The 175 Offers Top Value At An Affordable Price
Tested by Capt. Bob Smith
The Boat’s Design
The Pro Team 175’s all-aluminum power-trac transom design delivers a quick hole shot and the all-aluminum Revolution hull with longitudinal stringer system delivers a smooth, dry ride. Four-inch gunwales add strength, durability and structure. For 2004, Tracker has increased the size of the livewell and added a pump-out feature, while making the fish finder, tackle trays and battery charger standard.
Fishy Features
Looking at the boat from the front, you will find a standard 12-volt 43lb thrust trolling motor from Motorguide. The right side of the nose is padded with rubber matting for sure footing. You can tilt the motor from the bow with a tilt switch in the center of the angled front. The trolling motor is controlled with a fixed position foot control. A casting seat can be positioned in the front if you chose to fish seated.
Over on the port side is a bungee running rod holder for keeping the poles in place from hole to hole. Locking lids keep the gear safe when you are away from the rig. In the center you have a large dry box and a wide divided locker with Plano 3600 two tackle organizer boxes. Over on the port side is a long locker for storing rods and other long items.
Deck Features
In the cockpit the cooler is stowed in front of the helm, but is not locked in place, so be careful when making sharp turns to starboard. Seating is plush for three across. Both the port and center seat flip forward on piano hinges to reveal shallow storage for life jackets, lines and other flat objects. The fire extinguisher is mounted under the helm where the driver can reach it if ever needed.
Instrumentation is easy to read with black numbers on white dials arched over the wheel. Ignition and bilge switches are to the left and livewell and navigation light rocker switches are to the right. The standard Lowrance X37 fish finder has a great screen with 128 pixels and even has surface temperature and battery level readouts.
Moving to the back, the rear fishing deck is tremendous. You can add a casting chair in the center position, if you like. The starboard dry box has three Plano 3700 tackle boxes ready to load up with your favorite lures. Across the center is a 21-gallon aerated and recirculating livewell with pump out feature. Another dry box is over on the port side of the rear fishing deck. The fuel is pumped into the tank from the filler cap just off center in the stern of the rig.
Specs
The Pro Team 175 is 17’3” long and 83” in the beam. She carries a transom height of 22”. Hull weight is about 985 lbs. The standard package weight weighs about 1,592lbs The standard power plant for this rig is Mercury’s 25-hp outboard, yet Tracker recommends the 75-hp ELPTO Mercury, as we tested. The custom drive-on trailer comes with EZ lube hubs, 13” tires and fold-away tongue.
Performance
When we tested this rig, we found her hole shot to be 3.8 seconds. She was also quickly up to 30 miles and hour in only 8.2 seconds. She cruised at 3500 rpm which was 26.2 mph and topped out at 5200 rpm for 41.8 mph. Cruise range is about 100 miles. Sound levels on this rig were very acceptable, starting at 58 dBa at idle and topping out at 85 dBa at wide-open throttle.
The Pro Team 175 from Tracker is marketed as one of their best selling rigs and after spending a few hours with her, I can see why. With a nationally advertised retail price of $8,995 for her standard package, you can have yourself a bass boat that can get you out chasing the trophy fish with the best of them. If good value, durability and fishability are important to you, Tracker’s Pro Team 175 should be on your short list.
