time for a new boat

[eyesnperch]

I need everyones help. I've narrowed my choices to either an Alumacraft Trophy 195 with 150 horsepower Yamaha 2 stroke or a Tracker Targa V18 with 150 horsepower Mercury 4 stroke.Really need input from fellow members as most of us concentrate on fishing Erie and that's where the boat will spend its life. Thanks in advance for any comments. Jason

[FishOn205]

my dad bought a targa 18 wt with a 115 four stroke brand new in 2011. he traded in his 1988 21 foot sportcraft on it and we absolutely love it! it has a ton of storage, everything that was in the 21 foot sporty with a cuddy fit in the targa. we were skeptical that the ride would be poor due to the weight difference between the two boats but the targa handles big water pretty good for only being a 2,000 pound boat. It is very easy to get on and off the trailer. the only complaint we have is after you drain the livewell and rinse it out, there is always a little water left in it because the drain grommet is about a 1/4" or so above the bottom of the tank.. we use the livewell to put our walleye in then before we leave we cut them to bleed out then on the ride in with the water sloshing around in the tank it helps pull the blood out of them. Also when they built the targas they moved the windshield and consol forward to make more room in the back of the boat. We can fish 2 guys off the front and 3-4 guys in the back and there is always enough room to move around. just something to take into account. i have never fished on an alumacraft so i guess im partial to the targa but it has been an awesome boat for us.

hope this helps

[stubby]

if you do a lot of western basin fishing, i would look at the draft of any new boat
i am always nervous with my i/o out west as im' sure you guys already know better than me and you are a lot more informed about out boards.
i just thought i would throw the "skinny water " thing out there
best of luck on your decision.....

[3labs]

I bought a tracker 175sc last year and love the boat. Has 4 stroke 90hp mercury. The boat is wide and the deep v is nice for lake erie. I run out als harbor just north of wild wings and going out Saturday morning. Your more than welcome to check it out. The nice thing with tracker boats is they are designed for fishing and ready to go when take delivery.

[Eyezcrazy]

I can't help much with the difference between the 2 boats, but I will say I will never have a 2 stroke again for the fumes, especially if you troll.

[jiginitis69]

I will say this. Was at ramp early this week. Guy had a 150 4 stroke. Couldn't hear it running. I hear good too. Just saying. I have a 200 2 stroke. Ya know when it's running for sure

[Wallin]

I can't help much with the difference between the 2 boats, but I will say I will never have a 2 stroke again for the fumes, especially if you troll.

I agree 100%, got a Suzuki 4 stroke and its sweet.

[airshot]

Go bigger you won't regret it. I moved up to a 22' a few years back and now I wish I had done it sooner. So much more room and the higher sides are more comfortable. My 3.0 I/O uses less gas than my 70 hp outboard and goes faster.

Airshot

[thebige22]

I would definitely go Alumacraft. However, I would go with either the Mercury Optimax or Evinrude Etec fuel injected 2 strokes. All the guys I know that repair outboards say 4-strokes are much more complex and more difficult to work on.
The fumes are not an issue with these motors either.

[Firetiger]

Alumacraft hands down.