'94 Bass Tracker handling question

[Jimwhall]

Purchasing a '94 Bass Tracker with a 25hp. I'm used to V hulls of varying sorts and this seems to have a very shallow V. Great for getting shallow; but with 25hp and it's light weight it looks like it can plane. I was planning on taking it out and just slowly getting used to it, but is there any advice from the get go as to how it will handle differently?

 

[southkogs]

Is it a tiller steer or do you have a helm?

The more shallow the hull is the more it won't "cut" through chop and waves. The hull will want to get on top of them more often than not and might (in some cases) "walk" on you a little bit. That's probably one of the big differences.

Taking it slow and easy like you said is a great way to start: especially if you're familiar with boating.

 

[ahicks]

When it gets choppy with a boat like that, and you're looking for a speed that won't rattle your teeth out, don't be shy of letting it plow a bit at a speed JUST shy of a full on plane. Put it on a plane, then slow and let the front come up a bit....

 

[Jimwhall]

So, is there any concern with turning? My other boats ('95 Sylvan and a '16 Four Winns) all have V hulls and high gunwales. This thing looks like it has about 12 inches of freeboard.

 

[ahicks]

So, is there any concern with turning? My other boats ('95 Sylvan and a '16 Four Winns) all have V hulls and high gunwales. This thing looks like it has about 12 inches of freeboard.

I've never had an issue like that.

 

[Scott Danforth]

bass tracker what?

most likely a 1 or 2

its a modified multi-chine semi-v hull. they turn just fine.

if you turn tight stay on the throttle. yes, the inside gunwale will be about 8" under the water. however your speed and momentum will keep the water at bay.

Grew up with a Bass Tracker III in the family. tight turns pulling skiers you could see a wall of water above the gunwales on tight turns when at planing speeds

 

[aspeck]

Will it handle differently? Absolutely. It will "slide" a little more than a deep V, but won't take much to get used to they way they handle. That is the same configuration we have on our fire department's rescue boat and I can lay into a turn and pivot on the corner and turn her around in her own space at full throttle. I do not recommend you doing that at the start, but tell you that so you know that the handling is pretty sweet once you get used to it. And as Scott Danforth mentioned, on a sharp turn the gunwale will be below the surface of the water, but that is not a problem as long as you don't get scared and shut her down immediately. You do that and you will get wet.

So, take it slow and easy. Get used to it. Don't do anything reckless or unsafe and get used to your boat and how it operates. Be safe, wear a life vest, and enjoy.

 

[Jimwhall]

bass tracker what?

most likely a 1 or 2

its a modified multi-chine semi-v hull. they turn just fine.

if you turn tight stay on the throttle. yes, the inside gunwale will be about 8" under the water. however your speed and momentum will keep the water at bay.

Grew up with a Bass Tracker III in the family. tight turns pulling skiers you could see a wall of water above the gunwales on tight turns when at planing speeds

It just says 'pro 16'; beam is very small. Nice boat; welded construction. Been 100% babied.

Looks like this:

 

[Jimwhall]

Will it handle differently? Absolutely. It will "slide" a little more than a deep V, but won't take much to get used to they way they handle. That is the same configuration we have on our fire department's rescue boat and I can lay into a turn and pivot on the corner and turn her around in her own space at full throttle. I do not recommend you doing that at the start, but tell you that so you know that the handling is pretty sweet once you get used to it. And as Scott Danforth mentioned, on a sharp turn the gunwale will be below the surface of the water, but that is not a problem as long as you don't get scared and shut her down immediately. You do that and you will get wet.

So, take it slow and easy. Get used to it. Don't do anything reckless or unsafe and get used to your boat and how it operates. Be safe, wear a life vest, and enjoy

Will do. I'm pretty conservative in my old age in working with a new boat.

 

[ahicks]

You'll both be fine on the way it handles. Don't loose any sleep over it.....

As a fellow senior, I'll say if there's an issue, it's going to be keeping your balance stepping into it and climbing out of it. There's very little that's high enough to grab on to when trying to steady yourself. This is about the narrow beam you mention. It doesn't tip far, but it does tip/move around under your weight. I leave the front and rear swivel seats in place, and would like to place some kind of grab bar on the front side of the console....

 

[roscoe]

Just use it. Pound the living daylight out of it.
I doubt you could ever flip it or swamp it unless you get hit by a 2' wake.
I've tried with several small 12-15' boats.
They are so light and they just sit up on top of the water like a duck.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Just use it. Pound the living daylight out of it.
I doubt you could ever flip it or swamp it unless you get hit by a 2' wake.

2' wake wont do it. 3' rollers on Winnebago will make you sick.

It just says 'pro 16'; beam is very small. Nice boat; welded construction. Been 100% babied.

Looks like this:
View attachment 350721

the pro16 and pro17 are a variant of the earlier BT2 and BT3

 

[roscoe]

only have a 25 on it.
You won't be going 40 mph.

To quote the short timer quarterback, "Relax."

 

[Texasmark]

Your biggest problem will be getting pounded to death if you are in any kind of chop and are running at any kind of speed...my last boat was like that, 17 1/2' Fishmaster with a 90 Merc......pictured in my Avatar.

In big water just slow down and keep the bow up, finding the approach angle that best suits the situation ...directly into the oncoming waves or quarter them. Power trim is a great aid in the above with the trim centered or a little out.

On the stability, I didn't on that boat but on my curent boat I wanted an umbrella for shade so I installed a piece of 2" Schedule 40 PVC on the side of my console to hold the (only installed when desired) umbrella.....about 5' long. What I found was that I use it frequently for supporting my movements in/out and around my current boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I didn't on that boat but on my curent boat I wanted an umbrella for shade so I installed a piece of 2" Schedule 40 PVC on the side of my console to hold the (only installed when desired) umbrella.....about 5' long.

My father did the same thing in the 80's

 

[ahicks]

Your biggest problem will be getting pounded to death if you are in any kind of chop and are running at any kind of speed...my last boat was like that, 17 1/2' Fishmaster with a 90 Merc......pictured in my Avatar.

In big water just slow down and keep the bow up, finding the approach angle that best suits the situation ...directly into the oncoming waves or quarter them. Power trim is a great aid in the above with the trim centered or a little out.

On the stability, I didn't on that boat but on my curent boat I wanted an umbrella for shade so I installed a piece of 2" Schedule 40 PVC on the side of my console to hold the (only installed when desired) umbrella.....about 5' long. What I found was that I use it frequently for supporting my movements in/out and around my current boat.

That sounds like a great plan! Kills 2 birds with one stone as, assuming it was installed correctly, it could function as something to grab when you need to steady yourself...