Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Finished

[109jb]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Grandpa should be proud

 

[chrisdors]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Grandpa should be proud

Thanks! I am going to send him pictures of the finished boat as soon as the stickers are on

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

great find on the decals, boat it looking sweet.

 

[chrisdors]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Lucked out on craigslist today and found a nice bow mount trolling motor for $50 bucks... Its a Motor Guide Pro Series and should be a great add for the boat From what I have seen it should have sold for closer to $150... owner didnt know much about it.



In other news: The boat was taken to the local Mercury dealer today (Nimmer Marine in Fon du Lac, WI) to have the motor tuned up- getting close!

Chris

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Man you got a deal on that troller

I've been keeping an eye out for a similar deal in my area, I guess I'll keep looking since you have proven they can be found.

I agree that Grandpa will be proud of the new look for the rig, hope all goes well with the merc and you can give the livewell some use

 

[chrisdors]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Man you got a deal on that troller

I've been keeping an eye out for a similar deal in my area, I guess I'll keep looking since you have proven they can be found.

I agree that Grandpa will be proud of the new look for the rig, hope all goes well with the merc and you can give the livewell some use

best website ever: www.craiglook.com lets you search all craigslist sites within a designated area that you set. Thats how I found mine

Good luck to ya on the search!

 

[Froggerman]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

I know the feeling on getting close. Looks really good the progress youve done.
Did you actually find the replacement stickers for the side?
One day im gonna get me a larger Bassboat and will mod it too my likings and taste. But for now gonna work with my fiberglass. Heck you can catch just as much fish on an innertube as you can with a real bassboat. So i have no fears. The fish should fear me. LOL
Nice boat restore. Looking great.




Wally
(Frogger)

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Wow! You took twenty years off of that boat with just a few bolt-on mods. Great job! Can't wait to see it after you get the decals on.

The cargo net concerns me a little... It looks cool and is quite useful but may pose a snagging hazard for any loose crankbaits dangling off your deck.

 

[chrisdors]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Did you actually find the replacement stickers for the side?

Yup- found some OEM Tracker stickers here:

http://greatlakesskipper.com/produc...ss-tracker-pro-team-boat-decals-set-of-2.html

Chris

 

[chrisdors]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/10

Got the quote back for the motor repair & tune-up... gonna be a little more than I expected as the triggers on cyl 3 & 4 must be replaced- but other than that it is in good shape with good compression on all cyl's. If the parts are in stock- I could be on the water this weekend.

Chris

 

[chrisdors]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

On to the next steps...

Installed a rod holder in the port side storage area:



Also installed the trolling motor and a plate for quick connecting the unit/charger:

 

[chrisdors]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

Launched the boat yesterday... Runs great and I couldnt be happier with it.

Here are a few pics of it on the river:





Still need to buy the sticker sets for the boat and the motor...

Thanks to everyone for the comments so far!

Chris

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

It always looks better on the water. Nice job, you should be very proud.

 

[chrisdors]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

Going to pickup my sticker set tomorrow over lunch...

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

Looks great, I like the bare aluminum

There's a product called Sharkhyde that is a good clear protectant that folks use on polished aluminum rig to keep them looking great.

Maybe something to look into to keep her looking shiny?

 

[chrisdors]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Updated 4/24

Got the stickers on!




Gone Fishin

Pic of the first fish caught with the boat ... a lil pike

 

[Froggerman]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Finished

Nice Job
Happy Fishin

 

[Fisherman94]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Finished

Very nice, you did a great job! It just goes to show how much an older boat can look so new, just with minor improvements.

 

[D Hanny]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Finished

I'm about to start the very same project to a 1985 Tournament V-17 Bass Tracker, and your post made me go ahead and register for the forum to ask you a question (or, the first of what may be a few questions ):

Can you find the part number, or manufacturer, for those aluminum tilt-forward seat mounts from Cabellas? I looked on their website but couldn't find it.

Thanks!

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Fixing-up Grandpa's Fishing Boat (Bass Tracker V-17) Finished

Man, lucky you. I never get anything free in anywhere near that good a shape. Great looking job so far, $200.00 trolling motor for $50....you must be living right.