New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

[jskwarek]

I have just about talked the wife into letting me buy my first boat, I have never owned one before and don't know much about them. I have been looking at the Tahoe Q4SF at Bass Pro as it gives me the best if bit worlds meaning fishing and run about. I am a bigger guy about 260 but my wife is small 110 wet, I am looking for something that we can go out and run around and fish and maybe tube. I'm to big and dumb to ski, my brother and his wife are about the same size give or take 20 lbs and they may join us.

In short I am looking for opinions on this boat, I have found some pretty negative reviews on the older Tahoes but can't find much on the newer models. If you have any other suggestions I am open as well, just started looking and dint want to screw myself.

 

[splicer]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

I've got an '08 Q6 and have loved every minute of it. I did recently add Smart Tabs to it, mainly because of the recommendations of everyone here, and it made a huge difference in bow rise and low speed wandering.

The only problem I had was the rear vent cover popped out twice. The third time, I used some silicone to glue it in. My local dealer gave me the vent cover for free both times.

Biggest thing to take care of is find a local Tracker dealer, and no Bass Pro. You can buy it from Bass Pro (I got mine at a Bass Pro Outlet), but a good local dealer is going to handle the service better than the big store.

 

[mccownk]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

Dittos on the dealer vice Bas Pro for your service. With proper care and maintenance you will not be disappointed with a Tahoe.

 

[MelodyBay]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

I have a Q5 SF 220hp '09 which is my first boat. I have no complaints. I also bought mine through Bass Pro but will service elsewhere since I don't want to trailer the boat back and forth from the cottage to the city which is almost 200 kms.

That being said, I haven't had any difficulties with BP with any questions or issues that I experienced. They have always helped. I believe it depends on which store you purchase from.

Good luck.

 

[rdhawk1950]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

Over the last three years Tahoe has implimented a complete overhaul of their Quality Check System .They have broken it down to a 6 stage inspection from start to finish ,plus we have gone to the lean management concept to help with deliver a Quaility product at a lower cost .

 

[maddog2112]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

I have the 06 Q6 fish and ski, and absolutely love it. The boat is more of a ski boat than a fishing boat in my opinion, since it is so nice, but my son and I have gone on fishing trips with no problems. A good friend of mine just purchased a Q5 fish and ski, and loves it too. My boat has the carpet, and his has the snap in carpet, which I would prefer for the fish and ski for cleaning. There is quite a bit of difference in size between a Q6 and Q4. I wouldn`t want to give up the extra room. My buddies Q5 is a 19 footer and the extra foot makes a big difference over the Q4. I think you will be very happy with either boat, and you will love the custom trailer as well. I just returned from a 1400 mile round trip with the boat and even travelled thru one nasty rainstorm with absolutely no problems. Good luck and see you on the site.

 

[shanel]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

Nothing but positive things from me. I'm new at boating as well,so i bought a new 08 q6 ss last year and it has been a pure joy. My only regret is that it's not the ski an fish model.

 

[rdhawk1950]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

The Q6 is no longer in production.The Q7 modified from the earlier model Q7 is the Q6 replacement with the Sport as well as the Ski Fish option, more roomy than the Q6. A new Q8 is being protoed at this time. The earlier Q7 was simular in floor plan as the Q8. The new Q8 will be simular in floor plan as the now in production Q7. Q8 at this time does not offer a Ski/ Fish option . I look for the new Q8 to.

 

[mccownk]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

OK,rdhawk1950, you have peaked my interest. I checked through all of your posts and it seems like you work on boats and have a good knowledge. What do you do and how do you seem to know this inside information about Tahoe boats? Do you own a Tahoe?

 

[kailec00]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

I have a 2010 Q5I with the 220. Only have had it a week, but love it. Mine wanders around at slow speeds and makes it difficult to dock and load on the trailer at times. Seems smart tabs will fix that. It planes out fast and has a smooth ride. Only had it up to 45 MPH but it handled great. Only issue was the water coming into my storage compartment next to the cooler in the back, but dealer gave me plug and all has been fixed. I would go with a local deale over bass pro shops, just my opinion.

I get the impression that rdhawk1950 might work for Tahoe or have something to do with them. Has a lot of good info on our boats.

 

[Mordekai]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

As a 1 week old tahoe q4 ss owner i can tell you that i'm pretty happy with mine.

They are relatively simple boat to own and to start off (this is my first boat).

The fit and finish on mine wasn't perfect but it wasn't as horrendous as some made it out to be. (Captain's cup holder wasn't glued down) and if you look behind the control panel, the wires are held together by duct tape! (can't tahoe afford some zip ties?)

Also the plastic trim is coming off on the port side but nothing can't be fixed with some 3m 5200 adhesive!

 

[Paul DuLaney]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

As a 1 week old tahoe q4 ss owner i can tell you that i'm pretty happy with mine.

They are relatively simple boat to own and to start off (this is my first boat).

The fit and finish on mine wasn't perfect but it wasn't as horrendous as some made it out to be. (Captain's cup holder wasn't glued down) and if you look behind the control panel, the wires are held together by duct tape! (can't tahoe afford some zip ties?)

Also the plastic trim is coming off on the port side but nothing can't be fixed with some 3m 5200 adhesive!

I have a 2001 Q3 s/f(bought new) keep the adhesive and zip ties handy as over the years you will need them.Have fun as well!!

 

[rdhawk1950]

Re: New guy looking for Pros and Cons...

I have a correction on the NEW Q8. It will not have the fish option. From the dash forward it will have dash storage as the Q8 does now. From the dash back it will resemble a Q7 with an extra 7 inches from side to side. Did away with the bulky motor lid as well as the motor lid lift mechinism. The proto has a 6.2 Bravo 1 and does not crowd the motor well. It is also a liner boat which means when you look in the floor locker as well as the motorwell, you will see gel coated fiber glass and not a painted surface