boat decision

[smallie]

hey guys, in 2 more years when my alimony drops off, i'm gonna buy a boat. it'll be 18ft either a tracker aluminum deep v, or, a alumacraft of the same size. my question is which hull is better? the all welded hulls or the riveted hulls. i plan to run a 75 hp at least. any and all opinions from you seasoned boat owners is greatly needed and appreciated.


thanx smallie

[Hetfieldinn]

Read this first, then ask yourself the question again.


http://www.consumeraffairs.com/boats/tracker.html

[Snobal]

A lot can change in 2 years. Keep doing your research but make sure whatever you decide you thoroughly double check when that time comes! I don't personally have any experience with either manufacturer or even aluminum boats for that matter but too many companies start to get cheap if they have a bad year or two. What you find out now may not be the same in 2 years. Just keep your options open and don't get too set on one or the other right now. Who knows, maybe a different company will pop up with rave reviews and have everything you're looking for in a boat.

[DaleM]

In have a Tracker Targa 18 deep V and NEVER have had a seconds of problems at all. The only thing that has required attention is replacing a dump /fill valve that wasn't drained properly and froze. No cracks, no leaks, no handling problems, no hard steering nothing at all. Maybe I got a good one but I love the boat. I understand everyone has opinions like ** well you know. Don't go by what a few say about a boat type. I can show you any and all types of boats that have all had complaints. Not a single type out there that hasn't. The problem is someone has a problem with a boat type ( tracker for example) and complains on the INTERNET and then others follow. Most of the problems have been with a certain type of Tracker boat. problem is people judge all trackers after someone complains. I see Rangers, Champions, skeeters, Tritons and yes guys ever Lunds that have had problems. I talked to a lund dealer today at the Cols. Show and he told me a few problems they have had with Yes again their Lund boats. Same goes with every boat manufacture out there. Dig deep enough and you'll find them. As snobal said don't always believe what you read 2 years ago's complaints aren't worth anything in my book. I judge by what I have or have had or used.
Like I said I like my Tracker Targa really well and would rate it almost as high as any alum. boat made today. That's my opinion on my boat, no one else's. We each have our own opinions, so don't put someone down because he has a certain type boat. Tracker can't be as bad as some say they are, they sell more boats than any other manufacture out there. Check and you'll see that is a fact. If they were as bad as some say they wouldn't be selling that many boats. Good luck on your new boat.
The same dealer I talked to today also told me Alumacraft is a great boat. He said the 16-17' alumacraft is made better than the 16-17 foot Lund make of the same style. Now that should tell you something about Alumacraft boats if a lund dealer makes that statement. He also said that isn't true when you go to the 18 foot and up Lunds. They are made very well. He told me that as long as they don't start cutting the quality to save on cost thus allowing them to keep prices down they Will be one of the best boats( lund) made. But as I was told IF they don't start cutting to save. If I had $ 38,000 to spend I may well have bought a lund fully equipped, buy even though I did have the money I chose a different type and I am well pleased with the boat.

[Jim Stedke]

Dale, What the heck are you doing!!! Did you not read the rules!!! You're supposed to brag up your manufacture and tear heck out of everybody else's boat. You better straighten up boy!!

NICE POST!!!!

[heyjay]

A lot can change in 2 years. Keep doing your research but make sure whatever you decide you thoroughly double check when that time comes! I don't personally have any experience with either manufacturer or even aluminum boats for that matter but too many companies start to get cheap if they have a bad year or two. What you find out now may not be the same in 2 years. Just keep your options open and don't get too set on one or the other right now. Who knows, maybe a different company will pop up with rave reviews and have everything you're looking for in a boat.

I agree with this as well . The more searching you do . The more of an educated opinion you can have . If you are not doing research and asking questions you are doing yourself a disservice .

If in doing your research and you come across a particular brand that is having problems I would be cautious . There is something to be said when ONE particular brand is having numerous people write bad reviews . Maybe it's a certain product line , maybe it's just the smaller boats , maybe it was made on a friday ....... there are a lot of maybes out there . Good luck .

[RodMan]

Smallie,

When I was shopping for my last boat I read all the good and bad reviews for all of the brands that I was interested in...These included Tracker, Lund, Alumacraft, G3, Crestliner, and Starcraft. I found as many negative reviews as positive reviews for each brand. Best advice that I can give you is find a reputable local dealer - These guys make their money selling and servicing boats to their neighbors. They will do everything they can to keep a customer's experience positive.

What boat did I finally decide to spend my hard earned money on - Same as DaleM - a Tracker Targa. Great Boat, great fun, great value! I've run it for 5seasons in rivers and lakes, the Great Lakes, and in the bays behind the Outer Banks. Do your research, make your decision, and enjoy the boat you decide to buy.

[fishingguy]

Hmmmm, let's see, you are going to go from throwing money into a "hole", to throwing your money into a "hole" in the water. Sounds like a plan to me! lol

[DaleM]

AS I said in my post we all have opinions. some make since some don't. Mind explaining what your trying to say? Do a good search and you'll see what we said is quite true. I also said ALL boat not just a certain type have problems. Show me where I am wrong.

[once was]

In '84 I bought a V17 Guide Special. It has been from Ontario to Texas from Ga. To Ark. Have never really had any issues. There was a problem with the kill switch When I bought it. They gave me the option of sending me the parts to fix it myself or take it to a Mercury dealer to have it fixed. If I fixed it myself they would send me a $100 gift certificate. Took me about 20 minutes to fix it. Have repalced the original trolling motor and now need a new one. Not bad for 23 years. I have had 2 boats since I bought this boat. I have always decided to keep this boat. I have fished Bass tournaments, limb lined, jugged and trot lined out of it. I have fished for all kinds of fish out of it. In my opinion it has been a real good boat for me. The only issue is the high bow of the V hull. Using the trolling motor in wind can be a problem. But a long shaft trolling motor that stays in the water helps this considerably. Maybe back in the old days they were better boats. I don't have any info on the newer ones. Also I bought the guide on pipes to make trailering easier. I broke one of the lights that are mounted on the poles. I called to order a new one. They sent me two, one to replace the broken one and a spare in case it happened again. For free.

[Hetfieldinn]

I purchased a brand new Tracker TX 17 a few years back. I bought it in April, and sold it in September. During those six months, I got to use it eight times. I had it approximately one month out of those six. The other five months it was in the shop, being repaired for various reasons. I'm not bashing Tracker boats, just forwarding my experience with them.

You will have troubles with any make of boat that you buy, sooner or later. But on the few fishing/boating forums that I frequent, it surely appears that Tracker has more than their share of problems.

[woodworker2001]

I own a Lund and I love it. I have had no problems with it and would buy another one in a heartbeat. Take a look at them. They are in the same price range as an allumicraft. Just make sure you look at all your options and get enough ponies.

[smallie]

thanx guys, it syre is hard deciding. maybe the force will be with me when it's time to pick out my boat.

[Lundy]

Smallie,

Enjoy the process of picking out your new boat.

To me that is the best part of owning a boat. Once you own it the work and expense starts:D

There are a multitude of good boats available today and I'm sure there will more in two years. I agree that the dealer you purchase from will play a very important role in making you happy after the sale.

All boat brands can and will have issues. Some seem to have more issues than others. However what really makes the difference isn't if a boat has problems or not, it's how does the manufacturer step up to the plate with these issues were they to occur. There is plenty of factual information available to verify that some manufacturers do not stand behind their product after the sale as well as most do.

Good luck finding just what you want.