Green light on a boat

[angustheryan]

Thanks for all the input guys...seems i am thinking in the same realm as the advice i am hearing...full windshield for sure and some overhead cover for the wife and 5 year old from the warm aummer months is a must also....i was looking at the 115 for the 18 footers...under powered?....overpowered? Much more and the price tag is almost to much to bear!!!

And i will checknout the dealer ottawa way...that for sure is enough for me to drive there for that kinda offer. Any thoughts on the 18 footer v hull being too big for the smaller lakes...not backlakes by anymeans. Theee will be a 14 older aluminum bought for those days. I hadnt thought about the kicker backup/walleye troller either thanks. And GPS was on my must have lists!!

[angustheryan]

This is gonna be a hard choice....gonna have a buddy go down to the sportsman show since i am working up North and won't be able to go...any experience with which boat dealers are more willing to "work" with people and throw in extras?

[Jerryklimczuk]

You bought a Tracker, otherwise commonly known as a Cracker, maybe check google for all the problems.

That was an old manufacturing flaw that was resolved, or so I am told, in 2014. Either way lifetime warranty on the hull, put it through its paces and havent had an issue. The issue was with the old bilge system that would dump the overfow into the hull and then pump out. The bilges now empty directly out, they stiffened the ribs, added more ribs and stiffeners, and thickened the aluminum below the water line. Hence the 150hp merc instead of the 115hp and dual axle trailer instead of single. I did do my research.

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[Jerryklimczuk]

Thanks for all the input guys...seems i am thinking in the same realm as the advice i am hearing...full windshield for sure and some overhead cover for the wife and 5 year old from the warm aummer months is a must also....i was looking at the 115 for the 18 footers...under powered?....overpowered? Much more and the price tag is almost to much to bear!!!

And i will checknout the dealer ottawa way...that for sure is enough for me to drive there for that kinda offer. Any thoughts on the 18 footer v hull being too big for the smaller lakes...not backlakes by anymeans. Theee will be a 14 older aluminum bought for those days. I hadnt thought about the kicker backup/walleye troller either thanks. And GPS was on my must have lists!!

Got the 150 on my Targa, really good on fuel, trolling speeds get down to 2-3 mph on idle. Drift bag gets it down to 1.5. I was considering a trolling plate as I troll Lake O for salmon and trout but havent made up my mind yet.

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[Mauro]

I'm surprised that you left Lund off of your list as they have several boats that would fit your criteria.
After all of my research I was in the left with my choice of three. Lund Impact, Lowe FM, and the Princecraft. I chose the Lund Impact 1775 and haven't regretted it a bit. Although I choose my days on the big water like Erie and Ontario I can also get it into the smaller lakes. Get a roller trailer as that will really help with the smaller lakes and you can go to the 1675 if the 1775 is too big.
I almost went with the Lowe but I found that there wasn't many dealers around to support any issues and the Princecraft was way more expensive.
get the biggest motor you can on it as it will come in handy when you need it and make sure you leave enough room in the budget for all the goodies like sonars and trolling motors!
I would stay away from Legend or Tracker but that only my opinion. Good luck in your search!

[sabmgb]

I used a trolling plate on 2 of my last boats, they work great, but I find that running at an idea will cause problems with the big motor. My newest boat 20" jon I have a 8hp on the back, with electric on front. I will use both at the same time if trolling in a wind. Now I go out on L Erie (Leamington) and nice to have the backup.

[angustheryan]

I wasnt necessarily leaving Lund off my list....they just seemed to price out much higher for a wimilar boat with similar features. Ive heard nothing but good things about Lund and i will have a look at your model. I am pretty sure i have ruled out the 16 footers as i just wouldnt want to be out in superior....my wife wants to troll for fish out there too and want something bigger to feel safer at least.

I am sure now that i should be getting a kicker to try and dave to big motor from that low speed troll. Also figure i can use it on the back lake tinners too.

Good call on the trailer...never even thought of the rollers.

[sabmgb]

If you go with rollers, just make sure you leave it attached to the trailer until it in water. I watched a guy put his 18ft IO in, well almost in. Just as the boat went down the slope it launched onto the cement. He got lucky and didn't do any damage that we could see.

[Mauro]

If you go with rollers, just make sure you leave it attached to the trailer until it in water. I watched a guy put his 18ft IO in, well almost in. Just as the boat went down the slope it launched onto the cement. He got lucky and didn't do any damage that we could see.

X2. That happened to me with my old boat! the ramp was a little steeper than I thought and it rolled off and tipped onto the skeg of my motor. I managed to hook it up and pull it back with only a scratched skeg.

[roach19]

have you ever considered a pontoon boat.Since you have a 14ft for back lakes it might be a good option