Thread: Tracker panfish

Here is my take on a 14.5 foot stick steer after owning it for almost 2 years and fishing 3-5 days a week....it has a 54 inch bottom and is considered a V hull. I looked at a Panfish but it was too narrow for me. Then I got into looking at mom and pop boat builders and found I could get a far better built boat for about the same money as the Panfish. Mine is an Xtreme Classic 1454 SS. Not pushing my brand, although it is built like a tank out of 125 gauge......believe me when I tell you there are many small boat builders who build a great stick steer boat. Now for the simple facts. When there is a decent chop on the water and you run at full speed you are subject to break your back. I fixed this problem with a Smooth Moves suspension pedestal.....I don't care how rough it gets now my ride is as smooth as silk. It is true that most stick steer are not made for rough conditions. I have been out in 15 MPH winds and never felt like I was danger. You will get wet somewhat. In the summer it does not matter...but even on a nice spring day it can be cold. I have never gotten soaked except in very rough conditions. If the water is very rough you can trim the motor down and plow through the chop and the ride will not be as rough for you...but as I said a Smooth Moves suspension seat will take care of any rough ride problems. Driving a stick steer boat gives one a much different perspective. If the hull I have had a tiller steer I would never hesitate to head out across the lake in a big chop....but when you are up front things look a lot worse than they probably are. I like the fact I do not have to move to another seat when I get to my fishing spot. I like the fact I am sitting down in the boat. I only have one sonar unit on the boat but have two transducers with a transducer switch. None of my fishing buddies who have been out with me have ever complained about getting wet...even though I might have been they were not.....maybe it has to do with the way my hull is made...I don't know. I love my boat...with a few caveats. I would like to have a bigger one. You can get them 18 feet long with a 72 inch bottom. I would also get hydraulic steering. While I would like to have a bigger one this is probably the last boat I will own. Within a year I will add hydro steering.....that is unless I keep looking at the 1872 SS......just would love to fish out of an 18 foot stick steer with a 72 inch bottom....LOL. One thing I forgot to mention....a stick steer is a hoot to drive....a lot of fun.

Regards

Nothing wrong with a stick steer. I have owned one with a jet outboard. They are typically a semi v of flat hull so it's obvious you would not be taking on three footers with this type of hull. I hear folks bashing the stick steer as rough ride, wet ride, etc. That is not a function of the type of steering it has but rather the type of hull you will find on stick steers. A stick steer has many positive features, up front seating to better see any obstacle ahead, once you sit down you never have to get back up, most stick steer boats are very easy to trailer, easy on gas. Semi V or flat bottom is going to be a little rougher ride and wetter compared to a deep V. Don't let the stick steer scare you, they are a blast to run.

Originally Posted by cbach

Hey guys, I'm looking into buying a tracker panfish boat here soon that a buddy's dad has for sale. It is a stick steer boat. I was curious if anyone here has experience with the stick steer. Some guys I work with are telling me to stay away from it, but don't provide a logical explanation why...lol So, what are any pros and cons I will face in buy this boat?

Seems like everybody is talking about all makes of stick steering boats but his question seems to state he'd like to know about TRACKER panfish boats with stick steering, not just any boat with that type of steering.

Guess I read it differently. He asked for input on stick steer boats in general and in particular about the Panfish. In any case he got a lot of good input.

Tracker has eliminated the biggest problem they ever had . Wood .I helped redo a wooden deck/walled tracker and said I would not ever do that again .They now use a composite material that will not warp or rot . Would be up to the condition of the wood on an old one . Newer ones ,no problem .

My first boat way back in a previous life was a Tracker Panfish with 25 HP Merc. I didn't know anything about all these drawbacks so I never noticed them - ignorance is bliss. To me it was perfect for what I wanted to do - learn a little about fishing and have something to do with my son. It served both purposes without incident. A lot of great memories and some of the best times of my life happened in that boat. I don't regret owning it in the slightest and am very glad I did.

Mine was a 16' Sea Nymph w/25 Johnson. Bought used and never regretted it, or any of it's shortcomings, for a second. I had it in rough water, skinny water, places I shouldn't have been, both fresh and salt. Mine was basic with almost no interior and a bench seat across the back. 6 trips on 6 gallons or less, and go anywhere I wanted to. Caught tons of fish and took everyone I know. I miss it every day and always look at the ones for sale, and may own another one day. Which one you choose, such as the tracker, won't much matter if it's your first. There's a small learning curve adjusting to them but I found it pleasant. Storage was an issue with mine, no live well or cooler, 12 volt trolling motor and that too small for it. I like the looks of the tracker, and the interior and comforts would make it very nice to spend time in. TM needs to be as big as you can get the batteries to fit. I ran 2 deep cycle 27 series that ran the outboard and TM and never ran them dry. Hope you get it, you'll smile for a long time, I do believe.