2021 Bass Tracker Classic XL

I have run the gamut with boats.  I started off with a small inflatable boat, all the way up to a modern fishing boat, with everything in between.    I plan on writing reviews for everything that I have owned at one point or another, however today I am focusing on the 2021 Bass Tracker Classic XL. 

I went down to Lexington KY to have a look at an older Tracker fishing boat that was at a dealer that my wife and I have dealt with before.  My visit stated off with being underwhelmed with the used boat I originally went to see.  The boat was about 10 years old, but it looked about 50 years old in person.  I should say this was not the dealer’s fault as they only recently took the boat in on trade, and it was not out of the service bays yet. 

My wife persuaded me to go ahead and check out the new boats while we were there.  A particular boat caught my eye in the showroom, a black 2021 Bass Tracker Classic XL.  While it was a little smaller than the boat I originally went to see, it was much nicer in every way.  It was a large step above the refurbished 1970s StarCraft that I had recently sold.  While the price was larger that what I originally had in mind, the thought of having a new boat with a warranty was particularly interesting to me.  With a bit of negotiating, we agreed on the price of the boat and the added features of an onboard charger, upgraded motor, extra fuel tank, and cover. 

The Good:

• The cost of the boat was great.  At the time it was around $17K with the added extra’s.  All new, all with warranty.
• The boat is very lightweight.  That makes it an extremely easy tow.  Most of the time I couldn’t tell it was attached to the truck at all.  Also, the lack of weight made it very easy to maneuver around the driveway. 
• The motor was fantastic.  Super quick start every time.  Very quiet.  VERY good on gas.  The extra tank was a waste of time and money.  I don’t think I ever had a day where I was ever half empty on the tank.  I recommend finding one with the 50 HP upgrade.  The extra HP is great.  The boat went around 34-35 MPH.
• The storage was very nice for such a small boat.  There was plenty of room for our tackle, safety equipment, and rods.  The was a lack of a rod locker which was a bit of a concern when we stayed at a hotel, however we never had any issues. 

The “its Oks”:

• The carpet was fine.  It wasn’t as tough as the carpet that more premium boats use; however, the cost reflects that as well. 
• The ride was better than what I expected for a small boat; however, I am a fairly large guy.  This caused me to ride with a list to the driver’s side if you know what I mean. 
• The trolling motor was decent.  It lacked almost all features but again, what did I expect at that price point?  It got the job done.  It did perform much better on the local lake’s vs the Ohio River due to the current. 
• The area to hold the rods was along the side of the boat.  This was fine but made it hard to get to them quickly. 

What I didn’t love:

• The lack of on deck rod holders.  I tended to lay my rods between the seats when I wasn’t using them which made for a somewhat hectic layout.  Granted I was too lazy to put the rods back properly but some small straps on the deck would have been a welcome upgrade.
• The fuel tanks that were on the boat seemed to become over pressured and leaked.  This continued to happen after I opened the small vents on the tank as well.  I believe the fuel filler caps we faulty. 
• No ladder.  Most boats have a small ladder to get back in if you fall overboard.  I unfortunately witnessed a boat crash and I had to pull a small child out of the water.  Luckily, he was small and easy to lift but what if he were larger? 

The “So What”

Overall, I really liked the boat.  I would say that I never completely fell in love with it, which I think played a role in selling it back to the dealer last year.  There was a recall on the boat which would have put it out of commission for a few weeks, so the owner of the dealership made me an offer and I accepted.  I would say if you are not over 225-250 pounds, or you routinely fish alone there would be nothing from preventing you from loving the boat.  I doubt there is anything out there on the new market that would do as well as the tracker did for me at that price point.