Tracker boats
- Thread starter Don
- Start date
troutspinner
Nuts & Bolts Guy
Which boat are you calling their minimalist one? The Classic I think fits that description but I also think the ProGuide V16 I had fits that as well in that category and then there are the Grizzly series, just metal, no finishes.
Don
Well-known member
I’m pretty sure they all float as long as the water is shallow enough. Some of my boats in the past floated right on the bottom. I really miss my old Carolina 238 but it was too much boat for me alone.
So I’m looking at the 16’ classic or the next size up…the 175 pro. It seems that the interest is minimal as well. These boats seem pretty affordable. Will they handle RARITAN or Barnaget Bay in reasonable weather ?
The other option is to just put some batteries and a motor into the Fiver. And call it a day. Wouldn’t go near the bay but that old tri-hull would handle most of the smaller Big Lakes I visit.
The last thing I wouldn’t mind would be to patch together on of the 16’ johnboat hulls that they offer. Those are pretty rugged.
So I’m looking at the 16’ classic or the next size up…the 175 pro. It seems that the interest is minimal as well. These boats seem pretty affordable. Will they handle RARITAN or Barnaget Bay in reasonable weather ?
The other option is to just put some batteries and a motor into the Fiver. And call it a day. Wouldn’t go near the bay but that old tri-hull would handle most of the smaller Big Lakes I visit.
The last thing I wouldn’t mind would be to patch together on of the 16’ johnboat hulls that they offer. Those are pretty rugged.
troutspinner
Nuts & Bolts Guy
I would not recommend any Mod V Style Boat for the Bays. Anytime we see a Bass Boat on Raritan, they hang around the Keyport Sailboats and don't come out much further, these are 18'-21' boats too. There is always the exception, there is one guy with a 21' Bass Boat we often see out front, we always think he is crazy when we see him but I'll give the guy credit, he drives that boat like a beast.
One thing about Raritan, the weather doesn't matter, that bay has it's own mind. We call it a washing machine and the wind always seems to be against the tide there and as soon as the tide shifts and you think it's going to lay down, nope! And then there are days when the predicted weather is suppose to be dicey and you go out and it's glass....it makes no sense but I would never do it without a Deep V Style Boat like a ProGuide in the Tracker line. Even my 16' I had handled that bay well.
With the Classic, 175 Pro and even the ProGuide I had, they are all good boats but if you start comparing the fit and finish to other pricier boats, you start to see where Tracker saves their money, unskilled labor and little time spent on quality control. I knew that going in when I bought my ProGuide but I could not deny the value I was getting so it won me over vs. other manufacturers. Hindsight being what it is, I have no regrets buying that boat.
One thing about Raritan, the weather doesn't matter, that bay has it's own mind. We call it a washing machine and the wind always seems to be against the tide there and as soon as the tide shifts and you think it's going to lay down, nope! And then there are days when the predicted weather is suppose to be dicey and you go out and it's glass....it makes no sense but I would never do it without a Deep V Style Boat like a ProGuide in the Tracker line. Even my 16' I had handled that bay well.
With the Classic, 175 Pro and even the ProGuide I had, they are all good boats but if you start comparing the fit and finish to other pricier boats, you start to see where Tracker saves their money, unskilled labor and little time spent on quality control. I knew that going in when I bought my ProGuide but I could not deny the value I was getting so it won me over vs. other manufacturers. Hindsight being what it is, I have no regrets buying that boat.
Don
Well-known member
Flying home today. Plenty of thinking time. I want to keep a relatively shallow model in mind as I’m hoping to not give up Gouldsboro and the stump fields there. Nor do I want to give up any other shallow lakes like Hidden Lake. But it has to be capable on most of the bigger PA lakes. WallenPaulpack can Also be a food grinder.
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Don
Well-known member
Yes that is RARITAN. I used to race there every wednsdsy night. Ya never know.
I now put in in Seawaren and only fish the inner bay towards Lockwoods. I guess I could get a larger Vee boat but I want to be able to launch alone, roll it around in driveway, maintain it and then get something back out of it in ten yrs or so.
I now put in in Seawaren and only fish the inner bay towards Lockwoods. I guess I could get a larger Vee boat but I want to be able to launch alone, roll it around in driveway, maintain it and then get something back out of it in ten yrs or so.
troutspinner
Nuts & Bolts Guy
I have come to the realization that the perfect boat, is 2 boats! 
. Maybe 3. Lol
. Maybe 3. Lol
troutspinner
Nuts & Bolts Guy
My Deep V or ProGuide was 16’ and fit in my shallow garage. I could roll it around by hand. It had a wide beam, I believe 88”. If my buddy had not bought his center console, I would still have it. It wasn’t as bass fishing friendly as my current boat but it worked for everything. You’re a multi species angler, a boat like that would suit you well.
Don
Well-known member
Wow.
troutspinner
Nuts & Bolts Guy
I don’t know the ratings on the classic but I would imagine it being very similar to my boat at 16’. 2 of us stand up front all the time without issue.
Using my boat as an example once again, the floor is about 6” above the water line and yes, a bilge pump is how you would relieve that water.