Our First Impression
Now this is a fishing boat! From bow to stern there is a
very inviting look and feel to it, yet with all the fishing amenities it's
extremely functional too. Priced well, it's easy to see why Tracker sells so
many of these Fishin' Barge `toons each year.
Consumer Test
One thing that we love to see, yet rarely do on fishing
pontoons, is designated rod storage. Besides the vertical spot in the stern,
there is also a nice aerodynamic lockable box behind the helm seat that can
hold up to seven and a half foot rods. It's perfect because it doesn't take up
a lot of room, yet gets your poles out of the way when you're not using them. A
few separators inside could be handy, but either way this is still a great place
to store your poles.
Also in the stern are two of the four fishing seats that
might just be more comfortable than the actual bench seats, which says a lot
about the focus on this 21-footer. We love the 16-gallon livewell as well as
the bait bucket in the stern, helping make this area one of the most popular
onboard.
In the bow are two more fishing stations that include an
eight-gallon livewell on one side and a battery storage box on the other. This
is for the optional trolling motor, which explains the cutout on the bow gate,
but this entry could be a concern if you didn't go with the option.
If we had to be picky, we feel a fishfinder and a trolling
motor should be included in the standard package. There is a very nice option
available that includes a Lowrance X50 DS LCG fishfinder and a MotorGuide
motor, but with such a loaded fishing `toon these should come standard to
complete the setup. With the gate cut out for a trolling motor and a battery
storage box up front, it's unlikely any fisherman wouldn't want this
additional, optional equipment.
Forward of the one-piece fiberglass helm station is a small
removable trash can that is concealed well. Complete with a tall windshield,
easy-to-read gauges and a Jensen stereo, the console flows well with the rest
of the boat.
Inspection Test
The two chambered pontoons are 24 inches in diameter with
splash guards, and the weld quality is above average. The Z-shaped
cross-members are bolted to the plywood deck and are 24-inch centers overall
and on 12 inches near the transom.
Up top, the gates have a positive latch and are lift and
lock as well, which make it really safe for younger kids. There is nearly 15
feet of usable deck space from inside the bow gate to the rear bench with this
spacious layout.
Performance Test
With the Mercury 60hp Bigfoot we nearly hit the 20 mile per
hour mark at full throttle. Our zero to 10 mph time was very quick, and for a
boat designed more for angling than performance, we were quite pleased. She
leans a little in the sharp turns, but held just fine, and overall, we felt
this Fishin' Barge responded better than expected.
Who Should Buy It
Even though the 60hp engine performed well, it was the
performance rating that dragged down the overall score a little on this boat.
We love the value this Tracker offers, plus the well-built and well-designed
layout that is ideal for the serious angler that wants a great fishing `toon,
but doesn't want to spend too much to get it.
Number of Occupants 11
Price As Tested With Power $18.3K
Maximum Speed: 19.8
mph
Wild Ponies: 60hp
No. of Gates 3
0-10 MPH 3.7
seconds
Ladder Measurement: 3'
3" deep
Why we love this boat.Two livewells,
a bait bucket, lockable rod
storage, four fishing seats, trolling motor hook up, etc. The list goes on and
on. For an attractive-looking model that is designated for fishing, there is a
lot to love about this boat, including the price.
Just being picky. A fishfinder and a trolling motor should
be included in the standard package. They are available as options, but with
such a loaded fishing `toon these should come standard to complete the setup.
NOTABLE STANDARDS
Changing room/privacy curtain drops down from bimini top, cast-aluminum
fence supports, nav. lights, deluxe soft-touch sport steering wheel, AM/FM/CD
stereo w/MP3 jack & two directional speakers, fishing chairs, pre-wired for
optional trolling motor, bow and stern fishing platforms, starboard aft rod box
and two livewells.
OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
None
VITAL STATS
LOA 21' 11"
Beam 8'
6"
Hull Design Two
Pontoons
Dry Weight 1,873 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 42
Gallons
TEST DRIVE
Engine Mercury
60 Bigfoot
Cylinder Type 4
cylinder (inline)
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower 60.8ci/60hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio 2.33:1
Propeller 14
X 11
RPM vs. SPEED
vs. D-A
800 2.3
mph 71
1000 3.0
mph 73.5
1500 4.8
mph 75
2000 5.7
mph 83.5
2500 7.3
mph 83.5
3000 9.4
mph 82.5
3500 11.5
mph 81.5
4000 13.8
mph 86.5
4500 15.8
mph 92
5000 18.4
mph 93.5
5500 19.8
mph 93
Springfield, Mo.
Phone: 800-872-2537
Website: www.suntrackerboats.com
