Topic: Bass tracker in RI

[kp1267]

Hi to all I'm new to the forum like 5 minutes new. I am really wanting to buy a tracker pro 170 but after reading a bunch of articles on RI DEM site and others there are many lakes and ponds that have HP limits is it worth buying the tracker to bass fish in RI?
Many thanks in advance.

[Bob W - RI]

Welcome. If it's your first boat I would agree with a bass tracker. I purchased a PT 175 in 2001 new and still have it. I still love it and use it offen. My next will be 190 tracker. The aluminum is good with the amount of lakes in RI that are shallow with rocks. That is one of the reasons for hp limits for safety and the size of the body of water. There is still plenty of lakes that you can run an outboard in RI. And lots of places in MA an CT that are great to fish that you will need and want a an outboard. Let us know what you do and good luck!

Bob W.

[Curt - NC]

Welcome to the site!

Definitely go with the Tracker and don't let the HP limits discourage you. On the lakes with the HP limits, you can still use your trolling motor.

And as @Bob W  -  RI   said, there are good lakes where there are no HP limits. And, CT & MA also have some awesome places to fish, depending on where in RI you live.

One word of advice when it comes to buying your new boat. Get the biggest outboard your boat is rated for and that you can afford to buy. The biggest regret of most boat buyers is that they wish they had bought a bigger outboard 

Let us know how it goes!

[kp1267]

Thanks for the quick responses. This is my first boat I have been out of the sport for a few years but hope to get back to fishing this season.

[Joe P]

If you can afford it i would suggest moving up to the 175 TXW. The 89" beam will be much more stable on rougher water and will have a better resale in the future.  The 175 with a 75 hp will be a nice rig for around here!

The new Trackers are really nice, they did a good job with the updates and quality

[Bob W - RI]

Yes, I agree with Joe. The 175 and up also have an all welded hill too! The 170 and smaller I beleive are all riveted.

Bob W

[Curt - NC]

Yep! What @Joe P and @Bob W  -  RI said!

[kp1267]

Unfortunately I'm buying it used 2014 so I'm not going to be able to upgrade the motor it comes with a 40 hp. I also checked and the pro 170 is all welded. Thanks for the help.

[Curt - NC]

That's OK @kp1267 . It will get you out there catching bass!!

[Bob W - RI]

Sounds like a great first boat and should hold its value! Seeing down the road we all upgrade! Wish you the best of luck and hope to see you on the water after this white stuff goes away and temps increase!

Bob W

Log into this site from time to time and you can learn about different places to fish, tournaments, and different techniques or lures used. Lots of information from lots of great people.

[Mitz]

@kp1267 The one really good thing about Tracker Boats is they don't typically loose much value! I remember when I bought my 95 Tracker 185 with a 60HP for $5000 and 5 years later when I sold it I got $4500! 5 years of use for only $100 a year plus gas! 

Great boats for RI waters.  Best of luck!

[Curt - NC]

@kp1267 The one really good thing about Tracker Boats is they don't typically loose much value! I remember when I bought my 95 Tracker 185 with a 60HP for $5000 and 5 years later when I sold it I got $4500! 5 years of use for only $100 a year plus gas! 

Great boats for RI waters.  Best of luck!

Exactly right, @Mitz For whatever reason, they do hold their value quite well. As long as they're in good shape, it's not hard to get $5000 for one, even that's over 10 years old.

[RAYZCT]

First,  CT has various speed limits on all lakes and the maximum speed limit on any inshore bodies of water in CT is 45 mph.

I have a 2008 Tracker 170 and it has done everything I wanted it to do.  Rod locker will hold an 8ft rod but is only advertised as a 7ft.  If you don't use the side straps in the locker you could store almost ten rods in it, rod sleeves suggested.  I only opted for the 25 hp 4 stroke because that is the maximum hp allowed on Quabbin Reservoir where I fish often.  I still can run at 20mph with 2 anglers and all their gear, gets the job done. IMHO, a 60mph boat is overkill in southern New England except for Candlewood Lake and as mentioned above, max speed is only 45mph.  IMHO, any boat that can exceed 45 mph is a waste of $, purely an ego trip.  Not saying ego trips are evil, we all take them.LOL

[kp1267]

@RAYZCT agreed. I work in CT, where is the Quabbin Res?

[RAYZCT]

Quabbin is a 20K+ acre reservoir NE of Springfield, MA, an area of 5 towns that was flooded in the late '30s to provide water for eastern Massachusetts.  Northern end is Orange, MA and southern end is around Ware. There are no buildings, docks or anything on the shoreline.  The lake is about 13 miles long and has restrictions, max hp 25 4 stroke, all boats must be inspected ($40.00) and 'sealed".  If seal is broken, boat is not allowed back on lake. No Mass license needed, $5 per day fee plus a couple od bucks for parking.  I buy an annual $25 senior pass that includes everything plus anyone in my car with me.

It is a fishermen's paradise especially during the spring. 2 years ago, one of our "crew" caught a 7lb 1 oz small mouth. No pleasure boats, PWC or general public to deal with, boat rentals available, three great state maintained launches.  Just put Quabbin into a Bing or Google map search.  There is a Quabbin website with all the details.  It really is an under fished lake due to the hp and inspection restrictions.  75 smallmouth spring days are a norm.  The only places that beat it in New England are some of the Maine lakes.