Hey everybody just wondering what you guys thought of the Pro 16 from Tracker boats. I have been looking into them for a while and really like the boat for the price. I have a buddy that owns an older one and he loves it. I fish out of a 8 foot livingston right now and really want a bass boat. Anyways just wondering what you guys thought.

Thanks for looking, Roby

IMO you could do better at the same price buying used.  All you're getting with that boat is a carpeted 16' jon with a livewell and a console.

I just pulled out my BPS catalog to look at this boat.  The welded hull is cool.  At 16 feet, understand that waves over a food might become challenging.  Does it have a built in gas tank or do you have to go portable?  Refer back to waves being challenging and a portable  gas tank bouncing around in the back compartment.  How does it fasten down and is it secure forever? 

I think it is somewhat underpowered both in the gas motor and trolling motor.  The rule for motor

power is to buy the biggest you can afford that will fit.  It doesn't say anything about max horsepower rating.  How much money to upgrade to something close to that?  Same for trolling motor.  Is there an upgrade opportunity for a 24 volt system?

I'd be thinking about a four stroke, both for ease of everyday operation and long term maintenance.

What is the quality of the trailer?  I've had pals with BPS boats that had wiring issues, nothing totally serious but a genuine pain to deal with.

Where does the service get done?  I've had pals who had issues with in-store boat mechanics.  What is the reputation of their shop?

The bottom line is just do enough research that you are cool with your decisions.

Ask yourself all these questions and more.  I'm assuming that you have a vehicle capable of pulling it.

I just pulled out my BPS catalog to look at this boat. The welded hull is cool. At 16 feet, understand that waves over a food might become challenging. Does it have a built in gas tank or do you have to go portable? Refer back to waves being challenging and a portable gas tank bouncing around in the back compartment. How does it fasten down and is it secure forever?

I think it is somewhat underpowered both in the gas motor and trolling motor. The rule for motor

power is to buy the biggest you can afford that will fit. It doesn't say anything about max horsepower rating. How much money to upgrade to something close to that? Same for trolling motor. Is there an upgrade opportunity for a 24 volt system?

I'd be thinking about a four stroke, both for ease of everyday operation and long term maintenance.

What is the quality of the trailer? I've had pals with BPS boats that had wiring issues, nothing totally serious but a genuine pain to deal with.

Where does the service get done? I've had pals who had issues with in-store boat mechanics. What is the reputation of their shop?

The bottom line is just do enough research that you are cool with your decisions.

Ask yourself all these questions and more. I'm assuming that you have a vehicle capable of pulling it.

Thanks for the reply. On there site it says max hp is 30 which to me sounds low. Thanks for all the questions i should ask myself a lot of those i did not think of.

Roby

I agree with Burley.  Pro16 is a nice jon boat.  For the same price as a new one, you can buy a bigger and better a used rig.   

I was looking at them as well last fall. I went to the showroom and realized that boat seemed awfully small. That made me look at the ProTeam 175 (which is a nice boat). Then for that price, I realized I could get a 4-5 year old Nitro that is still in great shape. Then I realized that boat would lock me out of all the electric only lakes I love so much (and are the closest to where I live).

...So I ended up buying a used 16' jon mod-V and doing a complete custom decking, livewell, 24V system conversion myself. :

My first question i'll ask is, what size water will you be fishing on? how big of a vehicle will you be towing it with? and do you like the boat! I f you like the boat and won't be taking it to Guntersville etc, then it should be fine, several year's ago I bought a used pro-17 that ended up leaking water really bad, it was riveted > The "newer" tracker's are "welded" but I have a buddy's 2006 bass tracker that ended up having a break in a weld and he ended up sending it back to missouri but they fixed it and gave him a new cover to boot! I ended up selling my 350-v ranger becuz I didnt feel "safe" backing it down some of the ramp's with my jeep cherokee and I wasn't about to buy a "new" tow vehicle. If you like the boat and believe it will do all you want it to buy it! And remember it isn't the boat that catch'es the bass it's the guy in the front. junebugman

For 9K you can buy a lot of nice used boats.  If you just have to buy a new one, tracker has a grizzly that is 17' with a bigger motor for roughly the same cost.

http://trackerboats.com/boat/motors.cfm?boat=3270

...So I ended up buying a used 16' jon mod-V and doing a complete custom decking, livewell, 24V system conversion myself. :

Yea i have been thinking of doing that also it will save me a lot of money. If you don't mind post up some pics of yours all done. Thanks for the reply, Roby

My first question i'll ask is, what size water will you be fishing on? how big of a vehicle will you be towing it with? and do you like the boat! I f you like the boat and won't be taking it to Guntersville etc, then it should be fine, several year's ago I bought a used pro-17 that ended up leaking water really bad, it was riveted > The "newer" tracker's are "welded" but I have a buddy's 2006 bass tracker that ended up having a break in a weld and he ended up sending it back to missouri but they fixed it and gave him a new cover to boot! I ended up selling my 350-v ranger becuz I didnt feel "safe" backing it down some of the ramp's with my jeep cherokee and I wasn't about to buy a "new" tow vehicle. If you like the boat and believe it will do all you want it to buy it! And remember it isn't the boat that catch'es the bass it's the guy in the front. junebugman

The lakes i fish are not very big so the size of the boat and motor should be fine. I will be towing it with an 04 tundra so i will also be fine there. Im also pretty sure it will do everything i want and i really do like it but i havent seen it in person so my mind may change. Thanks for the reply, Roby

For 9K you can buy a lot of nice used boats. If you just have to buy a new one, tracker has a grizzly that is 17' with a bigger motor for roughly the same cost.

http://trackerboats.com/boat/motors.cfm?boat=3270

Thats a nice boat and i like how it can withstand a bigger motor. I don't have to buy new and it sounds like i probaly shouldn't and just get a nicer boat for the same price as a new one costs. Thanks for the reply, Roby

I will throw in my humble $0.02.....

I bought the pro16 last year from BPS with the 30HP merc....

I fish Smith Lake, Lay Lake, Logan Martin a bit, and some private ponds.  I have been happy so far with the motor - the speed (tops at like 28-30mph or so.  It is a smaller boat, but very comfortable - the trolling motor I have no quams with - if set to the highest seeting it will pull that boat very easily.  The seats have held up in the last year and they are comfortable.  The livewell has worked fine for me.

I thought about used - I think you can get a better value used for certain - but I didnt have the cash and bought mine on a nice line of credit at like 5.2%......

For me the lack of money was an issue - if you can secure the cash one way or the other, then there is likely a more cost-effective route to take, but for me I am happy with it so far.  I think some of the other ideas regarding jon boats are probably good ones too - but with all that said, I have been quite pleased with my purchase really - but I have not tasted the forbidden fruit of a larger motor or a larger boat really so ignorance is bliss I suppose.

For 8500 bucks its not a steal and you can certainly find a used - but for brand new little bass boat like that, it is by far not a rip off - at least that is what I tell myself and am happy with that rationalization  - plus you are buying into a warrty as well which has some value I suppose to it. But I am NOT a boat expert - so take that with a big ol' grain of salt!!

Good Luck

There is a reason used boats are cheaper, especially in the case of a private sale.  There is no warranty/guarantee.  You buy it, you own it, and all the problems that may come with it.

You are on your own unless you can prove fraud on the part of the seller.

For sure, you can find some great deals.  You can also be left holding the bag.

Follow the same procedure you should when buying a used car.  Have it checked by a reputable mechanic, and/or even a boat appraiser, unless you know the owner.

Even then, these deals can be the demise of friendships.

I will throw in my humble $0.02.....

I bought the pro16 last year from BPS with the 30HP merc....

I fish Smith Lake, Lay Lake, Logan Martin a bit, and some private ponds. I have been happy so far with the motor - the speed (tops at like 28-30mph or so. It is a smaller boat, but very comfortable - the trolling motor I have no quams with - if set to the highest seeting it will pull that boat very easily. The seats have held up in the last year and they are comfortable. The livewell has worked fine for me.

I thought about used - I think you can get a better value used for certain - but I didnt have the cash and bought mine on a nice line of credit at like 5.2%......

For me the lack of money was an issue - if you can secure the cash one way or the other, then there is likely a more cost-effective route to take, but for me I am happy with it so far. I think some of the other ideas regarding jon boats are probably good ones too - but with all that said, I have been quite pleased with my purchase really - but I have not tasted the forbidden fruit of a larger motor or a larger boat really so ignorance is bliss I suppose.

For 8500 bucks its not a steal and you can certainly find a used - but for brand new little bass boat like that, it is by far not a rip off - at least that is what I tell myself and am happy with that rationalization - plus you are buying into a warrty as well which has some value I suppose to it. But I am NOT a boat expert - so take that with a big ol' grain of salt!!

Good Luck

Thanks for the reply. Im glad to see someone has bought and liked it. I also haven't fished out of big boats so for a first time bass boat i think i will be pleased.

Roby

There is a reason used boats are cheaper, especially in the case of a private sale. There is no warranty/guarantee. You buy it, you own it, and all the problems that may come with it.

You are on your own unless you can prove fraud on the part of the seller.

For sure, you can find some great deals. You can also be left holding the bag.

Follow the same procedure you should when buying a used car. Have it checked by a reputable mechanic, and/or even a boat appraiser, unless you know the owner.

Even then, these deals can be the demise of friendships.

Thats the exact reason im kind of scared about buying used. It may look great until i bring it home and then it starts falling apart in my yard ;D Thanks for the reply, Roby

I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and if it works for you, great.

But....

The Pro 16 isn't what I'd call a 'bass boat'.  I hate to beat a dead horse, but like I said above, it's nothing but a carpeted & platformed jon.   

It's a nice enough boat for what it is, but when you can get a new PT170 for $4K more, which includes storage and a larger motor.  I took a hard look at the Pro 16 last year, as the price wasn't bad.  The lack of storage and a maximum HP rating of 30 is what made me look elsewhere.

You can find great used Trackers less than five or six years old for the same price you'll pay for that Pro 16.  I paid $6000 for a 2001 PT185 last summer.  Other than a few odds and ends, I've not had to do repairs.

Like I said, if the Pro 16 will work for you, go for it.  But don't be surprised when you're looking for another boat after a year or so.

I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and if it works for you, great.

But....

The Pro 16 isn't what I'd call a 'bass boat'. I hate to beat a dead horse, but like I said above, it's nothing but a carpeted & platformed jon.

It's a nice enough boat for what it is, but when you can get a new PT170 for $4K more, which includes storage and a larger motor. I took a hard look at the Pro 16 last year, as the price wasn't bad. The lack of storage and a maximum HP rating of 30 is what made me look elsewhere.

You can find great used Trackers less than five or six years old for the same price you'll pay for that Pro 16. I paid $6000 for a 2001 PT185 last summer. Other than a few odds and ends, I've not had to do repairs.

Like I said, if the Pro 16 will work for you, go for it. But don't be surprised when you're looking for another boat after a year or so.

Yea i may buy a real good bass boat used if i can get a good price and if i check out everything so i know theres nothing wrong. I also agree that it is just a really nice carpeted jon. The only problem i have is the hp rating. 30 hp is way enough for the lakes i fish but having more would be nice. Thanks for the reply, Roby

I bought a 2003 bass tracker pro team 165 a couple of months ago. The guy that owned it before me upgraded the motor to a 40HP Merc. This boat is just the older version of the one your looking at. I like the boat (it's my first boat). I got for $3,000. Can't beat that. If I had $9,000 to spend though, I think I would get a lightly used pro team 175. They are a nicer boat in my opinion. When I can offord it I will be moving up to the 175 or a small glass boat. But with that said, the pro 16 will catch fish just find. Hope this helps.

I looked at the tracker 170 TX when I got my pro 16.  For 4000 bucks more (which is by my count a significant amount of money) you get a slightly (2 inches longer) boat - 680 lbs vs. 1050 lbs -  but by my account the same basic "john boat" as the pro 16 (except a tad bigger and heavier.  The motor is larger (50 horse) and top speed I believe is at 30-32 MPH - which is in my view no real step up from the pro 16.....I am not an expert really, so feel free to openly correct me, but what exactly are we buying here with the additional 4000 - I think that perhaps the Pro16 for 4000 less will actually do the same things as the 170??  At least that was my thinking when I compared the two. Correct me if I missed a critical difference between these models. And with that additional 4 thousand you spend you could put killer electronics and still have a couple grand to spare.

I looked at it this way too...how much is the 30HP motor cost or worth?  How much is the "carpeted john boat" worth, the electronics, and the warranty?  Then ask "will the Pro16 meet my fishing needs/demands?"  I think if you ask yourself these questions one could easily swallow the 8500 dollar price tag for the Pro16.....granted, you will find a potentially much better used deal, but you have to be willing to roll the dice there to a degree and also demands you have the liquidity to buy said boat.

Also, this may be a dumb question - but what exaclty is the technical difference between a "John Boat" and a "bass boat"?  Semantics I think perhaps.  The Pro16 has a console, casting decks, chairs, nice steering, electronic tilt and trim, and a depth sounder (cheap one though - i replaced mine for a HB998 ) - If my boat is a "John Boat" then I am proud of my little "John Boat" 

Now I will duck  ;D

Oh, and for whatever its worth, I have had mine right at a year and am lovin it still - cant wait to go fish Lewis Smith Lake this weekend and get on some striper topwater bite baby - yeah!! 

Storage - Pro16 I has a rear storage compartment and a larger one on the bow casting deck....I believe the 170 has essentially an identical setup - oh and this made me laugh so hard - I had no idea I had some storage under one of the lower seats (passenger) until I saw them on the tracker website, hahahah - I really know my boat apparently

BigEbass, the PT170TX is 2" longer and 11" wider than the Pro 16-that equates to a lot more stability and the higher HP/load rating. That is why I chose the 170 since I fish alone most of the time but take one to two anglers with me occasionally. Either way I would have a 9.9 4-stroke on it for the waters I fish the most.

I have seen a couple of anglers ( not real heavy weights either) fishing in the Pro 16 and every body movement is exaggerated with the hull rocking. The guy up front had a pro pole and looked like he was in danger of being thrown out when his partner would move around on the back deck.

I bought a 2003 bass tracker pro team 165 a couple of months ago. The guy that owned it before me upgraded the motor to a 40HP Merc. This boat is just the older version of the one your looking at. I like the boat (it's my first boat). I got for $3,000. Can't beat that. If I had $9,000 to spend though, I think I would get a lightly used pro team 175. They are a nicer boat in my opinion. When I can offord it I will be moving up to the 175 or a small glass boat. But with that said, the pro 16 will catch fish just find. Hope this helps.

Thats an awesome deal you got. Thanks for the reply, Roby

Also, this may be a dumb question - but what exaclty is the technical difference between a "John Boat" and a "bass boat"?

I have the same question. What really is the difference?Besides how the acctual bass boats like skeeter and ranger are glass and the tracker is alluminum.

Roby

BigEbass, the PT170TX is 2" longer and 11" wider than the Pro 16-that equates to a lot more stability and the higher HP/load rating. That is why I chose the 170 since I fish alone most of the time but take one to two anglers with me occasionally. Either way I would have a 9.9 4-stroke on it for the waters I fish the most.

I have seen a couple of anglers ( not real heavy weights either) fishing in the Pro 16 and every body movement is exaggerated with the hull rocking. The guy up front had a pro pole and looked like he was in danger of being thrown out when his partner would move around on the back deck.

Woops, see I guess I needed corrected

What about top speed - it really aint that much greater than the Pro16 - so the added HP is just to move that bigger boat at about a similar speed as the Pro16 (although it appears about 5 mph greater).

Its likely definately more stable than the Pro16 - my boat is noticably less stable than my neighbors larger boat - bigger boats are more stable?  Is the Pro16 too unstable?  Not for me so far - although I look out for big wakes and such - if you aint careful it can definately knock you off balance in that pro16 - its a 16 foot vessel and relatively narrow - so thats physics for you.

Is it too unstable for me?  Nope.  it does move around easier with you and your fishing buddy moving around, but I never had a real problem with that so far to any significant extent - it is stable enough based on our experience on the water - granted, it is less stable - so the 170 you get more stability.

The Pro16 fits perfectly in my garage parking spot at my house - much longer or wider it wouldnt fit - that is just a side note - I freakin love storing it in the garage - no hassel!

So, for 4000 bucks more you get a relatively more stable, longer boat that goes a bit faster....based on that, I would say the extra 4000 is generally worth it, but for me, I still would not pay the 4000 bucks again....I dont think it would overall change my fishing experience much at all really - although I suppose the next time I fall out of the boat I may recant