Love this video. Looking at upgrading my '96 tracker pro deep v. Was looking at this same boat or the pro guide 175. Ive heard a lot of people saying tracker is garbage stay away. Well my boat has been flawless aside from changing the engine and trilling motor. And my cousin bought one in '99 and had it for 15 or so yrs before the motor blew up.
Just bought the same exact boat a month ago and was having the blow out issue, thanks to your video I talked to the dealer and when they contacted tracker, they said to lower 2 holes just like yours. Waiting a couple days to take it out and test it , hope it works out like it did for you. Thanks for making the video! Side note my prop is a 14x19 enertia
Ive had two tracker boats and knock on wood no issues with either. I grew up with a Pro 17, 12 yrs old to 23 i did things in that where im surprised i never sank it. Im shopping for a new Tracker now. I tend to think your issue is mostly related to the Covid era of pumping out as much product as possible. I see it on the forums with RVs and Tractors too. Your son will remember these adventures forever, i cherish all the days i spent on the water with my Dad now that he's gone. Enjoy every minute of it.
I took delivery on same boat 2 months ago. I noticed the cavation issue right away. Mine has the 150 tho. Also a significant motor shake at low speed. My dealer is not able to replicate my concerns however and I can’t be on the boat when they tested! I have noticed the need to trim a lot and I hope that will reduce the power loss in turns. I don’t have the issue as bad as you’ve described. The motor shake is bigger deal to me as I troll at very slow speeds 1.2-2.5 mph and the boat shakes. Dealer states it’s normal in line motor operation - vs a counter balanced V-6type engine. Idk. But it sure is a great boat. Im sure your son will love driving it when he’s tall enough!! Thx for vid. I shoul do the same vid for north east comparisons
I've had it back on the water a few times since my repairs and adjustments and it seems like all the issues have been fixed. My 200 definitely doesn't have any shake to it even at idle speeds but I'm sure its comparing apples to oranges.
@@thejohnsonfamilyjam1063 Hi there. what was your fix on factory prep blow out ? I am going to be purchasing one same reasons you did and I am trying to ensure these issues are fixed immediately. Thanks in advance! Emir
Great video and info. Waiting for my Targa V18 to be rigged at my local dealer. Ultrex trolling motor back ordered. Ugh. However, I appreciate the insights with the boat and motor. Looking fwd to a good experience
Thanks for the info! We are looking at the Taega now, going from a Ranger 1682 WT. We just need more room in the back of the boat(we primarily catfish). You earned a sub from me!
As I watch to the end I feel for you cuz I went through a lot of the same. Big water leak dealer took boat back for a month of summer..made them replace everything inside the boat under the deck that was underwater. They fixed it all but yeah took time.
I’m a welder no the best but pretty good as my job mostly involves welding. What I can say from what I’ve seen on tracker boats with the leaks are a freaking head ache and annoying but they tend to be fixable and not the end of the world just a headache. The most common with the new ones tends to be the cheap fittings with the live well. Or a piss poor welder messing up with the seam welding and the weld cracking both is fixable. The real reason we are seeing so many of these issues is the models that was built during COVID, causing a severe lack of works in all departments allowed a lot more flawed products to be put into the market. I’m in the market for a new one now and can pay cash but I’ve decided I’m going to to wait another two years before I do it to give the COVID flaws a chance to be worked out
Great video. Thanks to you and our son for putting together such a well organized video. I have been looking at the Targa's as a replacement for my Lowe FS165. Good to know what to look for when I finally pull the trigger on one. One question for you. You mentioned that you use trailer dollies to get the boat in the garage. I would like to see your setup for moving it in the garage. My garage is long enough by is tight width wise. Thanks again!
I actually sold my wheel dollies. Took me some practice but I can back it in where I need it now. Takes me a few tries. The wheel dollies worked well but still needed 2 people to move it around.
Thanks for your video! I have the same boat and set up other than the prop that I bought in January of 23. I have no issues with it coming out of the water to get on plain but I can only trim it a quarter of the way on the trim gauge and I get prop blow out. Did lowering your motor allow you to trim it out more? And if so how far on the gauge?
Follow up, I picked up my V18 from the repair shop. Took it out on the water yesterday. Mercury ProXS 200 ran like a champ!! The issue turned out to be a severely crushed fuel line under the decking that starved the engine for fuel. My Boat runs great...time to go fishing. Can you do a video on Livewell operation to include using switch positions and the "pull out" to drain feature and how that works. Thanks. Good Boating!
I once owned a targa v18. Handled water extremely well. I sold mine this spring. Got a 26 foot fiberglass boat. I miss my aluminum boat so much that I am now selling my 26 foot boat and buying another aluminum boat. I am going with Crestliner this time. Enjoy your tracker. Hope you don't have any further issues. Taking the boat back was unrealistic. You would have lost the entire fishing season.
I live in PA outside of Philadelphia I have a 18 ft center console. Mostly fish in the Delaware river. What were do you fish the boat. Very few lakes in PA to use a gas motor
Tracker boats suck, but your son seems like a brilliant and inquisitive young man. He will never remember the chinese build quality of that rig, but he will remember every smile you both make on it. God bless you both, tight lines 🙏
Sorry to hear about the issues you have had with the boat ! I have had two brand new boats with a year and a half and found out the hard way they garbage! I had to sign paper work so I can’t say what my issues were , but if you want we should talk sometime!!
Took my 2023 Tracker Targa V18 Combo with 200 Mercury Pro XS out for the first time yesterday, 4-30-23 for engine break in. Motor was hard starting, at 1000 rpms did ok with full trim down, pushing up rpms 1500-3000 the Merc would bog down and quit while we out on the lake!!! Tried to run it for about 2 hours but it just kept bogging and quitting even with 30 gallons of 88 octane fresh fuel. Thank God for Trolling Motors. Very disappointed for a boat purchased new in Oct 2022 from Cabela's in Roger's Minnesota. Problem is I don't live near, and dealers are scarce in my neck of the USA. I'll be following up with a Service center tomorrow.
Hey I need to chat about your motor issues and water spray. I have a new Targa and the versa track is twisted so rod holders lean back inward. I suspect everyone lowering the motor is actually a not fixable transome issue.
Seems like everything is fixed now. Even my dealer said the seals Tracker uses aren't the greatest. He ended up replacing them but also siliconed everything as a backup measure.
Let me guess ur live well pump was leaking…I have a 2021 model almost identical…came one weekend to the cottage after I bought it found water in the boat up to the top of the centre storage compartment…boat was full at least one foot water..was a live well pump leak. Was a loose pipe to the pump…lucky I searched for for a leak and was able to see the fast drip.
Turn on back live well on during fishing. I Notice next day checking the center storages compartment where the batterie is store. Saw a foot high of water in it. Can this be the live well pipe connector leak? Maybe loose connector or a seal?
I bought a brand new 2022 model year less than a year ago and honestly I didn't have any issues other than trailer bunk carpet sucks but they redid it for me. I ordered mine from the main Bass Pro in Springfield, MO and I also got the 200 Pro XS. No other upgrades. It's awesome. Didn't watch the whole video. A bit long winded for me. Especially the part about you explaining over and over again about the issue with the prop and the motor being mounted too high. Which was really just a leak. You could have just said it was a leak. Good video otherwise! Again my boat didn't have these issues.
What was the blowout issue? What did it do or what actually happened? I take it you were able to repeat the issues, over and over. I’m getting. V-19. Ordered it a couple months ago, and will be able to get it at the end of winter. I’m just not familiar with the issue. . . All my previous bot were used.
Basically the prop was losing contact with the water. Some people will call it ventilation.....Kind of like your tires spinning in your car when you lose traction....When I would turn right, left or try to trim it out the prop would lose contact with the water and RPMS would spike. The motor was lowered to fix that issue. Good luck with your V-19...All said and done I now love this boat!
What top hole are you using now on your motor. I have lowered mine three holes which equals 2 1/4 inches but have not had the chance to put it in the water yet because of flooding. Maybe I need to raise it up a whole before I put it back in the water?
Update, I want to add...the problem with my boat Engine, 200 HP Mercury ProXS is not the fault of Cabela's in Roger's Minnesota. Dealerships do not put the new boats in the water to test them out. The Dealership was in fact, great to work with, fair and honest, friendly and helpful. This is most likely a Mercury Manufacturing issue...stuff happens. Luckily we got off the lake safely and my boat is now in a service center closer to where I live. The warranty will cover the engine and it'll all work out. The Targa is an awesome boat! do not shy away from looking at them.
I feel bad for everyone suckered by Tracker, I was one of them years ago I bought a 18WT with a merc 115, the merc motor was the best part of the boat, the rest of the boat and the Tracker warranty and service was pure garbage! Sold it at a loss and was happy to be rid of it! Rule of thumb is if they sell them in the parking lot of big box sporting goods stores don't buy it!
just picked mine up 3 things i noticed..no spare tire, the cover is a joke to fiqure out, and the gas fill is on r/h side,vehicle on left..havent had it out yet..also cant find anywhere to order accessories ,like a ski pole
Currently looking at this exact boat, I don't understand how tracker can say most boats perform the way they set the motor. How is that? They are all the same. They should all be the same set up.
I’ve had no issues with water since they repaired all the leaks. The lower floor/battery compartment was full the first time I took it out. None since.
You should have no problem using your tilt right off, but it doesn't surprise me that they had the motor mounted too high. I was looking at buying one, but they seem to have terrible attitudes and customer service. I inquired about a boat and the corporate office called me and I asked them to send me a build sheet and they told me they couldn't do that, so I called the dealer, and he sent it to me. Asked the dealer about getting a trade in value for my old boat and they told me they only take boats in trade that have a Mercury motor. I told them that was over the top stupid.
I have a two car garage. With the boat all the way against the wall I can fit our small SUV next to it while having a little walking room because we have shelves on the opposite wall.
Would you be able to send me pictures of the inside of your locker? I don’t have a local dealer that’s close and want to know what the rod locker looks like please.
You talk to much about something that could have been said in 1/4 the word's. Listen to the little boy straight to the point. Don't need to know every word or thought you had
3 weeks? thats nothing....everytime ive brought my V20 to bass pro it takes half a summer...but its Alaska and thats my only option... i lose half of my short summer just to bring it in...and first summer we had it we put less than 8 hours not even broken in and had it in shop all summer for electrical issues. now they fixed it but my motor wont rim above 2000 rpms and wont go above 2000 rpms until its trimmed all the way down.. it cavitates in hard turns also. only got the 150 wish i had the 225 or 250 though
Thanks for the thorough review . I am looking at this same boat currently.
Love this video. Looking at upgrading my '96 tracker pro deep v. Was looking at this same boat or the pro guide 175. Ive heard a lot of people saying tracker is garbage stay away. Well my boat has been flawless aside from changing the engine and trilling motor. And my cousin bought one in '99 and had it for 15 or so yrs before the motor blew up.
Just bought the same exact boat a month ago and was having the blow out issue, thanks to your video I talked to the dealer and when they contacted tracker, they said to lower 2 holes just like yours. Waiting a couple days to take it out and test it , hope it works out like it did for you. Thanks for making the video!
Side note my prop is a 14x19 enertia
Ive had two tracker boats and knock on wood no issues with either. I grew up with a Pro 17, 12 yrs old to 23 i did things in that where im surprised i never sank it. Im shopping for a new Tracker now. I tend to think your issue is mostly related to the Covid era of pumping out as much product as possible. I see it on the forums with RVs and Tractors too.
Your son will remember these adventures forever, i cherish all the days i spent on the water with my Dad now that he's gone. Enjoy every minute of it.
I took delivery on same boat 2 months ago. I noticed the cavation issue right away. Mine has the 150 tho. Also a significant motor shake at low speed. My dealer is not able to replicate my concerns however and I can’t be on the boat when they tested! I have noticed the need to trim a lot and I hope that will reduce the power loss in turns. I don’t have the issue as bad as you’ve described. The motor shake is bigger deal to me as I troll at very slow speeds 1.2-2.5 mph and the boat shakes. Dealer states it’s normal in line motor operation - vs a counter balanced V-6type engine. Idk. But it sure is a great boat. Im sure your son will love driving it when he’s tall enough!! Thx for vid. I shoul do the same vid for north east comparisons
I've had it back on the water a few times since my repairs and adjustments and it seems like all the issues have been fixed. My 200 definitely doesn't have any shake to it even at idle speeds but I'm sure its comparing apples to oranges.
@@thejohnsonfamilyjam1063 Hi there. what was your fix on factory prep blow out ? I am going to be purchasing one same reasons you did and I am trying to ensure these issues are fixed immediately. Thanks in advance! Emir
Great video and info. Waiting for my Targa V18 to be rigged at my local dealer. Ultrex trolling motor back ordered. Ugh. However, I appreciate the insights with the boat and motor. Looking fwd to a good experience
Thanks for the info! We are looking at the Taega now, going from a Ranger 1682 WT. We just need more room in the back of the boat(we primarily catfish). You earned a sub from me!
As I watch to the end I feel for you cuz I went through a lot of the same. Big water leak dealer took boat back for a month of summer..made them replace everything inside the boat under the deck that was underwater. They fixed it all but yeah took time.
Thank you for this video, and your helper is great too
Great video, thank you for this
I’m a welder no the best but pretty good as my job mostly involves welding. What I can say from what I’ve seen on tracker boats with the leaks are a freaking head ache and annoying but they tend to be fixable and not the end of the world just a headache.
The most common with the new ones tends to be the cheap fittings with the live well. Or a piss poor welder messing up with the seam welding and the weld cracking both is fixable.
The real reason we are seeing so many of these issues is the models that was built during COVID, causing a severe lack of works in all departments allowed a lot more flawed products to be put into the market.
I’m in the market for a new one now and can pay cash but I’ve decided I’m going to to wait another two years before I do it to give the COVID flaws a chance to be worked out
I took the rod separators out of my rod locker. With rod sleeves you can fit so many more rods and they fit great.
Great video. Thanks to you and our son for putting together such a well organized video. I have been looking at the Targa's as a replacement for my Lowe FS165. Good to know what to look for when I finally pull the trigger on one. One question for you. You mentioned that you use trailer dollies to get the boat in the garage. I would like to see your setup for moving it in the garage. My garage is long enough by is tight width wise. Thanks again!
I actually sold my wheel dollies. Took me some practice but I can back it in where I need it now. Takes me a few tries. The wheel dollies worked well but still needed 2 people to move it around.
Thanks for your video! I have the same boat and set up other than the prop that I bought in January of 23. I have no issues with it coming out of the water to get on plain but I can only trim it a quarter of the way on the trim gauge and I get prop blow out. Did lowering your motor allow you to trim it out more? And if so how far on the gauge?
Follow up, I picked up my V18 from the repair shop. Took it out on the water yesterday. Mercury ProXS 200 ran like a champ!! The issue turned out to be a severely crushed fuel line under the decking that starved the engine for fuel. My Boat runs great...time to go fishing. Can you do a video on Livewell operation to include using switch positions and the "pull out" to drain feature and how that works. Thanks. Good Boating!
I once owned a targa v18. Handled water extremely well. I sold mine this spring. Got a 26 foot fiberglass boat. I miss my aluminum boat so much that I am now selling my 26 foot boat and buying another aluminum boat. I am going with Crestliner this time. Enjoy your tracker. Hope you don't have any further issues. Taking the boat back was unrealistic. You would have lost the entire fishing season.
I live in PA outside of Philadelphia I have a 18 ft center console. Mostly fish in the Delaware river. What were do you fish the boat. Very few lakes in PA to use a gas motor
Tracker boats suck, but your son seems like a brilliant and inquisitive young man. He will never remember the chinese build quality of that rig, but he will remember every smile you both make on it. God bless you both, tight lines 🙏
Sorry to hear about the issues you have had with the boat ! I have had two brand new boats with a year and a half and found out the hard way they garbage! I had to sign paper work so I can’t say what my issues were , but if you want we should talk sometime!!
Took my 2023 Tracker Targa V18 Combo with 200 Mercury Pro XS out for the first time yesterday, 4-30-23 for engine break in. Motor was hard starting, at 1000 rpms did ok with full trim down, pushing up rpms 1500-3000 the Merc would bog down and quit while we out on the lake!!! Tried to run it for about 2 hours but it just kept bogging and quitting even with 30 gallons of 88 octane fresh fuel. Thank God for Trolling Motors. Very disappointed for a boat purchased new in Oct 2022 from Cabela's in Roger's Minnesota. Problem is I don't live near, and dealers are scarce in my neck of the USA. I'll be following up with a Service center tomorrow.
Update?
Very helpful… was on the fence about this boat, think I’ll pass and go another route.
Hey I need to chat about your motor issues and water spray. I have a new Targa and the versa track is twisted so rod holders lean back inward. I suspect everyone lowering the motor is actually a not fixable transome issue.
I bought a new V19 last year and I discovered over time that it had a number of quality control issues, including both livewells leaking at the pumps.
Seems like everything is fixed now. Even my dealer said the seals Tracker uses aren't the greatest. He ended up replacing them but also siliconed everything as a backup measure.
Let me guess ur live well pump was leaking…I have a 2021 model almost identical…came one weekend to the cottage after I bought it found water in the boat up to the top of the centre storage compartment…boat was full at least one foot water..was a live well pump leak. Was a loose pipe to the pump…lucky I searched for for a leak and was able to see the fast drip.
Nothing worse than not realizing you’re taking on water! From what I was told it was the drain fitting under the rear livewell.
Turn on back live well on during fishing. I Notice next day checking the center storages compartment where the batterie is store. Saw a foot high of water in it. Can this be the live well pipe connector leak? Maybe loose connector or a seal?
I bought a brand new 2022 model year less than a year ago and honestly I didn't have any issues other than trailer bunk carpet sucks but they redid it for me. I ordered mine from the main Bass Pro in Springfield, MO and I also got the 200 Pro XS. No other upgrades. It's awesome. Didn't watch the whole video. A bit long winded for me. Especially the part about you explaining over and over again about the issue with the prop and the motor being mounted too high. Which was really just a leak. You could have just said it was a leak. Good video otherwise! Again my boat didn't have these issues.
What was the blowout issue? What did it do or what actually happened? I take it you were able to repeat the issues, over and over. I’m getting. V-19. Ordered it a couple months ago, and will be able to get it at the end of winter. I’m just not familiar with the issue. . . All my previous bot were used.
Basically the prop was losing contact with the water. Some people will call it ventilation.....Kind of like your tires spinning in your car when you lose traction....When I would turn right, left or try to trim it out the prop would lose contact with the water and RPMS would spike. The motor was lowered to fix that issue. Good luck with your V-19...All said and done I now love this boat!
@@thejohnsonfamilyjam1063 Thank you, for the info! Lots of things to break in on a new boat or vehicle.
Great job,
What top hole are you using now on your motor. I have lowered mine three holes which equals 2 1/4 inches but have not had the chance to put it in the water yet because of flooding. Maybe I need to raise it up a whole before I put it back in the water?
Mine is in the third hole down.
Update, I want to add...the problem with my boat Engine, 200 HP Mercury ProXS is not the fault of Cabela's in Roger's Minnesota. Dealerships do not put the new boats in the water to test them out. The Dealership was in fact, great to work with, fair and honest, friendly and helpful. This is most likely a Mercury Manufacturing issue...stuff happens. Luckily we got off the lake safely and my boat is now in a service center closer to where I live. The warranty will cover the engine and it'll all work out. The Targa is an awesome boat! do not shy away from looking at them.
You’re correct. I mentioned in the video that Tracker and Mercury decide where the motor is mounted, not the dealer.
I feel bad for everyone suckered by Tracker, I was one of them years ago I bought a 18WT with a merc 115, the merc motor was the best part of the boat, the rest of the boat and the Tracker warranty and service was pure garbage! Sold it at a loss and was happy to be rid of it! Rule of thumb is if they sell them in the parking lot of big box sporting goods stores don't buy it!
just picked mine up 3 things i noticed..no spare tire, the cover is a joke to fiqure out, and the gas fill is on r/h side,vehicle on left..havent had it out yet..also cant find anywhere to order accessories ,like a ski pole
I believe the easiest way to get accessories for tracker is through a dealer. The parts counter at BPS can get them. Bought my rim and tire from BPS.
Currently looking at this exact boat, I don't understand how tracker can say most boats perform the way they set the motor. How is that? They are all the same. They should all be the same set up.
Seems like the Facebook groups are full of this same motor mounting issue on these boats. Doesn’t make sense.
You have any issues with any of your compartments taking on water?
I’ve had no issues with water since they repaired all the leaks. The lower floor/battery compartment was full the first time I took it out. None since.
You should have no problem using your tilt right off, but it doesn't surprise me that they had the motor mounted too high. I was looking at buying one, but they seem to have terrible attitudes and customer service. I inquired about a boat and the corporate office called me and I asked them to send me a build sheet and they told me they couldn't do that, so I called the dealer, and he sent it to me. Asked the dealer about getting a trade in value for my old boat and they told me they only take boats in trade that have a Mercury motor. I told them that was over the top stupid.
Just order this same boat do you have a standard garage I have a three car garage wondering if it can fit on the other side
I have a two car garage. With the boat all the way against the wall I can fit our small SUV next to it while having a little walking room because we have shelves on the opposite wall.
@@thejohnsonfamilyjam1063 that’s good news hopefully mines fit so I can cancel storage fee
The port side compartment your son said you dont use is a great place to store your first aid kit. A decent size one fits perfectly in mine.
Yeah, not sure why he said that about a couple compartments. He was in a roll and I let him go. 😂
@@thejohnsonfamilyjam1063😅
Would you be able to send me pictures of the inside of your locker? I don’t have a local dealer that’s close and want to know what the rod locker looks like please.
Is your garage door 7 foot tall ?. Does your V18 height clear the door opening ?.
My garage door is 8ft. I measured the windshield height at 6' 10".
@@thejohnsonfamilyjam1063 thanks so much by his is very helpful !!
@@thejohnsonfamilyjam1063 So do you think it would fit in a 7foot door?
How much does the boat weigh?
Tracker has 2 weights listed, dry weight of 2,205, and package weight of 3,845.
I am considering selling my 2017 Pro V Guide 175 combo and getting a Targa. I live in Maryland. Where are you,?
I am in north Harford county.
You talk to much about something that could have been said in 1/4 the word's. Listen to the little boy straight to the point. Don't need to know every word or thought you had
Thank you for your comment/feedback!
21 22 and 23 model boats are being rushed no matter the brand
3 weeks? thats nothing....everytime ive brought my V20 to bass pro it takes half a summer...but its Alaska and thats my only option... i lose half of my short summer just to bring it in...and first summer we had it we put less than 8 hours not even broken in and had it in shop all summer for electrical issues. now they fixed it but my motor wont rim above 2000 rpms and wont go above 2000 rpms until its trimmed all the way down.. it cavitates in hard turns also. only got the 150 wish i had the 225 or 250 though
tracker has lifetime warranty on the hull...at least mine says it does when i bought it.