2005 Tracker PT175
1987 Ranger 373V Bassmasters Classic
I know that they sold quite a few of these boats. My dealer has sold more of them than there are folks on this forum with them I believe. Very few folks that buy a boat join a discussion forum and talk about it. However when someone has a problem they end up googling the issue and they are led to here and a few other places on the web and if they have a problem they are likely to join in on the discussion. Let's be honest the average Tracker owner is a very casual boat owner an fisherman.
They definitely had a problem with these boats and have not published root cause. It may have been materials, process, design...... I am not in position to have a fact based opinion.
Only Tracker knows the true scope but I would think that those we know about on here are a significant percentage of them that failed but I could be wrong about that. I know it sucks if it was your number that was called.
It seems like they are standing behind the problem and are repairing them but their process sucks for the customer if it is you that has to deal with it. The dealer likely has to have several discussions with the factory and the customer before a return is authorized then they have to wait to get it shipped then it sits in queue etc. If BPS is involved it is probably even worse. I know if I was in business I would want to get things fixed quickly and make things easier on the customer. This is the area where it sounds like their service has been underwhelming.
My boat is holding up fine as of now but I realize there is a chance that I could run into this problem in the future. I am glad I bought mine from a dealer that sells a lot of boats and not BPS as I feel I would get better service. I really dread ever having to go through a problem like that but as long as they were to repair it where it would no longer be a problem that is all you can really expect. I am very happy with my boat. It fishes good, drives good, performs good and the payments are small compared to the mortgages that lots of folks get to finance their rigs. I could get a mortgage on a big fancy glass rig and a new truck. I make a decent living but I have never been one to spend serious money on toys. I want to be able to retire and spending 50-60K on a boat just is not a smart decision.
These tin rigs Tracker,Triton, Ranger, Crestliner, Seark, etc. are a very good value and a smart decision for almost all fishermen. I do not regret getting tin or getting a tracker.
Last edited by Transom; 01-25-2017 at 08:08 PM.
I don't know where they were cracking at but here are a couple of pics I took at the LA Boat Show.
- 2019 Ranger Z185 - Mercury 150 Pro XS
Well I had a pic inside the rear compartment showing the bracing on a 2017. Idk if its different from a 2016 for positive but dont recall seeing it in the 2016's Ive looked at previously. Tried to upload the pic but it keeps saying its too large. Weird never had that problem here before.
2005 Tracker PT175
1987 Ranger 373V Bassmasters Classic
I looked at both the Tracker 195 and the Ranger 198 at the Louisville boat show this weekend. If I were going to buy a new aluminum boat today it most likely would have been the Ranger.
So is the boat really white or is it cream colored? The pics all look white except for the one that started the thread.
I try to drive as if my 16 year old Grandson is following me
Speak as if he is listening and act as if he is watching
My tournament partner's boat is a 2016 bought in March of last year. It has had no issues and it's run hard at times. We just installed hydraulic steering on it, which it really needs where we fish. We also put transom wedges on to see if we can get a little more trim and bow lift. He hasn't run it yet, but I will post the outcome of the wedges.