tracker boats?

[mwfischer]

Has anybody compared the 19ft non V Tracker, I believe the series is Pro Team, and the V-18 All Fish boats as far as quality and ride? I get that the V should have a better ride in rough water, but is it that noticeable?

Any other pro's or con's?

[techo]

I don't own a Tracker, but most of my friends do. They seem happy with their boats. I own a Skeeter. I have always wanted one and I am very happy with it. I love it lots! The reason why I am posting is because of the Jim Lovan mention. I did about a years worth of reading and digging. I spoke to Jim a few times and he is willing to share whatever knowledge you are willing to listen to. He will offer you the benefit of his knowledge.....even if you are leaning toward a Skeeter.

[taxidermist]

Living in Kansas you need a deep Vee boat, to cut the waves, cause you get big waves with those winds!! I lived close to Coucil Grove for almost 10 years, fished Milford, CG lakes, Tuttle Creek and several others and you get some waves.

Yo also want to opt to the motor closest to the rated horse power, with kids you are going to end up pulling them on tubes and maybe skiing.

Also with the bigger motor you can really trim up the motor and get that boat nose up in the air to cross high waves!!!

I have a Lowe 170 with a 90HP Johnson, top speed is 52 mph on a good day average it 47 mph. fuel use is low at 3/4 throttle, its 17 feet and not bad fot two people, three grown ups it gets crowded when fishing.

The drawback is its rivetted. The price was right very right so there are some trade off's.

The boat is rated for a 120 HP motor and if I was buying I certainly would go with the 120 or at lest a 115.

Reason is sometimes storms can slip up on you and when you need to get off the lake the extra speed is wonderful.

Plus at 3/4 throttle you can get just as good a fuel economy as with a smaller motor. Its also easier on the motor IMHO

We have a 100lb thrust trolling motor and canpretty well manuver around upper Taneycomo with several generators on holding behind islands

We seldom have to use the trolling motor on 100%, which when fishing Bull Shoals or other lakes we can use it all night and most times only use 50% of the battery charge.

We Dont have a built in battery charge but that would be nice and get a big one if you do, quciker charge means if the fish are biting you cn be out on the water again sooner.

You need a 12 volt plug up front you may need a spot light some night!!!

I have a Hummin Bird 565 up front and a much cheaper one at the console, I will update the console this year to another 565.

Get a spare tire and wheel for the trailer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of storage and locking boxes.

[captain4ever]

I am on my second deep v tracker, they both came from BPS in Springfield. The first was a 2002 pro guide 16 with a 60 hp Merc that I ran hard for 9 years, spent a lot of the time in Truman, LOZ, Table Rock ,zipping up and down the mighty “MO” and even in some local farm ponds.. This boat has had more fish caught in those 9 years and most people catch in a lifetime.. More than several occasions I have parked the 16 ft boat on the flats and fished in the deeper water with no worries to the welds at all. The latest is a pro guide 175 with a 115 Merc. It has a little more room for the fishing bud’s and will get me there just a tad faster without sucking the tank dry of the liquid gold. We took it on a 4 hour break in two weeks ago and it handled flawlessly. Last weekend the wife and I snagged on LOZ where she made her first Spoony snag that came in at 72 pounds, had several of them fancy boats applauding her on in our cheap tracker.. To me I just don’t see the worth spending double the money for basically the same boat.

[gibson]

Hi, I,m new here, and looking for some info. I am getting ready to buy a 2013 Tracker V18 Targa, and would like to know how much difference there is in fuel consumption between the Merc. 115 HP 4 stroke and the 150 HP 4 stroke. Can't seem to find anything on this subject, would be great if someone could shed a little light on this for me. Thanks...

[ozarkgunner]

Get the biggest motor it will take. Trust me.

[gibson]

Thanks for your reply gunner, but I guess the next question is why the biggest motor it will take. If the 150 hp takes twice the gas I'm not sure it's worth it. Please let me know what you think. Thanks...

[ozarkgunner]

A motor that is near the max rating will actually use less fuel. It will not have to work as hard to maintain the same speed. The speed will be the same at much lower rpms. Now if you run the bigger motor full speed ... That's another story

[ozarkgunner]

I would look at a optimax two stroke over the four stroke. Lighter than a four cheaper and use the same or less fuel. And no oil changes.

[gibson]

I really think I want a 4 stoke, have a 4 stroke now. As far as weight goes the Opti only weighs 24 lbs. less than the 4 stroke, and price wise only about $200-$400 difference Not disagreeing with you, just looking for info. Thanks for your input, any other ideas out there ?