Tracker boats!BEWARE!!!!

[spincast]

Well, here's a thought. What do you think Tracker would do if a majority of OFC'ers went to the following web site and took their survey My link? - like I just did.

At the end, where they have given a large text box for suggestions on how to improve their website we suggest

1- They provide a direct email address to their customer support department so individual can contact them

2 - We all paste the following:

[spincast]

OOOps hit the wrong button again:

 

I am a member of the Ontario Fishing Network. Through some postings on this website it has come to my attention that at least one Tracker boat customer has been unfailty treated, in my opinion. In the discussions around this particluar issue it appears that neither Tracker, nor the Marine who sold this individual a boat is accepting responsibilty for what is, from the information provided, a manufacturing defect and poor workmanship. Further the cavalier and uncaring manner with which this individual has been dealt is concerning to me as a consumer: if it can happen to this person, it is fair to extrapolate that this is the manner of dealing with product defects. If you are interested in discovering the details, simply google OFC.com Tracker boats.

 

If we can get Drifter an award, i woudl think we can get Tracker's attention, no?

[John Bacon]

I responded to the survey... I hope it helps.

[shan&jay]

took the survey :

to stand behind their product! iv read on the ontario fishing network forums about a tracer boat owner who had a defective product (cracking around the welds)and tracker boats is giving this guy the runaround and not replacing or fixing the boat. i dont know the guy at all and iv also heard from other sources that they are cheaply made boats. i was looking at tracker boats at the boat show this year. and thought they where nice. but i wont be purchasing one. word of mouth travels fast this day and age and customer service is everything.

 

hopfully tracker makes thing right for you

[walleyemen]

This has my attention now:

The first step is to read this site thoroughly.

http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4001257

You’ve got lots of material for this.

 

The Consumer Protection Branch takes this stuff seriously. Use them.

There might be some help here:

http://consumerinformation.ca/app/oca/ccig/main.do?language=eng

 

Then check this out. Interesting reading about Tracker Marine. Is this the company you’re dealing with?

http://www.bbb.org/southwestern-missouri/business-reviews/boat-builders/tracker-marine-group-in-springfield-mo-10611

Some interesting stories there.

 

Sure looks to me that with the story you've got to tell there's gotta be someone there who'll listen.

 

But failing that I wouldn't give up totally on the media. They just need a story with people appeal. And people love stories in which the little guy gets justice from the big bully corps.

 

I'm gonna check out some possible sympathetic ears in the media.

 

This is kinda interesting. Obviously I can't promise anything but it can't hurt to make a little noise. Someone with a concern for what's best for the boat company may get wind of it and decide to stop the bleeding.

 

JF

If you research the bbb they are like several doors down from tracker Hummmmmm!

[Drew_10]

For those who may still doubt the legitmacy of Wayne's claims, I can assure you that 'rough trailering', or any sort of abuse to the boat on behalf of the operator is not the case here. I have fished with Wayne out of this boat a number of times and he always handles his boats with care.

 

-Drew

[HTHM]

OOOps hit the wrong button again:

 

I am a member of the Ontario Fishing Network. Through some postings on this website it has come to my attention that at least one Tracker boat customer has been unfailty treated, in my opinion. In the discussions around this particluar issue it appears that neither Tracker, nor the Marine who sold this individual a boat is accepting responsibilty for what is, from the information provided, a manufacturing defect and poor workmanship. Further the cavalier and uncaring manner with which this individual has been dealt is concerning to me as a consumer: if it can happen to this person, it is fair to extrapolate that this is the manner of dealing with product defects. If you are interested in discovering the details, simply google OFC.com Tracker boats.

 

If we can get Drifter an award, i woudl think we can get Tracker's attention, no?

Survey says!

[irishfield]

For those who may still doubt the legitmacy of Wayne's claims, I can assure you that 'rough trailering', or any sort of abuse to the boat on behalf of the operator is not the case here. I have fished with Wayne out of this boat a number of times and he always handles his boats with care.

 

-Drew

 

No doubt here Drew!! It's simply the case of an overzealous welder weakening parent material while putting in internal brackets! That and poor design...

[alexcba]

Well, here's a thought. What do you think Tracker would do if a majority of OFC'ers went to the following web site and took their survey My link? - like I just did.

At the end, where they have given a large text box for suggestions on how to improve their website we suggest

1- They provide a direct email address to their customer support department so individual can contact them

2 - We all paste the following:

 

just did it as well. hope it really helps Wayne. such Bull to see someone have to go thru something like this.

[walleyemen]

Spoke with my insurance today, they are sending out a boat damage specialist to access the boat, tried to get the dealer to e-mail a warranty claim # or work order, they say they have nothing, Phoned tracker marine in springhill mo. same deal , i phoned the insurance and told them and they are to call themselves to get any info they need, hopefully they make out better than i did, , sighhhhhhhhhhh.. i'm too drained to be even mad.

[Grimace]

Absolute lunacy.

[tee]

Absolute lunacy.

 

You need to go over to the BBC Forum under "Tin Boats" and check out mine and a few others escapades with Tracker Marine...OR should I say, "Cracker" ;(

 

They'll NEVER get another penny of mine!

 

TEE

[dave524]

Personally would never buy a welded boat, this has been a issue for a lot of years. Buddy bought a Crestliner welded hull 20 years ago, 16 foot open with a tiller 40, in 2 years it had developed multiple cracks in the material immediately adjacent to the welds. Welds themselves didn't crack but the material cracked lengthwise along the edge of the welds. He was a welder at one of the steel companies in Hamilton with tickets out the yingyang, too much heat if I recall is what he blamed.

Edited January 29, 2011 by dave524

[dagoat_1]

With all the new hightech epoxies out there today you figure someone would start gluing in the supports???

I had to weld two spots on my Fisher and has held nicely for the last 5yrs.

[strik]

This is sick

 

Lets see if i got this stright you cant get the Co to back thier product so you have (out of no other choice) had to use your personal insurance to see if they will cover the damage. This in return will end up haveing you make a clam and driving up your insurance in the long run.

 

Lets hope everythg works out i wish you the best. If I can do anything to help even send a letter to somone please let me know

 

Strik

[bassassin]

Sometimes you get a lemon!!! I have a 06 Fisher same boat as a tracker friggin bullitt proof! 17.5' x 8'2" wide beam from handles shallow water to rigging for the mighty king in high seas! all aluminum transom and no wood to be found in the transom or stringers! and the 90hp opti has been buillitt proof too! i guess i'm one of the lucky ones...

[Vanselena]

The only time I would buy a welded boat is if the aluminum is 1/4" thick and it had very good structural support. Otherwise I would be nervous that the aluminum would be too brittle once the weld was done.

 

http://www.stanleyboats.ca/minkpleasure18dc.html Stanley boats are ok but the welded boats made in BC are much better and will likely be my next boat. Either that or a Ranger.

[AverageJoeFishing]

I'm a welder and have welded several of them... The problem is that they are not meant for big waters, if you go in big waves with them you can't bang them at all just coast the waves... I owned a tracker for 3 years without any leaking problems because I am not hard at on my boats I slow down in big waters.. Takes a little more time but alot less hard on yr boats. Now to fix your problem take the whole boat apart, get a good aluminum welder to mig weld the boat at more points than stock ( there are not welded enough thats their main problem ) It might warp a bit but it rather be a little bit warped than leaking right?? Then get a somebody who is good with a Tig to tig weld all the cracks from outside the boat ( yes u will see the welds but who cares its in the water ) If u want it to last this is what u gotta do... if u mig weld the cracks it wont last just mig weld the braces inside and install new or more braces as needed... Hope this helps, and tracker won't do anything probably, that's why i fixed so many lol

[walleyemaster]

The only time I would buy a welded boat is if the aluminum is 1/4" thick and it had very good structural support. Otherwise I would be nervous that the aluminum would be too brittle once the weld was done.

 

http://www.stanleyboats.ca/minkpleasure18dc.html Stanley boats are ok but the welded boats made in BC are much better and will likely be my next boat. Either that or a Ranger.

 

i have learned my lesson with crappy boat's so i went a bought a harbercraft (B.C).. yes cost more but what a boat its solid and handles water great, best boat i have ever owned and i've owned many. most the boats i have owned have had problems with screws always comming loose or falling out. the biggest problem i had was water entering hull from some rivet or crack..this boat is bone dry and the best part of this boat is it has a life time warrenty which is not pro rated, also transferable to the new owner, now thats awsome..here are a couple of picks look at the window frame and console it is welded not screwed in like most boats even most welded boats have thier consoles screwed in

 

 

[mercman]

I stopped at the Tacker booth today,at the Montreal Boat show, and spoke with a very pleasant company rep,english speaking, and i assume from head office.There were 6 or 7 other people there milling around,talking to other reps in french.This gentleman, heard the wife and i speaking english, and came over asked if i had any questions. I let him go into details why welded was more efficient than riveted, and how Tracker offered one of the best warranties of any aluminum boat on the market.

I had this thread clearly in my mind from reading the first couple of pages this morning.I could feel my ears getting warmer with each praise he spoke of his product and company. It came to a point where i could hear him talking, but nothing was registering in my brain.All i could think of was all the crap that you and others have gone through, and how he was Bull ing me with his speach. I finally took him aside, wife looking at me like a deer in headlites at this point, and began.

I told him that i always do alot of research,before making such an expensive and hopefully lifetime commitment to a product, and asked him to honestly explain to me all of the negative feedback that i had encountered on the internet from owners all over north america.I love eye contact, and all this time i was looking him right in his baby blues.I told him that the biggest problems were cracking around welds, and poor finishing and nightmarish accounts of people trying to get help from customer service. I told him i had first hand knowledge of someone having these problems,and told him that i had just purchased a PrinceCraft product because of its riveted design.

His jaw dropped, and he was having trouble finding words to say. All he said,was that i should move along. On parting, he touched my shoulder and said "tell your friend to keep pushing, and stay in thier face until he gets compensation,and he will get compenstated" He then turned and walked back into the booth and sat down. I left at this point.

 

so stay in thier faces until they get so fed up, they will take responisbilty.

Edited January 30, 2011 by mercman

[MCTFisher9120]

I stopped at the Tacker booth today,at the Montreal Boat show, and spoke with a very pleasant company rep,english speaking, and i assume from head office.There were 6 or 7 other people there milling around,talking to other reps in french.This gentleman, heard the wife and i speaking english, and came over asked if i had any questions. I let him go into details why welded was more efficient than riveted, and how Tracker offered one of the best warranties of any aluminum boat on the market.

I had this thread clearly in my mind from reading the first couple of pages this morning.I could feel my ears getting warmer with each praise he spoke of his product and company. It came to a point where i could hear him talking, but nothing was registering in my brain.All i could think of was all the crap that you and others have gone through, and how he was Bull ing me with his speach. I finally took him aside, wife looking at me like a deer in headlites at this point, and began.

I told him that i always do alot of research,before making such an expensive and hopefully lifetime commitment to a product, and asked him to honestly explain to me all of the negative feedback that i had encountered on the internet from owners all over north america.I love eye contact, and all this time i was looking him right in his baby blues.I told him that the biggest problems were cracking around welds, and poor finishing and nightmarish accounts of people trying to get help from customer service. I told him i had first hand knowledge of someone having these problems,and told him that i had just purchased a PrinceCraft product because of its riveted design.

His jaw dropped, and he was having trouble finding words to say. All he said,was that i should move along. On parting, he touched my shoulder and said "tell your friend to keep pushing, and stay in thier face until he gets compensation,and he will get compenstated" He then turned and walked back into the booth and sat down. I left at this point.

 

so stay in thier faces until they get so fed up, they will take responisbilty.

Nice job, I have not yet bought my first boat but since reading through this thread the last few days it seems apparent that Tracker stinks haha. Must of felt real dam nice to have that quick chat eh.

 

Sorry to hear of all the Bull that you went through with your boat and yes keep pushing, I know I would.

[HTHM]

I stopped at the Tacker booth today,at the Montreal Boat show, and spoke with a very pleasant company rep,english speaking, and i assume from head office.There were 6 or 7 other people there milling around,talking to other reps in french.This gentleman, heard the wife and i speaking english, and came over asked if i had any questions. I let him go into details why welded was more efficient than riveted, and how Tracker offered one of the best warranties of any aluminum boat on the market.

I had this thread clearly in my mind from reading the first couple of pages this morning.I could feel my ears getting warmer with each praise he spoke of his product and company. It came to a point where i could hear him talking, but nothing was registering in my brain.All i could think of was all the crap that you and others have gone through, and how he was Bull ing me with his speach. I finally took him aside, wife looking at me like a deer in headlites at this point, and began.

I told him that i always do alot of research,before making such an expensive and hopefully lifetime commitment to a product, and asked him to honestly explain to me all of the negative feedback that i had encountered on the internet from owners all over north america.I love eye contact, and all this time i was looking him right in his baby blues.I told him that the biggest problems were cracking around welds, and poor finishing and nightmarish accounts of people trying to get help from customer service. I told him i had first hand knowledge of someone having these problems,and told him that i had just purchased a PrinceCraft product because of its riveted design.

His jaw dropped, and he was having trouble finding words to say. All he said,was that i should move along. On parting, he touched my shoulder and said "tell your friend to keep pushing, and stay in thier face until he gets compensation,and he will get compenstated" He then turned and walked back into the booth and sat down. I left at this point.

 

so stay in thier faces until they get so fed up, they will take responisbilty.

Having only just met you, and from what I have seen, I would have paid at least a nickel to have seen that exchange.

[mercman]

ya it did.I dont think anyone has ever been so brutally honest with him while remaining calm and to the point.Seeing that his products reputation may have influenced a potential buyer into buying his competitions product may have been a bit much for him to absorb all at once.

[spincast]

Atta boy Paul

[JohnF]

Sometimes the salesmen have to buy into the party line. It's hard to sell something you don't or can't believe in. It's tough for a salesman to hear the truth laid out calmly and rationally. It's much easier to ignore a wild-eyed ranter. Hopefully his confidence will be a tad shaken now and he'll be asking some tough questions of the service department.

 

JF