Sell the Tracker Fish n Ski and Lose $$$ or Modify and Maintain?

[GulfCoastGirl]

Last year when we lived in Illinois, we bought a brand new Tracker V175 Combo fish n ski. We were told by the salesmen that it would be "perfect for Gulf fishing" if we moved to Florida (which we did). Now, come to find out, everyone here is saying that our Tracker isn't right for fishing even in the bay because of the saltwater.

We know that the trailer (galvashield) will be toast and has to be replaced asap, but are we just out of luck? I've tried selling, and boat dealers don't want to offer ANYTHING for it...less than half of what we owe. Private party, no one is buying and I've got it listed up in Middle Georgia since there are more lakes for it up there.

Is there a way to salvage this and keep it so we don't lose $10-15k? I was thinking replace the trailer and potentially pull carpet and put sea decking in when it goes bad. Thoughts?

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard. - - I'm no expert at Gulf boating, but I've got some experience so I'll hazard a couple of thoughts.

Salesmen will say nearly anything. It's best to typically doubt them

The aluminum hull isn't completely done in for fishing in salt water. Check around locally for some options on having it coated, and have the local marine dudes give you some suggestions. That's not the best solution, because Tracker isn't really made for a salt environment, so you'll have to be pretty meticulous cleaning it off and taking care of it even when it's coated properly. (Some others may chime in with suggestions on coating materials)

One other problem you may have on your hands, and possibly even a bigger deal than the aluminum, is that your boat is only 17'. That's a pretty small boat for taking on the Gulf. In the bays and intracoastal it might do okay, but any kinda' weather or chop and you're gonna' feel a little uneasy (I would think).

How much do you go on the Gulf vs. inland lakes? (If you're on the inland lakes quite a bit and the gulf just a little, then I would try it for a while. If you're mostly on the Gulf, then it's probably time to think about another boat.)

You might try renting a boat for half a day to fish the gulf. Try one of the center consoles or dual consoles they rent down there to see what the difference is between the "normal" Gulf boat and what you have. It may help you understand what you're up against in that way.

You're trying to sell your boat at a bad time of the year. Season is ending for many folks to the north of you who would use a boat like that one. You may do better with it listing in North Georgia and Alabama toward the Spring. Being willing to drive half way and meet someone may help too.

Lastly, find a couple locals - or even a USCG Aux squadron - to show you the ropes of Gulf / Ocean boating. It's different than inland lakes, even the Greats.

 

[roscoe]

Got a friend or relative that lives north?

Let them sell it for you in SPRING.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Here is my take....... while I agree you should have waited to buy a boat for the area you were going to move to, all is not lost.

I moved from the land of Beer and 15,000 lakes to the Sun Coast of Florida......twice. the first time in 2008, I brought a 19' Sea Ray Bow Rider and a painted trailer. I would flush the trailer every outing and I installed a SF-400 motor flush kit for the I/O. The trailer and boat still looked great in 2011 when I sold it.

Most of the time I used the boat in the greater Tampa area, spending most of my time in the rivers and ICW.

most of the times, a boat that small is more than OK on the gulf...... until it aint..... rough water is not fun. and in recent years, the weather has gotten worse

my current boat is a 26 foot Cruisers which also came down with a painted trailer. in 2012 however it was slightly rusty prior to moving down. that painted trailer lasted well over 4 years of use with minimal rinsing, and if I wanted to replace springs, it would probably still be working. I replaced it with a used galvanized trailer in 2015 that I needed to repair one axle and replace springs (all axles and springs rust thru in very short time).

My boat is still more than adequate for most days on the gulf, however there have been a few times when the weather changes and the seas get rough I still primarily fish the ICW, under bridges, and the mangroves.

The good news...... there must be about 30 small trailer manufactures down here and you can get a new aluminum trailer for your boat for about $1800

your carpet will last many years with maintenance. that maintenance is regular washing of the carpet and washing of the boat.

Florida has many in-land lakes and many rivers. There are many aluminum pontoon boats as well as a few utility boats that you see down here in the ICW and many times a few miles off shore in the gulf. Would I take a boat smaller than 22 feet out into the gulf fishing..... NO. a boat that small shouldnt be in the gulf most days as there is 2-3' chop

Call a Florida Tracker dealer and talk to their service department and talk about your boat and trailer concerns. I know they get more calls on this in a day than you can imagine

 

[ahicks]

To put it bluntly, somebody is feeding you a line of crap regarding the use of an alum boat in the Gulf. There are several brands made from alum. that are popular. You do need to be good about rinsing the boat and the motor after use. Trailer as well. You'll even see a lot of pontoon boats in salt water - though they are never going to last as long as when used in fresh water.

Did anyone ever explain that there is only one thing lower than a snake's belly? It's a salesman, and they need a ladder to reach a snake's belly.....

I say go for it, just take care of it and it'll last a long time. Just keep an eye on the weather. Chart plotters are an excellent plan as well.....

 

[GulfCoastGirl]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments. Let me clarify that we would likely never take it out on the gulf itself but rather the bay and stay close to shore. Where we moved (Gulf Breeze) there is almost no freshwater fishing...no lakes...East River is about it. I think that's what's so frustrating for my husband. Seeing all of the other boats without restrictions, and he's saying this boat didn't even handle the bay very well on a pretty calm day.

We've taken it out twice since we've been here...once in the East River that feeds out to the bay so brackish water, and the other time we took it straight into the Santa Rosa Sound (that was the day it didn't handle well and was very choppy despite a calm day...I'm assuming due to boat traffic).

We know the trailer would have to be replaced if we kept it. Every time we have ever taken the boat out, we've immaculately cleaned it including flushing the motor, pressure washing and scrubbing the boat and trailer, and covering when storing. That's another issue. We can't store at home so it's uncovered at a boat storage lot.

I know that we'd take care of it just fine, but I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of selling and losing our butts vs keeping. I was quoted $2100-$3000 for a new trailer which seems kinda high for this small of a trailer, but I've never shopped trailers.

We have the boat listed on consignment with the dealer we bought it from. But they've said the best they could do is sell it for no commission, and if we bought a new Mako through them, they'd give us 15-20% off MSRP (their cost approximately). Either way, I think we'd end up coming out of pocket close to $10k. Is it worth it to just eat this?

 

[Scott Danforth]

your in the Florida panhandle. the water is a fair bit rougher there vs the sun coast, however we are coming into the better boating season of Florida (post hurricane, pre-spring)

look on CL in in the Tampa area for trailers. many of the manufacturers are around the Tampa area

only you can answer if its worth loosing $10k.

 

[southkogs]

Two ideas, because Scott is right, only you know if it's worth it.

First, a good skipper is the key to a good boating experience. Inland and on flat water, it's not that hard to run a boat most of the time. As the water is moving differently (i.e. some rivers), or gets much "bigger" (i.e. the ocean), the skill of the operator becomes more important. It is possible, that by working with it some and finding a little local help, you could get to where you are comfortable running your Tracker in the bay and up the sound. It might be bouncy, but you may be okay with that over time.

Secondly, the difference in MSRP in your boat brand new, vs. a Mako 18' brand new is about $10k. Going up to the 20' Mako jumps it up closer to $15k. In terms of a new boat, the numbers work out to where you're not getting any sort of a super deal, but you're not getting completely raked over the coals. Particularly, if you like the idea of getting a larger boat with a build suited for the bigger water, it could be worth the financial trade off. Especially if you're using the boat a lot.

I can't really give you a good "if it were me" suggestion, simply because I would have started out very differently; because of how I buy boats.

 

[GulfCoastGirl]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but right after I posted that, the boat dealer up in Illinois called us and said he had a full price offer and deposit on our boat! And we're only out of pocket $4800 as opposed to $10k! Woohoo!! What a relief!

 

[southkogs]

Congratulations! That is great news.