Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

[Ruggybuggy]

OK the first boat is a 1999 Tracker 16' console steer with a 25 Merc 2 stroke.
The boat has some dock rash but the interior is very clean and modern. It has a live well, motor has electric start power trim and tilt. The boats sold at a dealership and comes with a warranty (I have to find out detail on warranty). Sold for $2,800. I'm not sure on the quality of Track boats. A few year back I hear of one bending in the middle after hitting a big wave on Lake of the Woods.

The second boat is a 1993 Princecraft 16' console steer with a 30 Evinrude 2 stroke with electric start and power tilt and trim. This boat is in good shape with no dock rash but the interior is slightly sun faded and a little dated. Also has Eagle fish finder, live well and foot controlled electric trolling motor bow mount. Princecraft boat are know for their quality. I can probably get this for $3,000. I have to call him tomorrow.

Both of these boats are far apart so it's not possible to see them both in one day and because they are price right they aren't going to last long. I was already scooped on one after driving 6 hours to see it and the guy sold it on me when I was an hour away.

Any help appreciated!

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

They both look like very nice boats, one with a 25hp and the other with a 30hp, Hmm Hard for me to say with out looking at them myself, when talking to them have they said anything about keeping maintenance records to show you?

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

The Tracker may not have records of maintenance because it's being sold at a marine but the Princecraft is a one owner boat and should have. I'm talking to them both tomorrow so I'll find out. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

I'd get the princecraft. In my opinion better to get a 'rude than merc and 5 extra horses, no dock rash, better manufacturer, all else looks identical.

in all honesty...can't go wrong here they both look great to me.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

I'm just worried about the quality of the boat. Also Tracker rates the boat at 17-20 mph which is pretty slow. My old Northwood 14' with full floor and a 15hp Yamaha 4 stoke does 23mph (gps).

 

[roscoe]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

Both boats are gonna be slow. They a 2' longer and several hundred pounds heavier than your 14'.

I know I wouldn't be happy with either with anything less than a 40hp, preferably 50 hp. But that is gonna cost a bit more money.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

Both boats are gonna be slow. They a 2' longer and several hundred pounds heavier than your 14'.

I know I wouldn't be happy with either with anything less than a 40hp, preferably 50 hp. But that is gonna cost a bit more money.

I was hoping to get 25-27 mph. I was looking at buying a 16' Northwood with a 25 Merc and it ran 26mph but the boat was in rough condition so I passed.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

I was hoping to get 25-27 mph. I was looking at buying a 16' Northwood with a 25 Merc and it ran 26mph but the boat was in rough condition so I passed.

I run a similar rig to what you're looking at with a Johnson 25 and see 22.5 mph GPS. You realistically need 40hp to get those speeds comfortably with a load.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

Of those 2, I'd go with the Princecraft. However, I'm no fan of any of Tracker Marine's products. They may be a good bang for your buck when new but the quality is not comparable.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

Of those 2, I'd go with the Princecraft. However, I'm no fan of any of Tracker Marine's products. They may be a good bang for your buck when new but the quality is not comparable.

Agreed. Plus an OMC twin is just about indestructible.

 

[basalt51]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like the Tracker has a little bit deeper Vv to the hull. I don't know how big of water you will be on but you might want some better pictures of the Princecraft. You might also want to see what the max HP rating on both is.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Re: Which boat to buy? Need help, Pics

It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like the Tracker has a little bit deeper Vv to the hull. I don't know how big of water you will be on but you might want some better pictures of the Princecraft. You might also want to see what the max HP rating on both is.

The boat would be used on Lake of the Woods (Minnesota, Ontario, Manitoba). The Tracker would have a deeper V to it. A friend of mind has a 17' Princecraft tiller with a 60 Merc that I've been in with some very bad condition and it did slam a bit but wasn't to bad. I'm kind of leaning towards the Princecraft because I'm a little nervous of the Tracker's quality.