The Right Boat...Tracker or Lowe

[aaron42ash]

I am in the market for a new boat. It MUST be dual purpose for me. Bassin' and Duck Hunting. The 2 obvious choices are 1- Lowe Roughneck, or 2- Tracker Grizzly. The only options that I am choosing for either are a liner and a livewell.

The Lowe is at a higher price point (importnat for a poor school teacher ) This means that the 1648 Tracker is at a comparable price to the 1455 Roughneck. The Roughneck offers more options that come standard and has a wider base, but I would sacrifice length.

I fish small to medium sized lakes primarily, but I do make the occasional trip to the Columbia. Basically, I can't make a decision. Who has one of these, or knows what the "right choice is"

[aaron42ash]

No one has an opinion on this? What's the deal...

[wolverine]

Which boats dance floor suits your requirements best? On jon style boats usable storage is at a premium. Check the storage on each. Don't forget to check the trailer options. A good boat on a crappy trailer is no bargain. Check the welds and riveted areas as flat bottom boats can really shake and pound. I know that Trackers are built better than they used to be, but I'm partial to Lowes as I've been in their mfg plant and seen them built. When it gets down to the nitty gritty compare engine options and dealer support. On a jon there really isn't much to go wrong. But the dealer motor install and after sale support is important. Check out the dealers repair shop and talk to the mechanic and see if he's factory trained or is a shade tree boat mechanic who'd rather be working automotive.

[Bodofish]

For hunting and fishing, I'd have to say the Lowe. I've spent a fair amount of time gawking them up one side and down the other. I'm kind of a welded fan. Do yourself a favor and put a pump on it. If you decide to fish anything but Bass you'll be glad you did. The pump will put you in the 2" club and no rivers on the west side will out of your reach. That roughneck is an awesome boat.

[aaron42ash]

Ya, I tend to agree with you Bodo... They sure are nice to look at. It's nice that they come with bilge/ nav lights too. I just hope that I don't kick myself for buying a boat under 16ft.

[Black Plague]

what I would do is not buy the boat yet.... I know ....thats crazy talk.... but if you save for 6 more months, you can add at least 2 feet to most any boat...and get electronics.... but whatever you do, be happy about it, if you feel like 14 feet is too small (for me its 4 feet too small) then dont complain when you realize its a 2 man boat..... patience has bought many people a nicer boat than what they would have otherwise gotten ........ i like my dads 1860 roughneck with a 90 Horse...flat moves.

[aaron42ash]

I have actually decided to do just that Plague. Actually, I'm even looking at an entirely different setup now. I really like the G3 1658 VBW. As wide and deep of a transom as the others, and it's very affordable. The shop in Olympia has great prices on these with the floor, so I think I'm going that route. 18' would be nice, but it's almost too big for what I want to do. Really, it just has to get the job done when it comes to spring bass season, so it will primarily be a duck killer. I 16' is tight with 3 people, I hear you there, but at least one of my fishing buddies is skinny... Also, my outboard is small. Not looking to win any races to the best spot or anything. Not sure I could even get an 18' to move with a tailwind actually. But, I have all of the "stuff" (nav lights, anchor, rope, livewell kit, batteries, bow mount etc.) Now I just need the boat.