Hi Folks I am looking at buys a new Aluminum boat. I was looking at Bass Tracker, Triton and G3. Any opinions on these boats or other boats? Thanks!

Triton then the g3 on those brands look at alumacraft as well

I like my Lowe -all aluminum

I really like xpress when it comes to aluminum boats.

I have an 2006 Xpress X-17 that I just got and love it, great boat and really moves with a 90hp Yamaha on the back.

I have a G3 that I really like and plan to keep for a while, but if I ever sell, I'll look seriously at the Xpress.

Ok Im looking at the Xpress and they seem to come with Yamaha's. Are Yamaha's any good? I have always been told Mercury is the way to go. The Tritons come with Merc's.

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Be sure and check out War Eagle boats. This company was founded by
the same family that built DuraCraft boats. They know how to build
a bullet proof aluminum boat.

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I have an 1968 alumacraft and it still floats as if it was new.. Or so I assume, I wasn't born yet, but none the less it was a well build boat!

Ok here are the boat manufacturers I have listed.
Triton
Lowe
Alumacraft
G3
Xpress
War Eagle
Polar Kraft

Any others I should look into? I noticed none of you guys recommended Tracker. Are they no good?

Weldbuilt. Best boat for the money. You can call them and they will custom build your boat any way you want it.

From the research I have done it's a toss up between the Triton and the Xpress. Question is, do I want a Merc or a Yamaha? It's been my experience and word of mouth that Merc is the better motor. If so it's gonna be the Triton. If I find out that a Yamaha is a sound machine it may be the Xpress.

I've never owned one myself but I would never buy a boat or recommend that somebody else buy a boat from BPS. I've only known 4 guys who have bought from them but every single one of them has had nothing but trouble with their boats.

Truth is, most all of the boats you have listed are good boats. There is a reason Tracker isn't listed among them. You need to look at which manufacturer gets you closest to exactly what you are looking for. Weldcraft, Alumacraft, G3, Polar Kraft and Express are all boats that I considered and I eventually settled on the Alumacraft. Not because it was any better or worse than the others, but because it was the best value and fit.

And Yamaha is known for making very sound motors.

Thanks for all the feedback. This is good info!

War Eagle to me is the best aluminum. Xpress is not far behind; however, the War Eagle performs a little better.

I would like to hear the BPs/Tracker boat problems.My store sells a lot of the Pro Teams al. boats and we have very little customer concerns. I think we sold 40 or so in 2011 and maintained a 97.3 customer service score. The true measure is warranty claims and we only had a 4% to total sales claim rate in 2011 down from 16% in 2009. I think this shows an improvement at the plant with regard to QC.I'm not sure that the problem is the boat but most likly the dealer which results in the customers overall preseption regarding the brand/boat. I would like to hear true stories in my ongoing effort to improve the brand.Please be honest and if there is something I can do to fix someones situation I'll try.Gary 512 250 9000.

Sorry, I'm not trying to jack your request but felt that this would be a good place to hear the truth. Good luck with your new boat purchase.

War Eagle--- One of if not the best alum. boat built.

I dont know where the bad rap for the tracker brand comes from. I have a pro deep v-17 with 90hp mercury, going on for 2 yrs now. I have had 0 issues, unless u include me losing the standpipe for the livewell overfill fitting. it runs great, doesnt take on water, and provdes a very stable platform for fishing. it is a little tough to run trot lines out of, but with some front deck mods i can run a 25 hook line in very short while. it is also a dry ride, huge 25 gallon livewell, and plenty of dry storage. plus i can pull the kids on a tube when the lakes arent so shallow. id give them a look too. ymmv
doc

Ok, there is one positive for Tracker so feel free to tell the good aswell as the bad I would like to hear it all. Thanks.

Are you talking a bass boat or Jonboat? I have a 1648 lowe Big Jon that I got used. Its a great boat, mine is a 1984 but they still have the same exact boat at cabelas. Welded seams and riveted seats and braces. Tracker makes a good boat but in a regular jonboat you can get a little better one for a few bucks more.

Ok, guys where are the comments? I expected more comments and all I have seen is one positive. Let it rip. I would like to hear the good , bad and ugly. If you or your friend has had a bad boat experience with a Tracker now is your time to speak. I would like to know how you feel.

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On an aluminum boat I would look for build quality
and excellent engineering. I would be looking for
these elements in it's construction.

1. All welded construction

2. All metal, heavy duty transom

3. Heavy gauge aluminum. 0.100" minimum.

4. Highly reinforced where the hull meets the
transom. This area is vulnerable to cupping
if you strike underwater obstructions like stumps, etc.
There should be some extra longitudinal struts here.

5. Reinforced lower rear corners of transom where it
meets the hull. This area is also vulnerable to strikes.

6. 12 to 15 degree deadrise on hull.

7. Modified-V bow


My DuraCraft has all of these features. Even though I
don't use this boat much in rivers the Arkansas boys
that built this boat made it to run rivers every day for years
and years. To be able to run over stumps and take it.
That's what you want. The DuraCraft brand no longer exists,
but the Ward family that built DuraCraft now builds War Eagle.

Then look at "features" like seat placement, storage, center
or side console, sonar, etc, etc.

dxr

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Tracker aluminum #1 selling bass boat for 31 years.

All welded construction.

All metal transom with longitudinal and latteral heavy duty supports.

Extra wide,all welded.100 aluminum vee.

Welded in longitudinal full length stringer system from transom to bow.

Box-beam,corner braced all aluminium transom.


20 degree dead rise.

Power trac transom, offers engine set back which allows faster planning with less hp.

Welded drain channels in storage compartments to keep things dry.

If you need more I can provide it.

IMHO people tend to shy away from Tracker because they are notorious for being under powered. I've considered purchasing one once and that was what turned me off. Of course we are talking used here, buying new well if you buy one under powered that's your own fault. I have noticed that Tracker/Nitro has made a great effort in improving their quality at a reasonable price especially in their fiberglass boats.

Team Ward (War Eagle) now builds Dura Craft again at the same plant they build War Eagle Boats. There are subtle difference between War Eagle and Dura Craft, different transom and different side breaks.

Thanks for your comments.

Thanks for your comments.

If I was buying an aluminum boat it would be an Xpress,They have the only patented hull called the Hyperlift Hull that will perform like a high performance bass boat.They build them 17ft to 21ft with that hull.They also are the widest and deeper hulls on the aluminum market,Good Luck!

I think alot of the negatives you hear about bass trackers is becasue they are smaller and lower cost which means alot of first time boat buyers buy them who have absolutly no knowlege about them and tear them up, neglect them or something else. I Also hear alot of negatives about the electronics that come on them, but the structure of the boat is sound.

Thanks for the comments.

Bingo, plus they underpower them. Put 12 volt trolling motors and cheappppp FF's.

I agree. I belive that they are going from Motor guide to Mini Kota soon which is a great improvement. As far as under power that is a price point and a lot of buyers feel like that don't need the max HP and we try to tell them to go up the max rated but many are watching their $.Thanks for the comments.

I like my alumacraft with a 115. I can run about 6-7" on plane in the river and although it is a rough ride I can take it out to the lake on windy days as well.

I have a Lowe and I can say they will stand behind their warranty. I had a first model year Stinger that had all kinds of hull leaking issues. After a couple of attempts ti fix it they provided me with a new boat and I haven't had trouble since.

I personally would recommend buying used after grtting a good lake test and getting a mechanic check it out. The new features are not worth the appreciation hit in my opinion.

In 2011 I purched a new rivited 1542 Jonboat from Bass Pro and I really didn't know what to look for.
It does ok in pond in back yard, but it's not worth a filp at lake if wind is over 5mp. The floor jumps up and down so bad I think it's trying to come out.So if wind is over 5mp I stay home and watch TV. If I ever buy another boat it will not be a Tracker. SO I GUESS IT'S TRUE YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

I was looking at the jonboats 1542 tracker and the 1542 alumacraft(academy)at about $1000 each and the alumacraft had structural ribbing that the tracker did not have. I would have bought the alumacraft but found my 16 Lowe instead. Just sayin... better construction on that boat IMO.

Most of the negitive feedback I have heard on trackers had to do with hardware failures like hinges, support brackets and pluming fixtures. Sometimes its the little things in a fishing platform that make it stand out. Overall I think they are pretty well built, I've caught a ton of fish out of them but then I've caught a ton of fish wading too.

Hey, Zipp. Call me and we can talk about your boat floor. We have pulled the riveted floor out of a couple of them and found broken welds in the floor grid. Once repaired/welded there were no other complaints. Call me and I'll see if I can help.

I've been researching, sitting in, kicking the tires and talking to dealers of several of these boats in the past year. I'll be buying later this year, but here's my

#1 Xpress - great boat with a great reputation
#2 War Eagle - great boat with a great reputation but, no local dealers, gotta travel
#3 Lowe - great layout, but no local dealers, gotta deal with Cabelas
#4 Triton/Alumacraft - great boat, I hate the layout and lenghts available
#5 G3 - great boat, I hate the layout and lenghts available
#6 Tracker - great boats, not top end, but I've never had one leave me stranded. I've owned several in different classes, and currently fish out of a couple friends boats without any issues

but what YOU like, and get the largest motor you can afford. Nothing worse than being underpowered. For what its worth, I've chosen they yamaha for my next motor

Good luck

ZIPP, MY PHONE # IS 512 250 9000. WE ARE CLOSED ON MON. SO CALL TUESDAY AND WE WILL SEE IF I CAN FIND A SOLUTION TO YOUR FLOOR.

ZIPP, CALL ME AND LETS FIND A SOLUTION.

You want an Xpress. Get a model with the Hyperlift hull. It's a running pad hull like a glass boat. Better performance with a pad hull.

I'm surprised that no one has even asked what he plans to use his boat for. To me, there are a number of good boats on the market and have different specs for different applications.
Personally, I fish almost exclusively for crappie. I own a Lund aluminum rivited hull boat that I absolutely love. People talk bad about rivited boats but, I can show you some 50 years old that don't leak a drop and Lund is by far the boat of choice up north. Don't believe me, check out Craigslist boat listings up in say Minnesota.
Main reason I prefer the Lund, is its wide and deep beam. My 16' deep vee is 8' wide, the gunnells are between 8 &10" wide and when standing on the deck, the gunnells come up almost to my knees. Very deep, very wide, extremely stable.
If I were buying a new boat it would be another Lund but, I'd go longer...at least 18' and more power, maybe 125 hp, 4 stroke, Yamaha. I don't need speed but, that would be pretty fast.
Biggest problem, nearest dealer is up in southern Okla. But, with a Lund, chances are pretty good you'll never see him once you drive away from the store.
Get the picture? I love my Lund and everyone I know that has one loves it too. Check with your local guides and ask what they prefer. Chuck Rawlins, Guy Skinner, Ernest Patty...all own Lund.

i had a duaracraft 176 with a 10 gauge all welded hull it was the best around , my buddy boght a alumacraft bandit the same size and about the 4th time he took it out idleing over a stump the metal at the bottom of the transom pulled away , it wasnt welded for about a 4 in stretch, upon further inspection there was a lot more , i have had a older bps and had no complaints but it wasnt the same quality as the duracraft , if its war eagle now then thats what id buy

Zipp, thanks and I hope they are able to help.

Yamaha is excellent. They are all good though...as long as you love them and take care of em

I looked very hard at the War Eagle Predator, but could not justify the price difference of nearly 4 grand over the Xpress. I bought the 2012 Xpress H17PFC W/ 90 Yamaha.

I have a welded tracker jon that I have beat the heck out of for years. It's just a river boat. The boat has survived a 25 hp merc to now be power by a new yamaha. Now, the trailer has rusted out but the boats still hanging on. If I started over, I would get something with a tunnel and sponsoons.

I had a Duracraft 17 ft with a 40 mercury and literally beat the heck outta that thing between deer/hog hunting and all the stump jumping that East Texas fishing entails. I sold it to a buddy and its still going strong. I then bought a 2007 Xpress with a 90hp Mercury and its just as tough with a better ride. I am not a fan of the BP Trackers because for the money you get the absolute cheapest stuff they can put on a boat and I would have a real uneasy feeling taking a Tracker into the places where I like to play. Long story short....I agree with No3lber on the Xpress because we share the same playground.

Only an occasional lurker on TFF but had to chime in on this one. I've had my '99 Xpress 18'3" H56 w/115 Yammy since I bought it used in 2001. Bought aluminum because I was tired of chipping gelcoat on the rocky bottom Highland lakes here in central Texas. Eleven years later and have had zero probs with the boat or motor. Did a ton of research on alum boats before I bought it, and it paid off. Solid boat, dependable motor, love the hyper lift, the handling/turning, the easy towing, just been a great ownership experience overall and can't recommend them enough to anyone considering an alum boat.

all this is new to me,but i own a 97 tracker 18' deep v hull w/a 90 mercury....i only wished they installed a larger lb thrust trolling motor and at least a 115 engine,my 90 runs good,but that larger engine would suite the boat better imo....for that size of a boat,it came w/a 42 or 48 lb thrust tm,as of july 2011,i had a 109 lb thrust tm installed....

I have a tracker 165 '99 yr md and i love it. I dont want to fly across a lake though like some guys do. I know it isnt as well equiped as it could be but for fishing it works great. I have a 48lb thrust TM on it and dont really understand why you would need a bigger one. It zips along pretty good with 2 adults in it. The one thing that I dont like is how it does get blown around in the wind but iI can get into really shallow water too(which is great for bowfishing).