1542 or 1448?

[coreyprashaw]

Hey guys, I've been roaming the site for a long time! The time has come for an upgrade, and I need some help. Seeing as how my lakes all have a 9.9 horse limit on them, I am undecided on a 1542 or a 1448. I fish bass tournaments, and will obviously need some length. But am unsure if the extra length will be worth the less width. Obviously a 1752 would be ideal, but as my horsepower restraints are I don't think it'd be logical.

 

[smackdaddy53]

Put a 15 hp carb on it

 

[DrNip]

That's a tuffy seeing you are limited to 9.9 and the 1542 probably weighs the less of the two. I would still say the 1448.

 

[edrow]

Of those choices I would say 1448 as well. My Evinrude 15 gets me to 10-13mph on my 1448, so I'm used to a slug. I would rather have a 1752 & 9.9 over my setup. I don't do tournaments though & obviously I dont get in a big hurry when I fish. I know it would be slow but I would rather have more space than speed.

 

[Jim]

1448 would be my choice.

 

[RStewart]

edrow » Sat Jan 25, 2014 2:20 pm[/url]"]Of those choices I would say 1448 as well. My Evinrude 15 gets me to 10-13mph on my 1448, so I'm used to a slug. I would rather have a 1752 & 9.9 over my setup. I don't do tournaments though & obviously I dont get in a big hurry when I fish. I know it would be slow but I would rather have more space than speed.

I get those speeds with my 9.9. Something wrong with that 15.

I would go with the 1448. The extra ft would be nice, but stability is nicer.

 

[jonboatboy]

Dude Im in the same boat LOL. Matter of fact you can check out my post on "Which Boat to Buy" but I got a super clean 9.8 and I found a brand new weldbuilt 1448 thats a scratch and dent boat for 1100 with a live well. My 1232 runs 14mph with just me and all my gear but I got a 5ft heavy built deck in it too. Its framed to out last the boat but its just not big enough anymore. Im scared to be much slower because that weldbuilt weighs so much. I fish tournys too but we go out in my buddys z8 with the 250hp merc on it and you do need speed if thats what your main purpose of the boat is. More time with a line in the water is always better when you got money ridin the line. The topper 1542s aint made outta nothing. Ive said it in 3 post now and Im sorry if I offend anyone but Ive crused beer cans that were made stronger. Id get a g3 1544 or 1436. both boats are pretty light weight so that should keep you up in the speed. Im shopping for one for the ole lady and my 1 year old to go out with me in so Ima sacrfice speed for space.

 

[chrispy186]

I have a 2011 Tracker 1542. I bought it for 3 reasons. I wanted a longer boat than 14ft, I didnt want a heavy jon and I was on a budget. I have built front and rear casting decks, put in a livewell and added storage. With my yamaha 9.9, 2 guys and gear i get 16.1mph on the gps. With all that said, if I had to do it again I would go with something different. The stability is fine, but I wanted to set it up a bit different than I have it and was unable to do so because of the layout in the back. But like I said i was on a budget.

 

[Parry_09]

Nice post!

 

[RiverBottomOutdoors]

I'd choose 1448.

 

[coreyprashaw]

Another thing to keep in mind is that I'm going brand new, and the 1542 is literally 2000 cheaper and comes with a trailer. I refuse to pick up an old tin purely based on the fact that it could be weak in spots and could capsize on the water with no warning (laugh but this has happened to a friend lol)

 

[Brine]

Of the two.... 1448

If I had the $ for a new.... 1652 (no question) Mostly electric only lakes with some state parks with 10hp restrictions

 

[coreyprashaw]

With the 1542 the space won't be a problem because I will be fishing by myself. Speed is a huge factor, and obviously I will be fishing smaller waters. This is pretty much just a stepping stone until I can put myself on a bigger tour.

 

[Bugpac]

Buy what you can afford. You wont like it guaranteed. You will want to change something once you get it done. :grin:

 

[DrNip]

What brand of boats are you looking at? 1448 again, lol.

 

[Bugpac]

Ftr. A 48 is gonna draft less water then a 42. And gonna be faster.

 

[coreyprashaw]

They will both be trackers. My uncle is the owner of a marina/tracker dealer. He said he'd give me his price.

 

[jonboatboy]

Its all about what you want. I started out hunting a new Jon and ended up buying a alumacraft bass boat with a 50hp Johnson. Do whatever is going to satisfy you because your the one going to use the boat.

 

[Scott1298]

I have a 1048 and a 1542. I ran my 6 hp Merc on both; I couldn't believe how much water the 1048 pushed, I felt like it limited my speed. Heck, if you're getting a deal, buy the damn boat... the best boat is a cheap boat and you'll eventually suffer from footitis like the rest of us anyway!
If my 1542 ever cracks, I'm getting a 1544... because it's the biggest thing that will fit on my trailer. #-o

 

[DrNip]

You need to start a pros and cons list.