Looking at buying a Tracker Jon boat, Topper 1436 riveted to be exact. Good, bad, or otherwise?
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Looking at buying a Tracker Jon boat, Topper 1436 riveted to be exact. Good, bad, or otherwise?
Check for leaks. if it has been bounced around the rivets will get a little lose and leak after 6-7 years. check the age. A good way to check is to put the boat on saw horses and put a couple of inches of water in it. If it leaks it will show in 20-30 minutes. Not real hard to repair but Can be a pain to tighten the rivets. Good Luck
What will it be used for?
1436 is pretty narrow, not much gunnel height. And there is not much weight capacity. Definitely a pond boat.
If you are thinking to take it up on the big rivers, get a 1448, much more stable, more gunnel, more capacity, more safe.
As far as rivets, I had a Lowe riveted hull for 15 years and it never leaked. Beat the crap out of that boat too. My current hull is a '92 Smokercraft semi-v and its riveted, no leaks.
Carl, you saved my ass! LOL! Never even once thought about width, I was concerned more with length. (There has to be a joke in there somewhere! LOL!)
https://www.getflexseal.com/images/desktop/boat.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by daniel9829
www.getflexseal.com
LOL!Quote:
It's like the Hoover Dam in a can!
Glad to help!
After owning a 14' jon for many years, if you go the jon boat route, I would get a 1648 mod v.
The 14' jons just get too crowded if you ever want to have all your gear, rods, coolers and a buddy.
My 14' Semi-v is actually closer to 15' and the way its laid out (no center seat) it has a lot more room.
Go 16' with 25 or 30 hp and you wont be disappointed.
C'mon Pier! LOL! I have 4 kids so need to cut some expenses!
Guess I'm going with the Topper 1436...according to my wife. (Sorry Carl). Just for small inland lakes and Chequamegon Bay in Lake Superior. Uugh!
Hey BDL, I don't know if you bought the 1436 yet but I for sure wouldn't put my kids in anything that narrow, nothing less than a 48" and NOT a Tracker.
BDL, what happened to the bass boat you got a while back? Or did you opt out of getting it? Can't remember
Hi Snake,Quote:
Originally Posted by SNAKE
I did buy it, it's actually a Glastron bowrider, semi converted fishing boat. Love it, but getting it out on the water is like half a day planning, the other half boating or fishing. Wife usually says "Lets pack a lunch and beach the boat here so the kids can swim, or lets go tubing"...blah blah blah, which is fine. Just wanted something I can throw in the water and fish at a moments notice.
Flyguy, I did actually wind up buying it...to good of a deal to pass up (I hope)! Just small lakes and close to shore on Lake Superior. Local dealer had a "new 2013" in stock and discounted it. If it doesn't work out I figure I can always sell it to a relative! LOL!Quote:
Originally Posted by flyguy
Pier, I'll make sure to have a couple of cans of Flex Seal on hand in case of emergencies! Wasn't my first choice in boats but been married long enough to know when to pick your battles...Quote:
Originally Posted by Pier#r
BDL, One of the retirement jobs that I have is the River Patrol on the Miss. Our first boat we had was a Tracker, we couldn't keep the water out of it since it was new, it never did float, We gave it back to the State, They send us a Lund, NO PROBLEMS!!! While on River Patrol, we RECOVERED 3 0f the 4 Asians that went down in a narrow 12" flat. I think the 4th one ended up as catfish bait. Two other Asians went down in a narrow flat, never found them at all. They went though the rollers from the top side of the damn. The first boat was to close to the lower side of the damn and they got sucked into it. Human error in both cases, but a bigger boat may have saved them. Nothing less than an 18' Lund Grand Tyee for me. "My Humble Opinion" Be super careful!!!!!!! Wear your jacket!!!!!