Tracker Marine

2500 East Kearney, Springfield MO

1LT of Fort Benning, GA February 9, 2010

In July of 1997 my wife and I went to Bass Pro Shops in Gurnee Illinois to look at fish ski boats and purchased a 1997 Nitro 288 Sport with cash paying around 38,000. There was only one in the parking lot and was told that I would get a brand new black colored boat because the one in the lot had been there for a while. I returned two days later and was given the boat in the parking lot that had been sitting there for a while. The boat smelled like mildew and I was told that that was the only one I could get unless I wanted to wait a month and a half. So I had no other choice but to take that boat.

Bringing it home, I attempted to back the boat in the drive way but for some reason the breaks locked up on the trailer every time I tried to back it in. In order for it to work I would have to slightly go forward and back up again until they became unlocked. I had to put a pin in the override on the trailer tongue to get it to work every time.

I used that boat one time on the lake and for trolling for 5 hours. I took it home and put it back on the lake a week later only to realize the trolling motor did not work. I took it out of the water and brought it back home to realize that some how the prop on the trolling motor over heated and melted to the shaft. *Fire Hazard* Upon being on the water my in stock dash board depth finder did not work. It flashed on and off which told me there was a loose connection in the circuitry. The antenna for the Lowrance came off which Tracker pt on.

I called the service department and took the boat in to have it fixed. Three weeks later I received the boat back and was told that the trolling motor had the wrong amp power supply attached, the trailer had a busted cable, and they had to fix a short on the depth finder. All from a brand new boat that I used for 5 hours. I called corporate head quarters and requested a new boat but no one ever got back to me. So I figured every thing was fixed and put it in the water once again only realize that the depth finder is still not working properly. Luckily I had purchased a GPS/Depth/Fish finder in addition.

With only using the boat for approximately 7 hours I put the boat in storage for the winter and winterized the engine. Over the winter I picked up a new Lowrance fish finder for the front of the boat and had Tracker install it. Well, depth finder works sometimes and the fish finder never works. While bringing the boat out of storage the cover ripped in the back and was flapping every where. It was under warranty thank goodness and I received a new cover. I used the boat in 2008 for maybe 6 hours due to me being a RN and a hectic work year. While driving down the highway the carpet flew up and ripped off the buttons holding it on so I just removed the carpet because I did not want to loose time on the water.

I put it back into storage for the winter and picked it up in 2009. Ever since I had the boat I always had to tighten up the windshield screws and the front windshield door never closed properly. This year the class from the wind shield started to pop out and the wind shield started to drop out screws. I took the boat up to Ely, Minnesota for a family fishing trip for a week before I had to go to Fort Sam, Tx. for Officer Basic Leadership Course for the US Army Nurses Corps. The depth finder still not working, the windshield starting to fall out, the Lowrance not working properly, and I started to notice a strange smell coming from the trailer.

When we got back to Chicago, Il. I noticed that the back driver side wheel looked a little off but was not sure. I used the boat locally for two months always noticing that smell. I took it back into Tracker Marina 10 minutes away, this time to get winterized so I could take it to Fort Benning when I got back in Dec. On my way there I was informed by another motorist that my boat was on fire. I looked back and I had smoke pouring out of my driver side back axle which was right under my gas tank of the boat. I pulled over quickly and pressed my On Star emergency button and had the fire department there in no time. The bearings of the wheel had come out overheating the axle, and the wheel was ready to fall off.

I had a police and fire department escort to the service center. I was told it was going to be fixed but it would take roughly 2000.00 and a month to do. I was leaving for Fort Sam, Tx. in a week. I left it there to get winterized and fixed for 4 months while I was gone and picked the boat up in Dec of 2009 and headed down to Fort Benning, Ga. While just outside of Nashville, Tn. I was informed that my hubcaps flew off the trailer a ways back and I pulled over to check the axle out. The smell was coming from the axle once again and I put some ice on the wheel well that evaporated instantly.

The next day I took into Nashville's Tracker Boat which repacked the bearings and replaced the hubcaps. This cost me another 150.00. I got down to Columbus, Ga. and dropped the boat off to get repaired once again costing me wear and tear on my vehicle dragging the trailer through the Appalachian Mountains, 3 x the amount of gas, and another 375.00 to get the problem resolved but again I went out fishing just two weeks, same smell, and now the wheels are crooked once again.

I called the corporate office once again and spoke with Shelly B., Corporate Administrative Assistant, 417- who told me to give her one or two days and she would get back in touch with me and if not to call her and we will go from there. My wife and I have called her back 10 times now for the last week and a half and have gotten no response back. My boat not but 2.5 years old is sitting on a broken trailer, with a broken windshield, a depth finder that does not work, a battery that was suppose to be charged during winterizing that does not work on a horse farm in Ga. and me about to be deployed. I will never, ever, ever, ever, buy another Tracker again. Is there a lemon law and phone number that some one can help me fix this problem?

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.

Robert of Romulus, NY August 17, 2009

On Sept,13,08 I purchased a Bass Tracker Nitro NX750 Sc. After launchung nd recovering boat a couple tie si noticed damage to the right side hull at fender. It took atleast 6 trips back and forth to the store to get the neccessary repair authorized. Which was to realign the bunks and mounting clips along with a new fender and gel coat repair to the boat. Now on 8/16/09 I had trhe recirculating piump cartridge come apart and pretty much swamp the boat before finding the problem. I also had the Motor Guide pro 46 electric troling otor lose 4th speed in automode as well as low speed.

When attempting ot arange warranty repair of this it was found that the motor was never registered as is required by Motor guide thru the poinbt of sale. Now either [they] have many inept employee's as well as Sales, Warranty department, Assembly and Quaility control or [they] just like selling junk. My experiences with company have assured that when I purchase a new Bass Boat it will not be from Bass Pro or Tracker Marine.

I have barely recieved a apology for delays and even the original that "your loading the boat wrong" I was told the first couple times over the trailer problem. As soon as I possible can I will certainly be unloading this boat and purchasing a good quality one such as a Triton or a Ranger. After spnding almost 18,000 dollars for a boat i would expect better quality and better service when a problem arises. Due to these problems the boat and trialer were in of repair for over 2 weeks. Now I will be forced to fish club tournaments and practice etc. without a trolling motor until the warranty work is authorized by Motor Guide.

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

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