Thinking of a new boat 2024
Zeeter reply :
I'm looking at a Tracker Pro V-16. Bear in mind that cost is a factor.
This is not specifically a bass boat as I want to use it on the great lakes and some of the pike lakes in the Adirondacks.
Is there any specific reason why I would NOT want to get this boat? I remember hearing bad things about Tracker about ten or fifteen years ago, but have heard recently that their quality has improved.
fishnkamp reply :
Actually that boat would do lots of good things for you. Although the boat is only 16 feet long there is no reason with the deeper that you could not fish in the Gunpowder River,or here by me around Middle River, Hart-Miller Island,Pleasure Island and Back River. In those areas you will have the opportunity to catch bass, stiper, perch and big catfish. This is my home stomping grounds so I am sure it will work. The boat size means you will not be able to go out and just run all over without being aware of weather and tides, but I promise you it will be a fun boat. I would upgrade the power on the trolling motor. The rail system that they run around the gunnel is nice to add drink holders, a tool holder, or rod holders if you decide to catfish and pike fish.
fishnkamp reply :
I wish i was recovered and back to work so I can get you out in these waters you and I are surrounded by. My wife and I have had 11 boats in almost 40 years together. During the last 16 years we have fished Maryland and Pennsylvania waters. That boat would not have had much trouble in most of the places we went nearby except for the reservoirs, as you know. Our two biggest boats were an 18 and a 20 foot fiberglass bass boat. With those boats I had more freedom to roam around farther and not worry as much with weather and tides but the boat I have fished out of for the last 5 years is a Lowe 17 1/2 foot aluminum bass boat. It has been all over 5 or 6 states to fish in fact I just told my wife I need to replace the tires for once we have worn them out from travelling, not dry rotted from sitting. WOW! If you would like to stop by i can show you the rig, it may help you to see what you would want in your next boat. here is a pic of our boat sitting on a Dock in Kentucky (Dale Hollow Lake) Notice what the rental boats next to me look like.
Zeeter reply :
I was looking for a way to upgrade the trolling motor but it just doesn't look possible with this one. Maybe when I talk to the dealer. At least a 65, if not a 75.
I had a Ranger bass boat, used, about ten years ago. First boat. The first time out I didn't put the plug in. Didn't know it had a plug. Pretty embarrassed until I talked to some guys who said each one of them did the exact same thing with their first boat.
Zeeter reply :
That's a nice boat. I'm looking at Lowe now. My only issue with the ones in my price range are that the rod lockers are too small. I need at least 7'3" and they only go up to 6'6". I can't angle them into that space. It seems like a minor point, but my Colorado can't fit rods in the bed without them sticking out, and keeping them in the cab is pretty uncomfortable.
fishnkamp reply :
The Tracker floor plan looks better than Lowe's or Crestliner's (sister boat companies) You were asking if that boat would fit your needs in order to fish around here as well as in lakes like the Adirondacks. Any boat that would work good there would also work fine on places like Dale Hollow which is about 60 miles long and fed by 3 or 4 rivers. They chose the Crestliners because they are real big out there, but they are the same style boat as the boat you are considering. That Tracker will be a nice multi species boat and the rod lockers are long enough to store 8 foot rods. Have you ever caught any big catfish? How about stripers?
Zeeter reply :
Biggest catfish I ever caught was probably an 18" channel, which is an ok size at best. Caught a small striper once.
I'm going after Pike and Walleye on this trip in a couple of weeks. I won't have the boat by then but the place I'm renting has one with a trolling motor.
fishnkamp reply :
Excellent both fight real hard and I know the walleye taste great. I have never eaten pike. I wonder what they taste like? Well when you do get your boat we have been getting both channels and big blue cats and in fall there are lots of good stripers around in the creeks.
Further North reply :
A 16 footer would feel a little light for me on the Great Lakes...other than that, I'd guess you're good to go.
I've had my Crestliner 1850 out on Lake Michigan...and I could see that I'd be a little light if conditions changed.
DelcoSol reply :
If you're looking to go to the great lakes you need bigger. I was out on a 16' tracker on Onieda and it was scary. Actually ended up breaking the welds on the bow and transom totaling the boat. Even with my 20' BassCat on the same water with high winds it was bad. Onieda is much smaller than Erie or Ontario. The great lakes are a completely different animal. Even besides the wind you need to worry about larger boat wakes.
That boat will be OK on the Upper Chesapeake and surrounding areas. It's beter to be safe than sorry.
slonezp reply :
On 7/15/2016 at 4:33 AM, fishnkamp said:. here is a pic of our boat sitting on a Dock in Kentucky (Dale Hollow Lake) Notice what the rental boats next to me look like.
If I owned a boat rental business on KY Lake, you'd better believe they would be deep v's. Less liability risk. When that north wind gets howlin' out there it gets nasty.
slonezp reply :
On 7/17/2016 at 9:42 PM, DelcoSol said:If you're looking to go to the great lakes you need bigger. I was out on a 16' tracker on Onieda and it was scary. Actually ended up breaking the welds on the bow and transom totaling the boat. Even with my 20' BassCat on the same water with high winds it was bad. Onieda is much smaller than Erie or Ontario. The great lakes are a completely different animal. Even besides the wind you need to worry about larger boat wakes.
That boat will be OK on the Upper Chesapeake and surrounding areas. It's beter to be safe than sorry.
Going out on the great lakes he would need to pick and choose his days and be very conscious of the weather as things can change very fast. I know a guy who trolls for salmon out of Chicago in a 16ft Lund Mr Pike with a 40hp tiller. You'd never get me in that boat.....but he has been doing it for years.
Zeeter reply :
While the Great Lakes would be nice, I don't want to get something so big I can't take it out on the smaller lakes.
Zeeter reply :
Bringing this up again because it's decision time. I have until Saturday to pull the plug (pun intended) on the Tracker.
Any reason why I wouldn't get a Tracker boat? I read some reviews of them, however they sell a lot of boats and usually you're only going to hear the negative feedback. Some people are quite happy with them. A minor problem here or there but nothing major.
BassB8Caster reply :
A good thing to consider with any brand you buy would be whether you have a quality local dealer. If something goes wrong, are they going to take care of you?
fishnkamp reply :
Zeeter I am curios, could your budget expand from the Pro Guide V16 to the Pro Guide Pro V 175? If so the difference in price is roughly $4525.00, but it means your boat size increases from a 16 foot boat with a 70 inch bottom and a 90 hp max limit to a 16' 11" boat with a 82 inch bottom and a 115 hp limit. I do not care about the bigger engine or how fast it can go I am thinking of the safety the bigger boat , 1 foot longer and 1 foot wider means stability in BIG water situations. Otherwise I understand the budget rules. I am sure that the V16 will work for you fine. There are a tons of Tracker dealers including our Bass Pro, here in Baltimore, selling them. Make sure to pick up a few options like the have them move the Hook 3 depth finder to the front deck. Install a trolling motor transducer. Next have them install a Lowrance Elite TI in its place at the console. You will only be doing it the first time you get the boat out trust me. I would order the versa trac fishing rod holder option, great for cat fishing, stripers etcetera. Also get a cover. Good Luck. We still need to get out whenever I get clearance from the Doctors.
"hamma" reply :
I have a 2000 deep v 16 ft tracker with a 40 hp tiller that I take out on the larger lakes up here in New England, except Champlain (just havent done it yet) but id be wary of the weather when i finally do.
Im sure that the great lakes are to big for my rig when the weather kicks up, but then yet, what size boat is big enough for the weather on the great lakes. If there is a good dealership where you live ,...go for it. Ive had nothing but good times on my boat, recently re-powered (due to health issues) and had some kinks to work out but nothing major.
I dont regret my purchase of a tracker one bit
Zeeter reply :
I'm comparing to Lund boats now, but I don't know of any dealers in the area. The closest one is up by Philadelphia, which is quite a haul for me. Hopefully they at least have places to have it serviced down here.
Zeeter reply :
On 8/9/2016 at 4:11 AM, fishnkamp said:Zeeter I am curios, could your budget expand from the Pro Guide V16 to the Pro Guide Pro V 175? <snip>
Fishnkamp, I'm now looking at the Lund boats. They do seem to have a better reputation as far as multi-species boats. And I am looking at 17'ers. The price is about $4K more for the Lund vs the Tracker on the 17 footers, but the beam is wider - not by much but it means more square footage.
I think with Lund I won't get as much for my money. Yet what struck me when I was checking out the Tracker was that I stepped on the rear fishing platform and it almost felt like the storage compartment was going to cave in. The plywood didn't seem strong enough, which seems like an odd area to cut costs. I mean, how much is another few mm of plywood? Obvious resolution is to not step on it that, but then what's the point of having a storage compartment in the floor?
A-Jay reply :
On 8/9/2016 at 8:35 PM, Zeeter said:I think with Lund I won't get as much for my money.
As a Lund Boat owner - I Could Not Possibly Disagree more.
A-Jay
Zeeter reply :
On 8/9/2016 at 10:28 PM, A-Jay said:As a Lund Boat owner - I Could Not Possible Disagree more.
A-Jay
What I mean by that is dollar for dollar, I think you get more with the tracker because it appears that they use cheaper materials. Using comparable boats and disregarding price you're probably right.
PourMyOwn reply :
On 8/9/2016 at 8:35 PM, Zeeter said:Fishnkamp, I'm now looking at the Lund boats. They do seem to have a better reputation as far as multi-species boats. And I am looking at 17'ers. The price is about $4K more for the Lund vs the Tracker on the 17 footers, but the beam is wider - not by much but it means more square footage.
I think with Lund I won't get as much for my money. Yet what struck me when I was checking out the Tracker was that I stepped on the rear fishing platform and it almost felt like the storage compartment was going to cave in. The plywood didn't seem strong enough, which seems like an odd area to cut costs. I mean, how much is another few mm of plywood? Obvious resolution is to not step on it that, but then what's the point of having a storage compartment in the floor?
Lund makes top quality boats, and are easy to resell later.
A-Jay reply :
On 8/9/2016 at 10:30 PM, Zeeter said:What I mean by that is dollar for dollar, I think you get more with the tracker because it appears that they use cheaper materials. Using comparable boats and disregarding price you're probably right.
I have never owned any Tracker Boat products so I can not & will not attempt to compare the two.
Tracker Boats have been around since 1978. The Lund Heritage started 30 Years before that.
Being The Best Selling may not be the same as being The Best.
If you believe that there could be a Quantity vs a Quality situation existing between any two brands, you'll need to decide what's more important to you.
That choice is always very easy for me.
Good Luck
A-Jay
Zeeter reply :
On 8/9/2016 at 11:06 PM, A-Jay said:I have never owned any Tracker Boat products so I can not & will not attempt to compare the two.
Tracker Boats have been around since 1978. The Lund Heritage started 30 Years before that.
Being The Best Selling may not be the same as being The Best.
If you believe that there could be a Quantity vs a Quality situation existing between any two brands, you'll need to decide what's more important to you.
That choice is always very easy for me.
Good Luck
A-Jay
I think we're on the same page here. Sure, Tracker may be the best selling, but as Chevy beats Mercedes in sales, that doesn't make Chevy a better vehicle. My point was that if comparing a Chevy with a comparable Mercedes, if I spent the same amount of money on the Chevy I could get a lot more features. So more for my money. Doesn't make it a better car; just has more cupholders or...whatever.
fishnkamp reply :
Are you looking at a Lund Impact 1775 ss?
Zeeter reply :
So one of the dealers called. They have a 2011 Crestliner Fish Hawk 1600. 50hp, bimini top (not that a top is a factor), 55 thrust wireless trolling motor, so presumably I could use the trolling motor if I'm in my kitchen. It's a nice looking boat from the stock pictures. He's going to send me some pictures of the actual boat and I will post them here. I'd like a bigger engine; at least a 60.
Yet what I'm looking at is the higher quality of Crestliner over Tracker but maybe below Lund, and the lower payments. Like...a LOT lower.
On 8/9/2016 at 11:34 PM, fishnkamp said:Are you looking at a Lund Impact 1775 ss?
Yes, but right now my sites are set on the Fish Hawk in my latest post.
fishnkamp reply :
Would you consider a really sharp looking used boat. Go to Reading boat works. http://www.readingboatworks.com/pre-owned/aluminum
They have a nice 2002 Lund 1700 Angler SS It has a 80# I Pilot trolling motor, a 3 bank on board charger, top line electronics etc. It does have 2 Honda engines on it. The kicker motor is a 9,9. That is an expensive option. The boat is on consignment, meaning the boat would have to be purchased as it is packaged, but I talked to the salesman and he said it was possible the shop may be interested in taking it in and giving you money for it. I know where the dealership is and I had dealt with them years ago. Their price for the package is $13,900 The boat is 17 foot 2 inch with a 93 inch beam
Zeeter reply :
That's a nice looking boat and I might look into it. Found out the rod locker on the 2011 I was looking at is only 6'6", which doesn't bode well for my 7'3" rods. The only issue with this one is that it's a 2002 and I was hoping for something newer. I dealt with a 16 year old boat a few years back and it was more headache than fun. Last time I deal with a private seller. Dealers are sharks, but at least they still have to maintain their reputation and will try to make amends.
fishnkamp reply :
Check one more this is located at another one of my friend's dealerships. Take a look at this http://www.lakesidemarinepa.com/index.php?view=inventory&viewid=780 This is a 2008 Alumicraft Navigator. This is a nicely loaded boat, 2014 galvanized trailer, Honda 90 motor etc .The boat has a Riptide 80 # hand control trolling motor. They will pull it and put on whatever you want so I would go with one of the Minn Kota Power drive or something like that. Barb and I have been doing business since 1990 and I have sent several people up there. The good news about Alumacraft is if you buy one we have a dealer right here in Middle River, about 10 minutes from Route 40 and the 695. His shop is called Port Side Marine. The boat is a 2008 and has a lot of goodies including 1 power pole and good electronics. Lakeside Marine is located just outside Harrisburg PA.
Zeeter reply :
I'm really thinking about that Lund now. Going to try to get there today if I can. I just talked with the guy and they say they've serviced it ever since the owner bought it and it's in great shape. It's 14" longer than the Fish Hawk and the 130 is just about the max engine for it, compared to the 60 on the other one.
Little things that I like are that both fish finders still have their plastic covers, which I probably would have lost the first trip out. Electronics have recently been re-done and the trolling motor is newer. It's 2K more than the Fish Hawk, but between the added footage and the motors I think this is a better buy.
Zeeter reply :
On 8/10/2016 at 12:26 AM, fishnkamp said:Would you consider a really sharp looking used boat. Go to Reading boat works. http://www.readingboatworks.com/pre-owned/aluminum
I looked at this today. Great boat! Lots of extras. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on it.
fishnkamp reply :
I thought it was just about what you wanted. I have nothing to say bad about the Tracker but it is packaged for price. by the time you bring up the trolling motor to 24 volts, add decent electronics and two batteries add a better charger you have added about $2500 to 3500 and it is important to compare boats like you saw today all decked out to an equally decked out rig.Now the kickem motor is the wild card. It can be a great asset if you decide to go and troll for walleye and trout in the northern lakes, or stripers here on the Chesapeake Bay. A set of rod holders and you can catch some big perch, stripers and cats, just minutes from my home, here on Middle River and the bay. Your arm could get a nice workout. I hope it works out it look like a safe boat to cover the water you want to cover. If you choose to get rid of the second outboard I know a couple of places that will gladly buy it, but I think it is a great asset. Something else to consider if you decide you want to fish in a smaller lake (possibly one with hp restrictions) you could launch and just run the 9.9 motor. This could be a benefit if you wanted to fish a small lake in Delaware or in Canada and New York.
Zeeter reply :
On 8/11/2016 at 10:42 AM, fishnkamp said:I thought it was just about what you wanted. I have nothing to say bad about the Tracker but it is packaged for price. by the time you bring up the trolling motor to 24 volts, add decent electronics and two batteries add a better charger you have added about $2500 to 3500 and it is important to compare boats like you saw today all decked out to an equally decked out rig.Now the kickem motor is the wild card. It can be a great asset if you decide to go and troll for walleye and trout in the northern lakes, or stripers here on the Chesapeake Bay. A set of rod holders and you can catch some big perch, stripers and cats, just minutes from my home, here on Middle River and the bay. Your arm could get a nice workout. I hope it works out it look like a safe boat to cover the water you want to cover. If you choose to get rid of the second outboard I know a couple of places that will gladly buy it, but I think it is a great asset. Something else to consider if you decide you want to fish in a smaller lake (possibly one with hp restrictions) you could launch and just run the 9.9 motor. This could be a benefit if you wanted to fish a small lake in Delaware or in Canada and New York.
It does have some rod holders in it. Just bought a towing receiver and hitch; I'm thinking my 6 cylinder Colorado should be able to tow it. I like the idea of the kicker engine, but at the same time I wonder if it might be better to store it unless I'm sure I'll need it. That's an awful lot of weight to add on there for something I may not use that often. Without it I think the 80# thrust could really fly!
fishnkamp reply :
That is an option. It should weigh in around 90 pounds. I would run it as is.As for a colorado no problem my friend Bryan tows his 19 foot Ranger ( with a 200 hp outboard) with his V6 Toyota Tacoma and I use a 2002 Chevy S10 ZR2 to pull my Lowe, no problems even when running those VA. and TN. mountains.
Karma reply :
I just got tired of all the mechanical issues I was having with my 1990 Javelin so I sold it and went looking around for a new one. I really liked the Triton TRX-179 but honestly.. I am not paying over $20k for a fishing boat. I paid that for my pick up truck, used with 40k miles on it. I use the truck every day, the boat I may get to use 3 or 4 days a month depending on my work schedule. I ended up buying a brand new 2015 Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW with a 60 hp Mercury 4 stroke.
I bought it July 6th, they really wanted it gone so they could make room for the new 2017 models. I wanted the 15 model because it had features the 16/17 models don't. The extra forward livewell and the built in cooler. It had the vinyl flooring which I didn't want and it was peeling in places, so with the flooring a little messed up and them needing the space, I was able to haggle the price a bit. I got the boat for less than $15k.
Other than the flooring, peeling in places (it will be recarpeted this winter), I have had no issues with my Tracker. In fact I am more than happy with it. I do miss the extra 20+ mph that my old Javelin had. The fastest I have gotten my Tracker up to using both my phone and its speedometer was around 39 mph with a full forward livewell with two grown men aboard with gear and 3/4 tank of fuel.
The few minor complaints I have are that the lights on the trailer are not sealed. I will be replacing those with sealed LED lights as they go out. The rear restraint straps are beyond cheap. They are absolute garbage. I have replaced those with boatbuckle straps. The electronics mine came with (a lowrance elite x4 pro) is garbage as well. I should have looked into upgrading that when I bought the boat but it slipped my mind. Oh well.
fishnkamp reply :
Consider moving it up front and add something like the Lowrance Elite Ti. It cots 4*00 and it offers capabilities very close to the much more expensive HDS units. Have one of them put back at the console, move the "4" upfront and hook it to a trolling motor transducer. This way you are wasting very little.
slonezp reply :
On 8/9/2016 at 10:33 PM, PourMyOwn said:Lund makes top quality boats, and are easy to resell later.
and I'm willing to bet I could sell my 2013 Lund Predator 2010 close to or possibly even more than I paid for it based on the estimated pricing of the new 2075 ProV Bass. A 4 year old Tracker with zero depreciation????......not so much. 
Karma reply :
On 8/17/2016 at 9:40 AM, fishnkamp said:Consider moving it up front and add something like the Lowrance Elite Ti. It cots 4*00 and it offers capabilities very close to the much more expensive HDS units. Have one of them put back at the console, move the "4" upfront and hook it to a trolling motor transducer. This way you are wasting very little.
I had a Garmin Echo 551 DV from my old boat I mounted on the trolling motor. I will probably be upgrading both console and bow to Lowrance Elite 7 Tis this winter when I replace the carpeting.
fishnkamp reply :
For the money the Ti is a nice unit. If you link them they do not share as much is info as the HDIs but it is the same size as an HDS 7. Most of us that are not running a 20 footer and a new 250 engine do not need to do things like monitor engine stats on our gps units. Also the HDS7 can operate a power pole. These are the extras a HDS can do and why they cost 2x as much.
PourMyOwn reply :
On 8/17/2016 at 10:54 AM, slonezp said:and I'm willing to bet I could sell my 2013 Lund Predator 2010 close to or possibly even more than I paid for it based on the estimated pricing of the new 2075 ProV Bass. A 4 year old Tracker with zero depreciation????......not so much.
I have a Tracker, by the way-but I got a screaming deal on it, and it is exactly what I want for New Hampshire....however, every time Bass Pro has a boat sale its value is less.
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