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Hey everybody it's been a long time hope everybody is well. So the time has finally come my wife is almost done with nursing school and she already has a job waiting after she finishes so that means it's time to start boat shopping. Last weekend we looked at the bass tracker 175 tf. Just wondering if anybody has owned one of these or fished from one. Any feed back on the quality and durabity and all that good stuff would be much appreciated. Thanks Gents
What kind of fishing you wanting to do with it. Single poling, spider rigging. Bass tracker sells a lot of boats so you probably can't go to wrong with it, but there are other boats that may suit your needs better depending what you want to do. If you are spider rigging there are other boats G3, Lowe 175 stinger plus others that are set up for that with 2 seats side by side up front. The tracker has wooden decks as does the G3 but that isn't a problem if you are storing it inside or with a cover. You will get 25 different answers on what to buy and all are good boats but they all have one little thing that makes that different from the others.
I bought a new old stock left over 2012 tracker 175 twx last May and fished it alot over the past year. Overall it has been a great boat for me but as stated you will get alot of different opinions and it all depends on what you like and the type of fishing you do. Me coming from a 14' tin can with a 10hp it was like a major upgrade and fit all my needs but of course I still want a bigger faster boat, but i dont think that will every change.
It has the 60hp on runs great planes nice and does ok in a real rough water. I considered the 75hp upgrade but at the time I read it was a jump to a bigger engine block size which added overall weight and the extra weight versus the extra 15hp really just cancels each other in speed (maybe a 2 mph gain) and equaled less gas mileage so I stuck with the 60hp. I mostly fish smithville and would be more then willing to meet you and take you out in it and take it for a spin to see if its what you really want before you drop the coin on a boat you have never drivin or fished from. Just let me know
Love my tracker
I think I would take up that offer to go out in one and see if you like it! I fell into a great deal on my PT175 2005 w/75hp, so I bought it. I was looking for a deeper boat because I don't like the step up onto the deck, but I got what I got so I'm not going to complain. Good luck!
I have owned two trackers, pro crappie 175 and a 175 trw or twx or something like that any way darn good boat for dipping, casting, lots of storage, big live well in the back. no live well up front, but the storage up front is so much I put a cooler in the starboard side and just drop the fish in there, inside ice stays all day easy to take out when get home, 60 hp 4 stroke, quiet, quick,and easy on fuel, tows great, loads easy un loads easy, great boat, Don't spider rig but troll a lot two pole, and crank baits, have terrova on the front, love it, couple good depth finders and go man go.
just could not afford a glass boat or I would own one, heaver and more stable while fishing brush in the wind, but I catch a lot of brush fish from the front of the tracker, so again great boats............. luck to ya
really depends on what kind of water you will be fishing. I've had a tracker tournament v18 for 10 years and I love it. great for smaller water and big enough to handle the loz on a rough day. I keep thinking about buying a brand new boat but don't know if it would fish any better. If you can get anything with a mod v bottom id really recommend it.
I have a 18ft Targa 03. Its been a great boat for Truman Lake. Will take any water you can find around here. Love the windshield for winter fishing. Two large live wells and two bait wells. Its has had rough treatment and held up great. 110 four stroke pushes it fine.
I fish the heck out of my Tracker TX 17. Now that I have upgraded electronics and the trolling motor to Maxxum 70, I am really happy with it. The transom mounted transducer is the only really big drawback that I will bring up. Fishing stumps with a transducer mounted on the outside is going to present some problems. Mine flips up fairly easily, but already this year I broke the bracket that is attached to the boat.
Average boat owner in the U.S. keeps a boat over 10 years in this day and time. Know you want to get on the water but understand that you will likely have a boat for awhile. You may have found your best match or it could be a different model of that brand or a different brand. There is much more than the boat to consider; engine, engine warranty, trolling motor, electronics, trailer, storage compartments, dealer support, financing, etc. Take your time, enjoy the process, it should be fun, if it doesn't feel like fun walk away. Don't forget used boats. No two people use a boat exactly the same, you're doing good by getting advise, now apply your own needs and fishing styles and you're on your way. Good luck.
^^^ that right there is great advice! boat hunting should be fun don't rush! I also recommend you make a list of MUST haves and then the LIKE to haves. Seeing shinny boats tends to make people forget they really wanted XYZ! i'd bet almost anyone on here would take you out for a day on their boat, ask a few members with the model of boat your looking at if you can see it in action so you KNOW its the right one for you.
I have an 04 pro team 185 Tracker with a 90 Merc on it. I just got back from Bull Shoals, table Rock and Taneycomo this week. We fished all three for white bass, crappie, trout and spoonbill snagging. The boat does everything we need and had three big guys in it and still cruise at 40 mph. I bought it new and it was much less expensive to get in to. I upgraded the motor from a 50 hp and glad i did. All the running and trolling we did and only used about ten gallons of gas. I even set it up with front and rear driftmaster mounts for rigging. They also hold their value. Mine is stored inside except for trips when its either in a covered slip or covered up. You might think about upgrading to the PT190 instead of the 175 and don't underpower the boat either.
I'll chime in once again, come the first weekend in may there is a gathering at bucksaw camp grounds, COE as it were, there will be lots of boats there, come check them out maybe sit in a couple, ask questions, good learning experience.
My first new bass boat was a 1989 Bass Tracker Pro-17 . I loved that boat and caught many fish out of it . Beam width was a little narrow for my liking , and it was a little rougher ride in open water on a windy day , but a great shallow water boat , or dipping trees .
that's good advice, my partner has a Tracker Pro Team 190TX with a 90 on it, I fish out of a Pantera II and on tourney day I don't care which one we fish out of. Rides good and handles the big water we fish all the time really well. Most of the time the decision is made on how far we might have to run, mine runs in the 60s verses upper 30s. As far as I am concerned in tin boats you get the most for your buck out of a Tracker. Are there better boats out there, yes, but for what they cost you can run a glass boat.Quote:
Originally Posted by specs
I owned a Bass Tracker TX17 for 18 yeas which is close to the 175. A friend has a 2006 175 now. Two yeas ago I bought a new boat. I looked at Tracker 175 and the Lowe 175 and 170. Bass Pro will not work on any pricing, went all the way to the VP of retail sales. Told me they sell more then anyone else so no price adjustments. Bass Pro wanted 1285.00 for a trolling motor upgrade, three bank charger, and extra battery. Went to Cabela's and bought a Lowe 170 Stinger, which is the bass version of the 175. Higher front deck and one live well, no extra seat post up front. Cabela's gave me the exact things BP priced or 1285.00 for 300.00 with trade in credit. The deck on my boat both front and back are hands down larger then the tracker and my friends, the boat also seems to be built better. The trailer has side steps behind the finder which BP dropped this year. My wife who can't swim and never fished off the old one very much loves to go out in this one. The Lowe is much more stale in the water. When fishing by myself I can stand on the outside edge and not drop the boat as much as the 175. My friends sides will drop low in the water. The only complaint I would have is the ride. Mine rides good, but the tracker has the v almost three quarters the way back and takes waves better. The Lowe is more of a flat bottom design. I also like the at he Lowes decks are all aluminum whit no wood like the tracker. Good luck. f your in the KC Kansa area John at Cabela's will treat you right.
Thanks for all the great advice everybody. We really appreciate it
I have a '03 Tracker Tournament V-18 with a 90 on back and love it. We had an older smaller tracker as our first boat and liked it so much we bought the new one to have it paid for by time I retired. If I was going to buy another boat it would probably be another Tracker, I have just had very good luck with them and like the way they pull, load and unload. I can do mine by myself with no problems. Have fun looking and good luck with whatever you buy!
You should have fun looking but it can be agonizing to buy a new boat. When I bought the 04 I looked at everthing under the sun and could not make a decision. While its true BPS won't negotiate they do run promotions and I bought mine at a decent discount for boat and motor upgrade off the sticker. Go with your gut on which one best meets your needs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny
It has been a little agonizing becuse I've been looking at every kind if boat you can imagine for the last two years online. Everything from big fish and ski boats to flat bottom Jon boats. But the most agonizing thing of all has been waiting till we are in the position to buy a boat. Now that time is here I'm so giddy I can't hardly stand itQuote:
Originally Posted by specs
They don't make a perfect all around boat for everything. Choose one that best suits the type of fishing you do the most.