1st Boat Advice??? Tahoe 195 I/O???

[HighwayPig]

I am finally thinking about taking the plunge and buying my own boat so I don't have to keep bugging my buddy to use his and can finally share the fishing trips. Anyway, I was looking at the Tahoe 195 I/O. I really like the way it is set up with the large deck space in the forward and aft. I also like how you can fish in the morning and then ski/tube after you've caught your limit! My question is: What's anyone's opinion on the 195 I/O or is there another manufacturer I should also look at that is comparable for the deck space and price??? Also, I am going to head to the Long Beach Boat Show next month and take a look. When is the best time to buy? I have heard winter to get the best deals?? Thnx ahead of time for any advice!

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: 1st Boat Advice??? Tahoe 195 I/O???

Are you buying used or new? Q4 or Q6, or other?

 

[psimon1909]

Re: 1st Boat Advice??? Tahoe 195 I/O???

I was just goint through the same thing 3 weeks ago. I went to Bass Pro shop in Savannah. I went in to buy a pontoon boat. At first I thought the salesman was trying to bait and switch. He asked how old my kids are (4 & 10) and said I would miserable in 2-3 year because the kids will want to ski, tube etc. Turns out he was probably right. I bought a Q5i. They were giving $1000 off on 2009 models and with a cover, bimini, depth gauge,trailer, tax etc. it was under $24000. I had priced many other boats and unless you want to go down to a stripped down 17' boat, it was the best value. The only other serious consideration was the seadoo but it was a few thousand more and if their jet propulsion system was so great ther boating companies would be using it too.

I put 20 hours on the boat in the first 2 weeks. Carburator trouble started into the 10th hour. Luckily its the same motor in my 1982 Monte Carlo when I was a younger, so I knew to keep it going until the 20 hr service I carried some carb cleaner with me. I live in Charlotte so I was not bringing the boat back to Savannah. The service department there contacted the one near me and helped arrange to have the carburator rebuilt under warranty.

I think since the boats are not kept in water or even tested they are more likely to need minor adjustments. My trim guage was off, the speedometer was dead.

This is my first boat and it was a great choice. I think the 195 is more expensive and know there is a fishing version of the Q5.

 

[shaftedbybasspro]

Re: 1st Boat Advice??? Tahoe 195 I/O???

I am finally thinking about taking the plunge and buying my own boat so I don't have to keep bugging my buddy to use his and can finally share the fishing trips. Anyway, I was looking at the Tahoe 195 I/O. I really like the way it is set up with the large deck space in the forward and aft. I also like how you can fish in the morning and then ski/tube after you've caught your limit! My question is: What's anyone's opinion on the 195 I/O or is there another manufacturer I should also look at that is comparable for the deck space and price??? Also, I am going to head to the Long Beach Boat Show next month and take a look. When is the best time to buy? I have heard winter to get the best deals?? Thnx ahead of time for any advice!

DON'T BUY A TAHOE BOAT OR PURCHASE A BOAT FROM BASS PRO SHOPS,
it will be the worst choice you ever made. Bought a 2010 Tahoe QSF7, on 06/12/09, it is a piece of junk with a factory defect in the stringer supports in the hull. Cracked floor with only 2 uses, rotten threads in cushions, broken seat pedastool, fiberglass peeling, compartment latches in wrong places and tops warped. It has been in the repair shop and sent back to the factory and still not fixed, they are wanting to replace it now, but after all the headaches and lies from all who work for Tracker Marine and Bass Pro Shop in
Denham Springs, LA, we just want our money back so that we can purchase a good quality made boat. This boat was new right from the factory and we were told by Tracker Marine Personnel that there were several boats that were sent all over the country with the same factory defect.
Good Luck