Tracker Marine

2500 East Kearney, Springfield MO

Peter of Port Byron, NY October 25, 2009

On August 15th 2009 I took delivery on a 2009 Tracker Grizzly 1754sc boat. I paid cash, a little over 13000. In just under two weeks (Aug 27) some of the welds came apart. They didn't break. They were defective welds with no penetration on one side of the material. The only thing holding them together was the paint. I brought the boat back to Tracker Boat Center in Auburn New York. I filled out a service request form asking to have the welds repaired and the rest of the welds checked. They got the boat back to me the same day. Not a good sign.

On Sept. 28 I had to bring the boat back again. It had popped the rivets that hold the controls on the right side and some of the rivets holding the floor in. I went back on Oct 2 to check on it and nothing had been done. When I got home from work that night, I sent an e-mail to the salesman the sold me the boat. I never got a response. On Monday Oct. 5, I went to the store and spoke to the manager. he assured me he would check into it and get back to me. On Oct. 6 he left me a voice mail saying the boat was at a local welding shop being repaired and that they had actually pulled up the floor to check the welds the first time it was in.

on Oct. 9 he left me another voice mail saying they had found the problem and the boat should be ready the first part of the following week. On Oct 16 I went to the Tracker Boat Center to check on the boat. The only person in the service department said he had no information on it. I exchanged several e-mails with the store manager about my displeasure with the quality of tracker boats and that if this one was such a wreck that it couldn't be repaired in three weeks, I wanted my money back. I paid for a new boat that was supposed to be free from defects in material and workmanship. I didn't get what I paid for, so, I wanted a refund. He did not respond further.

On Oct 23 I went in to the store to see the manager again. at this point, his story changed. he admitted that they never pulled up the floor the first time. he threw the service department under the bus saying that they had lied to him. Then he told me that they had just pulled the floor up two days earlier and were putting together an estimate for warranty repairs. I told him I no longer wanted that boat. I wouldn't trust it on a farm pond. He said they might give me a replacement. I told him I didn't see how that would help. another boat just like it would just put me back on the same route I had just been down. He said he would have to check with the regional warranty manager. They might fix it, they might replace it, but, they wouldn't give my money back. at that point I left the store. I was getting so mad it was better to go.

Now I'm left waiting to hear from them. I would caution anyone from buying a Tracker product. Their warranty is questionable and getting anything done after the sale is not easy. The manager keeps telling me to be patient. They've had my boat a month and done nothing. I'm out of patience.

Ed of Redmond, OR October 21, 2009

I own a 2006 Tracker Pro Guide V17. I purchased this boat brand new in 2007. I have had several things go wrong with my Tracker that should have been covered by them but hasn't. We bought the boat in good faith that it would last for several years and that Tracker would stand behind its product. We bought our boat from Steve Dorn Marine in Redmond Oregon and have had nothing but bad or no service from them. With in the time frame of one year we noticed cracks in the cowlings(dash board) and that the carpet was rotting out. The cracks in the cowlings were caused from the windshield being screwed into it.

We went to Steve Dorn Marine to have them fix the problems and they told us there was nothing they could do. They said the carpeting was rotting because we improperly stored our boat. Our boat has alway been stored under cover. They also told us the boat didn't have shock absorbers and that is why the cowlings cracked. The last thing that happened was the stringer system under the deck broke loose. We again took it to Steve Dorn Marine and they said they were no longer a representative of Tracker Marine.

I then called Tracker Marine and got the name of another Tracker Marine repair shop and I took the boat to Mel's Marine, in Eugene,Oregon, to be fixed. They said that they would have to take pictures of it and get permission from Tracker to fix it. Our boat was there over 2 months before Tracker finally approved fixing the stringer system. They refused to fix the other problems because the one year warranty was up. Mel's Marine had informed us that Tracker had a problem with the carpeting in the 2005-2006 models, they had carpeting rotting out on their showroom models. These 2 things happened through no fault of our own and should be things Tracker Marine should take care of. I will never be able to get any resale value with these things wrong with the boat. We have emailed and called Tracker Marine and have had no response. We will never purchase another Tracker Marine boat.

Lou of American Canyon, CA July 27, 2009

I purchased a Nitro 482 new in 2006 because I saw a commercial with a Bass pro claiming to have never had any fit and finish issues with Nitro boats! My trailer cracked at the weld on the starboard side step and has been shaking loose since new! I noticed the vibrating since then, but just thought that it was just Tracker's crappy fit and finish! Just yesterday, my rub rail fell off and was sliced in half by my outboard! It was loose and Gone Fishing Marine tightened it back up and told me that it would be fine!!!!

I've replace four sets of trailer tail lamps and finally had to custom rig a set of led's a couple of days ago because Trailstar doesn't have an led option! They have a smaller lamp that Optronics makes solely for them. I've replaced one oem set and finally used a universal Optronics set purchased from Bass Pro Shops and two from West Marine! They all stuck out from the sides and kept getting water in them and blowing bulbs just like the originals!

There is a stress crack on the base of the ribs in the transom/live well area that's continuing to grow, but would not be covered under warranty because Tracker felt that it was not structural!!!! It's located at the base of the structural rib!!!! It started out at about three inches and has grown to over a foot! Mark the owner at gone fishing recommended that I pay him to repair before it gets worse? These are the same guys that have been working on my boat since I purchased it from them brand new in 2006!

They've replaced a tire that was bad because of a grapefruit sized bubble with a tire that wore bad on the outsides so I replaced both with non biased ply's! They also replaced the horn, that only worked for a month afterward and has been dead until this day! My Lowrance graphs work intermittently and loves to cut off while I'm driving at wot! The live well aerator keeps falling off and I just finally left it off! Well, I now drive over an hour to service my boat at Boat Masters II in Livermore and they've told me that Tracker Marine has horrible fit and finish issues!!!!

I will never ever purchase a boat from Tracker Marine again!!!! Danger, stay away if your looking for a boat!!!!!

J.B. of Charlotte, NC July 24, 2009

I purchased a Tracker Grizzly 1754 and all welds in the boat broke. The boat has been in the shop now for a month as all ribs and welds are replaced due to not be done correctly at the factory. I will not purchase another boat from Tracker ever.

Gary of Rock Creek, OH July 20, 2009

In 2004 I purchased a new Tournament V-18 with a lifetime hull warranty. After a fishing trip in early July I noticed a hole coming through the hull where two welds meet so i took it back to the dealer and they took pictures. After sending them to Tracker they were told my warranty had expired in May but under "good faith" they would repair it but I had to drive it down to Missouri. This will cause me to jiss work as well as about 1,000.00 in gas. I called to ask them how they were going to repair it to see if it would be worth the trip but they said they would'nt know until I got there. My friend and I bought the same boats, the same day and he had issues with his cracking as well. It seems they know they have issues but are now backing away from really addressing the issue.

Ltc of Fort Bragg, NC July 5, 2009

I am looking for any assistance your office can provide my family and I. I am wondering if there is a lemon law for Marine products (boats) or any consumer protection you can assists us with. I have a 2008 Sun Tracker Fishing Barge 21 with 60hp Bigfoot outboard that we special ordered from Gander Mountain in Fayetteville They have since been relieved from selling Tracker Boats. I special ordered the boat in August 2007 and purchased the vessel in October 2007, for about 21k, however I had to winterize the boat in December 2007 and put it in storage due to my 15 month deployment to Iraq.

I used the boat in October 2007 one time for less than one hour. I returned from my 15 month deployment in April 2009 and used it three times for less than 6 hours. On the third time out at Lake Norman the family and I were stranded on the Lake and had to be towed in because the engine seized. Since the engine is under warranty Mercury referred me to the Boat Rack located at Sherrils Ford, NC 28637. I left the boat there for over 2 months for it to be fixed. It stayed in the shop from April 13, 2009 through June 13, 2009. When I picked up the boat the battery was dead, the battery cables were not connected, the boat carpet had grease foot prints tracked all over it, the cover to the engine scarred and scratched, sap and tree leaves littered the boat and the steering console upside down.

I was informed by the Boat Rack that they replaced the upper cowl of the engine and charged Mercury Outboard 4112.18 for the repairs. After driving over three hours to pick up the boat from Fort Bragg, NC and notice the way the boat was returned I was so frustrated that I Just hooked up the boat and left. I ran the boat with the new repairs out at Lake Norman for no more than 30 minute adhering again to the break-in period procedures. Since everything seemed ok at the time I returned back to Fort Bragg and ran the boat again for about two hours without any noticeable difficulties.

On July 4th 2009 while boating on Bay Tree Lake in NC with the family the engine seized again and left the family and I stranded on the lake having to be towed in. The family and I have used the boat less than five times and between engine repairs has less than 9 hours on two engines.

So far the Tracker Fishing Barge 21 has had a significant number of defects: the trailer bunk board carpets have torn; the radio has not worked and been replaced twice; the center console has numerous cracks; the carpet on the center console has come apart; the aerator is leaking; the lights on the vessel are not wired correctly thus don't operate correctly; the center steering column is upside down.

Due to the large number of problems with the vessels and engine I feel it is no longer safe for my family and I to use on the open waters and fear for the dangers my family and I will be placed in if we continue to trailer the boat and use in the open water. Although the Tracker Boat is no longer under warranty and since it was only a year warranty I am hoping there may be some legal protection for a consumer who is serving in the Military and was deployed 2 months after purchasing the vessel requiring it to be stored until retuning 15 months from Iraq.

At this time July 5, 2009 I am requesting Tracker Marine and Mercury outboards provide me a new factory ordered Tracker Marine Fishing Barge 21 with new 60hp Bigfoot and provide me a loaner boat to use in the interim. I will accept the trailer since I can replace the carpet myself. I have tried to contact Tracker Marine on the defects since returning from my deployment and received no assistance. Their reply is that it's no longer under warranty and to deal with Mercury for the engine.

I worked 23 years to have a boat like this serving my country and feel that I am being taken advantage of by Tracker Marine and Mercury outboards. My family and I have been left stranded and had to be towed in 2 times in less then 90 days. So far the cost to raipair the engine is over 4K and over 2k in payments not including payments while deployed. So far travel for repairs, payments, and repairs are over 7k.

Joe of Garner, NC June 26, 2009

My dad purchased a Tracker Grizzly All Welded Aluminum boat in 2003. He was told by the salesman at Choplin Marine in Sanford NC this was the best aluminum boat he could by and that it had a lifetime warranty on the hull. The boat has developed multiple corrosive holes in the rear third of the boat. Tracker Boats does not cover any corrosion under any warranty. They did not offer any suggestions as to how to repair the boat. Even with specific questioning they only mentioned using JB Weld and anti-fouling paint to resolve the issue. Hope that works as I would not like to see the boat sink with a 70 yr old man in the middle of the night while he is out fishing in the ICW.

Bottom line, avoid buying a Tracker Boat if you are counting on getting years of service out of it. I don't see any way they would ever honor any work under their warranty the way it is written. Also, they do not provide any real customer service if you call them. The fact they don't have a toll free customer service number should be a clue.

Bobby of Gordon, GA March 29, 2009

Bobby of Gordon GA (03/29/09)
After experiencing boat seat damage to my seats by a bald eagle and rejection of the insurance claim by Progressive as it was considered animal invasion, I sought to replace three lower boat seat cushions. I went to Sports Center in Perry where the boat was purchased in 2007 where they sent me These three bottom seat cushions combined had about two yards of vinyl fabric and about five square feet of plywood, foam, and a few staples. The price quoted to me by Bass Pro Shops was 749.63 plus tax.

To me this was an outrageous price. It took me until I was 46 to afford a boat for my family and grandchildren to enjoy. I paid the fair market price for the boat, but is unbelievable how they want to take advantage of someone on replacement of parts. At these prices, this will keep the ordinary man from being able to afford the maintenance and upkeep for resale or trade-in.

To replace these seats would be an economic hardship in today's economy. I will search for an upholstery shop but my boat's value will probably be affected.

George of Perrysburg, OH September 12, 2008

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