Bass Tracker 97' Pro 16 hull crack

T

TommyRox

Seaman
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Messages
50
I purchased a 97 Pro 16 and saw a JB Weld repair of a missing rivet in the hull but now after about 40 hours on the lake I am really taking a lot of water in - enough water to keep the bilge pumping full time. Upon inspection I found that there is a rivet patch that is leaking, a rivet missing opposite the patch job on the other side of the hull and the keel at the same level is cracked about 1 inch wide in the middle. What I am seeing is it looks as though the support at the hull level is gone or has been compromised somehow and the front 3 feet of the boat has been stressed. Has anyone that owns a Bass Tracker Pro 16 or similar experienced this issue? Any suggestions on how to remedy the problem?
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Bass Tracker 97' Pro 16 hull crack

it sounds like you're in for a major repair. suggest you find an experienced aluminum welder/ fabricator.
 
S

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Bass Tracker 97' Pro 16 hull crack

I don't remember the exact model but there have been many discussions here about Trackers with cracks in the same area.You may be able to find some discussions in the archives.I think you will find a structual
failure and/or design defect.No sense making any cosmetic repair without finding the problem.
Good luck.
 
T

TommyRox

Seaman
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Messages
50
Re: Bass Tracker 97' Pro 16 hull crack

I took it to Tracker today and they told me the hull had a 5 year warranty others had a 10 year or even lifetime - no help there and that this happens. I went to their official "boat welder" and he told me that yes this is common and that the inner structure/support has broken inside and that it would take about 2 hours to fix/strengthen the support and weld the outside. One thing I flailed to mention because I found it this morning was a 4 inch crack in the side weld as well which now explains the mass water intake I was experiencing. It was suggested that take the decking out prior to not increase the $60.00/hour it will take to fix this. The welder made the comment to me that he had the easy part - welding. I will post another thread on assistance in taking the decking out to get to the hull from the inside I suppose next. I will take pictures when I get more into as to assist in others with same issues.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top