Bmac
Well-known member
I know this is the opposite of what most of you are doing,and that I could sell my Pro 17 to buy a jon boat. But, I got a good deal on this one and I already own it. Besides, I'm a hands-on kinda guy looking for a winter project. Some of you might remember my Project Fishtoon build a few yrs. ago (still running strong and fishes great).
The Tracker is solid,hardly been used. There are no leaks,and the trailer is like new. I did replace the lower deck and foam after I purchased it,as well as hanging the Honda 50 on it from the toon. Fished it 1/2 dozen times in the last two yrs.,but don't really like it for catfishing.
It rides well enough for a 17' aluminum "jon boat",but here are my dislikes. I mostly drift,or troll for cats. The tracker is too stern heavy to drift right. Water splashes onto the back deck when the waves start getting big,while the bow is bobbing up and down over them. I don't like sitting in the seats up on the decks in rough water. Too much rocking back and forth up there. Does fine when I'm on the lower deck. There's not enough room on the lower deck,and the lil console is just in the way. It seems to be designed more for looks than function.
So, I want to open this thing up. Remove the decks (as much as possible),take as much weight off it as I can,remove all wood,go with an aluminum deck and transom,and either go with a center console or oldschool with a tiller for the Honda. Thinking about a camo paint job,with a tuff coating on the interior.
I know the sides will have to be reinforced,which will be part of this build. Anyone done something like this to their Tracker? I've looked at a lot of builds on here to study what I'd have to do to de-pro this tracker.
The Tracker is solid,hardly been used. There are no leaks,and the trailer is like new. I did replace the lower deck and foam after I purchased it,as well as hanging the Honda 50 on it from the toon. Fished it 1/2 dozen times in the last two yrs.,but don't really like it for catfishing.
It rides well enough for a 17' aluminum "jon boat",but here are my dislikes. I mostly drift,or troll for cats. The tracker is too stern heavy to drift right. Water splashes onto the back deck when the waves start getting big,while the bow is bobbing up and down over them. I don't like sitting in the seats up on the decks in rough water. Too much rocking back and forth up there. Does fine when I'm on the lower deck. There's not enough room on the lower deck,and the lil console is just in the way. It seems to be designed more for looks than function.
So, I want to open this thing up. Remove the decks (as much as possible),take as much weight off it as I can,remove all wood,go with an aluminum deck and transom,and either go with a center console or oldschool with a tiller for the Honda. Thinking about a camo paint job,with a tuff coating on the interior.
I know the sides will have to be reinforced,which will be part of this build. Anyone done something like this to their Tracker? I've looked at a lot of builds on here to study what I'd have to do to de-pro this tracker.