Tracker adds 9” over their V16SC and tosses in a larger transom that can boost the horsepower from 50 to 90-hp.

Aluminum Rules...

Tracker Pro Guide V175’s hull is all-aluminum construction. There are a lot of advantages to this, the most obvious being light weight. This 17’ 3” (5.26 m) boat weighs in at only 2,320 lbs. (1,052 kgs.) with a 90-hp Merc hanging off the transom. This means that even the smallest tow vehicle will have little problem getting this boat into the remote hidey-holes.

Not only can the Tracker Pro Guide V175 Side Console be easily trailered, but in fact, it can happily live on a trailer when it’s not on the water. This means no marina costs and a reduced maintenance expense, a combination that can save thousands of dollars a year. With her standard trailer that includes a swing-away tongue, her stored length is 20' 2'' (6.2 m), easily accommodated in most garages.

Another direct advantage to aluminum construction is that considerably less power is required to achieve the same speed in a heavier boat. That translates into improved fuel economy, a distinct advantage in today’s trend of non-stop rising fuel prices.



Notice the third seat. Not much room for a third person, but using the two port side seats in any of the six seat locations keeps the driver’s seat always at the ready for a quick move.

Reverse Chine

Below the waterline the V 175 hull is a combination of a traditional deep-V with a 19-degree deadrise, and a reverse chine. As the bottom runs out toward the chine it flattens horizontally and then, at the chine, it hooks down slightly. This brings a number of advantages. The first is that it creates a larger planing surface than the traditional deep-V, and this allows the vessel to come onto plane quicker, with less power.



Multi-function gauges reduce the clutter but still give a full array of critical info. The optional “high value fish package” can be seen here with the trolling motor and fish finder. With the trolling battery, this is a $400 option.

However, the main handling difference is noticed when a reverse-chine boat goes into a sharp corner. With a reverse-chine bottom, the chine bites into the water more and the boat carves through the turn without sliding across the water. Also more of the boat is submerged as the chine is forced down into the water during the turn. This increases buoyancy resulting in a turn that is generally flatter than with a traditional bottom.

For fishing, the same physics makes the boat more stable while at rest, since as weight is applied to one side, more of the hull is forced into the water, increasing the buoyancy along the weighted side. So standing on a casting platform will have a reduced inherent hazardous side.



Note the two live wells to port both fore and aft. You can also see the three rod storage boxes. You can also see how limited the aft seating leg room is. Move that aft seat to the center pedestal base when the third guy comes aboard.

Fish Friendly Features

The V175 comes as a complete package with two exceptions. By complete, we mean ready to fish. A center mounted rod box cleverly holds 7-8’ rods. There are two aerated livewells, a 19-gal (71.92 L) aerated bow livewell and a 29-gal. (109.78 L), 50" (1.27 m) aerated stern livewell. There are two additional lockable top-loading rod boxes. For comfort while fishing, there are no less than six pedestal seat base locations to install any of the three deluxe fishing seats with composite frames. Now the aft position for the pedestal seat leaves little to no legroom, so it’s not much use if a third person comes aboard. However, a solution would be to move the seat to the center position and now three people are good to go. Otherwise, that aft position simply gives you a place to store the seat while underway.



Here’s a clever use of space for 8’ rods. Note the reinforced lid and full length piano hinge.

As for the exceptions, there are two items on the options list. One, a must have. Tracker calls it their high-value fish package. It consists of a Minn Kota 12V, 55-lb. thrust PowerDrive trolling motor, a Lowrance X50 DS fishfinder, and an Interstate trolling battery. With a $400 add on price tag, “high-value” is the right name. Option two is simply a $445 trailer brake upgrade, necessary if your state requires brakes on a single axle trailer.

Power options

The base boat comes with a Mercury 90-hp EXLPTO Two Stroke and a no hassle, no haggle price tag of $16,995. Tracker estimates the speed with that engine to be between 37 – 39 mph (60 – 63 kph). If you take heavy friends fishing with you, or you need to be California compliant, you can opt up to a 115-hp EXLPT EFI Four Stoke for an additional $3k. You’ll also get a slight boost in speeds which Tracker estimates to be between 39 – 41 mph (63 – 66 kph).

Specifications

The Tracker Pro Guide V175 SC has a LOA of 17’ 3” (5.26 m), and a beam of 8‘ 5” (2.56 m). Her dry weight with standard 90-hp Merc is 2,320 lbs (1,052 kgs) and she has a fuel capacity of 28 gallons (106 L). With a no hassle, no haggle price of $16,995, not only is the V175 a great value, it’s a package well worth checking out.