Opinions on Tracker Targa

[JJB11B]

I am looking at buying a boat, I have had an old used unreliable used boat for several years, I am tired of fighting it.

I have been watching the boat market and have even gone to 2 boat shows and looked at every aluminum boat out there. For the Price it appears that the 19Ft Tracker Targa WT is the most boat out there, looking at the fact that it is not a riveted boat and has wood free construction.

I did some looking and for about 46K I can have a brand new one with a 225 Optimax Pro-SX and a 4 stroke 9.9 kicker and the 80Lb MinnKota Terrova delivered to Tri-Cities. does anyone have any negative comments or other suggestions? 46K will be the very Max I am willing to spend

[Mfowl]

What are your main uses? Bass, walleye, multi species? $46k provides a lot of options. I don"t have any experience with Tracker boats. I do have a Crestliner and have always liked the Commander series they offer as a multi species versatile boat.

[Skillet]

Welds in that gauge of hull don't necessarily mean it is constructed better.  I've had both riveted and welded boats in that class, no complaints with either.

If you really like the layout, how out handles (you have spent some time in one, right?), and plan on keeping that boat forever, go for it.  But be advised Trackers are historically really soft on resale compared to the top-tier boats.  If you're not 100% sure this is your keeper boat, I'd look at the used boat market. 

 

[JJB11B]

What are your main uses? Bass, walleye, multi species? $46k provides a lot of options. I don"t have any experience with Tracker boats. I do have a Crestliner and have always liked the Commander series they offer as a multi species versatile boat.

My main uses will be Walleye fishing, Bass Fishing, and Salmon and steelhead fishing. I want a reasonably quick boat so that my 10 mile runs to a fishing hole don't take all day, I want the versatility of a multi-species boat.

[JJB11B]

Welds in that gauge of hull don't necessarily mean it is constructed better.  I've had both riveted and welded boats in that class, no complaints with either.

If you really like the layout, how out handles (you have spent some time in one, right?), and plan on keeping that boat forever, go for it.  But be advised Trackers are historically really soft on resale compared to the top-tier boats.  If you're not 100% sure this is your keeper boat, I'd look at the used boat market. 

 

That is the kind of info I was looking for. I have only spent time in a tracker once, My Dad has an 18Ft Lund Pro-V tournament boat, My Grandfather had a 19ft Duckworth and now a 19Ft Warrior boat, I myself have a 16ft Lund. I have fished out of my Uncles SmokerCraft and a lot of Bayliners too.

Really, I am absolutely stuck on getting a new one, Say what you want about wasting money but the peace of mind knowing what has been done to the engines/electronics/batteries..... is worth it to me.

I want an Aluminum Hull, Welded. 19 or Feet long, Walk Thru windshield, vinyl floor, 4 stroke 9.9 kicker and at least an 80LB thrust bow mount. I want to run as close to the max rated HP for the hull as reasonably possible. I would LOVE to have Yamaha 4 strokes but.... I would like to have a quality Trailer

[Skillet]

You've been around some nice boats, that really helps hone the decision making process.

As an aside - I have been out of the market for a while, but my walleye buddy just bought a new 20' Lund Pro Guide with a 200hp tiller.  It pains me to say it, but Lund today isn't what Lund was 12 years ago when my last one was built.  Fit and finish quality has dropped, building touches like inner lips on deck hatches absent, really poor motor installation, etc... He's owned Lunds exclusively for the last 20 years, and he's not terribly happy with it for the money he spent.

[JJB11B]

I found the one my Dad bought used in Portland about 3 years ago, extremely lightly used it is a 2002. It is fantastic.