Advice on a new boat

[dave_s]

Hi All,<br />I am new to the forum, and would like to ask for some advice/opinions. After running small jon boats with old 3 hp mercs or trolling motors for a while, I have been saving my pennies for a new(er) ride. I am looking for an entry level 14-16 ft. side console aluminum boat with 25-40 hp. I mainly fish small lakes and rivers in New England. I have not found many used boats in this area that are in good shape, so I have been considering new. I have had my eye on the Lund 1450 Rebel SS, but I can't ignore the fact that the equivalent Tracker Super Guide 14C is $2-3,000 cheaper. Since I am operating on a budget, the Tracker is fairly attractive, but I don't know about their quality/reliability. Does anyone have any experiences with either of these brands/models that they would be willing to share?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Advice on a new boat

Welcome to iboats.<br /><br />Tracker is considered a no-frills low-quality entry level boat that doesn't hold much resale value ... sort of an aluminum Bayliner. Lund is pretty much the opposite in every one of those categories.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Advice on a new boat

on the flip side, you're fishing in small lakes and rivers. not much wear and tear from that. my dad has owned the same 16' aluminum boat for the past 15 years. other than replacing the floor boards, the boat is fine and looks exactly like it did 15 years ago. sitting on a lake fishing doesn't do much to a boat. i'd focus on size and layout, and then put your money in the engine. if the tracker (and i'm assuming merc outboard) fits your budget, i'd go with it.

 

[Johnnielund]

Re: Advice on a new boat

I have a 1993 Lund Explorer 1650 tiller (same size as Rebel) powered by a 1990 30 HP Johnson. I bought this boat used in 2001. This combination gives 28 MPH with my buddy and I and all our gear. I can say Lund makes a great riding boat (also a dry ride). In October 1993 we had it on Kentucky Lake in some pretty rough water, performed great. Granted it's no Bass Rocket, but I am very pleased with the combination. The only thing I would consider trading for would be a Lund Pro V with a 150 HP Evinrude E-Tec (Evinrude has not started producing E-Tec in that HP yet.) I would say go for the Lund.

 

[dave_s]

Re: Advice on a new boat

Thanks for the replies guys.<br /><br />Just a couple of questions... When you at a new(er) boat, what sort of things do you look at (or look for) to determine the quality level? As a relative newbie to the whole process, they all look good to me after living with a beat up old jon boat I paid $100 for. I thought it would be super easy to find or pick out a new rig, but now I am not so sure. I really am focused on getting my money's worth, but not having to overpay to get an acceptable level of quality (if that makes any sense). I appreciate the responses, I will keep looking around, maybe Princecraft, Alumacraft or Fisher. Thanks again for the help guys

 

[jtexas]

Re: Advice on a new boat

Willy, I tend to agree with your "no-frills" "entry-level" assessment of tracker, but when you say "low quality" are you talking about the rigging? I never met anybody who had a problem with the hull construction.<br /><br />Tracker is notorious for putting together base packages that are underpowered; you will probably not be satisfied unless you go up at least one step in horsepower.<br /><br />Otherwise I just don't believe you'll find yourself on the lake in the Tracker with a rod in your hand thinking, "I shoulda got the Lund."<br /><br />just my 2¢

 

[KCook]

Re: Advice on a new boat

Another thread that gets into the various aluminum brands - aluminum riveted boat ? <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[MFG197]

Re: Advice on a new boat

FYI, my father recently purchased a new Sylvan 1400 Sport Troller. Had a huge quality issue with how one of the pedistal seats was mounted. on the first trip out I fell over because the screws holding the mount in pulled right out of the wood. dealer replaced with proper screws now it's ok...no fat jokes please, I'm 6' 210. Anyway just to let you know that different factories have different quality levels. maybe lund or princecraft are better....maybe not.

 

[fatpratt1996]

Re: Advice on a new boat

IMHO the only problem with the Tracker is the resale value. I've never heard any of the tracker owners complain about the useability of their boats. As jtexas said, they seem to be underpowered though. If it were me buying one, I would opt for the largest motor that the factory will fit on one of these. As far as I know there are no quality issues with the hull. Get all the bells and whistles you can. More then likely you will use all of them in the long run.

 

[youngboater]

Re: Advice on a new boat

I was in the same boat as you Dave. I wanted a 16' boat. I decided between the Tracker and Lund and went with the Lund. The Lunds are very stable in rough water. I would say they are somewhat dry too. I ended up with a 16'6" Lund Adventure. I would have gotten the Tracker with a big motor upgrade. The 25HP they put on their boats is a joke. My dealer just had a leftover Lund and it had a big discount. I wanted a 16'<br />w/40-60HP. But ended up with a 75 and 6 extra inches (no biggie ). I would shop around for the Lund. If you can't find one to fit your budget then the Tracker should be more than fine.