Sheldon Shepherd
Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2004
- Messages
- 6
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Hello all, new here, and thanks in advance to everyone for all the previously posted information. Big Help! I was thinking of the ProCrappie 175 until I saw this new All-fish. That seems like a fun fishing but and you can do some stuff with the family as well. Had jon boats and such when I was young and loved to fish but nothing like this. Here are my stats...followed by questions.
Primary fishing and play area: North Texas, generally flat and some rolling hills, max drive time generally no more than 1.5 hours to lakes
Fish: Family fishing like panfish, catfish, some traditional bass fishing by me and friends, and maybe some family boating, pull a tube or something, the later nothing serious (but safely).
Tow Vehicle: Original owner of 1988 Jeep Comanche 4.0 Litre 6 cylinder, standard 5 speed, kept it in great condition mechanically and do most maint myself, 165K miles, still runs great, but mid-sized truck for towing, will have to get a new class 3 draw-tite hitch installed and have been studying hitch rises, trailer wiring, etc...
Purchase time frame late December or January. Checked with my insurance and bank in advance, and pretty much everything is a go in that respect when the time comes.
Here are the specs for the boat I am considering...
Boat: Tracker Allfish 18 (very much like the TV-18 but not in the literature yet until 2005 models officially released)
Motor: 115 ELPTO with factory standard prop
Trailer: Tracker trailer but with brakes
Other: 1 extra seat (the allfish has this modular, changeable seat system)
- also factory boat cover as it will be outside
Fishfinder: standard Lowrance X-47 near the console, but was thinking of changing to the X-135
Questions:
1. Since it is a mid-sized truck I was thinking of adding the trailer brakes, any drawbacks or concerns? It seems like a good idea.
2. Not a big bass fisherman, but what about trolling motor upgrade? Is it worth it?
3. Opinions on the motor I have chosen? Maybe the 125hp? Don't need the Optimax for our lakes or my fishing, or gas usage.
4. With regard to fishfinders, can I have the X-47 replaced with the X-135 by the dealer during purchase? Or should I locate one on the bow with a trolling motor transducer? Which one would be best to locate where? Would the X-47 be good enough for general use?
Is the fish finder change really worth it? I like the settings save feature, resolution, and wattage of the X-135. I work with ultrasonics in my job so I know a thing or two about interferance by both transducers and would take steps to make certain that is taken care of...
5. Finally, there are several Tracker dealers in my area in DFW and I was thinking after I finally get my specs all lined up on extactly what I want, that I might create a document, a spec sheet detailing everything desired, including options (with maybe some alternatives listed), and present this to dealers for pricing. Any comments or ideas? Note that I could buy in Dec or Jan during the typical low season.
Finally, I've looked around at other new and used boats but nothing quite catches my fancy like the Allfish. I also worry about buying any pre-existing problems.
Sorry if I ramble on with a lot. I'm not generally his detailed but I've been doing my homework and want to buy a boat I can keep for awhile, one that I can grow with so to speak.
Thanks for any help!
TurkeyHunter
Primary fishing and play area: North Texas, generally flat and some rolling hills, max drive time generally no more than 1.5 hours to lakes
Fish: Family fishing like panfish, catfish, some traditional bass fishing by me and friends, and maybe some family boating, pull a tube or something, the later nothing serious (but safely).
Tow Vehicle: Original owner of 1988 Jeep Comanche 4.0 Litre 6 cylinder, standard 5 speed, kept it in great condition mechanically and do most maint myself, 165K miles, still runs great, but mid-sized truck for towing, will have to get a new class 3 draw-tite hitch installed and have been studying hitch rises, trailer wiring, etc...
Purchase time frame late December or January. Checked with my insurance and bank in advance, and pretty much everything is a go in that respect when the time comes.
Here are the specs for the boat I am considering...
Boat: Tracker Allfish 18 (very much like the TV-18 but not in the literature yet until 2005 models officially released)
Motor: 115 ELPTO with factory standard prop
Trailer: Tracker trailer but with brakes
Other: 1 extra seat (the allfish has this modular, changeable seat system)
- also factory boat cover as it will be outside
Fishfinder: standard Lowrance X-47 near the console, but was thinking of changing to the X-135
Questions:
1. Since it is a mid-sized truck I was thinking of adding the trailer brakes, any drawbacks or concerns? It seems like a good idea.
2. Not a big bass fisherman, but what about trolling motor upgrade? Is it worth it?
3. Opinions on the motor I have chosen? Maybe the 125hp? Don't need the Optimax for our lakes or my fishing, or gas usage.
4. With regard to fishfinders, can I have the X-47 replaced with the X-135 by the dealer during purchase? Or should I locate one on the bow with a trolling motor transducer? Which one would be best to locate where? Would the X-47 be good enough for general use?
Is the fish finder change really worth it? I like the settings save feature, resolution, and wattage of the X-135. I work with ultrasonics in my job so I know a thing or two about interferance by both transducers and would take steps to make certain that is taken care of...
5. Finally, there are several Tracker dealers in my area in DFW and I was thinking after I finally get my specs all lined up on extactly what I want, that I might create a document, a spec sheet detailing everything desired, including options (with maybe some alternatives listed), and present this to dealers for pricing. Any comments or ideas? Note that I could buy in Dec or Jan during the typical low season.
Finally, I've looked around at other new and used boats but nothing quite catches my fancy like the Allfish. I also worry about buying any pre-existing problems.
Sorry if I ramble on with a lot. I'm not generally his detailed but I've been doing my homework and want to buy a boat I can keep for awhile, one that I can grow with so to speak.
Thanks for any help!
TurkeyHunter
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