Buying my first boat

[moguy1973]

So I have the chance to buy my uncle's 09 Tracker 175 TXW.  Has the Merc 60hp 4-stroke on it and has some upgraded electronics.  I've fished out of it once with him and now he has bought a Ranger 521 and is getting rid of this one and is giving me a pretty good deal on it.  The only thing that is really wrong with it is the seats need to be recovered. 

Pretty excited as I have a new truck to pull it behind too.  No more needing to look for places that rent fishing boats anymore.

[fishinwrench]

Nothing better than being able to buy a used boat that you personally know the history on.  

6 years seems a little young for bad seats.  Did it set out in the weather all the time?

[moguy1973]

He took good care of it while he had it.  I think it was a marina demo boat prior to him buying it so it may have sat out without a cover before that.

[Old plug]

I think its nice your getting a boat. However I know you ply the waters of LOZ. that boat is a bit small for large lakes so be careful. 

[moguy1973]

6 hours ago, Old plug said:

I think its nice your getting a boat. However I know you ply the waters of LOZ. that boat is a bit small for large lakes so be careful. 

Yeah, probably won't be going on LOZ during the summer.  Will be good for a spring or fall fishing trip before or after all party crews are gone.  Since I'm in St. Louis, it'll probably see a lot of Rend Lake and the closer ones in Illinois.

[sms_alum]

That's pretty much the same boat I used to have. They are a great first boat that can take a beating. I laugh when someone buys their first boat and it's a brand new something that they destroy the fiberglass or blow up the outboard with in a year or two. Don't overlook the rivers if you are looking for close places to fish.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I have the same boat in an 08 and had to get the seats recovered this year. The stitching rots in these real bad. You will like the boat a lot.

[JamiePatterson]

Boat is an acronym that stands for:

Break

Out

Another

Thousand

 

(I love boats)

[dtrs5kprs]

Ol' Unc made a heck of a jump going from a 17' Tracker to a 21' Ranger. Hope that goes all right.

Very useful first boat for you though. My first "fast" boat was a 17' Tournament V-17. They are kind of like a practice girlfriend. Pretty forgiving, and will let you have a lot of fun.

[moguy1973]

Anyone know what a good price on getting the seats recovered would be?  My aunt knows a gal that lives on her street that does that sort of thing but I'd like to get an idea of what it's going to cost.  I've done a search online and there really isn't much out there other than getting new seats.