Goldstar225

63, turning 64 next month. I stand but use a butt seat to lean against (3 points of contact) to reduce the risk of being the "man overboard" if I bump a stump. I can fish sitting but prefer not to.

Claiming boat price increases of 25-50% over two years is a little bit of an exaggeration me thinks.? No doubt prices have gone up, as always. I bought my Tracker PT190 three years ago for 22K, it's now 26K (counting freight & prep on both). The 175 TXW is now 22K. Glad I bought it when I did.

I can assure you that from a .38 they are quite lethal on snakes within 9-10 feet.

I've had my 2018 PT190 with the 115 Pro XS for three years. Before buying I looked at Ranger, G3, and other boats. In my area, having them equipped the same the Ranger was 3-4 thousand more. In the end I chose the Tracker because of the layout. Not knocking the other boats as they were quality, the tracker just fit me better. That and my prior boat was and '87 tracker and had served me well. Your local dealer will do the upgrades you want but you'll probably pay full MSRP plus the labor for the add ons and you don't get credit for what they take off (TM, FF etc). I took delivery and changed the TM, FF, battery, and charger myself. I saved probably $1500.00 in the purchase prices and labor by doing that. I have no regrets about my purchase and would buy the PT190 again without hesitation. It rides great in choppy water and the only flaw so far was a leak where the dealers tech didn't seal the screws when they mounted the transducer.

Color me confused. You just want to see how they get a floor model wheeled out the door? Fresh off the truck means that before it's sold the dealer finishes rigging and testing the boat (like making sure the motor fires up and runs). Nothing goes straight from the truck to the customer without some degree of checks.

Between my two brothers and I we've owned 6 trackers. We have had no problems or complaints with any of them. My previous boat was an 1987 TX17 that I sold when it was 30 years old and bought my 2018 PT190. The TX17 was still serving me well and went to its happy new owner, I just wanted a new boat as my retirement gift to myself. So far as I know the front deck is still wood. Doesn't concern me at all, I didn't have to repair the wood on the deck of the 87 until it was 27 years old and the only "bad" area was the first 6" in the bow. If you leave it exposed to the elements outside it will go faster but so will the seats, carpet etc..... As far as how its equipped, yep it comes with base model trolling motors and fish finders. They're sufficient to get you on the water and fish, no more or less. I upgraded mine before I took my first fishing trip. As far as outboards you have a choice of Mercury or Mercury. My 190 came with the 115 Pro XS 4S. In the 175 you can upgrade from the stock 60 to the 75 for $1500.00 and gain 5-7 MPH and a better hole shot. After three years with my PT190 I have zero regrets and love the boat. I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

After buying dedicated DS weights I had the same thought to use a pegged bullet weight instead. Cheaper and will still pull off if snagged.

Like others have said, don't sweat it too much. It can be fixed for not too much money and serve you well for many years. Just make sure the shop is competent on patching and welding aluminum.

My tank is rated at 21 gallons (but took 23 when I filled it up the first time after I bought it). I usually wait until I'm at 1/2 tank then fill. Depending on where I go that may mean 3-5 trips.

I would not deck a 10' boat. I had a 12' flat bottom and even without a deck it wasn't very stable. I did deck a 14' X 42" and it was OK. Best wishes to you and hope that your boat gets you lots of fish. Wish I could of had one when I was your age.

I'm always amused by those who so say you're more likely to be struck by lightning than need a gun: According to the NOAA, over the last 20 years, the United States averaged 51 annual lightning strike fatalities, placing it in the second position, just behind floods for deadly weather. In the US, between 9% and 10% of those struck die, with an annual average of 25 deaths in the 2010s decade (16 in 2017). Since the fatality rate is 9-10% that means roughly 500 people a year have been struck in the last 20 years. In 2019 alone there were 16,425 murders. That's not counting those shot and wounded but surviving (obviously). Most of us on this forum do not have a lifestyle or live in areas that place us in a high risk group but as a retired cop I know that criminals and the crazy DO NOT confine themselves to their core areas. Bad things happen to good people every day. I my career I had a few instances of stopping evil in the act, most of the time unfortunately I was batting cleanup. Yes, even retired I am armed anywhere it's lawful.

I shot IPSC back in the late 80's-early 90's. Never was a threat to Rob Leatham?. I used my duty gear and weapon. The benefit I received was that I learned more about efficiently using my tools under the pressure of competition. I can honestly say that I learned more defensive shooting skills in six months of IPSC that I did in the prior 15 years of military and law enforcement. Great comradery too, fellow shooters would give each other tips to improve or lend equipment out to a competitor. In what other sport do you see that?

I've used 30-30, 308 and 30-06 over the past 50 years. All have put them down when I did my part. Now using a 243 and a Marlin 357 (for under 100 yards). Most of my deer have been taken within 100 yards, only a couple past 200. I'm not caliber devoted. Put something 243 or above in my hands and I can collect meat within its effective range. Bet most of you could as well.

Congratulations! Hope the new boat brings you years of joy.

I'm with those who say give it some time. I went from a 14X36 jon boat to a tracker 170 TX (similar in size to your boat) and felt like it was an aircraft carrier deck by comparison! Fished out of that boat for seven years, often with three people (me, son, and grandson). I don't know how boat,motor, and trailer transfers work in your state as far as titles/registration but in general it would be like a car with a note. You sell it with a bill of sale and immediately and pay off the loan and surrender the title to the new owner. If you sell for less than the pay off, reach into your pocket to pay the balance. Don't leave the new owner hanging with a boat he can't register.

My previous boat was a 1987 Tracker TX17. It served me well for seven years. I chose my current boat, A tracker PT190 after looking at other brands, all of them good. The PT190 just met my needs/wants at a lower price. Three years later I have no regrets on my choice and would buy it again without hesitation. I chose the 190 over the 175 simply because the extra 1' of length gave me more storage space in the front lockers and a bit more room for fishing with three aboard. I'm running the 115 Pro XS 4S. Stock I could easily run 45 MPH (GPS) but above that it was a bit unstable. After installing a stainless 19 pitch X7 prop and raising the motor to the third hole I can consistently run 48-49 (GPS) with a full load and be very stable. The ride in choppy water is excellent. I don't go on the water if there are 2-3 foot conditions (and I wouldn't do that in any boat for that matter). Stick to your budget and get the boat that appeals to you.

This should work for you. https://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-109HU

I have the edge terminal box. It does a great job of keeping everything in it's place. I've read positive comments on Academy Sports version but haven't seen one yet.

If gas was left in the carburetor(s) (not run empty after last use) you may need to have the carburetor(s) cleaned out.

I look at life vests like I looked at helmets when I rode motorcycles, how much is your life worth. We spend thousands or tens of thousands on the boat, rods, reels, and lures. All that does is give us pleasure. A quality life jacket can insure we make it another day for our families and is a small percentage of the cost of everything else. When I fish by myself I wear my mustang HIT from the time I get into the boat until I get back on land. When fishing with another person I wear a vest style life jacket any time the boat is above idle speed and a throwable PFD is on the deck (not in the locker).

My retirement gift to myself, bought it two years ago, 2018 Tracker 190 TX w/115 Mercury Pro XS.

I retired two years ago and planed on fishing at least two days a week. It hasn't happened. It's amazing how you'll have one thing a day that pops up 3-4 days of the week plus weather that cuts into your plans. I don't go on the weekends generally, preferring the weekdays. My health is good there's that as a plus. Still, it beats the heck out of a work schedule.

Thanks, I may pick up a couple for my son and grandson.

I got the Plano edge terminal box earlier this year and really like it but the Academy version looks good. When it's closed up does it keep the hooks from migrating?

The charger for my Tracker 190 is located under the seats (and was that way from the factory) with batteries in the stern. I lift the seat up when charging for heat dissipation. Congratulations on the new boat.