kschultz76

I bought a 175 TXW last year, ordered it the 9.9 to fish restricted lates primarily. With just me and loaded I get top 7.4mph. With me, my dad, and uncle loaded got about 6.8-7. That was on Nockamixon. Turns out Casts by fly and me fish many of the same lakes, and I too grew up in PA lower bucks county. Mine ended up being a 2025 model year because I ordered it late in the summer. I started out looking at the 170, wife talked me into the 175. I’d highly recommend spending the savings from getting the 20hp motor to go with the 175. The whole boat just feels roomier and fits 3 people better. Plus the storage layout and storage space is way better, and the recessed trolling motor foot pedal. With 3 people you’ll appreciate the space on the 175. Plan in your budget replacing the TM with a 24 volt 80lb thrust, and adding a second battery for it. Or upgrade to the Tournament package to get the 24 v Maxxum from the factory. As long as you don’t see yourself wanting spot lock/anchor mode, autopilot, etc. Let me know if you need to know anything else about the 175. I’m very happy with mine so far.

My Dad’s older boat used the 2” taper lock pedestals originally, I replaced them with the slide in 2” ones at some point. Those things were wobbly as a drunk skunk bc those bushings got so worn out so fast. Not to mention a pain in the rear. The slide in style was an improvement but still a sloppy interference fit. My Tracker has the threaded king pin bases and posts. So so so much more solid and stable despite the post being thinner. That deeper connection and threaded lock of the Kingpin just is superior for stability over the interference fit. The overall diameter of the post really makes no difference with as thick as the tube walls are and the stability of the post and base fit. At least not for seated fishing positions. If it’s a drivers seat pedestal on a very large high horsepower boat then that could be different.

If you’re doing it over bare dirt you’ll need to dig down and out the area about 4”. Put down land scape fabric, this helps avoid your stone from being absorbed and swallowed by the soil. Then if you want a solid base for a lot of traffic or parking vehicles you want 2” of 3/4 modified - that’s a mix of 3/4” stone with stone dust, much smaller stone particles, that binds and compacts really solid. Then 2” of regular 3/4” stone on top. Where I park my boat I don’t have to drive my truck over it, it’s just a parking pad. So I skipped the modified base and just did the 3/4”. Works just fine. I did a border of pressure treated 4x6s to contain the stone. You can use steel land scape edging if you’re working with a curve. Do pay attention to your natural grade and make sure water from rain has a path to run.

Am I right in assuming you’ve got the 9.9 ProKicker CommandThrust carb version and not the EFI? And a 14 tooth spline? Have you liked how it maneuvers at lower speed loading onto the trailer with the new prop? I’m probably around 1350 lbs loaded including me and 10 gallons of gas to start the season. If so that’s the same motor mine came with from Tracker, with a 4 blade 10x7 silver prop. Looking at Solas they have the same 3 props you mention in 14 spline to fit my motor. Mercury has a few 3 blades as well for 14 spline, but looks like from older Bigfoot versions maybe. A 9.5x8 and a 9.25x9. Right I don’t know what RPM I’m hitting bc Tracker went from analog gauges to a digital touchscreen thing that only works for most motor info if your motor is VesselView capable, which the 9.9 is not. I’m getting a TinyTach to try so I can see where I am. This is my model serial tag. I really would like to get a few more mph, but don’t want to over stress the engine or make it a lot harder to maneuver, the cable steering is already so slow to respond.

What A Jay said. With one change. Back the trailer all the way into the water first so all your bunks are fully submerged. Let them soak for 30 seconds to a min. Then pull up until the trailer is positioned with the right amount of the front bunks out of the water and drive the boat on under power. You dont need a ton of power. Dry bunks will make it very hard to get your boat loaded all the way this way and will just be marring up your boat. Assuming they’re still carpeted bunks. What model Tracker do you have? For my 175 I position so the back of the short guide ons are just an inch or so above the water. First time loading it when the boat was new to me I had them a bit submerged and crosswind blew me so I drove up onto one of them. That was frustrating and embarrassing.

From your photos it looks like you’ve got enough room to the left of you 9.9 to mount a transom mount electric trolling motor. Get yourself one of these for those electric only lakes, easier loading and unloading. And also easier for longer distant cruising then standing upfront. It’s also better than possibly damaging your very expensive Ultrex banging it into the trailer. https://www.boemarine.com/minn-kota-traxxis-80-freshwater-trolling-motor-transom-mount-24v-80lb-42-variable-speed.html?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3deClfHdjAMVFmFHAR00YxtuEAQYByABEgKM_vD_BwE My Dad’s old 15’ boat had a 9.9 tiller steer on it so for electric only lakes we (me) would take the gas motor off to put an electric troller on the transom. I like not hefting that 75lbs or so off the transom.

Could you share the info on the 8 pitch prop you had success with? My 9.9 is also the command thrust carbureted version. Same thing with my PT 175, with just me, 7 gallons in the tank, 3 batteries, and gear top out at 6.8-7.2 mph. Wouldn’t mind a little more speed as long as it’s not over stressing the engine or running out of its rpm range.

I haven’t been able to fish Spruce Run since 2018 or 2019 and miss it loved fishing there. Round Valley was a blast last fall, all kinds of submerged trees and shrubs now. Want to get up to Merrill Creek this year too. Lazy was the name of the game for me with all these small things like the boat buckles. Less parts to lose and move around at the boat ramp while also keeping track of the kids.

Darn SR still down that low? Hopatcong is good fishing as long as it’s not the busy weekends like you said. Your boat and mine are big enough to handle the bigger lakes as long as we can stay out of playing frogger with the big boats. Spare tire always a requirement. I’d reconsider the transom saver even with the 9.9. We always had one on my dad’s fiberglass boat with a 9.9. Cheap insurance and minimal inconvenience to take stress off both the transom and the motor mount and tilt components when trailering. oh I also added stainless steel trailer mounted retractable transom tie downs. Another good investment.

CBF congrats!! Beautiful boat, and best of luck with her. I’m guessing you took her to Round Valley or Spruce Run for that maiden voyage? Being in SJ and fishing primarily in SJ up to central Jersey, and NE PA I know the conundrum of needing a boat that you can legally run in our smaller HP limited and electric only lakes but want that room for storage and fishing comfortably. Looks like you found an awesome option to manage that. I went with a Tracker ProTeam 175 TXW last year, ordered with the Merc 9.9, and picked up end of August from my dealer. Maybe should have looked more at Crestliner but at the time it was the largest boat I could find that I could still order with a 9.9. Didn’t want to go down the two motors with a 9.9 kicker route bc a larger motor would never get run often enough. I’m really happy with my Tracker and I’m sure you will be with your Storm. Here’s a few things I’ve done to make life easier as I’m often fishing alone, or with family where I’m doing the loading/unloading on my own. 1. Added a tilt switch at the outboard wired in under the cowl. My boat came rigged with one at the console and the bow. Just made a couple y pigtails to integrate into oem wiring under the cowl with an inline fuse holder off the 12v hot stud. Makes getting the transom saver on and off a breeze. They should install these at the factory. 2. Added a set of Omega boat steps to the trailer. Garage storage not an option for me. But looking at your trailer there are options for mounting that will preserve your swing away tongue. 3. For electric only lakes I like a transom mounted TM. On my transom there’s just enough room to mount one next to the outboard. I picked up MK 24v model and wired up a quick disconnect plug and separate circuit breaker. Hoping to get out in the next week or so myself. Photos of the TM plug. Photos of the steps.

Congrats!!! Looks like a great starter boat that you can do a lot with, and invest a little in overtime to upgrade and make it what you want. That trailer looks really clean. Best of luck with it.

I got a new ProTeam 175 TXW at the end of last season. I ordered it in June, and when it finally arrived in August they sent me a 2025 at 2024 pricing. You’re gonna love the 175, super easy to fish out of, tons of convenient useable storage, easy to tow and maneuver. For 30 years prior I fished from a 15’ fiberglass tri hull with tiller steer and very limited storage. Lots of amazing memories in that boat. But the wood in the transom and decks is rotting beyond repair. I love the convenience of locking my rods and tackle in the 176, and being ready to go fish in 30 min. Hope you can make that happen. For the op I hope you can find something to suit your budget and your needs. Any boat that is safe, serviceable, and gets you on the water will catch you fish. I’d agree with many others though for an older boat in that range you should stick to aluminum. Even a good size deep v hull with a tiller drive will serve you well.

Take a look at the ALX Enox Psychic, 6’9” M F 3/16-5/8. Any St. Croix SV3 or better M F spinning blank is a great versatile spinning rod. Just not a fan of some of their latest handle design choices.

Congrats, looks like a beautiful boat! Enjoy it and best of luck!

I have the Millenium Palma horse on the front of my PT175. Love it, best front casting seat I’ve ever had. Have gone through several styles of casting seat on my father’s boat over the years. It is meant to mount flat like in the picture of it on the boat in use. Is it possible this Springfield seat is what you saw? It does pivot to 90 deg. https://springfieldgrp.com/product/1040355-kpc/

Thanks so much, that’s super helpful. Looks like mounting on that angled part works well. Is that an Ultrex TM? Any problems with cover fitting with it mounted on the bow?

Thanks Nso! If you find a spare min I’d love to see a picture of it. I’ve looked at the Baldwin mounts, actually considering the 8” or 5” adjustable mount they have that’s similar to the BPS one. I think the 8” would get me over the plug and tilted back to not be in the way of the cover. Just wasn’t sure it was wide enough. Considered if I could mount on that angled section just didn’t know if it would be sturdy enough. Thanks for the photo, and sharing your setup. The newer model I’ve ordered has a different foot pedal tray with a wider double cup holder. TJ thanks so much for the photo along with the stick ruler for scale reference, that really helps. I am strongly considering the RAM because it’s so easy to move out of the way, and to adjust placement. Just afraid I’ll always be fussing with it trying to get it set in the “perfect” spot. I also thought about the RAM surface mount swingarm mount that would offset it from the cup holders but let me swing it over to be centered on the pedal tray. Hoping to get a good enough idea that I have the mount here and ready to install when I pick up the boat. Here’s the best photo I have of the foot pedal tray setup the boat I have ordered:

Hey all I’ve not been active here in awhile and had slowed down my fishing the past few years. Life, family, work and all that. I’ve finally been able to start getting back into it and have a new Tracker Pro Team 175TXW on its way to me. I’m planning to install a Garmin Echomap UHD 93sv at the bow and before I purchase a mount wanted to see if I could get some info or feedback from other 175 owners. I’m looking at a fixed deck mount like the Bass Fishin Electronics single unit angled mount, Procise Outdoors Dek It, or the BPS Lockdown adjustable deck mount. What I don’t know is what one will fit best without interfering with the trolling motor plug or the front of the recessed TM pedal tray. I also want to be careful that nothing sticks up so high with the Garmin gimbal bracket to interfere with the cover. Any intel fellow owners could give me on the height of the aluminum foredeck from the casting deck at the front of the TM pedal tray and the width of the TM pedal tray at its widest around the cup holders would be much appreciated. Oh and the approx height of the TM plug from the deck too. Love to hear and see what others have done as well. I’ve Google images searched till my eyes were crossed but haven’t been able to find much out there. I'm hoping the Bass Fishin Electronics angled mount will clear the cup holders, give me room to reach under it for the TM plug and trim switch, without being a problem for the cover. If none of what I’m looking at will work I can go to plan B with a RAM mount or similar. Thanks in advance!

Totally agree....but with the IMX you get a standard universally comfortable Fuji reel seat. I don’t hate the seat on my GLX for casting, but for pitching I have to change my grip.

SV103 is definitely not as compact or palmable as a Curado 70 or Steez SV TW. For me I think a large part of the problem was the height at which the reel sat up off the seat, more then the shape. Oddly I find the Zillion SV TW comfortable to palm for both pitching and casting on reel seats the SV103 was not. I’ve never used one but sounds like Alphas platform might be the way to go in a Daiwa.

What this guy said!

I’d recommend the same but even with a sale it’s a bit over the Ops budget. Id check out the newest Tatula series with cork grips given your budget. Heard great things about them but no personal experience.

Also in your price range I’d take a serious look at the Shimano Expride. No hands on experience but have read many positive reviews here and elsewhere on them.

Based on ergonomics and price the Helium 3 gets my vote. I have an FMJ - gorgeous rod, but I’ve learned to hate the trigger on the reel seat and how thin the grip is. Sadly I likely won’t buy another MB rod until the change the reel seat. I also have a GLX 844MBR and agree it’s an awesome rod, reel seat on this one is great for me for casting but not awesome for pitching so for pitching the Helium 3 or one of my Gen 1 Orochi XX rods is what I prefer. I got my GLX on a deal as a rep sample. I have no objection to high end expensive rods but the Helium does all I need, I think if I were to ever look at a $400 rod like a Destroyer again I’d seriously consider a custom.

I have the 7’0” LMH and throw 3/8oz swim jig plus trailer on it in sparse pads no problem. It’s got more power then my M power St Croix rods. I’m a fan of this stick.