Tracker Boats?

[DonH]

The wife said I can get a new boat in the spring. Was looking at a Tracker V 15 sc. How are Tracker boats and are they worth the money?
Any problems with them?
Was looking at used but looks like most people want the $ out of them that they spent on them.

Thanks
Don

[vonny571]

My brother has had a pro team 190 bass boat for about 4 years and really likes it. He actually just traded up to a newer 190 with a bigger outboard this fall.

[MURF]

Had a tracker a couple of years back. And what was common with Bass Pro packages of about that size is that they put 50 hp 2 stroke. Which I found was underpowered for the one I had. Could barely get up with full tank of gas, and one person with fishing gear. Now have a 16.5 Lowe with 75 hp Etec. Love it. What you might consider is look on the placard and see what the largest engine the boat is rated for. Then go to the limit with either a Etec or an Optimax. The other thing to look at upgrading in the fish finder. I think they outfit the package one step above a rock on a string. Look into a GPS sonar or even better if the price comes down, a side imaging rig.

[snowgoose100]

I know 2 people and both had MAJOR problems w the hull and transom and neither boat were beat.Tracker was a pain an the @#& to deal with.1 guy fought them for a year.The other gave up.

[Chasin 'eyes]

I bought a boat and did a lot of research on Tracker boats since they were a reasonable boat to get new. What i found out was stay away from them. Hull issues, electrical problems, cheap parts and equipment and they do not hold the value at all. Your best bet is to buy a nicely used Lund, Alumacraft or Crestliner, you will be able to get a little more boat and a quality one as well. i went with a 2001 Alumacraft 175 CS Tounament pro with a 150 EFI Merc, 9.9 Merc Kicker, wave wackers, bow mount trolling motor, front and console electronics and paid under $15,000 for it 3 years ago. There is a lot of boats for sale right now with the economy so you should get a good deal. I would also look in MN, IA so you can get a better slection and price as we are limited here in NE, take it from someone who look first hand.

[A RIDDLE]

[DonH]

Well to start off with I don't have 15,000 to put into a boat, and I need something small to get in my garage. I guess it's like everything else there are good one's and bad ones. I talked to some guy's at the dam site I go to and they like them with no problems. After looking at Lund and Lowe forums there are problems with all boats.

[Chasin 'eyes]

There are Lunds that are in the lower category that are real good boats, I had a lund Rebel that was a great boat that I got into for $3,500. The Rebels and Fisherman series would be ones to look at in the lower price range, great boats and more well equipped than a Tracker. ANd if you go to sell it the resale vaule is much better on these smaller boats.

[skeeter85]

I've never owned a tracker tracker but I own a tracker nitro. I'm not sure what the relationship is (same ownership maybe???) I like my boat but I also didn't pay full price at Bass pro although I did seriously consider it. They are definitely not the "top of the line". In the tournament bass boat and sport boat category, ranger is far superior but are priced that way to. Tracker boats are the same way although they are inferior to Lunds which are also priced much higher. I still wouldn't trade my boat for a ranger and am happy with my purchase...I'm just confident that I paid a fair price and got what I paid for.

Here's the good news though. You are deciding to buy at a great time. I'm sure bass pro is going to be deeply discounting last years models. Go up there in March and wait for them to throw in big incentives. This last spring they were including five year warranties, throwing in large bass pro gift cards, and deeply discounting the base price of the boat itself. It may put a brand new one in your price range.


So I guess in short, they're not the best boats but they are cheaper. Nothing wrong with going cheaper to not over extend yourself.

[DonH]

Dave,

There is a new one in my price range. Was looking a the super glide v15sc, with 30 hp Merc. But I'm kind of leery of it because of all the stories on the Internet of the welds braking. Looking at a Lund rebel
now don't know if I can talk the wife out of another grand.

Don

[Sorny]

I have a 1860 Tracker Grizzly. I have put it through hell and back for 2 years and it's still going strong. Bowfishing is very hard on boats, the boat has been great, the trailer not so much. Wish I would have upgraded to a tandem axle trailer.

Good luck
Sorny

[snowgoose100]

Good thing about the welds breaking is 7 yrs ago it was only 25 dollars to have welded.Bad thing is that in a 5 mph wind they boke again at 20 mph across the lake.The 1st time it happened we were w/in minutes of sinking the boat.Had to turn bilge on and sit in front of boat till it caught up.VERY spooky.

[skeeter85]

Originally Posted by DonH

Dave,

There is a new one in my price range. Was looking a the super glide v15sc, with 30 hp Merc. But I'm kind of leery of it because of all the stories on the Internet of the welds braking. Looking at a Lund rebel
now done know if I can talk the wife out of another grand.

Don

Just keep an eye on it. Go up to bass pro from time to time this winter (i'm assuming that's where you see it at) and wait for them to start discounting stuff. They are going to try to move all the 2009 models for the 2010 models which come in late april/may time frame so they will want to move the old stuff before then. And who knows, by then you may have a little more money tucked away and they may be discounting pretty good and you will be able to step up from that even. Also as far as the welds breaking, yeah that sucks and is a serious problem but number one, you will probably be able to take advantage of a free extended warranty (5 years) and number two, if this was a problem they were having, i'm sure they have fixed that defect. That's too serious of a problem to ignore.

And you know what I have found determines the life of a boat more than anything? More than how it was built and who made it and how much it costs... Is how you care for your boat. Look on craigslist at used boats. Some people are selling 91 year boats that look better than some peoples 2001 boats. Keep it clean, store it in the garage, don't overload it, do the scheduled maintenance.



And in response to snowgoose almost sinking... Yes sinking is spooky. The first year I owned a boat I took it out on the river and I parked the truck, walked down to the boat, started the motor, backed out, idled for about 5 minutes out in the middle and then tried to take it up on plane and the front end just shot straight in the air and it wouldn't drop. It immediately hit me that I never put the plug in. I scrambled to the back and opened a compartment...HOLY CRAP there was so much water. I put my finger in the hole and told the other guy that was with me to find the plug. He found it and we got it plug. The bilge pump got a good workout. I swear it pumped for 15-20 minutes before it was dry.

[DonH]

Dave,

Was over BPS couple of times, and they want more for a 2009 with a 25hp then a 2010 with a 30hp. Really looking hard at the 1475 Lund with a 30 hp Merc. Or the Alumacraft 14 fisherman with 25 hp Yamaha. Going to wait till after the boat show in February.

Don

[bradh]

I've welded on my Tracker and replaced/tightened rivets. It was also made in 1984 so it's seen plenty of use. I love my boat and it's perfect for the type of fishing I do but if I wanted to buy again I'd look really hard for a Lund, alumacraft or crestliner.

[MA Machine]

I have a old 1980 beat up Lund Mr. Pike and it just keeps going without any issues. I'm not a fan of the tracker boats but I also have to admit I've never been in one. I've looked them over at BPS and all I had to do was look down the outside of a Tracker. I always notice creases where anything is connected to the inside of the hull. Maybe it's not a issue but it just strikes me as inferior materials and manufacturing. If I ever upgrade my junker it would propbably be a nice used Alumicraft or Lund. I'm betting I'll have to sink this one before my wife lets me get another one. Your a lucky man to have a wife that is on your side of the boat issue!!

[DonH]

I think I'm going with the Lund Rebel 1475 with side console, 30hp Merc.
Went out to Victory Marine and looked at the lunds. He didn't have the 14 in stock but looked at the 16 and they are nice boats. The wife liked it because it was deeper then the Tracker. Also priced a Alumacraft buy the time you add the 30hp merc, shipping and prep it's close to the same price as the Lund.
Thanks for all the input,
Don

[burtim]

If you can find a used Boston Whaler, you'll never need another boat. The little 13' sport can be found used at a decent price. There are a few of them around if you look on ebay and others. Fiberglass, not aluminum. They can't sink. Resale value is tops. Fits in anyone's garage. Incredibly stable, you'll think you're in a 21' bass boat. I love 'em and a 40 HP will run most of the day on 6 gallons of fuel and get you around at 30+ MPH. Search for them on Google.

[Chasin 'eyes]

You won't go wrong with the Lund or Alumacraft, both are great boats and with hold their value. Show us some pics when you get it.

[DonH]

Not getting it till spring, but will post some photo's when I do. Have to remodel the Garage a bit to get it in.