Am new to the forum and also new to buying a boat. Currently do all my fishing from a canoe with a trolling motor and battery, but want to upgrade. Am looking at a 16 - 17' boat, motor, trailer combination. Have come across boat packages offered by local retailers (Ottawa) that look attractive, however, I know nothing about the equipment offered, their reputation, etc. Are there web sites available where one can find out more from users their experiences with equipment (lund vs princecraft vs tracker, mercury vs honda vs evinrude, 2 stroke vs 4 stroke, hummingbird vs lowrance, etc). Thanks for your assistance.
dgd
Boat equipment
There are plenty of sites and forums out there including this one if you do a search for past threads. It can be very time consuming and you may yeild better results by asking about a peticular package that seems to suit your needs.
i.e "Opinion on Princecraft Resorter w/ 30 Honda?"
People can then chime in with their experience with that package or make suggestions for another. Some people may have looked at that boat and bought another for reason X and share that information with you.
The bottom line is that some people, by human nature, think they bought the best package and eveything else is inferior. Some folks will buy and recommend brand X only because it is brand X.
Look for the boat you want, the motor you want and the trailer you want and find someone that will put that package together for you.
-Brian
i.e "Opinion on Princecraft Resorter w/ 30 Honda?"
People can then chime in with their experience with that package or make suggestions for another. Some people may have looked at that boat and bought another for reason X and share that information with you.
The bottom line is that some people, by human nature, think they bought the best package and eveything else is inferior. Some folks will buy and recommend brand X only because it is brand X.
Look for the boat you want, the motor you want and the trailer you want and find someone that will put that package together for you.
-Brian
Wow what a loaded question, I'm sure you'll get loads of opinions here.
I really luv my Princecraft, about 14 years old ...... would like to upgrade the motor some day and alwys thought the best way to go was with a honda 4 stroke, but reading differant articals and seen a video recently looks like the evenrude E-TEC is going to be a motor to beat
Bear
P.S. welcome to the site
I really luv my Princecraft, about 14 years old ...... would like to upgrade the motor some day and alwys thought the best way to go was with a honda 4 stroke, but reading differant articals and seen a video recently looks like the evenrude E-TEC is going to be a motor to beat
Bear
P.S. welcome to the site
I would go with the lund or prince craft.both good boats. I have a merc 4 sroke which is quiet and goes forever on gas with no fumes coming back into your face. I prefer eagle or lowrance fish finders..they seem to always show what I am looking for. 
I am looking at new, but will certainly consider used. I dug through some of the previous posts here and came across some good information. The boat combo I came across was a 17' Tracker with motor, trolling motor, trailer, and fish finder. Price wasn't outrageous, but I have never heard of Tracker previously, hence my original post. They seem comparable to Lund - one is rivetted and the other welded. Don't anticipate a lot of heavy use, so rivetted may be overkill (if they are more expensive)
DGD
DGD
dgd,
You can take my opinion with a grain of salt as I'm new to boat ownership myself, but Tracker is not comparable to Lund strictly from a quality point of view. Lund is probably the Cadillac of tin boats. It is not more expensive because its rivetted, its more expensive because its a better boat. Tracker is a notch down it would be safe to say. But I would say they are after different types of customers. Lund would be for more of the hard core fisherman who wants and can afford the best. Tracker sells more aluminum boats than any other manufacturer, but, in general, would be targetting more the recreational fisherman who has to think about the pocketbook. But something to be aware of with Tracker....they usually advertise their boat packages by underpowering the boat and putting entry level electronics and trolling motors on the package. Most avid boaters will tell you never to power your boat at less than 75% of its rated horse power and many will say power it at 100% if you can at all afford it, since that's how the boat was meant to be powered for optimal performance.
Tracker may suit your needs perfectly, but make sure you compare apples to apples by pricing the Tracker package with an appropriate size motor(both the gas engine & the trolling motor) & bells & whistles that fit your needs(ie. will you be using the boat for tubing/waterskiing & general family use etc.). Don't buy something strictly on price that you'll need to repower with a new motor or refit with new electronics & trolling motor a year or two down the road due to lack of research & homework.
Also, compare warranties of both boat and motors, and also consider the shop where you are buying from, because invariably you will be dealing with them at some point for warranty issues.
I would talk to other fisherman & boat owners as much as you can....really try to find out what you'd need & what you'd like in your boat. Then you can start asking more pointed questions & you'll be more informed & likely to get more response to your question. Theres many more questions beyond Lund or Tracker.
Motor - Tiller vs steering
- 2 stroke vs 4 stroke
Side console vs dual console vs. full walkthru windshield
Aluminum vs. fiberglass
Hull design - deep V, mod V
All weld vs rivetted
Trailer - painted vs. galvanized steel
It's not meant to confuse you, but you really need to define what you need, want & then you can put the pieces together based on your budget.
By the way, I don't own either a Lund or Tracker, so my opinion is strictly that.
FYI, I bought used & went to the US to get it....a 2004 Lowe 16.5 ft Fish and Ski powered 100% of its rating by a 2005 90 hp Evinrude Etec(with extended warranty), and with a galvanized steel bunk trailer.
Hope this helps,
PK
You can take my opinion with a grain of salt as I'm new to boat ownership myself, but Tracker is not comparable to Lund strictly from a quality point of view. Lund is probably the Cadillac of tin boats. It is not more expensive because its rivetted, its more expensive because its a better boat. Tracker is a notch down it would be safe to say. But I would say they are after different types of customers. Lund would be for more of the hard core fisherman who wants and can afford the best. Tracker sells more aluminum boats than any other manufacturer, but, in general, would be targetting more the recreational fisherman who has to think about the pocketbook. But something to be aware of with Tracker....they usually advertise their boat packages by underpowering the boat and putting entry level electronics and trolling motors on the package. Most avid boaters will tell you never to power your boat at less than 75% of its rated horse power and many will say power it at 100% if you can at all afford it, since that's how the boat was meant to be powered for optimal performance.
Tracker may suit your needs perfectly, but make sure you compare apples to apples by pricing the Tracker package with an appropriate size motor(both the gas engine & the trolling motor) & bells & whistles that fit your needs(ie. will you be using the boat for tubing/waterskiing & general family use etc.). Don't buy something strictly on price that you'll need to repower with a new motor or refit with new electronics & trolling motor a year or two down the road due to lack of research & homework.
Also, compare warranties of both boat and motors, and also consider the shop where you are buying from, because invariably you will be dealing with them at some point for warranty issues.
I would talk to other fisherman & boat owners as much as you can....really try to find out what you'd need & what you'd like in your boat. Then you can start asking more pointed questions & you'll be more informed & likely to get more response to your question. Theres many more questions beyond Lund or Tracker.
Motor - Tiller vs steering
- 2 stroke vs 4 stroke
Side console vs dual console vs. full walkthru windshield
Aluminum vs. fiberglass
Hull design - deep V, mod V
All weld vs rivetted
Trailer - painted vs. galvanized steel
It's not meant to confuse you, but you really need to define what you need, want & then you can put the pieces together based on your budget.
By the way, I don't own either a Lund or Tracker, so my opinion is strictly that.
FYI, I bought used & went to the US to get it....a 2004 Lowe 16.5 ft Fish and Ski powered 100% of its rating by a 2005 90 hp Evinrude Etec(with extended warranty), and with a galvanized steel bunk trailer.
Hope this helps,
PK
Thanks for the feedback PK. The boat comes with a 90HP motor and the boat is rated for 135HP. I would think a 90 HP engine could propel a 17' foot boat quite nicely.
I certainly fit into the recreational fisherman category and the budget to match. A Lund would be nice, but looking at some of the used prices for these things blew me away on Autotrader.
I would agree regarding fit and finish of the Trackers. Was a bit disappointed with the console wiring harness I saw on it. There was no attempt to hide the console wiring and cables to improve the looks. They were all secured with cable ties but easily seen and almost out in the open. More expensive Trackers were not like that, however.
Anyway, thanks again for the feedback. Greatly appreciated.
DGD
I certainly fit into the recreational fisherman category and the budget to match. A Lund would be nice, but looking at some of the used prices for these things blew me away on Autotrader.
I would agree regarding fit and finish of the Trackers. Was a bit disappointed with the console wiring harness I saw on it. There was no attempt to hide the console wiring and cables to improve the looks. They were all secured with cable ties but easily seen and almost out in the open. More expensive Trackers were not like that, however.
Anyway, thanks again for the feedback. Greatly appreciated.
DGD
I have a 17' princecraft with a merc 115 4s, it too is rated for 135. it runs great under normal load, but I am having to look at a lower pitch prop for the toys, wakeboard/skis etc. Trackers typically come with Merc engines, if you are getting a 90 4s, be sure it's not old stock, I believe the EFI version of the 90 started in 06, you'll want the EFI for the economy. personally, I would ask what extra cost would be involved for the 115 upgrade.
BTW Tracker do lots of models, which one are you looking at?
BTW Tracker do lots of models, which one are you looking at?
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eye-tracker
- Gold Participant
- Posts: 1998
- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:23 am
- Location: Perth, Ontario
- Contact:
dgd,
I have owned 3 trackers and never had a problem. I will mention you get what you pay for. LUND, Princecraft, Crestliner and others all make boats at different price points, so you can not compare a top of the line Lund Pro V with a recreational Tracker. For example take a look at the Tracker TUNDRA and you will notice a huge jump in price and fit and finish. I have test drove the TUNDRA 18 and 21 and they ride just like glass, they have a haul design like no other aluminum boat on the market, and it really is the driest ride going in tin boats.
If you would like to take a ride or test drive my Tracker Pro Deep V-16 WT, just send me a PM and we can arrange to get you out on the water.
Good luck hunting...
-Shedon Hatch
I have owned 3 trackers and never had a problem. I will mention you get what you pay for. LUND, Princecraft, Crestliner and others all make boats at different price points, so you can not compare a top of the line Lund Pro V with a recreational Tracker. For example take a look at the Tracker TUNDRA and you will notice a huge jump in price and fit and finish. I have test drove the TUNDRA 18 and 21 and they ride just like glass, they have a haul design like no other aluminum boat on the market, and it really is the driest ride going in tin boats.
If you would like to take a ride or test drive my Tracker Pro Deep V-16 WT, just send me a PM and we can arrange to get you out on the water.
Good luck hunting...
-Shedon Hatch
Sheldon Hatch
Just a guy that likes to fish walleye
Just a guy that likes to fish walleye
-
eye-tracker
- Gold Participant
- Posts: 1998
- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:23 am
- Location: Perth, Ontario
- Contact:
dgd,ady wrote: I would ask what extra cost would be involved for the 115 upgrade.
Ady has given you some great advice about the EFI four strokes, but be very cautious on upgrading from a 90 to 115. The 115 will only give you 1 to 2 mph more on top end speed for an additional cost of approximately $2500.
fish on...
-Sheldon Hatch
Sheldon Hatch
Just a guy that likes to fish walleye
Just a guy that likes to fish walleye