Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

[mtnman05]

I am currently looking at the Suntracker Bass Buggy 18ft. My main purpose with this boat would be to take the family out fishing, cruising and tubing. I kind of want to stay with an 18ft mainly because I have a half acre lot and I dont want to take up my whole back yard, be easier towing and it fits budget nicely.
I know this question is asked a lot but here goes. The suntracker website rates the boat 16-18mph with a 40hp. It can use a Max hp of 75. Do you guys think with a 75 mercury optimax that it would run fast enough for me to ski behind and about how fast should she go?
Also, any other suggestions on a different brand pontoon with a price like the Bass Buggy?

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

Your definitely on the small side for this purpose. The 75 would be a "just barely" situation and 18' might get crowded fast. I have a 20' and it's comfortable with 4 adults on board. A couple of kids as extra passengers doesn't change the comfort level. Any more than that lowers it. I have a 60 and tubing is possible with less souls on board, but it's no speed demon. You didn't say how big of a family your talking about. My opinion would be to consider a 20'. Mine can take a 115 hp.

 

[Dkrager]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

Big difference between tubing and skiing.

I have a 22' with a 75 hp. The kids enjoy tubing and knee boarding, but no way could you think of skiing. At WOT with a light load it can run around 22mph. But once you start pulling speed goes down fast. I'm guessing pulling the tube I'm running around 17-18 MPH.

An 18'er would be a little lighter, but I don't see you skiing behind it with a 75hp.

 

[mtnman05]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

Most of the time it will be me and my better half and eventually be a kid or 2. Sometimes we may have a couple friends or our parents. No more than 6 at a time. My uncle who has been slalom skiing since he was a kid told me that you need to run 25-30 to be able to ski efficiently. I remember growing up seeing him and my dad skiing behind our 25ft Aqua Patio with a 60hp Mariner. Thats why I was thinking this shorter lighter pontoon with a 75 would do the trick.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

If you're an experienced skier you'll be able to ski behind it with the 75 Opti, but four on that boat will be cozy and six will be crowded. If it will just be you and the admiral for a long time ok, but you'll be amazed how many friends you grow when you get a boat. FWIW I keep a 21 footer in my back yard and I don't have anywhere near a half acre. At any given time I also have a fishing boat and/or utility trailer back there and have never once begrudged the space. Good luck.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

I have the PB20 and 6 is the max for us, however the BB has a better floorplan at 18' and I think you'll be OK.

 

[mike243]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

i have a 18' with a merc 50 on it.with only me on it i get about 21-22mph.start adding folks & it drops .i love it for fishing & puttering around.i dont ski or pull tubes or at least til the grandkids get old enuf.i knew a 18' was on the small side but looking at fuel prices & towing/loading it fits me very well.i may upgrade 1 day but mine has the all aluim floor so it will outlast me if i dont wreck it

 

[gilby1955]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

I have a 2000 18' buggy and it is just me and the wife. If you are fishing and have tackle it will get crowded fast with more than two people. I have the 75 Tracker and it does what i want it to do. At least the wife can sit comfy when she stops fishing. A lot better than a bass boat for sure.

 

[vergil]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

i run a 75hp johnson stinger on my 25 footer and it does really good, fun to tube off of, and it will get you down the lake a whole lot faster then the 50 or less hp pontoons

 

[benthere]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

i have a 86 bass buggy 20 ft, with a 35 hp motor on it. i havent pulled any tubes with ity yet, but im sure ill try.

 

[trout74]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

I have a 20 ft Weeres, in my sig. with a 75hp mercury, and I have only GPS'ed it with four adults and 2 or 3 kids on board and gear, and my WOT speed is 23.9 on the GPS. The Speedometer reads 25, but I think I trust the GPS more. That is a pretty heavy load, but its my standard load. I guess with just me and the wife, it might do 25mph tops, but never done it. So I guess a 18ft would be a tad faster, but im new to this and my opinion is likely not worth much, just giving you my numbers. FWIW, we love it and kids love tubing at 15-20 mph and that is really all I care about, so I hope that can help you.

trout

 

[5150abf]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

3 month old thread, I am sure he has solved this already.

 

[302Fulcher]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

I recently bought a Bass Buggy 18 with a 40 efi. Water gushes from transom up to motor even reaching the cowling and pouring over the gas tank. Talked with 3 mechanics who deal with this brand and all say it's a design flaw. Anyone have similar experiences?

 

[captain klunker]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

I recently bought a Bass Buggy 18 with a 40 efi. Water gushes from transom up to motor even reaching the cowling and pouring over the gas tank. Talked with 3 mechanics who deal with this brand and all say it's a design flaw. Anyone have similar experiences?

I have a 2011 bass buggy with 60 horse big foot had the same problem dealer put on a stainless steel prop and raised the motor up a hole on the mount took care of the problem

 

[bigdee]

Re: Suntracker Bass Buggy 18

I ski with a 20' Godfrey with 85hp yamaha. I suggest you use a wake board instead of skis...it is easier to get up and just as much fun! It has been 3 months since you posted,let us know something.