Semi V or deep V

[warhawk]

and?????

Great boat, lots of great features, but ...

Went for a ride in the boat, The lake was about 3-4 feet low, so we couldn't use the dock. He nosed it up to the bank for me to get in and it was about all I could do (bad back) to climb into this boat. Getting out wasn't any better. So I'm going to have to recalibrate what I'm looking for, I'm just too crippled up for these high sided deep V boats.

Going to take a serious look at some of the bass boat designs, or maybe a small deep V like the Tracker Super Guide, Alumacraft Fisherman 160cs, or G3 V167 will work. I think the Lund I looked at (Mr Pike 16) may have maxed out my Tacoma's towing capacity.

[Hanr3]

I hear ya. My knees ain't what they used to be. Steps get tough, especially after sitting all day and worse when standing all day. Have you looked at Mod-V boats. Not as deep as Deep-V. Great on performance, however they don't ride as smooth on big chop/waves. My biggest concern with Bass boat style decks is bending down or kneeling to access anything and everything below deck. Getting up off my knees can be tougher than steps.
Another option is a pontoon boat. They aren't fast or cheap to operate, but they are comfortable and can be made into great fishing machines.

[cblades]

I own a Fisher Hawk 170 WT which is the same as the tracker targa 17. Its 18ft and can handle a 150. I have a 115 EFI 4 stroke merc on mine and have owned it new since June 2007. I have had zero problems with the boat and have only replaced the volt gauge and the starter on the boat and I use the boat A LOT. It has been a great boat and has been in Canada, Minnesota and Illinois and fished hard. No deck problems or anything. Tracker boats get a bad rap I think. I looked at lund boats but I didn't want to spend the extra 5 grand at the time. I have no doubt that the lund is probably a better boat but I didn't see enough of a difference. This boat is a deep v I forgot to state.
The deep v boats are better if you have a bad back or knees. The seats are WAY up off the deck and are easier for old guys like my dad. They are slower but handle the rough stuff the best. And are more comfortable. The windshield is nice too! So if you are suffering from back or knee issues and speed doesn't matter go with the deep v. If you want speed and don't hurt in the mornings then go with a mod v or even a glass bass boat.

[Cane Pole]

There is no such thing as a good ride in rough water. I rode thru a hurricane on the USS Saratoga in the Atlantic. The Sara was a "big boat".

I had a Pro Crappie 175 before I got the War Eagle Predator. The Tracker did just fine.

[Quackrstackr]

There is no such thing as a good ride in rough water.

It's all relative. The pad hull design on my aluminum Triton will ride as smooth as glass while my buddy's War Eagle running right beside me will be jarring his teeth out. There's no comparison.

[warhawk]

Well my decision has been made. Found out about a killer deal on a Stratos 176 XT with a Yamaha 50, I got it for the payoff amount, way less than half what a new one costs. Super clean boat, it's barely been used at all. I've seen new boats at a dealer that look worse.

Now I'll find out how well I like a bass boat.

BTW, My little Tacoma pickup pulls it just fine with the 2.7L four cylinder.

[huntinslabs]

Great Find!! I am sure you will enjoy it.

[Cane Pole]

It's all relative. The pad hull design on my aluminum Triton will ride as smooth as glass while my buddy's War Eagle running right beside me will be jarring his teeth out. There's no comparison.

Your opinion I see.

[KDAVID1]

Well my decision has been made. Found out about a killer deal on a Stratos 176 XT with a Yamaha 50, I got it for the payoff amount, way less than half what a new one costs. Super clean boat, it's barely been used at all. I've seen new boats at a dealer that look worse.

Now I'll find out how well I like a bass boat.

BTW, My little Tacoma pickup pulls it just fine with the 2.7L four cylinder.

Smart man

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777

[Rees Guide]

Well my decision has been made. Found out about a killer deal on a Stratos 176 XT with a Yamaha 50, I got it for the payoff amount, way less than half what a new one costs. Super clean boat, it's barely been used at all. I've seen new boats at a dealer that look worse.

Now I'll find out how well I like a bass boat.

BTW, My little Tacoma pickup pulls it just fine with the 2.7L four cylinder.

Nice ride, congrats!!

Better get some sort of motor support under it for hauling, transom wont last long like that.