First boat (to be) and would like opinions

[bnlfan]

I am going to buy my first boat ever and here it is. I would like your opinions.
The cost is $9815.00 before taxes. If I buy before April 15th I get 5 years factory warranty on the motor.



2009 TRACKER Pro 16
w/ 30 ELPT FourStroke EFI Motor and Trailer

Specifications
Length 16' 1''
Beam 70"
Transom Height 20"
Bottom Width 48"
Max. Recommended HP 30 HP
Max. Person Capacity 3 Persons
Max. Person Weight 435 Lbs.

Max. Weight Capacity 855 Lbs.
Hull Material 0.090 5052 Marine Alloy
Weight (approx.) 665 Lbs.
Fuel Capacity 6 Gallons
Package Length 19' 6''
Package Width 6' 4''
Package Weight (approx.) 1272 Lbs.

Selected Options
Additional options were not selected.

Standard Features
Comfort, Safety & Convenience
Non-skid bow mat
Drink holder
Battery tray

Flotation meets or exceeds NMMA & U.S. Coast Guard requirements
Bow & stern eyes
Construction
All-welded, 1-piece hull construction
All-welded aluminum transom
Extruded 1-piece, heavy-duty gunnel

Injected, compressed hull foam
Marine-grade, cut-pile carpeting throughout
MarineTech® pressure-treated floors & decks w/limited lifetime warranty
Dash/Console
Molded console w/built-in drink holder
Midnight Lazer switch panel
Mercury® control box

Molded, tinted plexiglass windscreen
Navigation light, aerator & bilge toggle switches
Electrical
Interstate® cranking/trolling battery
12V trolling motor harness

Stowable navigation lights
500 GPH (1,892.71 LPH) bilge pump
Electronics
Lowrance® X51 Pro fish finder w/surface temperature, battery monitor & swivel

Interior
Carpeted step to aft deck
Port rod holders w/organizer for 4 rods
Fold-down helm & buddy fishing seats
Bow & aft fishing seats

Bow trolling motor deck w/non-skid surface
Passenger underseat storage
Elevated bow & aft casting decks w/storage
Livewell Systems
Aerated bow livewell w/recess for bait bucket

500 GPH (1,892.71 LPH) aerator pump
Trailer
Color-coordinated drive-on trailer
EZ lube hubs
12" (30.48 cm) tires w/Silver Metallic powder-coated wheels
Folding tongue jack w/swivel wheel
Nylon tie-down straps

Winch strap w/safety strap
Submersible lights
Welded tubular frame
Transom saver
Non-skid fender pads
Trolling Motor
MotorGuide® 12V, 46-lb. thrust, 36" (.91 m) shaft, foot-controlled trolling motor

[slimeyslab]

I would buy bigger and used. Just my opinion though. Let someone else eat the cost up front.

[WhitePerchJerker]

I agree with slimeyslab, bigger. Used is the best buy, if you can find what you like. If you do buy used take to the lake and run it a long time to see if there is any problems before you buy. You can't always tell if there is a problem just by running it in the yard. Good luck.

[smashdn]

How about you tell us a little about why you have decided upon this boat?
What kind of lakes do you fish? How do you fish? How many people are you wanting to fish out of it? What sort of price range are you in? Are you wanting aluminum only or would you also look at fiberglass? Are you dead set on having a console?

After you answer these questions everyone here will have a better idea of what to suggest. What might work well fishing slow rivers full of snags may not be the best bet for fishing a shallow rocky river or a large lake. If you plan on spider rigging or just casting jigs it will determine what style of boat you should lean towards.

[Matt Smith]

That is a very cheaply made boat. The hull is thin, it's underpowered, and it uses cheap components. My advice is to get a used 17' boat with at least a 40hp motor if it's a tiller steer or a 60 if it has a console. And don't borrow money to buy the thing.

[logsam]

I own the riveted version of this boat with a 40 Merc. I can tell you that after a days fishing in moderately rough water my back is killing me from the wallowing. Also if someone is on the back every move they make will be magnified. The casting decks raise the center of gravity, magnifying the motion. I usually fish alone so I'm satisfied. Other than lack of room, and the wallowing, I can't say anything negative about the boat. I usually use it in backwaters and rivers, but on Talquin I have to eat Tylenol PM to sleep that night! I wanted the panfisherman (same hull), but got the bass boat for less. Still want the panfisherman. Lesson learned (again): Don't settle for what you don't want to save a little!
I looked at the new model in Desin the other day and noticed the livewell has been moved to the front deck and there was no built in fuel tank. Mine has a built in 12 gallon tank under the rear deck. Still a fine little boat for protected waters though.

[whiskerwhipper]

My biggest regret was buying a brand new tracker grizzly. shouldve listened to JR and bought a used boat. As i am going thru my paper work, tracker failed in going over boat and motor operation. I think the rigging crew knocked sum things loose on my Wesco trailer. If i was you, Id shop around for comparable boats like Duracraft, Stumpknocker, G3, WarEagle, etc. Believe it or not, local dealers will know better about wut boat suits the area you plan on fishing. Also can set you with a deal with a higher hp outboard for same or less price than the tracker itself. besides its hard to get smushed minnows out of the carpet and handling dipbait in a carpeted boat is a death sentence.

[Flatwater]

It is a good boat. I am sure you will enjoy it. 10k is a good investment and like the others I recommend a used boat first, get a fair boat and trailer and invest in a new motor. (If this is your first boat) If not go for it!! The alum boats last forever. I have the PF 16 tracker and only differance is I sit inside the boat. Little more out of wind and less rocking in rough water.

[Ranger R61]

In 2001 I bought a used boat (1998 boat with a 1999 motor). It was about half the price of new boat. It was the second boat I had bought (both used). I anticipated a problem with the second boat. It ended up to be a problem with the trailer. Finally got the manufacturer to correct the problem at their cost. Have had no problem since. The first boat I had a problem starting the motor and finally figured it out (heavy wire touching the choke). Turned the wire 180 degrees and no problem starting the motor from then on.

Would I buy another used boat if I was in the market. Yes. You can get a lot more for your money buying used.

[danny]

Hey man if you like it and have checked it out and like it for the price then buy it and enjoy it have a good time fishing and good luck.