1994 Tournament 17 questions

[cmb3366]

I'm currently in the market for a newer fishing oriented boat. Locally there is A Bass Tracker 17' 40hp VRO evinrude-tracker for sale for $3000. Overall, the boat seems to be in great shape, everything electronic on it works, the floor is solid, the seats are perfect, the prop looks unused which makes think the boat hasent seen much use (as the owner claims). My question is, were these good boats? I have no experience with the brand and would like to know if there were any pitfalls to these models before I buy one. Also, for owners, how quick will it be with a 40hp? Thanks

 

[woodduck17]

Re: 1994 Tournament 17 questions

I have an 89 Pro 17 with the 40 hp Evinrude. I think they are very much alike. I love my boat--It trailers easy, launches easy, rides good on the water. I can get 29 mph when i'm by myself and 26 or 27 with a fishing partner. I bought mine second hand 2 yrs ago so i'm not the original owner,so i cant say if the speed has dropped with age. The hulls are tough--mine has no leaks. Take it for a test ride---I think you will like it.

 

[cmb3366]

Re: 1994 Tournament 17 questions

Well, I ended up buying it, I've gotta say, I'm pretty excited to get it out this weekend. Nicest boat I've ever owned.

About the only hitch was that neithe rof the fish finders would turn on, Is there an 'accessory' circuit that needs to be switched on, or is it likely a blown fuse?. Other than that, everything else is 100%. All in all though, I'm happy.

 

[woodduck17]

Re: 1994 Tournament 17 questions

First guess would be the fuse. Mine are located underneath the dash on the starboard side. Congrats on getting the boat---New toys are always real exciting.

 

[gvilleBAMA]

Re: 1994 Tournament 17 questions

I would agree with woodduck, check the fueses. I'm not sure what type of fuse block the 94's came with, but the 89 might as well have had the wire tied to the end of the round fuses. My dad and I bought an 89 in Aug. and for the month of Sept. we tore it apart just to redo the wiring and to install a mordern bladed fuse panel. As for the boat, you'll love it. Our 89 has a 40hp on it, it runs around 30, rides nice, and has no leaks.

 

[cmb3366]

Re: 1994 Tournament 17 questions

Well, I took it out on the river today, and I've got to say, i'm very happy with it. Before this boat I had a 1989 Bayliner 17' 85HP (manual tilt) capri, and a 10' Jon for river duty. To be frank, the bayliner was garbage (nothing worked, rotten floor) and the Jon was just to small and completly uncomfortable.

Suffice it to say, I had developed low standards.

Just having a boat with solid floors; nice, comfotable, intact seats; power and working everything; and a nice running motor was a treat. I did manage to get 1 fishfinder (my Humminbird) working , buy just wiggling the cables, I want to buy a new up to date unit eventually, so i'm not gonna mess with my second unit to much. To make things better, I caught A smallmouth on my first cast, and caught my first walleye in years, a 24"er no less.

I couldent really 'stretch my legs' with regards to speed on the river, but the motor is definatly ballsy, the only problem I had with it, is I had a ton of throttle left when I hit 5000RPM, perhaps when I trim the boat out, I will be able to lower the RPM and increase the throttle, or maybe a new prop will be an order.

Anyway, If figured I would let you guys know ho I made out, thanks for the help.

 

[woodduck17]

Re: 1994 Tournament 17 questions

Glad to hear the boat is working good for you. A good sign--fish on the first trip.I bought a second hand Tilt and Trim on Ebay and added it to my boat. It was made for this motor not an after-market unit. That really makes the whole process easy.

 

[Starcraftguy1]

Re: 1994 Tournament 17 questions

If your fishfinders are the wide eye Hummingbird tracker models.Take them off ,the head part,and shoot some wd-40 on the wire connecters.Mine was the same way.It works perfectly now.

 

[BrianTX17]

Re: 1994 Tournament 17 questions

cmb3366,
Check to see if your prop is 11 3/4in diameter with a 17in pitch. I've owned two evinrude 40's and that was the pitch for both props that were on those engines.

 

[livetofish2009]

Re: 1994 Tournament 17 questions

I have the exact same boat. It is a great machine. I would not even trade it for a new one. Two things:

1) The fish finders that came with boat are probaly bad. I had to replace mine. Back in the 90's they were not built to withstand the shock of the boat bouncing around. Do check the fuses first though.

2) The impeller for cooling the motor surely is due for replacement. Dont let it surprise you like it did me right before a tournament. It cost me about 150.00 to have it replaced.

Other than that, the mercury 40hp is the best motor I have owned. It always starts and runs better than those big bass boats. Its not a fast motor but it is consistant.

 

[livetofish2009]

Re: 1994 Tournament 17 questions

Sounds like you are getting some cavitation. Try adjusting the motor down. I keep mine on the middle pin always.