2003 Tracker Party Barge

[lagoonqueen]

Had my pontoon since I got it new in 2003. Always thought it was a great boat. But last sat making a turn the transom and engine fell off because Tracker did not use stainless screws and bolts. There motto is built to last I called there main headquarters and explained what happened. I had 4 adults and I had 3 children on board and all they could say was my warranty ran out and there was nothing they can do. I WOULD NEVER BY ANOTHER SUN TRACKER boat again and I will tell all my friends to not buy. I cant figure how to add the pictures. Tow boat drive said in 8 years never saw this happen.

[teecro]

While I can understand your frustration I also can't help but ask was the boat used in salt water, was the boat trailered often, when was the last time the bolts securing the transom were checked? My boat is but 12 months old not 12 years old and I checked the mounting bolts out the last time I took a swim...

[lagoonqueen]

Yes the boat was used in saltwater... Trailed 2 times a year and no I neved did check to make sure the bolts were stainless steel. Do you know if they are stailess steel I dont think they are mine were metal my boat mech told me

[ron nh]

I read your post on another forum, maybe I read it wrong, didn't your entire center toon come off. Teecro if thats the case don't they have a lifetime hull warranty?

[lagoonqueen]

boat 3.JPG (522.71 KiB) Viewed 3255 times

yes the whole center toon did come out I cant post picture is to large

[teecro]

I read your post on another forum, maybe I read it wrong, didn't your entire center toon come off. Teecro if thats the case don't they have a lifetime hull warranty?

Having only purchased my Sun Tracker last year I don't know if they offered a lifetime hull warranty back in 2003 to that what comes to mind is dual sided... First off a warranty is only as good as the paper it is printed on and 2ndly would be entirely based around having proper maintenance throughout that lifetime. I see/read a boat that has been used in saltwater its entire lifetime and while the bolts look rusty (stainless does rust) they do appear intact but the metal around them is rotten. This is due to galvanic corrosion and even if stainless fasteners are used it can and will still happen anywhere two entirely dissimilar metals meet. This affect is worsened 10 fold if there is any stray DC current going to ground and on a boat exposed to salt air that is highly likely. Did this boat have any zinc anodes installed on the hull?

[ron nh]

True.

[lagoonqueen]

Yes I did have zincs every year I would change them

[teecro]

Yes I did have zincs every year I would change them

How badly would they be eroded when you replaced them annually? I'm guessing that this boat stayed in the water for the season and was only hauled out at the end of the boating season?

[lagoonqueen]

Not bad at all. The funny thing is this boat went in by July 4th and was out by Labor day. Plus was not in for 2 years when we got hit with Sandy was in dry dock

[teecro]

Not bad at all. The funny thing is this boat went in by July 4th and was out by Labor day. Plus was not in for 2 years when we got hit with Sandy was in dry dock

So many variables when dealing with an Alum boat used in a salt water location its like trying to determine how many licks it takes to get to the Tootsie in a Tootsie Pop some where between 3 and 300 is the best guess...

Judging by the pictures it appears that you didn't lose your motor or pod? If so that's good. Now to figure out a means of repair that is strong but does not break the bank...

[badmoonrising]

I've had 2 Trackers, both had stainless hardware. And I agree, the metal failed around the fasteners. Would happened with any other aluminum boat used in saltwater and not painted with anti-fouling.. Routine maintenance is checking all hardware and it's attaching points.

I also owned a 67 Starcraft that had seen salt water most of it's life. I had to replace corroded hardware as needed. I had several spots on the boat's transom that corroded through and had to be replaced.

Inspection and maintenance are part of boat ownership.