21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

[Alaninga]

I was looking for an older Grumman 19' sport deck. Found a Tracker 21' Deck boat [Fun deck?] in a front yard. Owner thinks it's a 1998 model. Mercury Force 120.
What does anyone know about this 21' aluminum deck boat? Quirks? OK?...Thanks for ANY response!!!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

Welcome to iboats.

Post a few snapshots Photo instruction link is in the forum rules at the top of the page.

Look for a Hull Identification Number on the boat. (small metal tag near the transom) and the last 2 digits will reveal the year it was made and eliminate guessing.

Get any history that refers to maintenance and use of the motor.

Inquire about a water test because we strongly recommend that and offer to pay for the fuel if necessary.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

The trackers with the alum deck and very nice boats.

 

[raymond47]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

I was looking for an older Grumman 19' sport deck. Found a Tracker 21' Deck boat [Fun deck?] in a front yard. Owner thinks it's a 1998 model. Mercury Force 135.
What does anyone know about this 21' aluminum deck boat? Quirks? OK?...Thanks for ANY response!!!

My brother has a 2002 Sun tracker Signature series with the aluminum flooring, he is happy with the boat but not with the Mercury 4 stroke Bigfoot 50 HP motor.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

My brother has a 2002 Sun tracker Signature series with the aluminum flooring, he is happy with the boat but not with the Mercury 4 stroke Bigfoot 50 HP motor.

Not the same thing I don't believe. You don't say specifically, but since it's a Signature series with a fifty horse bigfoot I surmise your brother has a barge. What the OP is looking at is a metal deck boat. Just some general thoughts Alan. Those types of boats are fun and versatile, but they have a somewhat rough and wet ride due to their hull design, so keep that in mind if you're looking for a family boat. Also, Tracker's known more for building boats to sell than to last, so consider that carefully as you look closely at it. Before anyone's feelings get hurt please understand I am not saying Trackers are junk and no one should own one, then look at my signature. Also, there's a reason sellers refer to their Force outboards as Mercury Force rather than Force. Force outboards are considered undesirable. I won't get into why, nor will I try to validate or dispute that reputation 'cause I'm not qualified to do so. I'm sure there are plenty of boats on the water still being powered by them. It's just something a potential buyer should know. A Force outboard is a big negative in terms of resale value.

 

[jestor68]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

This is a v hull aluminum boat; not a pontoon boat.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

I believe this is a v hull aluminum boat; not a pontoon boat.

More or less, except it's really a modified V. Basically a giant john boat.

 

[jestor68]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

Another sample. Not exactly a john boat.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

Another sample. View attachment 163381 Not exactly a john boat.

Agreed, not exactly. However, I can't tell much from your photo, but if you compare the hull of a Party Deck to the hulls of Xpress, SeaArk, Excel et al you'll see what I mean. Now, precisely what a john boat is has been a topic of debate (very interesting debate IMO) for nearly a century, and clearly what we call a john boat today is vastly improved from the original, but what's generally considered by the folks who use them to be a john boat has that kind of hull, hence the rougher and wetter ride (not necessarily a bad thing wink wink nudge nudge) as compared to a barge.

 

[jestor68]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

The Tracker Party Deck 21 came out in 1997 as an outboard model. !998-2003 models were available in both OB and I/O. 2004-2008 were available as I/O only.

There are a couple on E-Bay right now under deck boats. Take a look for yourself.

There is also a Lowe model there(E-Bay) as well. Almost the same design.

It has a modified V hull. It is not a john boat.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

I understand what you're saying, but unless the guys building aluminum boats today are mistaken modified V and john boat are not mutually exclusive terms, otherwise one wouldn't be able to buy one of these http://www.boatersoutlet.com/modified-v-jon-boat-with-high-center-console.aspx or one of these http://seaarkboats.net/mv-jons/. Here's a photo of a Tracker Party Deck http://www.boats.com/listing/galler...Party-Deck-21/205520?r=205520&entityid=205520. If you maintain that the hull designs are not very similar I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree, which I believe we've done before in a friendly manner. FWIW I'm betting your conception of a jon boat is different from the examples I provided, and if so I understand and respect that. They have really evolved over the last decade into something entirely different. My point was only that the hull design of a Tracker, Lowe, or SeaArk deck boat among others is essentially the same as a big MV john boat as referenced in the examples, which is what most people under fifty, at least around here, consider to be a john boat, right or wrong.

 

[jestor68]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

Here's a better view. If you're going to refer to that as a john boat, then there is no hope.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

Alan, my apologies for hijacking your thread. Hopefully it gets back on track. Good luck with the search.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

Is this an aluminum hull or fiberglass hull boat?

The Force outboard motor name has been abandoned (this should tell you something). They're not highly regarded or very desirable motors for boat buyer/owners. They don't add much if anything to the resale value of a boat and can actually detract from it.

 

[Alaninga]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

It's an aluminum hull deck boat. The Tracker is constructed mostly if not all aluminum [hatches/floors/trim/etc]. I looked at the one I found and it's in rough shape, and has the 'Force' motor which I have heard nothing good about since Chrysler came out with them. Putting a Mercury 'look' and even a foot on them doesn't make them much better.
I'm now wanting to look at a Grumman Sport Deck if I can find one. It's 19' and looks to be a bit lighter than the Tracker 21. Not many of them around it seems [made in the 1990s].
I will be happy with my little 16' stick steer Triton I guess for now until the 'right' boat is found.
The Tracker 21 is owned by someone looking to get rid of it and priced it at $4,500. It surely would be a 'project boat' and even if he came down pricing it without motor value I think it's too big for me.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

Good decision Alan. Just curious; what makes you want a deck boat specifically?

 

[Alaninga]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

Good decision Alan. Just curious; what makes you want a deck boat specifically?

*Room for family on outings/picnic on the water/swimming/tubing/skiing and joyriding
*larger bimini top for shade in hot weather for both swimming/diving and fishing [relief]
*room AND easy water exit/entry for SCUBA and SNORKEL divers and equipment
*easier to maneuver in the wind and faster ride than same horsepower equipped pontoon.
*19' w/mild V hull may draft shallow enough for scuba/fishing shallow river nearby [2' to 20' depths]. I've dove most of the river and know 'most' of the obstructions...definately a trim up/slow idle river in spots.
*easier to trailer than pontoon.
* looks like the 19' Grumman might be light enough for trailering behind a mid size V6 pickup [Nissan Frontier] if trailer brake equipped.
*.......maybe other reasons....none come to mind at moment. My dad had a 28' Tracker pontoon w/90 Merc. Fun for LOTS of people but even though we had a trailer it was kept moored floating at a marina. Too much boat for shallow rivers.
An 18' pontoon could be considered.

Here is what I have now:::

 

[lncoop]

Re: 21' Tracker 'fun deck' boat?

Very nice Alan. I know a bunch of guys around here who'd fight you for it. Sounds like you've got it all sorted out really well. Happy hunting and keep us posted.