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2016 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 - Anyone have one?

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 6:05 pm
by Sholly
I've been looking at the Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 and I have a few questions for anyone that has one.

1. How many people does it fit comfortable?
2. Opinion between 60 and 75 hp engine?
3. How do you like the new cover without snaps; does it stay secure?
4. How do you like fishing from it?

Re: 2016 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 - Anyone have one?

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 2:27 am
by ROLAND
[quote="Sholly"]I've been looking at the Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 and I have a few questions for anyone that has one.

1. How many people does it fit comfortable?
2. Opinion between 60 and 75 hp engine?
3. How do you like the new cover without snaps; does it stay secure?
4. How do you like fishing from it?[/quote]


Hello Sholly... I don't have the 16 foot sun tracker bass buggy, but I do have an 18 foot Benny that is rigged for fishing so maybe you can get some kind of comparison..

HOw many people: we hardly ever ever go out with more than 6 on board... 8 people is pushing it.. so I would think 6 would be max ( and still be comfortable ) on a 16 footer.

60 or a 75 hp: good question, most people would say get the biggest your boat is rated for.. what you have to decide is the difference in price worth the difference in hp. I can tell you my boat has a 75 yamaha 4 stroke and wide open with 2 people on board is around 23 mph.

cant speak to the cover without snaps.. mine has snaps

and we love fishing from ours... in fact that's what we bought it for... our's is equipped with fishing seats fore and aft.. perfect for us.

hope this helps.

Re: 2016 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 - Anyone have one?

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 10:20 am
by guy48065
Also don't have a Bass Buggy but just as another datapoint I have an 18' Sweetwater with 22" tubes.
There's enough seating for 10 very friendly people but the dataplate weight capacity is only 1030 Lbs so that limits me to maybe 6 adults. I get 21mph (GPS) with a 40HP 2C as an example of the diminishing returns of upsizing the motor. Even so I wish I had the larger motor :drool

Re: 2016 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 - Anyone have one?

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 6:44 am
by teecro
[quote="Sholly"]I've been looking at the Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 and I have a few questions for anyone that has one.

1. How many people does it fit comfortable?
2. Opinion between 60 and 75 hp engine?
3. How do you like the new cover without snaps; does it stay secure?
4. How do you like fishing from it?[/quote]

I have the 18-ft Party Barge...

1) 4 people easy, 6 people comfy & cozy, 8 is all I would want.
2) Had the 60 and sold it for the 75 and while it is MUCH improved I still wish for more.

Re: 2016 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 - Anyone have one?

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 12:25 pm
by Bamaman
You don' t say where you're located.

I saw a nice used shorter Bass Tracker for sale the other day at Shoals Box and Container in the Florence, Alabama industrial park. I didn't pay attention to the pontoon, but it was very nice and had a trailer.

You can call'em at (256) 767-3813.

Re: 2016 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 - Anyone have one?

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 5:03 pm
by Sholly
We live in Southern Illinois, and it would be used mostly on Rend or Carlyle lakes.

Re: 2016 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 - Anyone have one?

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 10:43 pm
by Bamaman
We're a 4 hr. drive from Paducah via interstate, and a shorter drive following the Tennessee River on 2 lane highways. Call'em and see if that boat suits your needs.

Re: 2016 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 - Anyone have one?

Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:56 pm
by CaptainJim
We have a 2016 Sun Tracker Party Barge 16', so not a direct comparison to the 18. The 18 is significantly bigger, due to additional beam as well as length. That said, 8 people on that boat would fill every seat. "Maximum person weight" is listed at 1200 pounds, so you'd have to average 150 pounds per person to not be over the max weight allowance.

Looking at the seating, looks to me like it would be best fishing 3 or 4. 6 for a calm water ride. 8 would be very tight. That seat in front of the helm (over the livewell) was not comfortable when we checked it out. Our 16 is a great couple's boat, decent with 4 aboard. We haven't had more than that on the boat. It is listed as a maximum 7 passengers - I would not care to have that many onboard.

The cover is great. It takes a few times of setting it up to get a procedure that works on the water and on the trailer, but the tabs that fit in the slot on the railing hold just fine. Our boat stays in the water most of the time, and the cover does a good job of keeping dirt and leaves out, and protecting the fabric. It takes me about 15 minutes working by myself to put the cover on; about 5 minutes to remove it.

I am a licensed Master Captain; we have owned a variety of boats (sail and power). My job has me driving cruise/excursion passenger vessels; this little pontoon is our "fun boat" to keep at our home. I mention that experience to give you some reference for the following: I wondered about the quality of the Sun Tracker before checking it out - it isn't fancy, but it seems to be put together well and suited for the intended use. It makes me smile every time we push off from the dock.

Good luck with your decisions.