Would like some opinions on a new aluminum boat

Bugbottle · April 25, 2010, 02:24:41 PM

Hello Folks I'm thinking about buying a new boat. I was looking at the tracker deep V proguide v-175 sc or the v-16 sc. anyone here have a tracker? Are you folks happy with your tracker boats? Does anybody have one of these two models? I have had some people tell me that the quality is not that good: poor welds that crack, cheap fittings and other things. So I was just looking for some feedback before I deciede. I like the size and setup of these boats, but I am haveing doubts. Also it looks like you can only get a painted trailer, not galvanized, are tracker trailers galvanized then painted? I am also considering Alumacraft and Lund. The Lunds have less beam though. It seems like you get more boat for the buck from tracker but I'm worried about quality. Is the tracker a good boat? I would appreciate any advice you can give me. Thanks

slimbo · April 25, 2010, 02:42:30 PM

look at express real nice boat big and roomy huge decks and they ride rough water better than most glass boats

aweiser743 · April 25, 2010, 05:06:36 PM

not sure what glass boats you are comparing an xpress to but i own one and would not recommend it in rough water they will handle it if you are careful but you will feel it the next day

coldfront · April 25, 2010, 05:18:19 PM

not sure where you are or what kinds of water you'll be running...but I do have a friend who fished out of a tracker Pro-v type...very happy with it's performance...

as to if it's the boat for you, a big part of the answer comes down to how will you use it? bigger water, it's probably better for a v-hull...bass fishing? deck space and under deck storage might be what you need...

I've been running a smaller tin boat for a few years...a 16 foot/72 inch john boat...it works well for how I fish, where I go...and it's been on the occasional big water...I just don't push too hard on rough conditions...instead, trailering to wind/wave protected launches...and fishing away from the big water with the big waves and big pleasure cruisers...

other than that, I'd recommend getting as much motor as you can stomach (max out the boat rating as much as possible) and get a bigger, stronger 24v trolling motor...you'll squeak at the charge...but be glad you did in the long run.

Mnorris · April 26, 2010, 07:13:40 PM

Quote from: aweiser743 on April 25, 2010, 05:06:36 PM
not sure what glass boats you are comparing an xpress to but i own one and would not recommend it in rough water they will handle it if you are careful but you will feel it the next day

What xpress do you have I am thinking about the X21 with the 250yam on it and was wanting to know what you thought of them

Olebiker · April 27, 2010, 07:11:13 AM

My Bass Tracker is a 1984 model and doesn't leak a drop. I would not hesitate to buy another one.

Where do you plan to use this boat? I am not a big fan of V bottom aluminum boats for bass fishing unless you need the design for safety in big water.

Bugbottle · April 27, 2010, 07:37:23 AM

I live in Pennsylvania. And want to use it on some of the bigger lakes here and in Canada and upstate new York. I have a 16.5. Ft smokercraft deep v. I never had a motor on it for use around here most of the small lakes around here don't allow anything but electric motors. I have gone to Canada a couple of times in the last few years. The fishing was terrific but the lakes are much larger and the water can get rough. I had a 9.9 on the boat in Canada I could move around but that was about all. I'm retireing now and want to get something wider with console steering any a motor so I can fish where ever I want comfortably and safely. The trackers look really good to me but a Guy I work with who was a mechanic at a Marina told me they weren't well made. He said I should get a lund or a alumicraft but i wonder if he is just prejudiced I'm glad to hear from you folks keep it comeing. Are the tracker trailers galvanized and painted or just painted. I see they say gavashield but maybe that's just a special island paint. Thanks folks.

aweiser743 · April 27, 2010, 10:06:42 AM

Quote from: Mnorris on April 26, 2010, 07:13:40 PM
What xpress do you have I am thinking about the X21 with the 250yam on it and was wanting to know what you thought of them

I have the X19 with a 175 Vmax. I have fished everywhere from Georgia to New York and when the rec boats come out or you get some good wind you will wish you had a glass boat. If you don't fish tourneys and fish smaller water then it would be a good boat. The problem is they are just too light and even going to a 21ft you are just adding lenght and not any weight, and that light alum bow does not cut the waves it rides over them even trimmed down. Just my experience hope it hepls

Herdbull · May 19, 2010, 05:09:18 PM

Check out the G3's. I'm very happy with mine.

wvbassangler · May 19, 2010, 05:34:09 PM

Quote from: Herdbull on May 19, 2010, 05:09:18 PM
Check out the G3's. I'm very happy with mine.

Yep great boat I like the options but I like the big motor option on the xpress I bet them x boats will fly

Buzbait88 · May 19, 2010, 05:48:49 PM

A couple of hardcore tournament guys around here had an X21 and it was a great fishing platform, but they ran it in all kinds of conditions and broke some welds the first year they had. Just something to put in the back of your mind.

RushFan · May 20, 2010, 04:50:13 PM

I'm running a 2009 Tracker 175TXW with a 50 Mercury. I used this boat at least twice a week all last summer thru late fall. After breakin, I POUNDED this boat!!! I had it rougher water (2.5-3' rollers) than I should and I have to say that it is solid. No leaks and nothing has come loose. My big complaint is I have had 2 warranty issues with Mercury. The first was the trim/tilt motor locked up then earlier this year the flywheel broke! The boat itself is very dry, the only time I get wet is spray that gets caught by a good wind or some ass*&$# blasting past me way to close...you know who you are! This boat is lighter than glass so yes you will get drift.
My fishing is the Chickahomony River in VA., and I love to go shallow on the outgoing tide. I thought about glass but realized that I bang around lots of structure and rather not worry about damaging glass. I also fish several lakes in the area that do not allow gas engines. The transom allows space for a trolling motor. I use a Minn Kota 55# to help out with those duties.

VT19 · May 22, 2010, 11:35:37 PM

I DONT KNOW IF YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE UP YOUR MIND OR NOT BUT CHECK OUT THE TRITONS, VERY COMFY

Classic Majic · May 25, 2010, 05:54:44 PM

dont buy a tracker they suck if you want the most bang for your buck then buy a sea ark zx 180 look them up on sea ark boats . com you will like them if you like ALUMINUM

fish bone · December 16, 2010, 01:27:46 PM

Quote from: Classic Majic on May 25, 2010, 05:54:44 PM
dont buy a tracker they suck if you want the most bang for your buck then buy a sea ark zx 180 look them up on sea ark boats . com you will like them if you like ALUMINUM

is that wy so many of us has tracker and love them

coldfront · December 16, 2010, 02:11:11 PM

Quote from: fish bone on December 16, 2010, 01:27:46 PM
is that wy so many of us has tracker and love them

you fish your tracker...I'll keep fishin' out of my RANGER! (cherokee...that is...

)

the truest test of a boat is 'how well it does what you want it to do'...and 'how you want to do it'...

if that's a plastic pelican...GOOD FOR YOU!

clarker2000 · December 17, 2010, 07:45:52 AM

War Eagle and Xpress make some nice tin boats for sure.

oldjim · December 17, 2010, 08:21:29 AM

Had a 1988 tracker 17 ft for 19yrs, two motors. never had a leak, may not be typical. bottom was beat up from stumps in Toledo bend, Delaware river and Canada. May be why it never leaked, bottom was always getting stretched around rivets. Not the best rough water boat, whats why as I got older switched to fiberglass Skeeter. Great shallow water boat. When waves broke over bow had to slow down and keep her pointed in wind. Was in 4-5 ft breakers not fun, never again in AL. boat.
Oldjim

fish bone · December 17, 2010, 10:25:10 AM

Quote from: coldfront on December 16, 2010, 02:11:11 PM
you fish your tracker...I'll keep fishin' out of my RANGER! (cherokee...that is... )

the truest test of a boat is 'how well it does what you want it to do'...and 'how you want to do it'...

if that's a plastic pelican...GOOD FOR YOU!

what's funny is i started with a plastic bass tender

coldfront · December 17, 2010, 11:04:42 AM

Quote from: fish bone on December 17, 2010, 10:25:10 AM
what's funny is i started with a plastic bass tender

and I'm guessing you caught lots of fish and some really big ones out of it too...

nothing wrong, a whole lot 'right' with small boats!

fish bone · December 17, 2010, 01:27:08 PM

Quote from: coldfront on December 17, 2010, 11:04:42 AM
and I'm guessing you caught lots of fish and some really big ones out of it too...

nothing wrong, a whole lot 'right' with small boats!

that's funny too becouse i did i thank about that all the time

stickum · December 17, 2010, 03:36:12 PM

My dad has a 1994 super 16 and hasnt had any problems with it. He only has a 25hp on it so its a little slow. There are some guys in my cluub that run deep-v style boats. ! guy has a targa-17 with a 115 optimax, thats a nice set-up

coldfront · December 17, 2010, 03:58:03 PM

so to recap...to this point...

Lots of happy folks with Trackers out there...
Good comments on Tritons and Xpress

I've seen some really good looking options in the Crestliner series (CX-17/CX-19)...
G3 Eagles look like well set up fishing machines...

classic242 · September 20, 2011, 05:25:40 PM

Quote from: clarker2000 on December 17, 2010, 07:45:52 AM
War Eagle and Xpress make some nice tin boats for sure.

clarker2000 knows what he is talking about, they are both top of the line aluminum boats, they cost more than the other brands but, you get what you pay for this day and time.

cristofera · September 25, 2011, 09:45:09 PM

.

I have a 2003 tracker PT185 silver anniversay edition with 2004 Merc 90. I love my boat. Its light weight easy to tow with my small car. great power and handling. right now I have it completely taken apart replacing the carpet and seats. no leaks or any other problem. would definitely get another one when the time comes