New boat question

[zippy83]

Actually I think the 200 is a V6 3.4L and the 150 is 3.0L inline 4.

From their site this is what I found.. should be the one in the middle

 

[JimS123]

Thanks everyone... Another question is if I go with the 200 would it be recommended to get a Kicker at some point for trolling?

I mounted my first kicker in 1970 and haven't owned a boat since then without one. It's for trolling, sure, but that's only part of the reason.

My 150 at dead idle isn't slow enough to troll for the kind of fishing we do. Based on the performance report cited above, the 200 wouldn't cut it either.

As far as engine displacements, I originally quoted the wrong numbers. Mercury makes so many different models with the same HPs. The Tracker option was not the same 200 that was offered on my SeaRay.

 

[zippy83]

I mounted my first kicker in 1970 and haven't owned a boat since then without one. It's for trolling, sure, but that's only part of the reason.

My 150 at dead idle isn't slow enough to troll for the kind of fishing we do. Based on the performance report cited above, the 200 wouldn't cut it either.

As far as engine displacements, I originally quoted the wrong numbers. Mercury makes so many different models with the same HPs. The Tracker option was not the same 200 that was offered on my SeaRay.

Most trolling I do is in late fall for Muskies.. Anywhere from 3-4.5 mp/h.. I was thinking getting a used 15HP at some point and getting it installed..

 

[ahicks]

Yamaha has an adjustable idle option, designed with trolling in mind. Works pretty good. I don't know if Mercury offers anything like that, but if they did, it's something I would want to try out.

If I were going to install a trolling motor, it would likely be an electric one.

 

[JimS123]

Most trolling I do is in late fall for Muskies.. Anywhere from 3-4.5 mp/h.. I was thinking getting a used 15HP at some point and getting it installed..

Yeah, muskys are our thing too. We use single or double jointed pikie minnows and run 1.8 - 2.0 mph. Any faster than that and the lure action isn't right.

I used to run a 9.9 on my past boats, but currently my 5.0 Sail Pro pushes our SeaRay at about 6.0 mph at 3/4 throttle.

 

[zippy83]

I run my baits little deeper therefore I have to go faster. But there are deffinetley times that the fish wants it slower for sure..

 

[Old Ironmaker]

You might want to ask questions about the boat. It's a Tracker, not a quality pleasure boat to say the least. I would put that 6K in a better quality boat for sure.

 

[Hunter65]

I believe, and you all can correct me if I am wrong, Bass Pro stopped sales commision on everything a few years ago.
If not completely they lowered it to near nothing.

 

[JimS123]

Commission or not, it doesn't make any difference. True, they are lower end boats. But, they fit quite well in the cost effective marketplace.

Nevertheless, for a 19' tinny, I can't believe the weight of this Targa. Obviously, they must have put some beef in it somewhere.

Regardless of beef and cost, resale value must also be a consideration. Personally, I keep my boats for decades, so trade in value and depreciation are of no concern to me. Maybe to others it is more important.

 

[QBhoy]

Couple of things.

the estimate of low 40’s is a little of going by what I’ve seen this 3.0 150 merc do previously. Amazing engines. That said I don’t know that model of boat you have. I just know it isn’t as heavy as my 19ft cuddy and that has a 115 merc. That will do 43-45 mph depending on prop I have on her.

Next would be that over here at least, there is certainly nothing like that price difference between a 150 and 200.

finally, the 200 is certainly not a 1.7l with a turbo, as previously suggested by someone. Not sure where that info came from.

 

[zippy83]

The reason I picked Tracker is because I want an aluminum boat, Im not a big fiber glass guy so the new Nitro/Ranger boats dont turn me on LOL. Yes I know Ranger makes an aluminum boat but the price is a lot higher. Another boat I was looking at is a 19' Lund Deep V as well... Similar to this with a similar price point. I have a 1992 Lowe 1650 deep V hull that I love, but it's too small for the whole family..

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I have a 15 HP electric start and throttle control kicker on my 19' StarCraft Superfisherman 190. I do use it to troll here on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It is comforting to know I have a back up to get me back to shore if my 115 dies for any reason. Very comforting. We did have to make a 7 mile trip on the kicker once. The cranking battery would not turn over the 115 but was enough to start the kicker. Warning, when running the kicker the main cranking battery is not charging but all the electronics is draining it. Look carefully at the fit and finish of your new boat should you pull the trigger on it. I have heard even Lund can have issues on some new boats they make today. As for the extra 6K, I know you will have wished you bought the extra horses. They will all fit in the barn. Good luck on your new boat.

Hopefully I can live up to the model of my StarCraft someday.

 

[matt167]

Being on tin boats the majority of my life, the one thing I know they do is ride hard at speed.. Been over 50 MPH in some chop only a couple times.. Not fun but I wasn't driving both times

40-45 MPH is plenty fast. More power is good, but you may not want the extra speed. I don't think it would be under powered with 150hp

 

[JimS123]

the 200 is certainly not a 1.7l with a turbo, as previously suggested by someone. Not sure where that info came from.

That was my comment and I already corrected it. Last year when I bought my SeaRay the 150 and 200 were options. I was unaware that now Merc offers 3 different 200's and Tracker doesn't use the same model as SR.

 

[QBhoy]

That was my comment and I already corrected it. Last year when I bought my SeaRay the 150 and 200 were options. I was unaware that now Merc offers 3 different 200's and Tracker doesn't use the same model as SR.

No worries Jim. Suspected it was a simple oversight and easily done. God knows there are that many variants these days.

 

[PITBoat]

Do you want to be able to blow everybody's doors off, or go out to have family fun?

Yes.

 

[zippy83]

I have a 15 HP electric start and throttle control kicker on my 19' StarCraft Superfisherman 190. I do use it to troll here on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It is comforting to know I have a back up to get me back to shore if my 115 dies for any reason. Very comforting. We did have to make a 7 mile trip on the kicker once. The cranking battery would not turn over the 115 but was enough to start the kicker. Warning, when running the kicker the main cranking battery is not charging but all the electronics is draining it. Look carefully at the fit and finish of your new boat should you pull the trigger on it. I have heard even Lund can have issues on some new boats they make today. As for the extra 6K, I know you will have wished you bought the extra horses. They will all fit in the barn. Good luck on your new boat.

Hopefully I can live up to the model of my StarCraft someday.

Good to know.. Thank you very much.. I think I will go with the bigger motor.. As you and many other have said you can never have enough horses

 

[zippy83]

Being on tin boats the majority of my life, the one thing I know they do is ride hard at speed.. Been over 50 MPH in some chop only a couple times.. Not fun but I wasn't driving both times

40-45 MPH is plenty fast. More power is good, but you may not want the extra speed. I don't think it would be under powered with 150hp

I dont think that I will ever be cursing over 40 mp/h but in case I need to escape something or get someplace fast I might for a very short period of time..