Look at Tracker Grizzly/Low Roughneck boats in person?

[Matt]

I accidentally posted this in the fishing reports, sorry about that.

So I've had way too much free time on my hands from being out of work from an injury, and I've given some serious thought towards a new boat in the next few years. Since I now live on the Lake, and have a boat launch on our property, it seems like this is all going to waste without a nice boat to use here

I would mainly be targeting warmwater species, but really anything in the Lake would be fair game. I narrowed it down to a Lowe Roughneck or a Tracker Grizzly. They both seem to be boats more suited to shallower waters. I'm hoping to stalk fish via sight fishing with a push pole on a platform up front and in the back if possible. Those two boats seem to fit the bill very well but also look well suited to fish for walleye if I ever got into it more. The boats I'm looking at are way more than I would ever really need, but the way I see it is that a boat of that value is a long-term investment, and I know down the road I will probably venture into other species as I learn the Lake a bit more.

So, my question is - where in the Burlington/Swanton area would I even be able to see these boats in person? It's hard to judge them by pictures alone, and would love to check them out in person before making any decisions. This won't be happening anytime soon, and I'm always on the lookout for used boats that fit the bill, but financing a NEW boat with NEW everything seems like the safest bet but obviously not the most economical. For the time being, my little jon boat with an electric motor is good enough, but my head is in the clouds after looking at new boats. So, does anyone know if there are either model of those that I'd be able to see in person? 17-18', SC or CC?

Thanks!

[duckhunter]

Matt,

I have a 1754 grizzly tracker, live in Addison but if you would like to take a look at it sometime, let me know. Mine is a tiller steering tho 25 merc.


Loyd

[SUNFISH]

Matt, Let me ask again? Where will you be launching and how much of the big lake do you hope to fish?
Dick

[Matt]

Matt,

I have a 1754 grizzly tracker, live in Addison but if you would like to take a look at it sometime, let me know. Mine is a tiller steering tho 25 merc.


Loyd

Do you have any trouble in swampy shallow areas??? If you pick the motor up how shallow do you think you can push around? Down to 1'? Thank you!

[Matt]

Matt, Let me ask again? Where will you be launching and how much of the big lake do you hope to fish?
Dick

I wish I knew for sure, but really anywhere is fair game. I guess within an hour radius of Swanton would be my launch but my house has a launch I can use and motor wherever from there. I guess it depends on the boats range and where on the IS I want to fish. I suspect alot of the fish I want to target can be found close to home. I've already found quite a few. Im always interested in big fish (carp, drum, gar, bowfin) but wouldn't mind getting into eyes or even jigging up lakers.

[SUNFISH]

Matt, We used to call Jon boats "coffin boats"? They are so limited and dangerous when high winds hit even the IS. Once you cut a head on wave over the bow they just slide under the water. If you seriously think about investing in a new Tracker I would consider something with a little more hull to turn wind and waves and let you cover much further than the water in your back yard. We have two Tracker V hulls and the electric motor on the bow lets us sneak right between the cat tails and weed mats to chase bows, pike and bass. A little investment in gunnel sliders lets us run out into the deep water and troll for salmon. By the time you finance a boat for 10 years you might want to look at all the options. A Grizzly with a 40 horse might cost you $16,000 but a 17 ft. Tracker with a 90 horse will cost another 5 or 6 thousand. You can reduce that price a lot by going with a 60 horse instead. I can't imagine paying $16,000 for a two man boat that is only good for prowling the swamps or chasing walleye in the river? Enjoy whatever you decide to get.
Dick

[fishingmachine]

Matt ,tale a look at Hewescraft boats,I was in a 16 footer that you could fish 4 people in and not worry about how rough it got,deep ,wide and all welded aluminum,even the windows and the front door which leads to the bow area which has scuppers in it if the waves come over the bow.

[Matt]

The deep v boats are nice but they won't go as shallow as I need. The mod v boats also look nice and I like the simplicity of everything like storage under the floors so fly line won't get snagged on everything. The prices are similar at $16,000 as well. I think the deciding factor would be seeing the differences in person.

[fishmaster176]

Just as a point of reference, the Grizzly 1754 isn't a flat nosed "coffin" boat. It has a modified v-hull more like the Basstracker series. It's wide and fairly heavy. Not a car topper. There is a 1648 at VT Home and Marine. If you want a console type, then you have to buy into a package deal.

[Matt]

Just as a point of reference, the Grizzly 1754 isn't a flat nosed "coffin" boat. It has a modified v-hull more like the Basstracker series. It's wide and fairly heavy. Not a car topper. There is a 1648 at VT Home and Marine. If you want a console type, then you have to buy into a package deal.

The 16' don't come as a package with a console right? I will have to check that one out to see the style of boat to see if it's something I would like. But you're right it's a mod V style not a true flat bottom.

[SUNFISH]

Matt, I didn't notice that the 1754 is a modified V hull? Much better than a flat bottom Jon boat. Still a lot of money for a fair weather boat but might be great for your needs.
Dick

[fishmaster176]

If you go on the Tracker site, you can check them out and do the "build a boat" option. The prices are a national " no dicker" price. I'm an old cheapo and like to drive the sales folks crazy. This takes all the fun out of it.