Tracker welds?

[DonHof]

Was going to get a new Tracker, but it looks like they have problems with the welds on some boats. Is it just certain boats or all boats?

Thanks
Don

 

[dabalone]

Re: Tracker welds?

I have a 2007 pro guide v17, the welds cracked along the keel and it leaked badly. Bad enough the welder my dealer uses would not try to repair it so Tracker picked it up and shipped it back to their factory. After having it for 8 weeks it is repaired and ready to ship back to me here in CA. Talked with the service manager here and he told me when they do see cracked welds with Trackers it is usually the lighter jon boat types and mod v's, he said although he has had deep v trackers come back with cracked welds it was a very small number over time and he sees cracked welds in the other alum brands as well.

Personally I have had too many problems with my particular boat which I bought new and would not buy another Tracker.

 

[GeoHawk]

Re: Tracker welds?

My 2001 Pro Crappie, one of Tracker's earlier "all-welded" boats never had a problem with any cracked welds.

My new boat is fine so far, but I just bought it back in September and only had it on the water 3 times before the crappy weather set in.

 

[dabalone]

Re: Tracker welds?

After having my boat for eight weeks to repair cracked welds they shipped it back and the dealer called for me to pick it up. Went to pick it up and the first thing I noticed was it had not been cleaned up. Looking under the boat and along the keel where the welds cracked and the repair work supposedly was done, the hull was dented in like someone had taken a mallet to it. Also had dents from the inside outwards. Obviously the boat took some abuse during the repair process. This crap is totally unacceptable and its astounding they shipped it back in this condition. I did not accept it and left it with the dealer, waiting for an answer from Tracker before my next step.

 

[Vanover]

Re: Tracker welds?

I have a 2009 Tracker Grizzly 1754cc and i have had it on the water maybe 15 times. Welds on the hull look great however the welds that hold the side of the boat to the floor beams cracked. They are just spot welds that clearly didn't penatrate the thicker beam material. Have to take it in and get it fixed. I have had the boat since June 9th of 2010. Boat was brand new.

 

[jackballin]

Re: Tracker welds?

I bought a PT 170 back in June and I have had it on the water almost every week. The storage compartment under the seats seem to keep getting wet andI don't know why. COULD THAT BE FROM A LEAK IN A WELD SOMEWHERE OR LEAKING FROM THE LIVE WELL? HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THIS? The rest of the boat stays dry.

 

[Vanover]

Re: Tracker welds?

Not for sure, dropped mine off this morining and the dealer said the welds were crap and not long enough per the boat prints. They are supposed to get permision from tracker to weld it, paint it, and make it good as new. something to mention is the main floor stringers have been inspected and they are welded to a much better standard. None are broke, and they have good length and penetration. My boat stays dry as far as i know. I will keep you informed.

 

[Vanover]

Re: Tracker welds?

Dealer called me today, Tracker is going to have the dealer re-weld the entire floor kit, and paint the boat. They got permision to make double the amount of welds at double the length. So looks like that should solve it, problem is duck season is around the corner and this sounds like it might take a while.

 

[Vanover]

Re: Tracker welds?

So as i stated above for the last couple of weeks my boat has been getting re-welded courtesy of Tracker. Here are a few pics from my visit at the shop today. Not really impressed by the welds, or the fact that after re-assymbly and paint it's going to be another week. They also left a bunch of old rivets in the floor that came out on the highway and ruined the upper and mid cowlings on the left side of the motor. My brand new motor, on my 2 month old boat. The dealer has agreed to change the upper and mid cowlings for new ones off the showroom floor. Boat was supposed to be ready today, but when i showed up the owner greeted me and we waited for the staff to bring the boat out. He said, "we just need to install the steering wheel and run the systems through a test". His mouth could have grabbed the earth when he saw the boat. He had no idea for the last 7 days the boat sat at the welder not getting worked on. So... still no boat. He swears it will be ready by Thursday. Tracker had them weld the hull to the floor kit at 3 times the factory length, and double the amount per side. They also took the rivets out of the stringers of the floor kit beams and replaced them with welds. I will let you guys know on thursday i guess. So much for having a new boat.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Tracker welds?

I feel your pain, but not to that extent. I have a couple cracked welds on my 07 1436...

I think they should be nicknamed "Cracker"

 

[Vanover]

Re: Tracker welds?

I hope i am done with the weld issue now. I have been on the phone with tracker almost non-stop for a week. This is what they had to say. The outside of the boat is welded by a machine. Any package the dealer orders is then insterted and "tack" welded by a person. Once the floor is on the weld is never inspected. My dealer did what the could with what tracker would pay for. I raised hell and got tracker to agree to additional and longer welds. The dealer came out of pocket for this. Tracker approved the repair but not the amount. I gave the boat and keys back to the dealer and started a BBB claim. A couple days later they called and said they would "good faith" pay for it. All my other welds look great. I spent a day with the welder going over the boat pointed out the less than perfect welds. They fixed and improved all of them. What a nightmare. Should have bought a War Eagle instead.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Tracker welds?

Should have bought a (fill in blank) instead.

Yup, after buying my boat I started looking at other jon boats and noticed my Tracker was inferior to other manufacturers, yet there wasn't a price difference. Same money, less quality...

 

[jackballin]

Re: Tracker welds?

Was going to get a new Tracker, but it looks like they have problems with the welds on some boats. Is it just certain boats or all boats?

Thanks
Don

This is a few problems out of thousands of boats. I'm a 1st time boat owner but I did hours and hours of research before I bought it and I think Tracker has a pretty good track record.

 

[Fish'n Lewi]

Re: Tracker welds?

This is a few problems out of thousands of boats. I'm a 1st time boat owner but I did hours and hours of research before I bought it and I think Tracker has a pretty good track record.

I totally agree with this one and with so many of us on here there is bound to be one or more issue to pop up. I am very satisfied with mine (2006 Pro Guide V16).

 

[Expidia]

Re: Tracker welds?

If you are buying new anyway, why not look at the Alumacraft line. Same price range and much better made and better resale value than the Tracker line!

Not trying to bash Tracker but from my research when I bought my last rig it's not in the same class in my opinion as Alumacraft, Smoker, Crestliner etc.

 

[Fish'n Lewi]

Re: Tracker welds?

If you are buying new anyway, why not look at the Alumacraft line. Same price range and much better made and better resale value than the Tracker line!

Not trying to bash Tracker but from my research when I bought my last rig it's not in the same class in my opinion as Alumacraft, Smoker, Crestliner etc.

Here in the "Land of 10,000+ Lakes" Crestliner, Alumacraft, and Lund are HUGE. Tracker has just begun migrating here and I think that there is a lot to offer and will be a great player.

I had this same thought process until I was able to get a Tracker next to the competition and on the water and was pleasantly surprised.

In short, get them next to each other take a good comparison look and I think that you will see that your getting that same quality......I think some of the bigger names are getting cheap but all in all they are all nice.

 

[Vanover]

Re: Tracker welds?

I agree that some times issues are just missed at the factory. I am bummed about the boat, but tracker did step up with the dealer and fix it at no cost to me. I am overall satisfied. I didn't go with any of the other name brand models b.c the tracker offered just what i needed in a fish and duck boat. The price was great on mine. If this weld job fixes my issues then i guess i made out okay....if not idk where to go from here.

 

[191Seanymphstriper]

Re: Tracker welds?

If your prob isnt resolved and more issues come about id contact a good lawyer!

 

[Vanover]

Re: Tracker welds?

I have thought of that. I hope it wont have to go there. The dealer seems willing to resolve the issue, and they have taken a hit on the repair. They told me if i have to come back about the welds they will request a new hull. If will be from tracker but that will reset my claim. If there was in fact a problem with my series of hull i should be through with it after the replacement.

 

[Vanover]

Re: Tracker welds?

So i picked up my tracker today from the dealer. The pain job they gave me sucks, but ill have to wait untill duck season is over with to get this handled. The welds look great and maybe i will get some use out of this boat finally. They did my 20 hr service and said all was okay. I am taking it to the water on sunday for a couple of hours and to shake it down. I will let you all know how thigs fair. After that the blind goes on and its duck time.