I possibly have the chance at getting a 17 foot Bass Tracker with a 50hp motor for a good deal. Would it be a good starter bass fishing boat?

I would say so. The only flaws I can think of is the following Check the boats rivets unless it's a newer welded one. If you fish a lake with alot of wind might be a problem sometimes light boats don't due well in wind. Be extremely careful were there's small wind waves you take one over the bow you could be done. The bonus on the other hand is maitnace you don't have to wash it and a small car can pull it. Good luck

Most guys loose money when buying and selling boats....unless you are buying used or on a pro-program....if this isn't the case, try to buy your last boat first.  It can hurt up front but saves you money in the long haul.

 

.......Semper-Fi 

If it floats and the motor checks out, go for it

In my opinion the short answer is yes. 

Do your homework to make sure it's a solid boat. Especially the outboard as slonezp said.  If it is you may find it to be all you ever need, and at the very least, it could be a great boat to start with. 

I'm not a Tracker fan. Although I always look at em when I visit Bass Pro. Wood in the decks puts me off. But if I had a chance to get a good deal on one I'd  go for it.  Tracker beats no boat. 

Not sure witch model it is or the age, but generally speaking most Trackers make good starter boats. The older bass trackers don't have the overall width the new ones do so they aren't as stable, but they aren't bad. As long as everything checks out motor wise, and there's nothing big wrong, like rotted out deck or other condition issues you should be good to go. 

Also, I'd go against the advice to buy your last boat first. If you start from the bottom up, you'll start to learn what features are important to you. The only way to really do that is to get out and fish. 

Trackers are fine boats, no frills, but that saves money.  I just got my first boat, a Tracker 190TX, it is all I have ever really dreamed of.  Anything I am missing out on I can add or upgrade later when I can afford it (an convince the wife that I desperately need it)...

If you can afford it, and have a little left over for unforeseen circumstances, do it. Don't break the bank and leave yourself no room for hidden problems or upgrades.

I'm using a 1987 Tracker.  I replaced the wood deck last year, the original wood only lasted 27 years.  My next and probably last boat will be a tracker 175 TXW that I'll buy when I retire at the end of 2017.  As you can see the presence of wood doesn't concern me.  I figure that my son and grandson will fight over the boat when I kick the bucket. 

Trackers are good boats to start off with - relatively cheap to get into so you can begin the process of figuring out what you like and what you don't like.

9 hours ago, WIGuide said:

Also, I'd go against the advice to buy your last boat first. If you start from the bottom up, you'll start to learn what features are important to you. The only way to really do that is to get out and fish. 

Nailed it, IMO.

I had no idea what I wanted when I started buying boats. 

• shallow-V vs. deep-V;
• multipecies vs. bass;
• single console vs. dual console vs. full windshield;
• raised rear deck vs. bigger passenger area;
• tackle boxes on deck vs. storage space for gear;
• side rod storage vs. center rod locker
• 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke
• Humminbird vs. Lowrance
• Minn Kota vs. Motorguide

I'm sure others can add a lot.

I also must be a rare critter as I've only lost money on one boat so far...

My first "boat" was actually a canoe, then progressed to a 8' basshunter. Next I bought a brand new tracker, 16' deep-v tiller model, but with the carpets, livewell, comfy seats, etc. not the traditional 3 aluminium bench seats across it.

It will be 20 yrs old next year and although the carpet is starting to go, its been through alot, and worth every penny I put into it. It did get motor/lcr upgrades this year, not that they were failing, it was more of a health issue that forced my hand.

 So,.All things considered? to answer your question? Yes, they do make a good starter boat. But,.. I plan on this boat being with me til I kick the bucket as well, and see no reason why it wont last that long. Ive taken good care of it, eventhough its seen its share of use, (and then some), it doesnt leak, nor is it dented. Other than needing carpets, It still get compliments.

 If the rig your looking at has a decent running motor and no other issues, at a good price?,...Id say do it.

Thanks for the replys guys.. I ended up passing on the boat due to the owner not wanting to take it out on the water before buying. So still looking.

17 hours ago, USMCKoontz said:

Thanks for the replys guys.. I ended up passing on the boat due to the owner not wanting to take it out on the water before buying. So still looking.

Smart move! The majority of the time they don't want to take it out on the water, there's generally something wrong. If they're just that lazy that they don't want to put in any effort to sell it, that's their own problem. Good luck in your search!