I have started to tear down my 1989 Tracker Pro 17 as a fall/winter project. This is the first time I have ever tackled anything like this but it has actually been fun so far. This site has a tremendous amount of information and has given me the ambition to rebuild my boat.
Background - Live in Southern Illinois and fish a small club tournament trail. It is a team format with up to 3-4 of our 12 events taking place on Newton Lake. This is a power plant lake of approximately 1,800 acres lake and has a 25 HP limit. I bought this Tracker 3 years ago as my partner has a bigger Lowe aluminum bass boat with a 90 HP we use for other lakes. I have boat set up with Humminbird 998 at console.
The Plan - The boat runs fine but leaks to the point I have to turn on the bilge every hour to hour and a half to keep water from coming up into the battery well. Main floor is rotten and sunken in between the rear ribs. Foam is soaked and wiring is an absolute mess. The trolling motor is original and only 30 lb. thrust.
1. Rip out all flooring/decking
2. Repair leaking rivets and then Gluvit
3. Extend front casting deck (aluminum angle)
4. Add storage and a rod locker
5. Redo rear casting deck with storage on sides
6. Replace or change livewell layout (hate current design as drain is 2 inches from the bottom)
7. Replace console possibly with a new aluminum console
8. Add Humminbird 958 to bow
9. Replace 30 lb trolling motor with Maxxum 70 lbs. 24 volt trolling motor
10. Rewire entire boat
11. Go back with aluminum flooring and casting decks
12. New carpet and then go fishing
I'm sure I'm forgetting several things but I'm basically starting over. Fun project and fortunately I have a heated shop so I can take my time this winter. I have already started but below are pics of what I started with, more to come.
Background - Live in Southern Illinois and fish a small club tournament trail. It is a team format with up to 3-4 of our 12 events taking place on Newton Lake. This is a power plant lake of approximately 1,800 acres lake and has a 25 HP limit. I bought this Tracker 3 years ago as my partner has a bigger Lowe aluminum bass boat with a 90 HP we use for other lakes. I have boat set up with Humminbird 998 at console.
The Plan - The boat runs fine but leaks to the point I have to turn on the bilge every hour to hour and a half to keep water from coming up into the battery well. Main floor is rotten and sunken in between the rear ribs. Foam is soaked and wiring is an absolute mess. The trolling motor is original and only 30 lb. thrust.
1. Rip out all flooring/decking
2. Repair leaking rivets and then Gluvit
3. Extend front casting deck (aluminum angle)
4. Add storage and a rod locker
5. Redo rear casting deck with storage on sides
6. Replace or change livewell layout (hate current design as drain is 2 inches from the bottom)
7. Replace console possibly with a new aluminum console
8. Add Humminbird 958 to bow
9. Replace 30 lb trolling motor with Maxxum 70 lbs. 24 volt trolling motor
10. Rewire entire boat
11. Go back with aluminum flooring and casting decks
12. New carpet and then go fishing
I'm sure I'm forgetting several things but I'm basically starting over. Fun project and fortunately I have a heated shop so I can take my time this winter. I have already started but below are pics of what I started with, more to come.