New Boat

[BPT]

Im thinking of getting a new boat and I saw on Tracker's website that they have a Tracker Grizzly 1754, trailer, 25hp Merc. livewells, gunboxes, console and more for $6595. What do yall think about that. Is it a pretty good deal? How good will a 25hp push that boat.

[no angel]

How many of these do I have to delete?

No Angel - "The King of SPAM"

[ June 11, 2002: Message edited by: Micah Walker ]

[BPT]

No Angel, I went back to the website and im pretty sure the boat comes with those options and the trailer. They also have a 1860 for $2499 but that is just the boat.
I was also thinking about getting the 1860 w/ about a 40hp Nissan and that would be about $5900 plus about $500 for a trailer.
Those are the 2 options i am really looking at right now. But thanks for the number i might give you a call some time.

[ June 10, 2002: Message edited by: DUCKMAN835 ]

[ducman77]

No Angel,
What type of boats do you have for sale?

--------------------------------
shoot'm in the lips

[GulfCoast]

I would want more motor than a 25 with a 17 foot boat.

[bwm]

Better really think about the 25hp. I had a 20 tiller handle on my 1548 with no accessories (no seats, livewells, etc). Would not perform like I wanted. I "upgraded" seriously and put a steering wheel and 50hp on it. Let's just say I have no problem with it getting out of the hole now. If you really think about it, the bigger the engine the less time you will have to run it wide-open to get he performance out of it. The less time it is wide-open the longer the engine may possibly last. Just my opinion.

[Wildfowler]

I can assure you that you will be very disappointed with the performance of that engine on that boat. Here's a good rule of thumb:

Find out what the coast guard capacity rating is. Say it's rated for a 50 hp. Then go to your Mercury catalog and look through the spec's for their line of engines, then buy the biggest engine in that series of engines. What I mean is that outboard motor manufacturers normally turn out 3-4, or more different horsepower models, based on the exact same engine "chassis". Meaning the maker, starts with an engine, and "necks-it-down" to one or more smaller HP ratings.

For the above example. Your boat might be rated for a 50 HP motor. The Mercury 2-stoke, 3-cylinder: 40HP, 50HP, and the 60HP engines are all designed around the same power head. The carburetors and timing have been adjusted to decrease the output. In other words, if your boat can handle the weight and power of a 50HP, why not go ahead and buy the 60HP, and just drive it responsibly? Horsepower is kind of like money, you can never have too much. I wish I had more of both.

But remember, this is just my opinion.

[CaptnT]

I guess I am just a tightwad.

Unless I win the lottery, or inherit a fortune, I will never buy a new outboard.

Sure, one of my dreams is to have a 75hp Honda four-stroke. If I do get one, it will be a used one.

I have been buying and selling boats and outboards for 15 years, I kinda "tinker" with them. Yeah, there are some real idiots out there that don't know how to care for thier equipment, but that can be good and bad.

My favorite are those that don't think they need to winterize thier outboards. Sure, you may get lucky they first three of four years, but sooner or later that evaporated carbon will get you. These are usually the old ski boat owners that buys a boat cheap, runs it for a summer, then stores it for the winter without winterizing, then you see them at the boat ramp the following summer with the family sweating and cursing in the car while he runs down the battery trying to start it. I have bought some after helping some of these poor saps work on them at the dock. I bought a 40hp Yamaha from a guy that I helped at the dock one morning for $500. I did a quick in-the-field carburator rebuild and had the thing running pretty good, but he was one of those guys that wasn't comfortable with anything that could quit on him, he HAD to have a new one. You can usually pick it up a used outboard really cheap if you know where to look.

Helps if you know how to work on them, though. Anytime I buy one used I change the fuel filter, spark plugs and all fuel lines, including the one to and from the tank. That covers 90% of all outboard problems I have encountered over the years. Next, drain and refill with fresh lower unit oil. Most of the older outboards (Mercury, Johnny-Rude, any Yamaha, Honda or even Nissan) are well made engines and can take ALOT of abuse.

Of course we have all heard the horror stories. Duckmen had a bad experience a few months back, and I could definitely feel his pain. Make sure you have it checked out if you don't know what you are getting into.

I put more value in a well built hull than a shiney new motor. My advise to you Duckman835 (and by your handle I assume you aren't worried about brand names), buy the best built boat and look for a good USED motor, it will save you THOUSANDS.

[Doc & Nash]

Captn T I agree with you 100%. I bought a 1973 20hp from a pawn shop in Horn Lake that the guy had had setting up for two years, All it took was a little cleaning of the carb, new plugs and a lower unit oil change and it runs like a dream. All that for a $100.00. A new 20hp is over 2 grand easy, go figure.

[BPT]

Thanks for all the responses. I am probably going to get the 1860 and just try to find a good used motor. I think i can save a couple thousand dollars if i do that. I was never really thinking about getting the 1754 i just saw it and was wondering if yall thought it was a decent deal. By the way would a 40hp push the 1860 pretty good or should i go ahead and get about a 50hp.
PS: Capt, I shoot a Nova now i just have changed my screen name.

[ June 11, 2002: Message edited by: DUCKMAN835 ]