Flatrock

Its a new Bass Tracker 175 Pro Team with a 75 Merc on the back (2 batteries) Boat is 17' 7" long. At 17' 7" long, I'd of thought the boat would be long enough to keep the nose down. When I say high, I mean a good 45 degs. The BT salesman told me I wouldn't need a whale tail or hydrofoil as have a big enough motor and it will plain out quickly, which it does, but I don't want to run around 3/4 throttle all the time if you know what I mean. I'll research the hydrofoil more... that surely would be a better solution then to add weight to the boat

Something I have found with my new boat is the bow wanting to ride high when trying to run around 15 to 20 mph, even with the trim down. Has anyone ever tried putting some weight in the front to help keep the nose down ? I mean it planes nicely, but I don't want to have to run 25-30 mph all the time.. any suggestions ?

I was told that the front deck on the 2019 are aluminum now by the salesman and that they are looking at eventually making them all aluminum in time. How true that is I don't know. But I am glad to hear the front deck is all metal. I get throwing in the towel.. I was just about to do the same thing when I found this one.

Congratulations on the new boat.. ! I'm a big fan of Spray on bed liner. You can buy spray cans or in qt cans and brush on. I'd tape up and mask off everything but the parts that you figure will take the most abuse and coat those spots to protect for rocks. I would not suggest coating the whole bottom due to costs and weight... just the front few feet, what will rest on the shore line.

Thanks man... I never thought I'd get a new (used 2019) never mind a boat of this caliber even though its Bass Tracker. Going from no boat all my life to this... To me its as good as any $80,000 boat ?

I know this is a bass site, but don't hesitate to do some catfishing. Some days its just more relaxing to just throw it out there and just kick back and relax. I mean that is what fishing is all about, right ? ? ?

Yes I have, twice... However This last time (Monday) the winds picked up to 20-30 mph late afternoon and I had to cross the lake. Lets just say that things got very interesting for a while with 3' swells and heavy chop. This boat did very well, even though I got soaked... I just couldn't get away from the splashing and spray. .. wind chills was dropping like a sinker and was in the 50's with me only wearing a med shirt. I was sure glad when I found my cove where I launched... I was the last one off the lake too that day. All I can say is... Come one calm 60* days... LOL

I'm going thru the same thing... Isn't there any areas where you have been fishing that you seen where you said to yourself... If I only had a boat I'd fish in that area ? That is what I'm doing... One has to start somewhere, so why not places you know..?

I JUST went thru 6 mos of searching and it just drove me nuts. To be honest I didn't want to spend any money but I did, it was one of those deals where I was able to buy a brand new boat at 2/3rd the cost... With that said, Aluminum, all welded is a good start. Needless to say, right now is the best time to buy. Don't discount the Market Place on Face Book and local sale groups. BTW Bass Tracker is selling what is called "Classic" model which is 16' with 50 hp 4 stroke Merc for $9,900

Actually the price tag on this after taxes all the fees tacked on is closer to $21,660.00 ( I saw what the guy paid for it) I assure you I didn't pay near that much so you can relax about spending 18 grand in worms ? You guys realize you wouldn't have to spend so much on all that tackle if you didn't lose so much of it ?

I might have some of you beat this yr as far as money spent... One can't do any serious fishing with out a boat.. Then I've had to buy all the stuff that goes with a boat. Then there were a few packages of grubs. BTW, I found a Black and yellow spinner in a tree at the lake I was fishing at today... just in case any of you lost one

I like that boat as well.. I can see a lot of advantage to a lay out like that.

As I went thru my Merc manual ( 2019 4 stroke calif compliant ) US & Canada 87 octane minimum, Premium 92 octane is also acceptable . Butanol fuel blend up to 16% (USA Only) is acceptable. Ethonal or Menthanol should beware and no more then 10% and Merc does not know how much much of this type fuel it can withstand. (I suspect they are also talking about the boat mfg as well... fuel lines and other components ) BT shows 15% next to the fuel cap... And of course Merc recommends fuel additive.

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I don't understand PTSD, but I do know about depression and its debilitating effects. I think getting your boat back into shape for the spring is a great idea. 3 yrs is not a horrible time frame and I think you might still have options. If it were me, I'd give it a good cleaning, inside and out and then get the boat evaluated. Its a lot easier to just replace the boat, it gives you that quick satisfaction, but maybe rebuilding it would be more therapeutic providing it doesn't need $8,000 in repairs. No need to invest big money into a boat when there are so many that are out there for cheap. I have another idea... In my quest for a boat the last 7 months, I found a lot of nice hulls for sale cheap with blown motors. It might be better to take your motor in and have it gone thru and then switch it to a good hull that doesn't need any work. I mean the biggest dollar item of a boat is the motor and I highly doubt your motor is hurt. You might be able to get back on the water for less than you think. And remember... uTube is a great place for answers when fixing things. Not having experience in fixing things only means you haven't learned how to do it yet... I built a house (self taught), learned to mechanic on my semi (self taught).. If I can do it, I'm sure you can too.. just gotta stay positive. Plus you got all these neat tools left over for your next project

In general a motor is a motor whether it be a boat motor or a pressure washer or a zero turn mower... ethanol free is better despite the octane. A couple things comes to mind and that is (1) treating the ethanol with gas treatment or (2) mix your gas, like 5 gal ethanol with 15 gal 91 Octane, but that would be a pain. I'd use 91 octane before ethanol.

I might just do that..

I do like scattered, covered and smothered ?

I'd like to report that I did finalized the deal this morning at a Waffle House over breakfast.. I'm now the owner of a 2019 Bass Tracker 175 Pro Team TXW

If I wrapped anything in a pink Kitty wrap... The guys I know would never let me live it down. However I would be willing to be a Minion

I get you and I'd be lying if changing his mind didn't cross my mind. He told me he paid 20K and he is the one that stated what he wanted... I offered money down and he refused, we shook hand a couple times over our deal.... I'm of the older generation, a hand shake is worth more then a piece of paper. He understood I had to arrange finances in order to buy the boat. But knowing that the stomach bug is going around and the fact that he works in the medical field, I'd say its very likely. So I'd say he was sick, I wouldn't want to be on the lake, never mind in a moving car if I was hurling at both ends. Besides I requested that we take it out on the lake before I handed a check... I mean you don't buy a used car without taking it around the block. So all I can do is wait a few more days and hope he is a man of his word.

Yes I have seen the boat, struck a deal and shook hands. I questioned the yr model when I noticed it had dual rod boxes. I was supposed to pick the boat up Yesterday but the guy was sick with some stomach bug, so now I'm supposed to pick the boat up Thursday, I hope.

As crazy as this all may be, but judging by the storage configuration (Dual rod boxes)... and talking to the Bass Pro tracker salesman this morning, this boat is a early 2019 model and not a 2018. He also told me that the front deck is all Aluminum on the 2019 models... I think I have stumbled on a once in a life time cherry deal

Thanks guys

I found the post of ethanol free gas but what octane should I use in this new 4 stroke Merc ? (No I don't have docs on my boat yet) Thanks in adv...

I'm confused about my boat... already. Its supposed to be a 2018 175 Pro Team but comparing specs... the boat and storage compartments, BT site shows its a 2019 175 TRW Tournament. Am I missing something ? Could have Bass T put a 2019 deck spec in 2018 ?