Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

As some of you know, I had a Mastercraft Wakeboard boat and was too anal about it so sold it and purchased a new Tahoe Q7i with wakeboard package (tower) last year. The boat was primarily for the kids but unfortunately they have gotten to the point in their age that we have trouble getting all together at once so needless to say, the boat was rarely used this summer. My wife and I use our South Bay 522 all the time so on labor day weekend, she suggested we dump the Tahoe and upgrade the South Bay to a Tri Toon, bigger engine, so we can pull an occasional tube if need be.

I immediately started looking at another South Bay and the Xcursion (because of the dealer) but they are reluctant to take my Tahoe in on trade. Of course, the Tahoe Dealer also sells Tracker and they are more than happy to work a trade. Before I drive over there and check them out, what are everyone's thoughts on Tracker? This is a NON Bass Pro dealer. I am looking at their 22' and 24' Regency models with 200hp on the back. How would you compare those to the South Bay (700 series) and Xcursions?

I really (and I mean REALLY) don't want to go through the pain of selling the Tahoe myself so am willing to take a bath on the trade. I simply don't have the time to take prospects on test drives and fool around with the BS surrounding that process.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Mine is 9 years old and except for battle wounds it is still as solid as day purchased. Mine has all aluminum deck they no longer offer. I am on my 2nd engine and trailer.

My problem is not with the boat, it's with the Tracker's one price structure and the low prices quoted--often with a tiny engine. Their marketing takes competition out of the picture. Then their mode of operation is to hit you heavy on a larger motor, transportation charges and dealer setup.

But if you're trading in something, it's the difference you have to pay that counts.

The Suntracker Regency is a really nice boat, and something I would be proud to own. And with a 200 hp Verado, it'd be a hoss. If you can handle a 24' boat, go for it. The extra 2' should not be that much more money.

If your dealer's not willing to deal, there's always another dealership that's as far as a few strokes on your computer keyboard, or by telephone. Boattrader.com is a good place to figure out who's willing to compete for your business with a fair price. The other brands mentioned are good boats, but there are another dozen brands (Bennington, Manitou, Premier, Harris . . . . ) that are also great.

And whatever you do, make sure whatever boat you buy has lifting strakes on the toons. It's what makes them perform.

We love our SunTracker and wouldn't trade it for anything except another one.
The dealer we bought ours from is not a Bass Pro Shop either.
Since they don't deal on the price, we were able to get them to throw in some freebies ( extra battery and cables, life jackets,
anchor, etc ).

smltooner wrote: Since they don't deal on the price

Cough, Cough! If they want to sell you a boat, they will. I know for a fact that a non-bass pro dealer did. Although it was a new hold over from the previous model year. They are suppose to knock off whatever Tracker tells them for being a hold over, but my buddy got them to deal a lot further than that.



He has a 22' Regency tritoon with strakes and underskinning. Nice boat, very solid. He only has a 115hp on it, because our lake has a HP restriction.

The only gripe he has is how it sits on the trailer bunks. The strakes are flat on the bottom and don't create a "V" for the bunks to cradle. He needs to add some guide board the whole length of the trailer to keep it centered.

Stick with South Bay. Just my biased opinion. If you dont mind traveling a bit look at North Texas Marine in Gainesville Tx. As for Brian Wallace. Tell him I sent Todd sent you.

I was not much of a Sun Tracker fan until they released the new Regency last year. It looks like a top of the line boat, with alot of plush features. Without looking, this is probably the boat Iwould consider first.

Loved my Sun Tracker so much, I bought another one You"ll love it.

Just bought a new Regency 254 pt3 from a non-Bass Pro dealer. Love the boat, not so much the dealer (but that's got nothing to do with the boat). The same setup from some of the other manufacturers would have set me back at least an additional $10k.

I've had excellent service from Suntracker.

We have an '03 24ft Suntracker Party Barge 240....love it....aside from a dent or 2 here and there...I get my parts from BPS here in East Peoria and usually within 3-4 days for orders....

Love my Sun Tracker. I would have gone with the Regency Tri-toon, but on a public servant's salary the Signature was all I could swing right now.

Just got a 2013 SunTracker 254 XP3. I've looked at all the brands (Bennington, Manitou, Bentley and Premier) and honestly SunTracker has a better boat for the price.

Some things about the SunTracker that the others did not.

1. 0.10 Gage Aluminum
2. Lifting Stikes on all the toons (inside and out)
3. More upgrades included in the price.

To me it was a no brainer on what boat to buy unless you want to spend 10 to 15 k more just for the brand name. I have to laugh when I read some of the forums that Tracker Pontoons suck. I think its all lies because from my experience it has all the high end features without all the high end cost. Anyway LOVE my new boat and hope everyone else does too.

madman1133 wrote: Some things about the SunTracker that the others did not.

1. 0.10 Gage Aluminum
2. Lifting Stikes on all the toons (inside and out)
3. More upgrades included in the price.

To me it was a no brainer on what boat to buy unless you want to spend 10 to 15 k more just for the brand name. I have to laugh when I read some of the forums that Tracker Pontoons suck. I think its all lies because from my experience it has all the high end features without all the high end cost. Anyway LOVE my new boat and hope everyone else does too.

Yep..the ONLY difference is the price. I've never heard of anyone having quality issues with Tracker boats...and they've been around longer than most brands, while the so-called plush brands have gone through new owners, bankruptcy and restructuring, etc. Now that Trackers are as plush as the over priced brands, it's a no-brainer.

Liberty MO wrote:Just bought a new Regency 254 pt3 from a non-Bass Pro dealer. Love the boat, not so much the dealer (but that's got nothing to do with the boat). The same setup from some of the other manufacturers would have set me back at least an additional $10k.

I've had excellent service from Suntracker.

Same here... Great Boat, but my dealer is awful. The Regency is the way to go.

I kind of have new tracker and it even runs now!!!!