Want to get a boat, but can't afford a big fancy bass boat right now. I know it doesn't have a big motor, but I figure I don't need to get there in a hurry as long as I get there. This just seems like a great place to start in my opinion. Thoughts?



http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3575

whatever you can afford.
The only time a brand of boat matters is when they pay you to be in one of theirs.
The only time hp really matters is if you are in a tournament and you need to get to a honey hole fast or back to the weigh in fast.
if you don't have a need for speed then a 40-50-75 hp is fine.
Just keep in mind, the smaller the boat, the smaller the lake or at least the closer to your fishing spot you have to put in.
Don't try to cross Tawakoni on a real windy day in a 16ft, 40hp boat. It gets a little hairy.
Get what you can enjoy fishing out of,,,, time on the water & of course bank payments.
Just get out there and fish.

I agree that boat is a great place to start. Anything that can get you to your fishing spots will do in my opinion

I would look at some used fiberglass boats. That boat looks like it would get you wet if there were any chop on the water at all and I sure wouldn't want to be out when a storm rolls in. With that being said, it all depends on your situation. If you are paying cash for the boat, I would definitely look for used boats in good condition. That rig looks to be around 10K. You can find some nice 18-19' boats with 150-200 for that range. I just bought a 96 Basscat Pantera II with only 185 hours on it with a 200 Mercury for 8K. The gelcoat looks brand new and the boat has many new items.
If you are financing your boat purchase, then this may be the way to go. New boats will finance longer and generally require less money down.
Just my .02
Good Luck!

My FIL has a Tracker. Only thing to get used to is the leaning of the boat. It leans more than a flat bottom. Other than that....it's a fishin boat!

Tracker deep V 18 You can fish any where.
I've had mine for 14 years.

Go for it.

I bought a new Tracker with a 40 in 95. Fished tournaments out of it and did well.
I do agree with the above however...if you're paying cash...shop around for a well-taken-care-of fiberglass rig.

I have an 1987 tracker 160 I bought used. I can't comment on the newer boat but I think the size is the same. I love that I can fish all day on 5 gallons of gas and I can pull the boat with ease behind my v6 explorer. It's great for small lakes and I'm not worried about bumping into stumps.

It's a little narrow and with my wife a kid a tad rocky. I've fished myself and another large friend with ease as long as you both have good boat legs. When the water gets rough you can be pretty limited on where or even when you can fish. You might get a little wet in the wind and it will lean with just one person. Otherwise the fish don't care that it is a dented up old tin boat.

I get a ton of complements from guys saying they started out in a rig just like mine and they are reminiscent of the simple little boat. I look at their new 21ft shiny boat with a 250 and realize most have a monthly mortgage payment for the boat and fuel it takes to operate it.

I see you're in BCS if you want to check mine out PM me. I may take it out to Gibbons this weekend.

I started in one of those and loved it. However, if I were you I would make a pro and con list. There are for sure pro's to it like the fact that you can get up in the sticks real easy and pull off stumps as well. I liked the low operating costs as well as the fact that a trolling motor can pull that boat in any situation because its light. Cons are also thats it is light which means that wind will drive you nuts both fishing and driving. My dad use to drink gallons of coffee while sitting in the back and then with out warning decide to pee off the side nearly throwing the me out off of the front as the boat leaned left or right, haha. All in all I am pretty sure I cought more fish out of that boat than any other, good luck.

The TX17 Tournament is what I started out with in '88. I had mine for 12 years before getting a fiberglass rig. They will get you places others won't.

You will get wet and a sore back, my friend had one, Great if it's calm out and your not a big guy. They do blow around in the wind.

The biggest Tracker that you can afford will make your life much easier. If you can afford it, get the 19 foot a 115 Merc. will push it just fine. It is rated for a 150, but not necessary.

That would lighten the load for you to put a 36 volt. trolling motor on it with all the batteries and 4 bank charger.

I used the Tourn. 18.5 for 13 years and always wanted the larger 19 foot boat when they came out with it.

All alum. boats get blown around in the wind which makes you want a heaver fiberglass boat.

Thanks for the offer. I may take you up on that

Been fishing my whole life, but I'm pretty green when it comes to boats. Had no idea they were a pain in the wind. Thanks for the input guys.