Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

[greggimlick]

I'm in the market for a used pontoon boat that will be used along the inland waterways around Swansboro, NC. I'm supposed to go see a Tracker Bass Buggy 18 this week and am interested in hearing opinions on the Tracker pontoon boats. My experience in the past has been with ski boats on lakes with I/O engines so this is a bit new to me.<br /><br />I've been told the Tracker has all aluminum decking which I would think is a positive. Then again anything in salt water is a question I guess. I know one rental company in Atlantic Beach uses pontoons on the inland waters without problems, but they turn them over every two years.<br /><br />Thanks for the help,<br /> Greg

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

It should be fine. The AL deck is indeed a plus.<br /><br />Make sure ALL electrical components are grounded to the battery, not to the AL tubes or deck.

 

[Lebeauxe]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

I Purchased an 18 with a 40 hp Evinrude new in 96. It gave a very good ride, and the boat over all was well built. <br /><br />The bowing on the canvas top was a little weak, I had to reinforce it after a strong windy day on the Brazos river, but other than that It was a good sound boat for the money. <br /><br />As I recall the decking was treated plywood, but maybe that has changed.<br /><br />I sure would suggest a power tilt on it if your using it in shalow shalow water for fishing or running stumps in a river.<br /><br />The only down side on it, the tracker trailer set up left a lot to be desired for loading on windy days if the ramp you are using is steep. Also on that size boat, you got a whole lot of motor noise at a fast cruise<br /><br />Was pleased with it, really the only boat I ever owned other than a 28' McGregor Sail boat that my wife would go out on.. <br /><br />sold um both ;-}<br /><br />Bo

 

[greggimlick]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

This one is a 97 and has a Yamaha 40 hp motor. You've ansered some of my questions already I was wondering if the 40 would be enough motor for it. The place I put it in the water has a steep ramp and a shallow ramp so I guess I can choose whichever is going to work best for the setup if I get it. The dealer just took it in on trade the other day when I was there and didn't have the boss with me to look it over, but she is the reason we're looking at pontoons. She wasn't comfortable in the ski boat I had and since the kids are all gone there's no sense in having a boat only I'm comfortable in. I did get a quick look under the deck and it is in fact aluminum so apparently the change happened between 96 and 97. They are in the process of cleaning it up and replacing a ton of rusty screws, but from the quick look it seemed like it was mostly cosmetic work being done. They'll go thru the motor and it will have a 30 day warranty. They haven't set the price yet, but I'm guessing around $5K from looking at the NADA book.<br /><br />Thanks for the answers. Anything else you think of will be appreciated.<br /><br />Take care,<br /> Greg

 

[Deerdog]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

greg,<br />our neighbors on the lake my folks live on have an 18 ft tracker (bass buggy) with a 40 hp Yammy on it. It pushes the boat fine. My folks have a 24 ft party barge with 50 hp merc. That also pushes it fine. it can pull a young kid on skis or a tube. <br /><br />the 24 ft will provide a much smoother ride though. Both of these boats have a treated wood deck. My folks boat was bought new in 84 and we replaced the entire deck last year (there were some really rotten places - they leave it docked all summer as they live on the lake). It origionally came with a 35 merc but it blew in 94 and dad replaced it with the 50 hp. I guess they have put all aluminum decks on them now.<br /><br />Best of luck to you<br />Deerdog

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

If you boat in an area that has the potential for large boat wakes or even rollers, the 18 foot maybe a bit uncomfortable as it will tend to ride up one side and porpoise on the other side. This will send water over the rails. I have a 21ft and this occaisionally happens. The longer the boat the less this will happen. Also, look at the seats are they rotomolded or wood. If wood, check for rotting.<br /><br />As for trailering, if the boat is a drive on (supports the pontoons), then it will be more difficult to load on the ramp. The deeper the ramp the better. It will also provide a much higher wind profile when on the road, requiring many more ponies from your tow vehicle.<br /><br />If it is a float on (supports the deck), you could launch it in your driveway. Much easier to launch and retrieve. The sacrifice is road stability (narrow wheelstance).<br /><br />Since this is not a planing hull, the law of diminishing returns applies to the amunt of horsepower you can provide. The hull probably will not allow for more than 40 hp. With just you and your wife, it clip aloing nicely..

 

[greggimlick]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

Thanks Roger,<br /><br />

This will send water over the rails. I have a 21ft and this occaisionally happens. The longer the boat the less this will happen.

<br /><br />This explains why the ones they rent down at the coast are 24 ft. Since we are along the intercoastal waterway there is the potential for rollers from larger boats. Of course this is why she isn't big on a small center console boat too.<br /><br />

Also, look at the seats are they rotomolded or wood.

<br /><br />All the seats are on molded plastic bases.<br /><br />

if the boat is a drive on (supports the pontoons), then it will be more difficult to load on the ramp.

<br /><br />Darn, this is the type of trailer it is on. Towing hp from the truck is not a problem since it is setup for towing 10,000 lbs. Fortunately except when I bring it the 130 miles back home on occasion it will stay with the trailer down at the beach. Most of the towing will only cover about 100 yards.<br /><br />

The hull probably will not allow for more than 40 hp. With just you and your wife, it clip aloing nicely.

<br /><br />That's good. Since we're just out to cruise a bit and sit watching the world go by we're not looking for wave jumping excitement. Maybe I'm getting old<br /><br />I appreciate the comments and things to look for.<br /><br />Take care,<br /> Greg

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

Since you will be launching and retrieving each use, which is what I think you are saying.. you may want to trade for a good tandem axle float on. It will save you many headaches getting the thing of and then on again.. It also provides the benefit of putting it on blocks if needed. <br /><br />Also, since you are normally storing it 100yards from the water, go for the 24 if you can swing it. In terms of ride, capacity, and available Hp, you will be better off. <br /><br />A longer displacement hull will thoeretically go faster than a shorter one. I am not sure of the formula for dual displacement hulls, but I would think the concept would apply.

 

[greggimlick]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

This has a single axle trailer. What am I missing? Why would a tandem be easier to load and off load?<br /><br />Nothing is set in stone yet as we don't get to test drive it until Friday when we get back down to the beach. I've got some feelers out on others, but this one seems to be the best deal so far. I don't want to put a new one down there to sit in the sun and salt air so I'm shopping the used ones.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

My main point is that the float on is easier to load and unload. If you do get the float on, get a tandem axle as it will help with on the road stability and cornering. The float ons have a narrow wheel base and are susceptable to side to side leaning and possible tipping when taking corners too fast. A tandem Axle helps with this..<br /><br />Although, if you stick with the 18 footer, the issues of loading and unloading may not be as bad. In a bunk style trailer you shoudl be alright with a single axle (weight concerns mainly).

 

[GarageGuy42]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

I checked out the tracker pontoons a couple of years ago and just about got an 18'. They were selling it with 50hp merc that was supposed to be for pontoons. They said the lower end was bigger as with the prop/better torque I suppose. Didn't get because the wife was raising hell about it. I have paid a little more attention to them since and am glad I didn't get it. Tracker seems like a good one but an 18' is not big enough for really rough water as with the lake I boat on, especially on a busy holiday weekend. It can get downright scary with 4/5 adults onboard.<br />I know a few people that have a three tube and they are a world of difference as far as ride and stability. They can take about any water that the lake puts out and still be comfortable without submarining as with some of the 24'-28' toon's With two tubes. They sit higher in the water to and can take a lot larger motor.<br />And of course you will pay more$$$. <br />Just an observation.

 

[Josh Hill]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

I have a Bass Buggy 20' Sun Tracker pontoon with a 60HP Merc. It pushes the boat fairly well, good enough to pull kids on an inner tube. I wiped the deck clean down to the pontoons and frame 2 years ago due to deck rot. That's where the Aluminum deck would be the best. Found out that an 18' is pretty much the same frame as a 20', except the 18' just has smaller rails and 2' less deck with a different layout. The 20' handles the waves fairly well. It does not start to dip the bow until 7 adults are on board with moderate chop.<br />The tri-toons are definitely a luxury ride, as my neighbor has a Bennington 25' and cruises smooth w/2'-3' chop. For a boat that big, it looks odd because he is usually the only one on the boat, with 15 person capacity. It all boils down to your preference and how you plan to USE your boat the MOST. The smaller the boat, the less the fuel costs. The bigger the boat the nicer the ride. Enjoy the water.

 

[greggimlick]

Re: Opinions on Tracker Pontoon Boats?

We went down to look the boat over this weekend and it wasn't really cleaned up very well. I suppose for a salt water environment it wasn't too bad, but lots of mildew on the seats and the backs were all split. I know my wife wants it to look better than it did and I must admit I had hoped it would too. The dealer is getting a price on reupolstering the whole boat and was waiting on a carb kit so we didn't test drive it. He's asking $5000 for it which is the book price so I expect it to be at least in as good condition as the book calls for. We're going back to the coast next weekend so we'll check it out and see what's going on.<br /><br />We did test drive a really nice Kencraft 19' boat but it is more boat than we need and built for much tougher waters than we'll be in. If I was a big fisherman I would give it more consideration, but my wife wasn't really comfortable because to get it planed out you had to be clipping right along and we're looking for something we can cruise slowly in and sightsee.<br /><br />The search continues.