Overall Quality of Tracker Boats

[Uncle Bubble]

Hello everyone. I have to tell you up front that I'm an old guy who is brand new to online forums, etc., so please accept a blanket apology in advance for any protocol violations I'll undoubtedly make. I hope I've set my Options appropriately so that you can contact me; if not please let me know in the thread(?) what to do. (When it comes to this stuff, I'm hanging by a thread!)

I want to buy my first "real" boat (I've had a couple of jon boats and canoes), and I'm looking at a Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT. This style of boat is important because it meets my wife's "requirements" : she is phobic of the water since we had a canoe capsize a couple of years ago, and the side-by-side seats with wrap-around windshield will give her a better feeling of "distance" from the water. Also, she is not good helping me put-in and take-out at the ramp, so the lighter weight of a smallish aluminum boat will be easier for me to deal with alone. Please understand I'm not making fun of her, as we all have our fears and such - I'm just hoping to make her water experiences enjoyable so that we can boat together often. The price is also right for me, and my vehicle can easily handle the towing.

Neither of us fish, but it looks good to me as a day-trip run-around boat for inland lakes and rivers in Wisconsin. I'm near Milwaukee, and there are countless places to explore within two or three hours. Drive for less than a day and you're in Canada! I'm good with mechanical things and able to do routine maintainance, reasonable repairs, modifications, etc. I don't want to buy a serious hobby, but I'm willing to put a little time into it if needed. I realize Tracker is an entry-level boat line, so if it needs an occassional tweak here and there, well OK. My bottom-line question is: am I making a smart decision with Tracker in general?

Thanks for reading all of this, and I greatly appreciate any advice.

Uncle Bubble

 

[lncoop]

Re: Overall Quality of Tracker Boats

Trackers are not top of the line, but they're fine as long they're cared for properly. Are you planning to buy new?

 

[jkust]

Re: Overall Quality of Tracker Boats

Yes that is code for entry level boat which sounds like it may be fine for your plans. I would also suggest a roller trailer to make launching and retreiving by yourself easier than you might believe. How did you happen on Tracker boats. They are the only brand I've ever seen that sends their advertisments on the sunday paper. Tracker and Tahoe models.

 

[DonHof]

Re: Overall Quality of Tracker Boats

I would google (Tracker welds )first.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Overall Quality of Tracker Boats

Welcome to iboats!

As noted, Tracker isn't known for high quality. They are low priced to attract buyers, but there is a good reason for the low price. (Yeah, yeah, I know: This from a guy who owns a Bayliner.:redface What is your budget?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Overall Quality of Tracker Boats

I'm no fan of Trackers but I gotta admit, that's a nice rig for the price. Be even nicer if you could step up to a 90HP.

 

[v_fourmax]

Re: Overall Quality of Tracker Boats

Trackers are marketed as entry level boats but just because they are entry level does not mean that they make a boat you cannot get years of enjoyment out of. The tracker base packages many times undersize the the horsepower on the motor or include a trolling motor whos thrust is barely adequate for the boat. But there are upgrade options available that will allow you to upsize for a reasonable price. Also some of the interior fit and finish or quality of the seats ect is not quite on par as the top of the line boats but the prices reflect that.

Some of the heavier more expensive aluminum boat brands could take being abused with less damage than a Tracker but you pay for that in the price and the weight of the boat. Someone mentioned to google tracker welds but if you do your research you will find problems with Tritons, Express and others as well. Tracker because of their package pricing and financing options probably sell near as many package boats as most of the others combined so of course with volumn will come more actual numbers but percentage wise maybe not a whole lot of difference.

Assembly line production will have a few get through that is not right regardless of brand or whether a boat, car , television whatever.

How you describe you are looking to use your new boat I think Tracker would probably fit your needs well. Like anything else taking proper care of your boat will have a lot to do with how long it stays looking new. The motor will be a Mercury and the same motor on the back of any boat you buy that uses a Mercury motor of the same size and horsepower. I would also tend to recommend the way you are describing your boats usage get the largest Horsepower motor you can afford up to what the boat is rated for.

A motor that is at or near the boats rated horsepower will be just as if not more efficent than a too small of a motor you have to run harder to maintain a reasonable cruise speed. Also as far as cruising around I suggest you strongly consider a 4 stroke motor, will idle and run just like your car and no two stroke oil to have to add. Will also generally be quieter running across the lake than a two stroke.

There are a lot of good boat brands out there but for the dollar the Tracker line is hard to beat for bang for the buck. A Crestliner, Express, Triton or a Lund will definately hold their value better but will also cost you more dollars to buy up front.

Check your classified ads such as craiglist or even look on e-bay and you will see that there are a lot 20+ year old trackers around that are still in good shape and still in service all over the country.

One thing I would do though if possible from what I have heard that if you buy a Tracker new try to find a reputable Marine Tracker dealer to purchase your boat from rather than a BPS retail store as if you do need service for any reason a good dealer and their experienced service department will get you better results than you will get from the retail store. The pricing on the new boat should be the same from either source as Trackers have what they call no haggle pricing.

I hope some of this will assist you as you make your choice! Whatever you decide to buy have fun with it!

 

[jim765]

Re: Overall Quality of Tracker Boats

Trackers are marketed as entry level boats but just because they are entry level does not mean that they make a boat you cannot get years of enjoyment out of. The tracker base packages many times undersize the the horsepower on the motor or include a trolling motor whos thrust is barely adequate for the boat. But there are upgrade options available that will allow you to upsize for a reasonable price. Also some of the interior fit and finish or quality of the seats ect is not quite on par as the top of the line boats but the prices reflect that.

Some of the heavier more expensive aluminum boat brands could take being abused with less damage than a Tracker but you pay for that in the price and the weight of the boat. Someone mentioned to google tracker welds but if you do your research you will find problems with Tritons, Express and others as well. Tracker because of their package pricing and financing options probably sell near as many package boats as most of the others combined so of course with volumn will come more actual numbers but percentage wise maybe not a whole lot of difference.

Assembly line production will have a few get through that is not right regardless of brand or whether a boat, car , television whatever.

How you describe you are looking to use your new boat I think Tracker would probably fit your needs well. Like anything else taking proper care of your boat will have a lot to do with how long it stays looking new. The motor will be a Mercury and the same motor on the back of any boat you buy that uses a Mercury motor of the same size and horsepower. I would also tend to recommend the way you are describing your boats usage get the largest Horsepower motor you can afford up to what the boat is rated for.

A motor that is at or near the boats rated horsepower will be just as if not more efficent than a too small of a motor you have to run harder to maintain a reasonable cruise speed. Also as far as cruising around I suggest you strongly consider a 4 stroke motor, will idle and run just like your car and no two stroke oil to have to add. Will also generally be quieter running across the lake than a two stroke.

There are a lot of good boat brands out there but for the dollar the Tracker line is hard to beat for bang for the buck. A Crestliner, Express, Triton or a Lund will definately hold their value better but will also cost you more dollars to buy up front.

Check your classified ads such as craiglist or even look on e-bay and you will see that there are a lot 20+ year old trackers around that are still in good shape and still in service all over the country.

One thing I would do though if possible from what I have heard that if you buy a Tracker new try to find a reputable Marine Tracker dealer to purchase your boat from rather than a BPS retail store as if you do need service for any reason a good dealer and their experienced service department will get you better results than you will get from the retail store. The pricing on the new boat should be the same from either source as Trackers have what they call no haggle pricing.

I hope some of this will assist you as you make your choice! Whatever you decide to buy have fun with it!

i have a tracker turnament tx 17 ,16 yrs old , if you take care of it, and do maint on eng, exct, it will last a long time.i have spent many hours fishing, and just site seeing on a new lake. i wouldnt sell mine for any amount of money. just a thought

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: Overall Quality of Tracker Boats

Not to discourage you from your purchase but be aware: Corners will be cut to lower the price. Don't just assume that a brand new boat being well-taken care of will not have problems. I recently purchased an aluminum bass boat made by Lowe (competitor with Tracker) and was somewhat displeased with the quality of parts used in the whole package. I regret not going up a little more in quality due to annoying issues with my boat that is not even 6 months old yet. hope this helps...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Overall Quality of Tracker Boats

Old thread. Closed.