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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?
Rough ride in windy conditions plus you will get wet with spray......they are ok in calm waters.....and it really depends on how you fish ...what methods etc.
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typically casting and vertical jigging. I don't mind getting a little wet from time to time
I had a Tracker 17.5 model. Great boat! Never had a stick steer though.
My long time fishing partner, Walt, has had and still has, a Tracker Panfish stick steer. We've fished out of it for many, many years (30 or more at least). Great boat, as long as you realize it's limitations. It is not a boat for open water - period. Wasn't designed that way and if you're caught in a rough sea, you are going to take a beating!
Not knowing what bodies of water you fish, be aware that the rear seat passenger is going to get WET if it's rough out there at all. The back spray is tremendous. I have to face backwards in order not to take a bath when we're running out.
Next thing is that this being a "riveted" hull, they have a tendency to leak. Not sure how many times Walt has had rivets repaired, but this particular boat still takes on water after a days fishing. Less than 5 gal. or so, so it's not a big deal to pull the plug when you pull off, but you should be aware of that potential.
Finally, the stick steer is a great feature, however, over time it will loosen up to the point where you must keep your hand on the stick at all times, even when slow moving in search mode; or it will turn on you. Some don't find this to be a problem. But it's just something you should be aware of.
Outside of these few minor annoyances, she's a fine boat that will give you many, many years of dependable service.
I have a G3 165 pf stick steer. It is 16 ft. with a 50hp Yamaha 4 stroke. It is a great boat, stable and dry. It is good on fuel, quiet and easy to tow. My family has out grown the boat so we are going to a glass bass boat. She is for sale on craigslist now, but she will be missed.
always wanted a stick steer until i bought one. wet ride. one time as i was turning sharp bend in river hit a snag, stick jumped out of my hand and almost landed up on shore in the woods. sold boat as trade in on steering wheel model.
a stick steer , well NEVER AGAIN !!!
I replaced my console steer Tracker with a 16.5 ft Duracraft stick steer. It is a bigger boat than the Panfish so the ride is not as wet in rough weather, especially for the back seat. It will pound you in the front, so I research the weather before I go and I may drive 10 miles further to launch near where I plan to fish to avoid running in bad weather.
I love the convenience of not having to move out of my seat and the passenger is really set with all his gear right there and not having to climb up and down raised decks. That was one of the main reasons I switched to stick steer. Couple of my buddies are not steady on their feet and I was afraid they would one day fall overboard trying to get up on the rear deck.
It is fun to fish out of and long as you are careful with the weather you will be fine.
I will say that if you are caught in really bad weather with wind and white caps any boat in the size range of the Panfish or mine is going to have a white knuckle ride, so it's not like you are the only one getting hammered.
I fish out of a 17.5 Wareagle stick steer. They have their pluses and minuses just like any other boat. As a general rule they are not open, rough water boats at all. Like Crestliner said passenger is going to get wet if rough at all. Mine with a 50 has enough bow lift to make it fairly dry in most chop. You will take a pounding up front if it's pretty rough. If your fishing smaller bodies of water, creeks, slough's the maneuverability is awesome. I like the fact once I launch I don't get out of the seat and have to do a bunch of walking around in the boat. I spider rig, pull cranks, long line, single pole and cast out of mine with no problems. Only thing I have seen is most panfish are under powered because most were sold with a 25 when to perform well they need a 40. The 25 will get it around well and would be good if you fish HP restricted lakes up there.
Had a panfisher with 50hp Loved it. Need atleast a 40hp in mho. Great for old fat men that don't need to be moving around in a boat. I don't like rough water period even in my Ranger. Caught more fish in it than any other boat. Really nice if going by yourself. Just beware of it's limitations. Sold mine to my son-in-law so I could always go borrow it!!!
This has been talked about several times. I have a 17ft alumcraft and wouldn't change. There are things you wouldn't like, the ride can be rough in rough water. man in the back can get wet. Because of my age I like the fact once in the boat I don't have to move around. I shoot docks and setting low in the boat allows for a better angle. Try it out, they are not for everyone but some of us love them.
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by cbach
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.
My neighbor has a stick steer and we have fished many an hour out of it until I bought my Tracker 175. As said the ride up front is rough and damp, but he is 84 and not as steady as he used to be and he gets in the boat and never has to move again until I have pulled it out of the water. For some one with limited movement and balance it is a great boat.