I'm at a cross roads here with my next boat purchase. I'm selling my 1989 tracker tx-17 and getting something newer. I'm mostly doing this for two reasons. One, the boat is narrow and i'd like something a little wider. Two, its a very flat hull design and not a bad ride in calm conditions but a bumpy ride in any kind of chop.
I'm almost set on getting another aluminum hull for cost reasons. Y'all tell me y'alls opinion on this as well, but I can a newer (2004-2014) bass tracker for under 8k. Or I can get an older fiberglass boat (1994-1996) for about the same price. I know the fiberglass will handle chop better, be faster and wider in most cases, but they are also heavier, cost of ownership is higher and the big thing with me is if the motor goes bad (a 150-200 hp) then its very expensive to replace. The aluminum will be lighter, less cost of ownership, and if the motor goes bad (50-75 hp) its much cheaper to replace. But it will be generally slower and not handle chop as well.
The motor going out on an older fiberglass boat is really scary to me. I wouldn't be able to afford to replace it, and i've heard stories of older motors going out shortly after buying a use boat. That's whats pushing me toward a used tracker/aluminum boat.
Second part of the lengthy question is. I have a line on two trackers. A 2004 pro team 175txw special edition with a 50 hp merc on the back. Great shape, great looking boat. It has the "revolutionary ride quality guarantee" hull. The other is a 2014 Pro 170 with a 40 hp merc. Looks to be in great shape as well, but has a smaller motor and doesnt have the "revolutionary" hull design.
For those that own Trackers, new and old. How much of a difference does the "revolutionary hull" have on ride quality? That is going to be the deciding factor in that decision for me. If the ride quality is a lot better on the 175 vs the 170 i dont mind going with the older boat. Plus it has the bigger engine.
Hopefully y'all made it threw all that, and I really appreciate y'alls info and opinions!
I'm almost set on getting another aluminum hull for cost reasons. Y'all tell me y'alls opinion on this as well, but I can a newer (2004-2014) bass tracker for under 8k. Or I can get an older fiberglass boat (1994-1996) for about the same price. I know the fiberglass will handle chop better, be faster and wider in most cases, but they are also heavier, cost of ownership is higher and the big thing with me is if the motor goes bad (a 150-200 hp) then its very expensive to replace. The aluminum will be lighter, less cost of ownership, and if the motor goes bad (50-75 hp) its much cheaper to replace. But it will be generally slower and not handle chop as well.
The motor going out on an older fiberglass boat is really scary to me. I wouldn't be able to afford to replace it, and i've heard stories of older motors going out shortly after buying a use boat. That's whats pushing me toward a used tracker/aluminum boat.
Second part of the lengthy question is. I have a line on two trackers. A 2004 pro team 175txw special edition with a 50 hp merc on the back. Great shape, great looking boat. It has the "revolutionary ride quality guarantee" hull. The other is a 2014 Pro 170 with a 40 hp merc. Looks to be in great shape as well, but has a smaller motor and doesnt have the "revolutionary" hull design.
For those that own Trackers, new and old. How much of a difference does the "revolutionary hull" have on ride quality? That is going to be the deciding factor in that decision for me. If the ride quality is a lot better on the 175 vs the 170 i dont mind going with the older boat. Plus it has the bigger engine.
Hopefully y'all made it threw all that, and I really appreciate y'alls info and opinions!