Leak In Tracker 18' Targa Deep V

[PAMedley]

On May 22,2003, we purchased a brand new 18' Tracker,Targa Deep V and it has had a very bad leak every since we purchased it. 3 different autorized Tracker dealers have worked on the boat from Missouri to Texas. They have pulled the front deck, drilled holes in the transom and lowered the engine, etc., etc. We are senior citzens and afraid to use the boat. Has anyone had or heard of a similar problem with a Targa? We cannot get any help from the manufacture, Tracker Boats. Suggestions and advice would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[rayjay]

Re: Leak In Tracker 18' Targa Deep V

I remember reading of several tracker boats that leaked from day one. Do a search here and on the www.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Leak In Tracker 18' Targa Deep V

Hi Paul- where is your boat leaking to be exact?<br />I read the area concerning the front deck and then you mention the transom being re-drilled for the motor..??<br /><br />The boats (Tracker hulls) are welded and gauranteed of such things. <br /><br />Is this a seal problem around something? Maybe a valve connection to one of the livewells/bait wells and bilge? or is it a hull weld? <br /><br />something doesn't sound right....

 

[rayjay]

Re: Leak In Tracker 18' Targa Deep V

http://consumeraffairs.com/boats/tracker.html

 

[PAMedley]

Re: Leak In Tracker 18' Targa Deep V

Barlow, thanks for your reply. The dealer in Jefferson City, MO lowered the engine trying to get the boat to plane. (It has a 90 h.p. Merc.) It would not plane and they thought the factory had set the engine wrong. They also thought the the drawstring closure where the steering control cables exit @ the transom was letting water to enter when the boat was running nose high. This was all after I had returned it to the dealer where I had purchased the boat in St.Louis (The Fishin Hole)and they supposedly found a hose not tight. They had the boat for 3 days. We then go to Texas and put the boat in the water and it still is leaking and the rear of the boat was almost under water overnight. We then take it to the dealer in Lufkin, TX,a terric dealer, Dusty Rhodes,he pulls the deck and found the factory had twisted off the back side of the livewell intake thru hull fitting and just left it connected into the hose laying on the side of the boat by the bottom, after keeping the boat for 2 weeks, we put the boat in the water and found out it was not taking on water near as much as previouly, but overnight would take in enough water that the bildge pump (500gph) would run a steady stream for approximately 15 minutes. We have not been able to use the boat since we purchased it. We're now ready to leave for Toledo Bend again and cannot use the boat. Today I received an e-mail telling me that I should check out: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/boats/tracker.html <br />I fully agree that Tracker will do nothing but pass the buck to the dealers. Their Customer Serv ice promises but it ends up all talk and no action. We have over $20M in a piece of equipment we haven't been able to use for almost 2 years. Thanks again, Barlow.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Leak In Tracker 18' Targa Deep V

One of the hoses going to a livewell is split.<br />It would be between the thru-transom pump and the valve or outlet directly at the livewell.<br />We seen 2 Targa's on Texoma-brand-new-with the same problem, both had splits near the pump.<br />We had one of them in a slip and the dock-lines were the only thing that kept it from going under...We had a heck of a time reinstalling new hose too, but found 2 splits in the factory installed lines.

 

[ziemann]

Re: Leak In Tracker 18' Targa Deep V

Do a search on the net for both Tracker and Fisher boats....you will be surprised at the problems you will find on the various boards....<br /><br />This is not to say that Tracker/ Fisher is the only boat to ever have a problem, but Tracker is designed to be a boat for those that want an entry level package deal where everything is included (and you don't have to decide on what additional accessories to buy). Tracker does sell a ton of boats, so you are bound to see more problems listed on the net. Is there a disproportionate number of problems as compared to others? Is sure seems like it...but I have no data to back that up. <br /><br />I am not trying to start another Bayliner-like bashing post either....