Goldstar225

Just touching base to see if the deal for your boat went through? Good luck.

Nice. It looks like it's been very well taken care of.

I tend to agree. When I saw the middle passenger seat I thought it was a 2019. Have you seen the boat in person or just photos?

I agree. Between my brothers and I we've owned 6 trackers from the panfish 16 to the PT190 and all have served us well. One brother has a 175 with a 50 and regrets the HP. Get at least the 60 if not the 75 if you with the 175 TXW. I would also urge buying a 2-5 year old boat for your first boat. After some time in it you may discover needs or wants that you can fulfill with a new boat.

I can't speak for others but in my case, I bought the boat(s) I could afford while providing for my family. For many years it was a very used 14' jon boat with a 9.9 or 20 horse motor. In one I had $1000.00 invested and maybe $2000.00 in the other. eight years ago I made a major leap to a 22 year old tracker with a 70 horse for $2200.00 and felt I was in heaven. They weren't fancy, flashy or fast but they put me on the water. As a retirement gift to myself this year I bought my first new boat, a tracker PT190 that will probably be my last boat. I never let my inability to spend $30,000 - $80,000 on a boat deter me from getting on the water and fish. I have no envy or resentment of those who can and do spend that much and I'm proud for them if they can afford to do so. Each person has to make their own decision on their financial ability but don't let the high price tag of some boats keep you on the bank. Buy what you can afford and enjoy the outdoors.

My 2018 PT190 will take 6 1/2' rods in six tubes, 7 1/2' rods in two tubes, and 8 1/2' rods in the open center section (room for probably 6-8 rods). As far as the wood? Yep, wood on the front deck and cockpit floor. If you neglect your boat and leave it exposed to the elements outside it will eventually rot. My last tracker was a 1987 TX17. Stored outside under a cover or open carport. The wood front deck lasted 27 years and even then only the front 6-8 inches was bad. The floor in the cockpit was still solid.

AT $200.00 you got an excellent price IMO. Before doing much to it I would put water in the hull and check for leaks. A good welder can fix any for not much money. Also pull the hubs and check the bearings. I fished many years out of a 14' X 36" jon boat.

Now I know why my math teacher always had a funny look on his face when he graded my papers! ?

Did you notice that this thread is almost 8 years old?

A hobby doesn't provide a $ return like an investment. It's a life expense that comes with doing things that give you pleasure or relaxation. The two jon boats I owned over a 25 year period cost me no more than $2,000.00 to purchase but provided me countless hours of stress relief and pleasure. Upon retirement I bought the boat I wanted as a gift to myself. Your granddad lived through hard times and rose above them, financial security being his top priority. I'm not going to advocate buying a boat that may stress your finances (sometimes we use a best case scenario to justify our wants). Why not start simple and progress as you can?

Arkansas requires liability coverage for all boats 50 HP and above. My 87 tracker with a 70 horse cost me $7.00 a month. I now have a PT 190 with full coverage, IIRC it's $50.00 a month.

The rear deck has been aluminum, at least as far back as 1987. Front deck is wood.

I switch to fishing in the afternoon to sunset when morning temps are below 45. My reason is simple, I do it for my own comfort. I fish to relax and enjoy myself and I don't do that if I'm shivering ?

If I understand correctly this is a new, not used boat. If that is the case, I would refuse the boat and get one that hasn't been cut on or insist on a substantial price reduction.

I had a new reel last year that was giving me fits on backlashing, just couldn't seem to get it dialed in. My grandson asked if he could use it. He made one cast and handed it back saying "You're right Papaw". His birdsnest made mine look simple.

When I went from a 14' jon boat to a 1987 tracker TX17 I felt like I was on an aircraft carrier. I used that boat for seven years and in truth it still fished well for me when I sold it to get my 190 TX. I'm not aware of any unique problems with the boat you're looking at. I don't know your power needs but I have reservations that the 25 HP motor will get you on plane or exceed 20 MPH at WOT. In my area the price you gave is a bit high but your market is probably different.

I can't speak to each point but... Yes it will clean throttle bodies, did so many times, carb jets too. You believe what you like. I know what I've experienced. Have a good day sir.

Yes, they do. I always wondered why a TM wasn't built with a rheostat type control. With the standard 1-5 settings I could never find the "right" speed. With the digital controls it's infinitely variable. Worth it for that alone with the power conservation being icing on the cake.

This bring to mind a saying that I've used several times. "No one can take advantage of you without your consent".

I was of the same mind years ago and was hesitant to try it. Many on the motorcycle forums I participated in at the time spoke highly of it. Based upon that I gave it a try. My personal experience is that it does work.

I use only ethanol free gas and treat it with stabil. I'll occasionally run a can of seafoam to keep the carbs or injectors clean in my outboards and lawn equipment. I've been doing this routine for many, many years with no fuel related problems.

I pull my units when I leave the water and store them in a hard sided, foam lined pistol case. I prefer not subjecting them to the ride on the road and risk of a flying object hitting them on the road. Aside from that they stay in the cases inside my shop which isn't climate controlled 24/7.

That was the position I was in, kinda. My primary target was a new tin (my retirement gift to myself). Researched all the brands available with 50 miles. Toward the end I considered used glass boats that were in the same price range and checked some out. In the end I went with a new Tracker PT190. Part of the decision was the variety of places I fish, some of which are not glass friendly. The other was the warranty that came with the boat and motor. I have no regrets and love my boat.

I think that if you make that change, you will have more respect for yourself. Good luck and best wishes.

Well, most of the folks here spoke out against lying and so shall I. Calling it a white lie is just rationalizing it to justify it to yourself. If you can't man up enough to tell your wife the truth about fishing, what else will you lie about? Of course one other person admitted doing the same thing so maybe that's all the reinforcement you need to make yourself OK with it.