Crestliner PT18 vs Tracker 195?

[jason penn]

I'm making plans on my next boat purchase and think I have it narrowed down to these 2. The closest either of these boats are to me is at least an hours drive. I'd like opinions from folks who may have some experience with either, and hear some pro's & con's.

Thanks!

[SWbass]

I've had my PT18 for three seasons now and love it

[Sodaksam]

I bought a Crestliner BassHawk. I really like it. Might be worth a look. I have the pedestal version. Lots of room to cast and good rod storage.

[GeauxTide]

The reputation of the dealer. Look for CSI Service Awards.

[Panama]

If I HAD to own and fish from one of those, it would be, without a doubt, the Crestliner. I think they make a decent boat, and I believe it is all aluminum with no wood. Personally to me, that means a lot. I have had to replace wooden decks.

[3dees]

tracker might be a bit faster as the PT is wider and made with thicker aluminum. the PT is not much on speed but a great boat to fish from. the layout and storage is second to none.

[SOONER*REDNECK]

Crestliner hands down. I spent a lot of time researching the vt 17, vt 18, and pt 18 a while back. Panama is correct there is no wood. When my time comes to upgrade I will be hard pressed not to go with Crestliner.

[TritonTRXV8]

tracker might be a bit faster as the PT is wider and made with thicker aluminum. the PT is not much on speed but a great boat to fish from. the layout and storage is second to none.

What thickness is crestliner making their hulls out of? I thought they were .100” like the majority?

[TritonTRXV8]

Did creatliner ever get their porpoising issues fixed or they running trim tabs like the ranger/tritons do? I recall in years past that was an issue for some guys unless they made some changes im not aware of.

[maralunatic]

The PT has a aluminum thickness of .100. As for the porpoising issue that was only on certain models and has been fixed.

[TritonTRXV8]

So same thickness as the others then. Someone posted the crestliner was thicker but i didnt figure that was right.

[doogiecox]

Crestliner pt18 has a hull thickness is .110 and the transom is .125. That’s posted on the Crestliner website.

[FloridaFlyer]

Whoever up there in previous posts said they were not thicker and the same as others is just WRONG. Crestliner uses thicker aluminum than most in both the hull and transom.

They make a great boat. I have owned one before. The reason I have Ranger now is the proximity of the dealership. And so far, Ranger also makes a great boat.

I would investigate if Tracker is having transom cracking problems with the 195 and exactly what the fix was. I believe there were some posts here about some problems. I would also investigate if the Tracker is still making their boats with wood. I am not sure of the Crestliner trailer but last I heard the Tracker still was using the hollow tubing trailers which would seem to hold moisture where the channel trailer wouldn't. I believe the Crestliner is a far superior boat and also believe it would resale much much better.

[TritonTRXV8]

Whoever up there in previous posts said they were not thicker and the same as others is just WRONG. Crestliner uses thicker aluminum than most in both the hull and transom.

They make a great boat. I have owned one before. The reason I have Ranger now is the proximity of the dealership. And so far, Ranger also makes a great boat.

I would investigate if Tracker is having transom cracking problems with the 195 and exactly what the fix was. I believe there were some posts here about some problems. I would also investigate if the Tracker is still making their boats with wood. I am not sure of the Crestliner trailer but last I heard the Tracker still was using the hollow tubing trailers which would seem to hold moisture where the channel trailer wouldn't. I believe the Crestliner is a far superior boat and also believe it would resale much much better.

Take it easy man. I stand corrected excuse me i was wrong i didnt know that they did that good for them. Since you insist on doing some investigating investigate some of the pt20 crestliner cracking issues. Tracker certainly had their pt195 issues but dont hear too much more about it. I wasnt putting down anything just wondering from past posts i remember years ago since ive been around here longer than you.

[PolarKraft195]

Take it easy man. I stand corrected excuse me i was wrong i didnt know that they did that good for them. Since you insist on doing some investigating investigate some of the pt20 crestliner cracking issues. Tracker certainly had their pt195 issues but dont hear too much more about it. I wasnt putting down anything just wondering from past posts i remember years ago since ive been around here longer than you.

Pt20's had alot of cracking issues

[Jamie]

Pt20's had alot of cracking issues

How many do you consider alot? I haven't heard of just a couple of here. No more than any other tin boat.

[grandbassslayer]

How many do you consider alot? I haven't heard of just a couple of here. No more than any other tin boat.

Personally seen a 6 month old one that was falling apart and the transom was cracked.

[3dees]

and we all know that Tracker, Ranger, etc. never have problems with hull cracks. happens to just about every tin boat model made.

[TritonTRXV8]

and we all know that Tracker, Ranger, etc. never have problems with hull cracks. happens to just about every tin boat model made.

Yes they all certainly have. Even vexus has had some nasty ones. None are immune.

[mirons988]

i had a tracker 195 for a little while. I wouldn't own another one. I didn't like the wood on the decks and water washed over the back end really easy. I had a g3 that seemed like it was way better built.