Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW TE Review

There isn’t a serious angler alive who wouldn’t love to own a fully-rigged tournament bass boat. The problem with the big boats is that they require big money, with some rigs now topping the $100,000 mark. Nice to have? Sure. But do you need it? Most likely, no. And that’s a fact not lost on Tracker Boats, which has built its own lineup of well-equipped aluminum bass boats since 1978. Tracker has long been known for building well designed, practical boats the represent great value, like the Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW Tournament Edition. While not quite as big or fancy as the top-of-the-line fiberglass rigs, the durable Pro Team 175 might catch just as many fish, and comes in at just a hair over $20,000, making it one tournament boat anyone can afford.

Stretching 17 feet, 7 inches in overall length, the Tracker Pro Team 175 weighs 1,009 pounds dry and under 2,200 pounds loaded up and ready to go, which makes it compact enough to store in a standard garage and easy to tow behind a normal-sized vehicle. But don’t be fooled by the spec sheet, because this lightweight bass boat is no lightweight in terms of performance.

Dual rod lockers in the big front deck accept rods to seven feet in length.

Built from durable 5052 marine alloy, the aluminum plating in the Tracker Pro Team 175 is a beefy 0.100 gauge, giving it plenty of strength to handle periodic bumps against rocks, stumps and other elements that bass live in. The basic layout is classic bass boat, with a huge raised front casting deck, a small central cockpit and a big raised deck in the stern. The big front deck is honestly huge for a 17-foot boat, more than large enough to accommodate a couple of anglers without anyone bumping elbows. The deck height is just right, being tall enough to allow easy underhanded pitching, yet low enough to make grabbing hooked fish a cinch. The bow pad provides an ideal mounting spot for the standard 24-volt Minn Kota electric trolling motor, while a recessed well in the main deck provides a secure spot for the control pedal, keeping it from getting in the way.

An enormous in-deck storage compartment handles even big, bulky items with ease.

The deck conceals a mountain of storage spaces, including dual rod lockers with tubes, each big enough to accommodate rods to seven feet in length. This is a better arrangement that the large single locker up the middle of the deck, mainly because it allows you and your guest to keep their gear separate.

Integrated in-deck tackle storage is a thoughtful touch, keeping frequently accessed items readily available.

Between the rod lockers is a huge central storage compartment, complete with an integral tool holder. The storage in this boat is truly impressive, and the massive in-deck locker is far bigger than most.

Look carefully and you’ll find there’s also a convenient tackle storage compartment, with room for three 3600 Stowaway-style trays. This is a convenient feature, allowing you to keep frequently-accessed terminal tackle, jig heads and such safely stowed but always readily accessible.

One real surprise was the inclusion of a Lowrance Hook2 5 multi-function display right on the main deck as standard equipment.

The real surprise on the Tracker Pro Team 175 is the Lowrance HOOK2 5 Combo swivel color fish finder mounted right up on the front deck. This was an unexpected treat, especially in view of the Tracker’s attractive sticker price.

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The stern end of the bow deck includes a pair of integrated drink holders, while a step leading down to the main cockpit floor opens to reveal a 30-quart cooler, ensuring that a nice cold drink is always within easy reach.

A 30-quard cooler hidden under the front deck access step ensures a cold drink is always within easy reach.

The helm features an attractive and stylish grey-on-black sport steering wheel surrounded by four black-on-white analog gauges with attractive chrome bezels. To the right of the gauge cluster is a flat deck pad with a second Lowrance HOOK2 5 Combo, and again mounted on a swivel bracket.

The helm is neatly designed with all key functions easily accessible.

Step up on the elevated stern deck and just like up front, you’ll spot an aluminum receptacle for mounting the removable pedestal-mount fishing chair. The aft deck also conceals a big 21-gallon aerated live well, complete with a timer and recirculator.

The stern deck conceals a 21-gallon aerated, recirculating live well.

The Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW Tournament Edition is rated to handle outboards of up to 75 horsepower, and comes with a Mercury 60 four-stroke as its standard engine. Quite honestly, unless you habitually run long distances to your fishing spots the 60 works perfectly well, pushing the boat to a top speed in the 37 mph range. Moving up to a 75 will give owners an honest 40 mph, while tacking about $2,000 to the final price tag. Is it worth it? It depends, and at least buyers have the option.

With the standard 60 hp outboard the Tracker runs to about 37 mph; moving up to a 75 hp engine takes it to 40 mph.

Either way the boat comes with a custom-matched trailer, a three-bank battery charger, three Interstate batteries, no-feedback steering, two folding fishing seats on pedestal mounts, a deck hold-sown strap for the rods and 16-ounce carpet throughout.

Who needs to spend $100,000 on a bass boat? The Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW Tournament Edition is a versatile casting platform for one-fifth the price, making it a great value for anglers who would rather spend that extra money on tackle instead.

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