I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

[jcharriso]

I am considering the purchase of a Tahoe 216WT and wondered if anyone on the forum has one and what their experience has been. In particular is the V8 worth the extra money over the V6 MPI ? Also how does the boat hold up over the long haul ? Any problems to speak of ?

Thanks...

 

[Hashi]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

Hi there jcharirso!...Welcome to iBoats!

The Tahoe 216 WT is a nice deck boat. I own the Q7i and like it very much. But, I think I should have looked at a deck boat for that extra width space up front.

Anyway, I highly recommend you get the V8 with minimum 260 hp. My Q7i weighs 3200 lbs. and that's what I have. The 216WT weighs couple hundred pounds more and you'll appreciate the larger engine. I get around 60 mph with two people, full tank of gas and gear. With four people or more, I get around 52 mph. I should have spent the extra $$$ and gotten the 320 hp Bravo.

But, in the end, its up to you on how much you want to spend and what your going to use it for.

Good luck!

 

[jcharriso]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

Hashi:

Thanks for the quick reply.. I have my eye on the 5.0 MPI. The fuel consumption seems to be similar to the V6 MPI and the extra 40 HP would be nice. (although my salom skiing days are far behind me)

I've seen a few postings that indicate that Tahoe is heavier that other boats of the same type/size. Would you say thats true ?

Also how would you rate the build quality of Tahoe ?

Sorry to pepper you with questions...

 

[Hashi]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

JC, I'm 49 and just got into skiing and wakeboarding. Before this, I had a bass boat and did nothing but fish. Wife and family said to get a sport boat so I did and am reliving my second childhood...LOL. In a way, I still miss the casting decks of a bass boat and the high speed but, I modified my Q7i with troll motor and fabricated my own casting deck up front and had to compromise on speed.

I wouldn't necessarily say that Tahoe's are heavier boats. If you look at Bayliner and Sea Ray's 22 foot deck boats, they are in the mid 4,000 lbs and 216WT is in the mid 3,000 (dry weights). After installing motor and loading with people/gear, you'll appreciate the extra horsepower.

As far as build quality, I have to honestly say that I'm satisfied thus far. Had the boat since August 2007 and ran it under some rough conditions. I chose the Tahoe because they have fiberglass stringer and the layout suited my needs better than other boats I looked at. Overall, I have to say I'm pleased.

In the past, I read on this forum that Tahoes has a bad reputation for screws coming loose, hull separation and gel coat problems. I believe they corrected these problems and also believe some abuse from owners because I haven't experienced any of these, yet.

I know what you're going through because I shopped for over 6 months in finding the right boat. I would highly recommend that you look at dealers close to you. I had to take my boat back a couple of times for warranty work and you don't want to waste your whole day and the gas driving back to the dealer.

Good luck!

Oh, one last thing...make sure the boats sits in the trailer straight. I had to exchange my first trailer because the frame was welded crooked which made the bow stop lean to one side and, made it was difficult for me to load the boat onto the trailer.

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

I hear what you are saying about engine size. I have been looking for about 6-8 months and am getting ready to go down and place an order for a Q6SF. I was looking at upgrading to the 220 HP MPI, but since the Q6 and Q7 are very similar in size, it looks as though I should maybe kick it up a few HPs? I'm not worried about top end so much as I am getting skiers up and being able to pull a wake board.

Do you think a 220 is enough?

What is your average fuel usage in the V8?

 

[Hashi]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

Hi Sir,

First, thank you for your many years of service of protecting our great nation. I know service persons don't always get acknowledgment they deserve.

If you're not interested in top end, then the 220 hp will suit you fine. Just need to experiment with props to get you up on plane faster or install trim tabs, like I'm thinking of doing.

My average fuel consumption is about 1.5 mpg at WOT. At cruising speeds of around 35 mph, I get about 3 mph. These are only my best estimates because I really don't have any way of knowing how far I've traveled. I'll have better stats when get my gps is installed. Whenever that is. LOL.

Good luck!

 

[Stuff4Toys]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

I had the Tahoe 204 WT Deck boat in 2005 (slightly smaller than the 216WT) with the 5.0L V8 and I tell you it didn't matter if there were two people in the boat or 8, I could eventually get the speed up to 50 - 55 mph. We had a full load one day of 11 people, I put 5 people in 2 tubes behind the boat and when I canned it, we broke one of the ropes. That is just a sample of the amount or raw power / torque that V8 has. The 5.0L MPI would be a screem in the 216.

My .02 worth from an experienced Tahoe owner.
JOhn ><>

 

[Bow Hunter]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

I purchased a 2008 Tahoe 196 WTOB in August of 2007. The boat has a 200 HP Mercury imax, 82 # thrust trolling motor, and is on a single axle trailer. The boat is also garage kept.

To say that I'm dissappointed in the boat and Tracker would be an understatement. I have had problems with cracks in the fiberglass (inside and out), faulty gauges, replaced the radio, top didn't fit properly, holes in 1 of the seats (when it was delivered), 1 seat didn't fit properly, and one of the fenders on the trailer cut a tire.

The dealer has replaced everything in thier control quickly with the exception of some of the fiberglass work. Back in September, the dealer ordered 2 new seats from Tracker. To make the story short, I still don't have new seats.

I wouldn't buy another Tracker product.

 

[Bow Hunter]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

I forgot to mention that I am waiting on a response from Tracker on the latest cracks I found in the fiberglass.

 

[Hashi]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

Man...sorry to hear the problems you're experiencing, Bow Hunter. It's a shame because it seems its spent more time in the shop than in on the water. Please keep all us Tahoe owners informed of any progress.

 

[Nick1822]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

I am new to the boating world and i am looking at purchasing a Tahoe Boat. Mainly because they fit in my budget. I am looking at the Q7 and the 195 deck boat. Both boats are very appealing to me. It will be my wife and two young sons on the boat most of the time so the 195 and the space is whats drawing me in. My biggest dilema is not knowing what to expect from the ride on the 195. I know what to expect from the Q7 and the V hull design but still unsure about the 195. Does anybody have any personal experience with this particular boat or with this type of boat that can offer me some advise?

Thank you in advance.
Nick

 

[Hashi]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

Hi Nick,

Welcome to iBoats.

Tahoes are fairly heavy boats so you'll want to get a larger power plant. The motors they sell them with (190 hp) is far under powered. You'll probably want to get close to max. hp rating as possible.

As far as between the two hull designs, I like the v-hull for its stability in rough conditions but, its up to you. The boat has to satisfy your desires and needs. Ask the dealer for a test drive on both hull designs. Not sure where you're located but if the water you boat on gets choppy at times, you may want to get a v-hull. Try to select a day when the forecast calls for breezy conditions and schedule the test rides.

Rich

 

[Nick1822]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

Thanks for the info Rich. I actually went to the Orange County Boat Show last night and decided against a Tahoe and went with a 21' Seaswirl. I am pretty happy with my decision. The dealer is taking myself and my wife on a test ride next weekend and if we are happy with it we will sign the papers and bring it home after the test ride.

 

[Hashi]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

Congratulations! Seaswirls are excellent boats.

 

[Nick1822]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

Congratulations! Seaswirls are excellent boats.

Thanks Hashi. Were picking it up tomorrow and heading to Lake Havasu next weekend for its maiden voyage.

 

[ggeerdes]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

I read this thread last year at this time when I was looking at the 216WT. I found one other negative post on the web about the gel coat and Tracker's response time. I decided that this was the layout that I wanted and bought one on May 25, 2008.

Well I have owned the boat for about a year, but have only had it in my possession for less than six months. Tracker and the dealer have had possession most of the time. Just a couple of problems with the boat, but the service is extremely slow.

I would chime in with Bow Hunter. To say that I'm disappointed in the dealer and Tracker is an understatement.

 

[upnorth4]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

I forgot to mention that I am waiting on a response from Tracker on the latest cracks I found in the fiberglass.

Bow Hunter- Curious how your gel coat issues turned out? I purchased a 2008 215 I/O Deckboat and used it one summer (2009) and have started to see cracking where the floor meets the vertical seat base. I would welcome any other input from Tahoe deckboat owners.

thx Chris

 

[Bow Hunter]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

The dealership fixed all of the cracks on the outside of the boat and they havent' reappeared. I haven't brought the boat in for the cracks in the floor. These cracks haven't gotten any worse and are difficult to see. They are at the base of the bench seat, rear seat, and both consoles. I have been to bass pro shops and found similar cracks in the floors of boats in the showroom. I figure I will enjoy the boat and ignore the cracks as long as they don't get worse.

I love the layout of the boat but not the craftsmanship.

I do need to give a little praise to my dealership. I had a problem with the boat blowing out in sharp turns. The dealer lowered the motor for free. This was 2 years after I purchased the boat and the work was done in one day.

Good Luck with yours.

Bow Hunter

 

[jokaj]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

i have a tahoe 228 deckboat and love it. Finish and fit are not as nice as some of the more expensive boats, but it does have a really nice floor plan. I would go with the largest motor you can get. I have a 5.0 MPI with an alpha one. good for havasu. With a heavy load, 7 + people, i have to swap out to a lower pitch prop at Mead. At Powell, it lugs.....sooooooo, depending on where you plan on boating you might want to taylor your decision because altitude does decrease your HP. No real problems with my boat that I can see. I got mine from a local dealer in the OC. There service dept is top notch. I have heard horror stories from BPshops....

joe

 

[shaftedbybasspro]

Re: I'm Looking at a Tahoe 216WT

I am considering the purchase of a Tahoe 216WT and wondered if anyone on the forum has one and what their experience has been. In particular is the V8 worth the extra money over the V6 MPI ? Also how does the boat hold up over the long haul ? Any problems to speak of ?

Thanks...

We bought a 2010 Tahoe, and have nothing but problems, including a factory hull defect involving the support stringers and cracks in the floor, after them having our boat over 160 days now, we purchased it on 06/12/09, they are wanting to replace it since they cannot fix their own screwup. Word to the wise, DON'T BUY A TAHOE AND DON'T BUY FROM A BASS PRO SHOP. There is no service after the sale even when you are a fourth time new boat buyer from the same dealer. We want our money back and have hired a lemon law lawyer. Be smart spend a few more dollars and buy something you can enjoy instead of something that will stay in the repair shop.