Tracker Pro Guide V175 Lessons Learned and Upgrades

[@TechnozSki]

@ 475 Hours This boat got totaled ran into a log in lake Michigan tore the hull up. Very thin aluminum up there be careful guys.

[@crematedable]

it handled the big lake good though? i wanna get a lake erie boat and this checks the boxes on paper

[@hollandsauce8422]

@@crematedable if you can afford to, go bigger! I fish Lake Erie in mine and it does ok

[@kylebrown8891]

I fish Lake Erie with my v175 also Anything over 5’ I wouldn’t recommend. Never had water come over the bow but it’s pretty violent

[@ThoughtIwasFishin]

Sorry to hear it. Did you end up getting a different boat?

[@kylebrown8891]

@@ThoughtIwasFishin I didn’t but wish I had bought the 18’ targa instead. Or just not tracker all together. Quality is not there. Been to dealer 6 times for warranty work since april 2022. The port side consol fell off and laid in the bottom of the boat on my way home from the dealer when I bought it. Countless things after that.

[@nhan03t]

Thanks much for the great review & walk through! Definitely very good information about the Tracker v-hull!

[@miketopolinsky8443]

Great video some real nice up grades you did, which only proves tracker are an entry level boat like everyone says. Get you on the water that's about it. Should be sold as your is now. Not cheap either I've noticed

[@TechnozSki]

Thanks! Your right my son lives on this boat daily and it doesn't cut it anymore. Here is the latest review and we are at 422 hours now kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqXRl3WmqL6lipI

[@johnhennis9090]

I ordered the same boat back in March. Great video! Already ordered some upgrades but after watching the video, I'll be getting some more!

[@nathanolstad679]

Great video, most of those upgrades I’ve already done. Going to look at speakers next.

[@TechnozSki]

Updated video to be posted soon up to 320 hours on the V175

[@TechnozSki]

Here is the updated review its been a little over a year and the boat now has 422 hours. My son uses this boat daily throughout the year kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqXRl3WmqL6lipI

[@mbonneville1]

There is a tracker step with handle that bolts to the holes near the winch. Part number 312826 call tracker boats in Bass Pro shops.

[@TechnozSki]

Thanks for the feedback!!

[@5anddiamond]

AHh thank you for this video. I have a 2022 175 combo and have been looking at the Ghost and wasnt sure if i needed the 60".

[@rbljackson]

thanks for this. Been eyeing these for the last two years and comparing to bass boats. Would you say it can get into fairly shallow areas? I didn't realize the windshield was that expensive/ great talking point there that I never considered before. I really like the layout on this particular model which is what led me to your video.

[@mikekenner9218]

Great video, thx for sharing. Lithium's are worth every penny, that's what I have in my 2020 V-19 Combo Tournament Edition. When the time comes, get dual 12V 80Ah Tracker Lithium's. Use your VIP card and you'll save 10-20%. I did the same stereo and speakers, world of difference. Cisco mounts are the way to go, no questions. Those Brocrafts are trash. Maybe try a stainless prop. Tight lines!!

[@TechnozSki]

Thanks Mike!

[@rsssttaylor]

I'm looking for a video showing how to install and use the tow bar for tubing

[@markrrigel5639]

Seen your video, do you have more informatiom to prop size your using? Prop Number would be awesome

[@TechnozSki]

Sorry this boat was totaled some time ago ripped the hull. I am hoping others can chime in and help you out.

[@Lazzoboy]

Your new transomsaver is putting the weight at the wrong place. The weight is supposed to go to the trailer, NOT the back of the boat.

[@MrExrench]

Excellent video!, did you ever figure out a permanent solution for the downriggers mounting bracket?

[@steverada1133]

I put traxtech tracks on my Targa. very sturdy but not cheap. the brackets that mount to the versatrac are made specifically for Tracker boats.

[@steveinky816]

I noticed that you have hydraulic steering on your 175. Did it come with that, or did you have it added after you purchased the boat? If you had it added, can you elaborate on that? Thanks.

[@TechnozSki]

It came with the hydraulic steering from the factory. Hopefully someone else who has added it manually can chime in.

[@johnwadsworth4916]

Great boat

[@ThoughtIwasFishin]

Would love to hear how the windshield cover worked out on the highway. I could see that thing blowing and lifting up. I cover mine when traveling on the highway and hate it. It's a pain to put on and protective material rubs and leaves tar-like marks on the windshield, gunnels, and windshield frame. Hoping you have good things to say about your up grade.

[@TechnozSki]

Had it on the boat towing about 5000 miles no problems. This thing is bulletproof wish we had something for our f150. Just got a rock to the windshield.

[@ThoughtIwasFishin]

Thanks! Just bought one this weekend. Haven't used it yet. I was hoping you'd say good things about it.

[@anthonyroelofs4700]

Great video

[@TechnozSki]

Thank You here is the updated video @ 422 Hours kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqXRl3WmqL6lipI

[@cheesie61]

I own a 2019 Pro Guide 175. Thanks very much for the video !! Where did you mount the additional battery for the trolling motor?

[@TechnozSki]

Put it right next the one that was there it was indeed a tight fit.

[@jrryder6854]

Yes more info on prop. Top speed, wot rpms?

[@petepete3985]

I have a 90hp merc (2012). I can trim out about 32mph with it at around 4.2 K RPM. I did buy a prop years back that has a slightly less angle to it to help to take-off- I added a hydrofoil (see posting above) to help with planing (which it does, immensely).

[@TechnozSki]

The prop is listed under video details

[@petepete3985]

I own a 2012 WT175 90Hp- Great video and thank you for the tips! Here's a few of mine from 10 years with one... 1. YES!! Consider adding an additional battery and battery switch- fits down in there next to the existing battery just fine. I do a lot of night fishing and have constructed a removable 7'- 2" CPVC light tower that works with the versatrack as support along with the bimini top support (no issues in 9 years). I also added LED lighting around the outside under the rubber bumper and constructed 2 LED light mounts which slide into the versatrack on the bow- for night driving (I used 6" PVC female couplers as the housings). - So the additional battery is a "must" for me (also good for simple piece of mind). 2. The trailers provided by Tracker are fine for fresh water- but SALTWATER EATS THROUGH THE PAINT AND GALVANIZATION IN A FEW YEARS causing major safety issues. Because I do a lot of saltwater fishing, last year, I forked out about 3K for a custom made McClain trailer- all aluminum and stainless bolts with a torsion axle. Well worth it in loading and pulling. Update: Recently, I ran into an angler with a "Sun Tracker". He also had the same issue with his stock trailer and had to replace it less than 3 years after buying it. He stated to me that he is adamant about washing off his trailer after every dip in the water. But, he lives on the TX coast and the trailer is constantly exposed to saltwater in some form. He also went to McClain to get his replacement, in fact. 3. Good move going to the 4 blade prop. I went with a slightly less angle one after my first one got ate up on an unmarked oyster bed :( . I also added an SE Sport 300 Hydrofoil at that time- now it gets on plane QUICK with a full compliment of people aboard- plus it added 2-3 mph on the top end. 4. Bilge plug. YES, always keep extras around (and make sure they fit before storing, haha). What I did was tie one to the transom mount with about 15" of stainless steel wire- that way it's always there for me, if needed. (funny update to this- the live well recirculation outlet is just above the bilge drain hole at the lower stern. About 3 months ago, I put the bilge plug in the recirculation outlet instead of where it belongs...and launched. Needless to say, the boat started taking on water immediately. At that point, i realized my bilge pump wasn't doing its thing but luckily we were at the dock and able to fix the drain hole issue..shew!!!....so I'm adding #5 to this list). 5. Tracker Bilge Pump- So, when I went to launch in the above mentioned incident, I kicked on the bilge pump and I could hear it whirring but no water was being pumped out. So, fast forward to when I got it home. I found two issues: A.) Mud Dobbers had built a nest inside the bilge pump outlet hose at the port stern of the boat- so the water couldn't pump through it. To clear out the drain hose, this took using some copper wire and fishing it down in the drain hose and running water from the outside to soften up the mud/grass. To prevent this from happening again, I wadded up some paper shop towel and stuck it in the bilge pump drain hole- then remove it when i go fishing. B.) Bilge pump rusting- I pulled out the bilge pump (access to this is in the large round plastic cover to the port side of the fuel filler) and noticed it was very VERY rusty and gunky. Trackers come stock with a 500 gallon/hour pump (which is more than adequate considering the size of the bilge). But I figured an upgrade was cheap enough- so, I replaced it with a 750 gph pump for around $25. OK, so here are some replacement tips: a. Getting your arm down in that access hole to the bilge pump mounting plate waaaay down there may be difficult for folks with alot of girth (aka, big arms). You may have to find someone a bit more lanky to fish that pump out of there. Also, drop some led lighting down in the access area prior to starting- you will definitely need it. b. The rivets holding the pump onto the mounting plate were rusted- with one about ready to break off! Do a little drilling as needed and replace their low quality mounting hardware with stainless screws/lockwashers/nuts. c. The screws holding the bilge pump mounting plate to the bottom of the boat are non-ferrous, and appear to be of decent quality. Be careful not to lose them down in that access area! 6. Replace the stock Fish/Depth Finder. Simply put, it's junk. When mine went kaput recently (after 9 years), I bought a Garmin 010-N1550-00 Striker 4 with Dual-Beam Transducer Fishfinder for about $120. Yes, there are better out there, but the screen size and clarity had been raved about for a few years by other fishermen, so I gave it a go. I love this thing! More than adequate for my basic needs and soooo easy to read even in bright sunlight. Oh, and mounting the transducer at the rear was a snap! (more to come, I'm sure :) ) PP

[@TechnozSki]

Thanks Pete!!

[@oHEMANo]

Hey PetePete, how often are you putting the boat in the salt? Any issues from it other than the trailer?

[@DavidSmith-pc1do]

Thank you for the reveiw . I just bought a pro guide 175 combo . I love the boat but disappointed in the speed of 31 mph from a spitfire 13 x 17 4 blade alumnum . rpms are 6100. i also have 115 mercury 4 stroke . I also bought a Spitfire 4 blade 13 x 19 aluminum and managed 34 mph at 6000 rpm I have read some people are getting easy mid 44 mph Very confused as what to do . Need help, what is your gps speed and top rpm ?

[@edrussow4357]

Changed mine to spitfire 12.5 and 19 aluminum and while gauge shows 45 mph, gps is 40 mph at 5300 rpm. To get this I tilt the motor up as this brings the bow out of the water at a certain point I will keep increasing rpms but start losing speed and the steering becomes stiff, so I tilt the motor back down until I reach max speed with good steering. Basically trial and error. Hope this helps.

[@bkpugsley]

I have the same boat and motor but it's a 2018...great boat so far, but I was expecting more top speed. What have you been able to achieve?

[@TechnozSki]

45mph is the max with 3 people aboard

[@ThoughtIwasFishin]

Technoz Ski. 45mph?? Did you say you have the 150hp on there, or are you getting 7 to 8 mph extra with the 4 blade?

[@bkpugsley]

@@TechnozSki I know that's what they advertise but I can't get more than 35-37 on mine and it's the 115.

[@mattwhite8246]

Uhh I get like 28 with the 115 3 blade

[@rickday4988]

Still have the seats removed? Considering adding some to mine. Mines a 17 SC.

[@TechnozSki]

Yes seats are still in the basement ;)

[@rickday4988]

@@TechnozSki if you would be willing to part with them I’d be interested! I have a 17 SC an would love the extended rear deck space.

[@rickday4988]

@@TechnozSki be interested in them depending on price etc.

[@gessinmx132]

Hi. I am curious how slow that motor would troll w the 175 at idle. I’m trying to avoid buying a kicker for long trolling type fishing days in freshwater New England. Any thoughts? TIA

[@bkpugsley]

Does that Kicker radio work with the ignition off? My radio won't work without ignition on or the motor running...so when we're anchored up fishing, we can't listen to some quiet music and you don't want your ignition on sitting with the motor off.

[@TechnozSki]

Yes, you have to turn switch till you hear the beep.

[@fishingthemidsouth]

@@TechnozSki Does having the ignition on not run the hour meter up on the engine?

[@kevinhebert5340]

Can you let us know what diameter/pitch prop you switched the standard prop for? Thanks.

[@TechnozSki]

I went with the Mercury Spitfire 48-8M8026590

[@gessinmx132]

Hi. I just got a 18’ targa w 150. I’m just curious if you have noticed any of the issues I’m noticing with the new motor. First of all it steers very differently left then right. Maybe prop rotation… idk. And I have to rotate the steering wheel a lot to make minor course corrections. I assume there is some kind of a hydraulic issue but the dealer is telling me everything is operationally normal. The other thing I noticed is motor shake. At idle in gear the boat shakes enough to make the graph on the consul almost hard to view contour lines. Have you noticed anything like that? TIA

[@DenisShebukhov]

What are the specs for the 4 blade prop? What is the top speed?

[@TechnozSki]

Its under the video details

[@carlosmuller1021]

What kind of truck is needed to handle a boat like this?

[@TechnozSki]

We had a Tacoma for a short bit and it wasn't a good fit for towing. Switched to a 2019 F-150 XLT we now have no issues and better gas mileage than before.

[@kylebrown8891]

Did you get both batteries in the original compartment under the fishing rod storage? I tried multiple configurations and Connot get two group 27 batteries in there

[@TechnozSki]

I did and boy was it a tight fit. Thinking of replacing them with Group 31 AGM. AGM's are the way to go

[@kylebrown8891]

@@TechnozSki are they side by side or end to end

[@TechnozSki]

@@kylebrown8891side by side

[@dansnyder8533]

How did you fit your second battery. Can you show?

[@TechnozSki]

I am going to do another video soon and will incorporate that. Boat has almost 400 hours in less than a years time ;)

[@cfisher389]

What’s the pitch of that four blade prop?

[@TechnozSki]

13" diameter x 17" pitch

[@michaelsjostrom4421]

What pitch prop is the 4 blade?

[@esoxman308]

I have been looking for a set of the rear seat flip sections if anyone is getting rid of them

[@TechnozSki]

Recommend joining the tracker pro guide forum on facebook. I have seen a few people list them over the last year.

[@esoxman308]

@@kikihugo8280 please let me know how much you would like for them, I might be interested in them

[@esoxman308]

@@kikihugo8280 that sounds fair, where would they be shipping from?

[@craigdallas5105]

How did you install the trolling motor batteries and where , how did you run the cables from the charger to the batteries ? Thanks

[@petepete3985]

trolling motor battery is in the walk-through area to the bow, under the step-up. Lift up the step-up (this is where your rod storage is). Look down ahead of the rod storage area for a black inset handle and slide the door forward toward the bow to reveal the trolling battery.

[@skimask5049]

can i get a link to the windshield cover? really good idea about to buy one and i didnt think about this

[@TechnozSki]

You can find them at basspro

[@stephenshippos4604]

Simone took your drain plug?! 🤬

[@TechnozSki]

They sure did :(

[@niceguydmm]

Be careful with these? I have that same boat. All because they sell aftermarket down rigger mounts doesn't mean the track will support it. Everything has limits its not steel. Looks like to me you overloaded its purpose. I have never had a rod holder of any type bend the track. Yea if put the down rigger with heavy weight its going to break. I have never had an issue with the boat. Your always going to find some good upgrades with any boat. You have a heavy steel mount on an aluminum track! Yup its going to break...

[@TechnozSki]

Good point thanks David.

[@JeremyReger]

9 minutes in and I'm so glad I haven't bought one yet.. SMH...

[@niceguydmm]

There great boats. Owned two... Zero issues. 2016 and now a 2021. Don't care what make you get you will always have upgrades or some little thing you could make better. Everything has limits. My first one was back in 1995 and 2007 and they are way better built today. That rod holder ripped out was his own fault. Looks like way to much weight. I have never had a normal rod holder move or come loose. I don't think they were designed for aftermarket down rigger mounts....lol.

[@JeremyReger]

@@niceguydmm Glad you are happy! Im not gonna replace everything on a $30,000 boat.. lol. Enjoy it! as long as you are out on the water having fun that's what matters!

[@niceguydmm]

@@JeremyReger Yes sir agree. But some the things he replaced were not part of the boat like the transom saver. Enjoy fishing sir.. Only thing I replaced on mine was the graph the rest was add-ons.

[@petepete3985]

@@niceguydmm Agreed, David. All boats are what you make of them. My first addition to my WT175 was a bimini top (had to custom order) which set me back around $300. It's a lifesaver on a hot day out on in the bay...

[@TechnozSki]

Update @ 422 hours kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqXRl3WmqL6lipI

[@toulialo3758]

Everything is highly recommended! NOT. Some are just good ideas.

[@johnwalkup1416]

Stop jackknifing the trailer.

[@fishingthemidsouth]

How did you lift the back deck to get the transducer wire under it and how did you get behind the side panel to get the transducer wire under it?

[@TechnozSki]

I had to find the hidden deck screws and lift it up and fish the wire. Wasn't a fun task took like an hour or so.

[@timcoupland6963]

@@TechnozSki Could you let us know how you figured out where the screws were located? Contacted Tracker but they were no help ;-) Great video thanks for sharing.