Tracker vs Lowe

robrapp · 02-15-10, 07:21 PM

I just sold my old boat and am ready to buy new. My decision is between a Lowe 170 ST170 and Tracker Pro Team 170 TX. I have compared the two to no end and am looking for advise. The tracker is a little less money but not a deal breaker. Either way I will be going with a 25hp due to local water requirements. I mostly fish largemouth bass but crappie when they are biting. Any help?

Captmikestarrett · 02-15-10, 07:41 PM

I have had both.. The Lowes is a better boat..

I liked my Tracker Pro 17 but split the hull twice.. in three years
Have had my 1682 Lowes roughneck for 10 years and has never leaked after so many tree jumps I can not count.

Mine is no longer made but this close..

http://www.loweboats.com/showroom/we...on/r1655sc.php

Capt Mike

nofearengineer · 02-15-10, 09:06 PM

That is very interesting, Capt. Mike. I think the majority of those boats are 0.100 sheet aluminum hull. I wonder if they are both machine or hand welded. Did your Tracker come apart at the seams?

Captmikestarrett · 02-15-10, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

That is very interesting, Capt. Mike. I think the majority of those boats are 0.100 sheet aluminum hull. I wonder if they are both machine or hand welded. Did your Tracker come apart at the seams?

Once at the front keel and once at the rear.

Both times it was the center seam..

Capt Mike

nofearengineer · 02-15-10, 10:38 PM

Yeah...if it was at the seam, it's almost surely crappy welding. Good welds should be stronger than the material being welded. I hear a lot of horror stories about Trackers. Thankfully, I haven't had any trouble with mine.

BeaverIslander · 02-16-10, 06:40 PM

I was extensively shopping for an aluminum bass boat this last Spring. I ended up going with glass instead, but thats a different story altogether.

I checked out quite a few Lowes, Trackers, and G3 boats. I'd have to say the Lowes I checked out were nicer than the Trackers, but not by much. Just better looking, a little sturdier and a little better build. If it were my money, I would spend a little more on a Lowe.

However, I did find some real bargains on Tracker boats. There's a lot of Trackers PT bassboats on the market and that drove the prices down quite a bit.

MississippiBoy · 02-16-10, 06:48 PM

Lowe's website said their boats are hand-welded, whereas Tracker's site didn't SAY they are, so I'm thinking they're done by machines. Seems like I've heard that before, too...probably on here.

bamabassman · 02-16-10, 09:35 PM

Lowes.....................hands down pal.

02-15-10, 07:21 PM	#1
robrapp BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1	Tracker vs Lowe I just sold my old boat and am ready to buy new. My decision is between a Lowe 170 ST170 and Tracker Pro Team 170 TX. I have compared the two to no end and am looking for advise. The tracker is a little less money but not a deal breaker. Either way I will be going with a 25hp due to local water requirements. I mostly fish largemouth bass but crappie when they are biting. Any help?

02-15-10, 07:41 PM	#2
Captmikestarrett BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accokeek MD Posts: 3,315	I have had both.. The Lowes is a better boat.. I liked my Tracker Pro 17 but split the hull twice.. in three years Have had my 1682 Lowes roughneck for 10 years and has never leaked after so many tree jumps I can not count. Mine is no longer made but this close.. http://www.loweboats.com/showroom/we...on/r1655sc.php Capt Mike __________________ Capt Mike Starrett light tackle guide Potomac River http://www.indianheadcharters.com

02-15-10, 09:06 PM	#3
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	That is very interesting, Capt. Mike. I think the majority of those boats are 0.100 sheet aluminum hull. I wonder if they are both machine or hand welded. Did your Tracker come apart at the seams? __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

02-15-10, 10:38 PM	#5
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Yeah...if it was at the seam, it's almost surely crappy welding. Good welds should be stronger than the material being welded. I hear a lot of horror stories about Trackers. Thankfully, I haven't had any trouble with mine. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

02-16-10, 06:48 PM	#7
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	Lowe's website said their boats are hand-welded, whereas Tracker's site didn't SAY they are, so I'm thinking they're done by machines. Seems like I've heard that before, too...probably on here. __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

02-16-10, 06:40 PM	#6
BeaverIslander BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota Posts: 275	I was extensively shopping for an aluminum bass boat this last Spring. I ended up going with glass instead, but thats a different story altogether. I checked out quite a few Lowes, Trackers, and G3 boats. I'd have to say the Lowes I checked out were nicer than the Trackers, but not by much. Just better looking, a little sturdier and a little better build. If it were my money, I would spend a little more on a Lowe. However, I did find some real bargains on Tracker boats. There's a lot of Trackers PT bassboats on the market and that drove the prices down quite a bit.

02-16-10, 09:35 PM	#8
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	Lowes.....................hands down pal. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

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