Stick steer or side console?

I have the larger 17' Tracker stick steer and its been a great boat. Though I am in the process of customizing it a bit. I removed the seats and the cover storage space beneath them and am replacing them with removable millennium seats. Since my version has the large raised bow section, I didn't like having the rod holders set so far back. I replaced the aluminum hatch cover on the bow with marine plywood and added three seat pin style bases. Now I can move one or both seats up front up high and spider rig much like a bass boat. For single poling I don't have to move at all. I also added a two bases for my rod holders between the forward and aft seats for trolling. This way I can turn around and run the big motor as well as monitor my rods with the added benefit that I am facing the second person and not carrying on over my shoulder all day. The days that I have gotten wet running, I think you would be hard pressed staying dry in anything other than a center console bay style boat.


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Nothing wrong with either one,

Starting back in the 70s there were several local boat companies here in SC that made a sleek little fiberglass boat that was engineered for the swamps and backwaters of many of our lakes. My buddy had one until the bottom finally tore out from too many stumps but it lasted 25 years. I just learned that some guys have revived one of the brands and started making them here in the SC Midlands.
It is the FastCraft brand and it is a neat looking boat, but definitely not a big water boat.
Here it a link to their Facebbok page. https://www.facebook.com/Fastcraft-B...4072835673668/

I'm looking at a 1999 16ft Alum Weld Express with 40hp Yamaha stick steer. The carpet, motor and bottom of boat looks good. Need help in what to look for in purchasing a used boat and if there are any issues with this brand and motor.
Thanks in advance for your comments.

Mike

Nothing wrong with that motor far as I know. I have the same one on a 99 Duracraft stick steer and itworks great.
At that age it all depends on how the motor has been taken care of. In my case it had less than 100 hours on it. I had to have the carbs rebuilt and water pump replaced because it had been sitting in a barn for two years.

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Originally Posted by MidMsAngler

I have the larger 17' Tracker stick steer and its been a great boat. Though I am in the process of customizing it a bit. I removed the seats and the cover storage space beneath them and am replacing them with removable millennium seats. Since my version has the large raised bow section, I didn't like having the rod holders set so far back. I replaced the aluminum hatch cover on the bow with marine plywood and added three seat pin style bases. Now I can move one or both seats up front up high and spider rig much like a bass boat. For single poling I don't have to move at all. I also added a two bases for my rod holders between the forward and aft seats for trolling. This way I can turn around and run the big motor as well as monitor my rods with the added benefit that I am facing the second person and not carrying on over my shoulder all day. The days that I have gotten wet running, I think you would be hard pressed staying dry in anything other than a center console bay style boat.


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Do you have any pictures of the upgrade? I have the same boat and would be interested in seeing how you did it. Thanks!