Bought a new bass boat, any boaters out there...it's been a long time

I bought a new Tracker "Pro Team 175 TXW" at the beginning of the month and it's pretty much all I could ask for when it comes to the overall package. I wanted an aluminum hull, console, front & rear deck...you know, a normal bass boat with an aluminum hull. So far I have to say I am very pleased, but it's been about 10 years since I've owned a boat and boy are my skills rusty. The main thing I notice is that it takes a bit to get up on plane. It came with a 4-stroke 60hp Mercury & the only option was a 2-stroke 75hp Mercury. After talking to the dealer, the only difference was the holeshot (the 75hp would get up on plane quicker), but the 60hp would use about half the fuel, be much quieter, last longer, and the top speed wouldn't differ by 2-3 mph.

A question to you boating guru's is would a 4 blade stainless prop help on holeshot? They are a lot of $, so I'm asking before buying. I have a hydrofoil (some call it a whale-tail) on it's way & that's supposed to help.

Another question is where would you mount lights? I've been thinking about a 20-24" led light bar mounted to the console. Up front seems like it would get in the way of boarding when launching.

Any other ideas? We have a LOT great minds & experience on the forum, that's why I ask...

Here's the boat: Bass Pro Shops - Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Boating, Archery and More

I had a nice one once when I was married. Miss that boat. It ruined me for all fishing after. Once spoiled I found the excitement of going fishing gone.
As for the lights mine had light poles you could plug in when you wanted to use them and just a flat rubber cap when not in use. I think it is mandatory to have 1 on the bow. ( red-green ) and A tall white plug in on the back worked very well for me. I am sure you can find them and worth the cost. As for the prop...pitch is the key here. Stainless is a little more durable if your going to be cruising the shallows much. I had 2 props for mine. 5 blade 21 pitch for top end that I used on the big lakes. Top speed. 75 mph hole shot> wouldn't pull up a skier unless the skier was very experienced. Then a 4 blade elephant ear prop 18 pitch. Would pull 8 skiers out of the water top speed 40 mph. I pulled a beached houseboat out of mud with that on once. Tip ** never let a drunk woman park a houseboat :<0)

Attachment 167000


Links are cool but a fish hanging in one hand and your other on the controls is better :<0)

Yes the Fin helps, quite a bit actually :)

I personally like the Hull mounted lighting myself and plan on adding some to the front end on mine soon


This Style

Attachment 167002


I added 6 small waterproof LED's along each side of the boat in addition to the legal Red/Green and the rear stanchion light, to make us a bit more visible to other boaters when we are out at night..

Those Docking Lights in the pic however are the bees knees for coming in at night :)

I do quite a bit of boating both at work and in my time off. I think it has a lot to do with living on an island. I think you can't go wrong with fishing and boating as an activity. Be safe, boat smart.

Your Tracker is a package (?). If that's the case, the prop should be closely matched.
I had a G3 with a 50hp and would get up on plane in a few seconds.
Are you bringing the tilt all the way down?

we rock a 1994 24' pontoon all summer long. Love going out and anchoring it in a cove on the lake, cooking some lunch/dinner, swimming, and drinking beers!

Theres a Bass Pro Shops right next to my work now and i've been drooling over one of their new pontoons. something smaller with way more stuff. costs about $25k more than i spent on mine though :(

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Originally Posted by Neckbone

Your Tracker is a package (?). If that's the case, the prop should be closely matched.
I had a G3 with a 50hp and would get up on plane in a few seconds.
Are you bringing the tilt all the way down?

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Yes, titrim all way down and not trimming until bow comes down.

I like those bow lights, know where I can find them?

Other than another motor (hull is only rated at 75hp), I am wondering if a 4 blade prop would help with the same pitch or if I would need to back off a bit on pitch to get the holeshot & rpm's up. I just wouldn't want to back off much as my top speed is about 38-40 right now.

Hydrofoil should be in today and I have to go and run/pull up my trotlines (caught a 14.2lb blue catfish a couple days ago). I will take my tools with me to install it before I put the boat in.

Test it with the hydrofoil and you may have what you want. Your prop should match your motor in relation to the rpms. To many or to few(lugging) is not good for your motor. I found this advice, hope it helps :<0)

Adding 1 inch of propeller pitch will reduce full-throttle RPM by 150 to 200.
Subtracting 1 inch of propeller pitch will increase full-throttle RPM by 150 to 200.
If you're moving from a 3-blade to a 4-blade propeller, a 4-blade generally turns 50 to 100 RPM less than a 3-blade propeller with the same pitch.

Notice the pitch change to rpm differences ? You could fine tune it more by going to a 4 blade if you only need a 50 to 100 rpm adjustment. 4 blade would be better for hole shots and they are said to be smoother while at cruising speed.


A lot can be done by weight distribution also. 3 cases of beer in the nose is going to keep your nose down :<0)

Where did you find that info man, sounds like they know what they are talking about...

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

I like those bow lights, know where I can find them?

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Everywhere, and of course they are all pretty much made in China so shop the price... Google search "Hull Mounted Docking Lights" e-bay has some good prices too

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

Where did you find that info man, sounds like they know what they are talking about...

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http://www.marine-outboards.com/Gene...-propeller.htm

That's where I got some of it.

Stopped by yesterday to help the old man put his Christmas present on the bass boat - a new fish finder. The bass league we are in starts up in a couple of weeks and we will need to get some practice in first!!! It is an old Bass Cat with a 200 hp outboard Mercury.

We will be playing with my Dad's new boat this weekend on Toledo Bend Reservoir.

It is a 1999 21' Procraft Bass with a modded 225 Merc that should be making about 275 or so. It is a 75 mph+ boat :). It has huge casting decks front and back.

I stopped by and purchased a Lowrance Elite 7 Nav/Fishfinder last night for him.

Should be a great toy for his upcoming retirement.

The SE Sport 400 Hydrofoil worked amazingly well, literally cut the plane time in half and for just $80 to top it all off! I am just amazed! Took only about 30 min to install to top it off. I have had the boat out twice and am still amazed at the difference it made. I think I will go ahead and get a 4 blade prop...but no hurry there. About the same hurry as I have with a forward fish finder, considering moving my current one up front and getting one with gps like leftyonly bought his dad for the console. Just what I need, something else to spend money on:banghead: