke and I can get in the low to mid 30's gps. I also have 3 batteries; two 29's and one 27, I just had to move things around a little bit.

The biggest things I don't like about it is that the rod locker in in the center instead of the side, and the speed. If I were buying new I would go with the Stratos 176, and if you go check them both out I bet you'll agree. The carpet is 1000 times better on the stratos and the fit and finish is also superior. The console is much nicer and just looks more like a true bass boat compared to the tracker.

[Mr. Swabby(aka westtennessee1)]

Fry,

If you are interested, I'm selling my 2009 190TX. Started a post a couple weeks ago... Check it out. If you want to come by and take a look, I'd be happy to show you the rig.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/97371-duty-calls-may-have-to-unload-my-baby/page__st__19

Jeff

[200racing]

if you are buying new G3 is a great choice all metal transom and lifetime warrantied deck wood.

i own a 02 G3 175. it started life as a pf. add 20sq-ft of rear deck,15gal livewell,and alot of storage.

tore it down to the floor. was very impressed with the quality all through the boat. 1x2 tube or bigger for all deck framing.

it floats in water<6''

my 50 yama goes 35mph (gps)

[Nice_Bass]

I have a 2011 175txw with 75hp- that is the max for the newer model years, prior to that it was 90hp. They are great boats, holds my 7'6 rods just fine- livewell is a bit small, works for tourneys but really have to keep the water good, may not work well in the deep south. runs about 46mph loaded. My only issue is wind, it can really get brushed along and somtimes you really have to fight it.

[rcwhitten22]

I am very grateful for ail the insight! Yall have been great help! Any War Eagle owners out there? I like the 700 models especially because they are great dual purpose boats as I am avid duck hunter in the winter. Anybody know of an owner if not? They seen like great boats but I didn't know how they rode or if they were any good to fish out of.

[Tlaz]

I bought my first bass boat, a 2008 Bass Tracker Pro Team 170, which is a little smaller than what you are looking at, off of cragslist in the fall of 2010. It came with a Mercury 50 hp and two humminbirds that the first owner had installed. I got such a good price that I don't feel bad with my own upgrades: 80# minn kota trolling motor, two humminbird SI sonars, and, recently, a replacement of the 50 hp with a Mercury 9.9 hp bigfoot. I fish mostly restricted hp or electric only bodies of water. If you're careful, you can get more for your money with a used late model. Plus, consider where you are going to fish most of the time. Remember, Trackers are considered entry-level boats: you'll wind up upgrading a lot of stuff on one.

I bought a 2010 Pro Team 170 last year. It was used 1 season when I bought it. I also got a good deal. Decent stereo and two fishfinders. I love it and cant wait until spring!