Tracker 1542 questions?

[Nave]

Whats up 8) ! I am planning on buying a 1542 from BPS soon and I had a few questions!

I tournament fish a lot (bass), and don't want to spend money on a glass boat (yet). But I wanted a boat I could pre-fish out of. I shopped around a bit and thought this fit the bill. Here are some questions I had; Will decking be a problem? I want to do something like this, very minimal just a casting deck and a trolling motor. One other thing I am worried about is bigger inland lakes with a lot of boat traffic. Will the 1542 be okay out on those lakes? I will not be going out on rough days either. Any input/advice would be much appreciated!

 

[Ranchero50]

I'd go 48" minimum if you intend to keep the boat. I'm up to 16'6" x 48" bottom on my Seadoo boat and it's a great 2 seat fishing machine. Even with the 20" gunnels I can put water over the sides while goofing off. Big water with a sudden storm blowing up faster than you can get to shore causing some 'Oh Crap' waves isn't a place I'll put my hull.

I'd save up and go bigger, 1752 or larger and leave the glass boat out of the equation.

 

[Nave]

Well here's the kicker, I have a 2008 mercury I believe it's a 3.3, I think that would be under powered for a 1752. The reason I don't wanna spend more is because the 1542 and the mod are at just the right price. If spend more I might as well get a glass boat.

Ranchero50 » 05 Jul 2013, 15:16[/url]"]I'd go 48" minimum if you intend to keep the boat. I'm up to 16'6" x 48" bottom on my Seadoo boat and it's a great 2 seat fishing machine. Even with the 20" gunnels I can put water over the sides while goofing off. Big water with a sudden storm blowing up faster than you can get to shore causing some 'Oh Crap' waves isn't a place I'll put my hull.

I'd save up and go bigger, 1752 or larger and leave the glass boat out of the equation.

 

[Scott1298]

I've got a 1542, & 3.3 hp Merc 2 smoke... on a smaller boat. I predict you will only move the 15' at 3-4 mph. My 6 hp Merc 4 stroke gets us up to 7+ mph... and I dream of a 9.9 hp daily. [-o<

 

[DrNip]

Take a look at some welded jons. Dang good prices. You could find them a little cheaper here or there but Backwoods has a huge selection. I would look at the 1448 they have.

https://www.backwoodslanding.com/

Or you could go with a Weld-Craft which has taller sides.

 

[Ranchero50]

Yeah, a 3.3 is good for a kicker motor if you are trolliing but pretty worthless for main propulsion. A 1542 I'd want a 20 minimum if you have to go any distance. My heavy 1448 with a 9.9 was barely Ok for the 2 miles I went up river...