|
|
| I have narrowed my used boat search down to 2 boats. I beleive both are priced fair and look in good condition. Which one would you rather fish out of? Which one would you buy?
Boat 1: (Aprox. $8k)- 1999 Lowe FM166S with a 2000 90hp Evinrude FICHT. Has evinrude trolling motor and humingbird electronics, trailer, etc.
Boat 2: (Approx. $9k)- 1998 Tracker Deep V17 with 2001 90hp Mercury ELPTO. Has Motorguide trolling motor with eagle electronics, trailer, etc.
Thanks very much for your input.
Doc |
|
| |
|
| If you plan to troll with that ELPTO Merc, bring your gas mask. I would not walk but run from any Pre-Bombardier (the Bomb) motors. Sorry dude. |
|
| |
|
| Anon does not know what he is talking about so I would not lissen to him. An Evinrude FICHT is a forced or high pressure Direct fuel injected 2 stroke, not a 4 as anon would claim. I don't know about the gas mask on the merc but they are one of the most reliable motors on the market with easy access to parts anyware you go. Save alot of time replacing a busted prop or any thing else on a hard to find time for fishing trip. I agree, stay way from OMCA motors! As for the boat, I don't know much about each but I have not heard bad things about trackers. I am more partial to Lunds and Chrestliners myself.
Cory |
|
| |
|
| I'd go with the non-evinrude option. They had some major problems with them early on. To be honest, I wouldn't get either. There are lots of good deals out there and neither of the 2 looked that price competitive. I could be wrong. |
|
| |
|
| I agree with Treats, except on the Evinrude part (partly because I run one)
Keep looking....Those are not that great of deals....I went thru this last year so I understand the fun and the pain!
|
|
| |
|
| I have never had a problem with either my Evinrude, on my duck boat or Johnson on my fishing boat, I can tell you this and I will be hounded for it. but until mercury can build a damn lower unit that can with stand the torcher of duck hunting I will never buy one, my buddy went that route and is still paying dearly for it. Mercury does build a great engine for the general fisherman. Did you notice I said engine, even the big companies that make them are so stupid they dont no the difference between an engine and motor. Kind of weird. Engine equals, diesel, gas or fuel, or to say the least some form of internal combustion. Motors are ELECTRIC. Sorry I am way off topic hear, but this just drives me nuts.
Jim |
|
| |
|
| About even?
I have run tracker boats and I feel they have a well thought out well designed product in most instances. They have the right buttons in the right places. I was not particularly kind to mine and it functioned with very few problems. As far as mercury motors go I am on my second and have no complaints. The 90 is a well tested design and will serve you well, as will the boat. Looking at both the Lowes and the Tracker and I have in the past when shopping, I would pick the tracker every time. Tracker dealers in my experience are good to get you going and usually service is within reasonable distance. They also support their product by offering you top dollar on your rig if you decide to trade it in on a newer bigger one. The motor guide electric is not my choice but beat the heck out of two of those on two different boats and they kept on ticking, and I put em in the wood the rocks and the bottom often and with much prejudice. As for the price, I think the prices are very reasonable for these two rigs, if not I would love to see where these other guys shop. My vote, take the tracker and don't worry about your choices. |
|
| |
|
| I'm not really familiar on either one, so unfortunately I can't offer advice on those two boats, but a couple of the posts mentioned possibly checking out some other options. I'm not sure how set you are on either of those two rigs, but if you live in Minnesota or Wisconsin go to the NEW JOB!!NEW TRUCK!! thread by Greg M. Click on the Crystal Pierz link and check out their classified section. There were some pretty nice boats in the $5-10,000 price range. Don't know if that would be an option for you at all. No I don't work at Crystal Pierz, but do check out the classifieds often just to get a feel of what the used boat market is like in case I ever am able to upgrade my 14' Lund. Hope this helps.
Andy
|
|
| |
|
| Doc: Avoid the Ficht. The reputation of the Ficht is terrible and probably did as much as anything to cause OMC's bankrupcy. I have one and regret it. The tracker is a decent boat that will serve you well. You get a little more boat than with the Lowe. I had a Lowe 17' deep V and really it was a pretty good rig, too. There should be a whole bunch of boats coming on the market about now and prices will be better now than in the spring. I think you might be able to find a better deal than those two. |
|
| |
|
| I have never been impressed with lowe boats. High sides and a narrow bottom.
Of the two i would go with the tracker. |
|
| |
|
| boats coming on the market about now and prices will be better now than in the spring. I think you might be able to find a better deal than those two.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree with this post.[:bigsmile:] |
|
| |
|
| Thanks everyone,
I new I could count on all of you for some honest advise. I am not comitted to either boat but do feel they are good boats in my price range. I realize I can get more boat for the money if I am willing to travel to view/pickup and also look at older boats. I want as new a boat as possible because I plan on keeping it for at least 5 years and really want as few problems as possible.
Thanks again and let me know if you come across something in IL/IN/Southern WI.
Doc |
|
| |
|
| Doc, Here are some facts on the 166S,16`6 long,beam 85",bottom width 69.5"(not skinny at all,bow height 35"(perfect),transom 21",max.cap/persons 5/750,hull weight#1020,max weight cap.#1275,HP.max 115,hull.90,fuel 27 gal.built-in,this boat will handle 4`ers and get you up in the shallowist creeks(9" draft)which most other boats in that range WILL NOT!This boat rocks at that price and as far as OMC goes,thats like everything else,opinions vary and for me there will never be anything black on the back of my boat!Good hunting! |
|
| |
|
| For whatever it is worth, I have been fishing for fun, guiding and tournaments for over 22 years. I have had lots of engines over the years on many different boats. From 5 horsepower air cooled to my current 225 Optimax. The only ones I can compare to the engines of today are an Merc 90, Merc 115 (2) OMC 150 and a 175, A Merc 150, Mariner 175 and 200 and Merc 225. Total # of times in the shop for the two large OMC Engines. Too numerous to have kept track of, Ranged from plugged lower units and cooling systems to blown power heads. Total times in shop for mercs and mariners. Twice, had carbeuration problem with one of the in line 6 115s. Had a torn diaphragm in the fuel system of my current Opti Max. I will never be anything but Mercury buyer in the future. Oh yeah forgot to mention, had a 1979 55 horsepower 'rude. Pitched a rod through the side 3 days off warranty. |
|
| |
|
| Are these glass boats or recycled beer can boats?
Brian |
|
| |
|
| Recycled beer cans, thats all I can afford. |
|
| |
|
| I'd go with the Tracker V17. My brother and myself fish out of one. We really like it. You can fish 3 dudes out of it pretty easily.
The rod locker is big enough to hold any of our rods. The ride is pretty dry. We have a 1992 with a 90HP OMC. It's not a bad motor.
I like the boat because it's simple, and fairly well layed out.
Your Lakewood is the same height as the casting platforms when you sit the tackle box on the floor....so that gives you even more casting platform!! You can fish 2 up front, or two out back. The boat has the perfect combo of v-hull and low to the water. It's the easiest boat ever to figure eight out of....plus it's got plenty of power at 90hp.
I love my Musky Harasser....that's what we call it. They are solid boats. I got a 1992 and paid $6000 for it. So a 1998 at $9000 sounds like a decent buy.
Go with the Tracker. We love ours. |
|
| |
|
| The hull on the LOWE is better then the Tracker. Envinrude...Mercury...Whatever. I've owned OMC engines for years, my oldest is my Fathers '49 5hp, newest '95 40hp. Had one problem with the 40 right after I bought it(used), 30 day warranty, 50 days later problem ocurred, they still covered it. The 90 FICHT is 2 stroke not 4 stroke. Look closely at both, and buy the one you think is best not what we say is best. |
|
| |
|
| Doc, where are you? We may be able to put you onto something. Also, check out walleyecentral.com in their classified adds as well as traderonline.com. When Phish Killer was just looking for a boat, I was able to find him over 30 used boats that fit his needs and pocket book on traderonline. Just trying to help. |
|
| |
|
| Here's a little advice from a used-to-be-car-dealer:
1. be angry at all times, keeps the guy selling the boat off-balance
2. make him think there's less than about a 3% chance you'll buy the boat. Chances are he really, really needs the money for some crisis, so this will make him more agreeable to a lowball offer
3. keep asking for repairs that might be needed to be taken care of before you buy it--new trailer tires, upholstery, lights, radio, point out any nicks
4. ask him if he'll guarantee to fix anything that might go wrong with the boat, motor, electronics, or trailer for at least a year
5. offer at least $1,500 less than the asking price, and make sure the first offer is one of those 999-type numbers, like $6,999
6. call the guy Pal
7. bring along a friend who doesn't talk at all, just a lot of huffs and guffaws (think: Al Gore in a presidential debate)
8. and ask if he'll write up a bill of sale for a real lowball number for tax purposes, like $1,999
Good Luck,
Former Chevy Dealer |
|
| |
|
| Treats,
I am in the Chicagoland area.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Doc |
|
| |
|
| For your price range, I bet you could find a used 1650 crestliner, lund 1650 explorer or an alumacraft navigator, all better boats. |
|
| |
|
| I'd go with the tracker then. I think that's the better built boat.
Brian |
|
| |
|
| Doc if in the chicago area I just saw a Lund(not sure of the size or price) at 79th and pulaski just north of 79th for sale. It was in someones driveway right on pulaski. |
|
| |
|
| Thanks everyone for your help and guidance. I have just purchased a new boat from Crest Marine in Crestwood IL. They are going out of business. I got a (brand new/ never seen water)2001 Lowe FM179S with a 2001 Evinrude 115 FICHT w/trailer,etc. for $10,700 out the door. They still have some boats/motors/etc available if anyone is interested. Now I get to just look at the new boat all winter.........
Thanks again,
Doc |
|
| |
