Charlie Richardson
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2000
- Messages
- 60
- Reaction score
- 0
Hey guys, well it's been 3 1/2 yrs now and I thought I'd give an update on my 896. As some of you know, I had some stress cracking problems a couple of years ago, but after about 4 or 5 months of staying on the phone with Tracker and generaly givin em hell they finally stepped up to the plate and covered $3200.00 in repairs.If there is one word that is paramount in your dealings with Tracker it is PERSISTENCE. Sooner or later (later usually) they'll get so sick and tired of hearing you voice that they'll do almost anything to just make you go away. I am happy to report that I no longer have a stress crack problem. I run it like a bat outta hell in rough water, it cracks, no problem. They are only cosmetic cracks and Ol' crusher has so many scratches on her now from limbs and logs tht ya can't see em anyway.
About a year or so ago a ran her up on a 1/2" piece of rebar that some fool had driven into the top of a stump. I had to really mash on the big motor to get it off. Fearing the worst I took her in to the local fiberglass shop. The owner crawled under it and after looking for a few minutes said "Heck son that ain't but 3/8" deep, on a Nitro that ain't even half way through, you still got more glass left than most boats come with" so I left it alone. I'll tell ya that boat is a Tank.I'll admit that I am probably harder on a boat than 95% of fishermen. To me it's a tool, a means to an end. If there's logs, stumps and brush between me and where I want to go I'll fire up that merc and do whatever it takes to get there, well almost. My only limiting factor is enough water for that Trophy to bite in and keep water psi.
My only complaint is the rough water ride and then only in following seas. A couple of years ago my fishing buddy(a Basscat owner) and I took one hell of a ride at Sam Rayburn and ever since he's called it the Big Red Spinecrusher. The funny thing is that when we are going to the stumpbeds of Lake Fork or the mesquite flats of Lake Guerrero they all seem to want ot take Ol' crusher.
Probably the best thing has been that EFI Merc hanging on the back. Man it still starts at the first turn of the key and ain't let me down yet. I've hit stumps so hard that when the water quit flying (and sometimes my fishin buddy)I'd almost hesitantly look back to see if it was still attached to the transom and I'd hit the key, she'd fire up and off we'd go again.
Finally, the very best thing about the Ol' spinecrusher is that as of two months ago, she's paid for. Yeah guys no more monthly notes. I wuz gonna replace her with a Basscat when she was paid off, but after listening to all my fishing buds give me crap about my inferior Tracker for these years and still having her when their " top line" boats have all come and gone I've kinda grown attached to her. I think I'm gonna run her till she wears slap dab out, or I do. I'm not sure which will come first.
A final word to all you out there who are considering a Nitro or Tracker boat. Don't be mislead by the bashers on the other boards. If you like the Nitro getcha one. It might not be as prestigous as a Ranger or some of the other brands, but if you are buying it for a fishing boat and plan on keeping it for many years you won't be disappointed. They are tough well laid out well performing boats and one hell of a value.........Cmack
About a year or so ago a ran her up on a 1/2" piece of rebar that some fool had driven into the top of a stump. I had to really mash on the big motor to get it off. Fearing the worst I took her in to the local fiberglass shop. The owner crawled under it and after looking for a few minutes said "Heck son that ain't but 3/8" deep, on a Nitro that ain't even half way through, you still got more glass left than most boats come with" so I left it alone. I'll tell ya that boat is a Tank.I'll admit that I am probably harder on a boat than 95% of fishermen. To me it's a tool, a means to an end. If there's logs, stumps and brush between me and where I want to go I'll fire up that merc and do whatever it takes to get there, well almost. My only limiting factor is enough water for that Trophy to bite in and keep water psi.
My only complaint is the rough water ride and then only in following seas. A couple of years ago my fishing buddy(a Basscat owner) and I took one hell of a ride at Sam Rayburn and ever since he's called it the Big Red Spinecrusher. The funny thing is that when we are going to the stumpbeds of Lake Fork or the mesquite flats of Lake Guerrero they all seem to want ot take Ol' crusher.
Probably the best thing has been that EFI Merc hanging on the back. Man it still starts at the first turn of the key and ain't let me down yet. I've hit stumps so hard that when the water quit flying (and sometimes my fishin buddy)I'd almost hesitantly look back to see if it was still attached to the transom and I'd hit the key, she'd fire up and off we'd go again.
Finally, the very best thing about the Ol' spinecrusher is that as of two months ago, she's paid for. Yeah guys no more monthly notes. I wuz gonna replace her with a Basscat when she was paid off, but after listening to all my fishing buds give me crap about my inferior Tracker for these years and still having her when their " top line" boats have all come and gone I've kinda grown attached to her. I think I'm gonna run her till she wears slap dab out, or I do. I'm not sure which will come first.
A final word to all you out there who are considering a Nitro or Tracker boat. Don't be mislead by the bashers on the other boards. If you like the Nitro getcha one. It might not be as prestigous as a Ranger or some of the other brands, but if you are buying it for a fishing boat and plan on keeping it for many years you won't be disappointed. They are tough well laid out well performing boats and one hell of a value.........Cmack