Tracker 175 TF - first time out. Need advice.

[DoyleAlley]

In addition to the above mentioned break-in, don't spend too much time at full throttle. There is a real reason that commercial fishermen get several thousand hours out of their outboards while a bass fisherman's outboard life is measured in hundreds.

Also, make sure your boat is propped right for the load you normally carry. The only thing that will ruin your motor faster than always running at top RPM is lugging it. Since Tracker tends to under-power its boats, they are also frequently over-propped. If your motor doesn't get close to the top of the rated RPM range with a normal load of people/gear/livewell/etc. then you are over propped.

[Chuck Adams]

Good luck and congratulations on new boat.
Break in important on motor.
Drain plug very important.
As others say, don’t put trailer in too deep.
Wait until you get trailer to waters edge before unhooking bow from winch.
Try to go to ramp where not busy so you don’t feel rushed the first couple times.
Get a routine and do it the same so it gets to be second nature.
Good luck.
Chuck


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[Chuck Adams]

Side note:::
Buddy that is somewhat of a boater was launching his friends Brand new ( maiden voyage) tracker and was backing down the ramp. Guess what
Hit brake on truck about half way down.
You guessed it!!!
Boat slid off and on ramp it sits with about half still on trailer.
Skeg broken on big motor before even getting wet.
He is a friend of 40 years and I would have loved to have been there to give him some love and support!! Lol



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[windstone]

doin all this by yourself is really tuff sometimes..have a partner with you, one with experience would be helpful. new boat, runners slick, do not unhitch boat from safety chain until trailer halfway in the water..good luck, go fish..

[Speckalator]

Some really good advice has been offered already. Can't add to much but I would highly recommend taking your time loading and launching.
Most mistakes I've made was while being in a hurry.
Ask God to be with you to have safe uneventful trips. Can't stress enough to pray for safety. Catching fish is a bonus but getting to lake and getting home safe is my main goal.

I try to check for plug before leaving home and check again at lake. Get comfortable life jackets. Reread this thread as it has some good advice.

I leave the winch and safety chains attached until my trailer tires are in water. I launch alone a lot and have tried several different methods and I think you will eventually find one that works best for you. My favorite way is to launch beside a walkway or courtesy ramp. Allows me to get boat to just beginning to float off trailer and then step in boat and unhook winch strap. We can't do that here during drawdown much but it is good for me when possible.

Your boat is a beauty and I wish you much success with the fishing !

[jay the baptist]

Mistakes are made when we get in a hurry, thus, take your time, think and enjoy.
Set those mirrors on truck just right.
Make sure of your footing when on ramp and stepping onto trailer tongue.
Wear that kill switch.
Watch out for stupid people in fast boats. Gets worse every year. Arm yourself.

[skunked again]

Agree with what's been said!
Will add - go ahead and put a dent or scratch on it. With mu past two boats, I was extra careful, and did more harm than good. Then, the first one is out of the way! !

[jp2]

Don’t forget, to tilt motor up some when loading and unloading so you won’t drag the skeg up and down ramp.

[Eagle 1]

Only time I ever had someone to run into my boat was trying to get boat on plane and had the motor up as he left the ramp . Start with motor down then raise if more speed is needed . Unlike some I ask visitors to allow me to do everything to launch and load . I have heard that "I thought you did that" way to many times .

[skeetbum]

You’ve chosen well, very nice rig. This is my take on “what to do”. You need to develop your own system. You will launch alone and you need to have a system that you go through, starting when you connect to the truck. Everyone asks what they can do and I tell em all”just watch”. You will pay for the mistakes. That said, if you have to pay for them, you’ll pay attention to make sure they don’t happen. A 30’ rope to tie to the bow eye and the other end to the winch post. This is to let the boat float off the trailer without floating away.

The sweet spot can only be found by doing the load procedure several. It’ll come, don’t rush. Two more inches of fender showing makes a big difference. The trailer is meant to be driven onto, not cranked with the winch. Watch others when time allows, I learn from them all the time.