PT 185 Boat Cover

[Greg Neely]

Although my Tracker PT 185 is garage kept, I'd like to have a decent cover for when traveling or extended trips away from the garage.



Does anyone have any experience with or know of a better deal than the Tracker Custom Covers at BPS for $310?

 

[Jim B]

My buddy has the tracker cover from bps for his 185, its a nice cover. it fits the boat like a glove.

 

[Terry Heydt]

Greg, I have a Tracker Custom cover from Cabelas for my PT185. $160, comes with a matching motor hood. Heavy marine-grade poly with UV inhibitors, tie-down straps, draw rope around the outside, and doubled-up thickness for reinforcement at TM, windshield, and sharp corners. I've been very pleased with mine. Each is custom-fitting to particular model. I looked it up and included the Cablelas link.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...p&navCount=2&indexId=cat21328&podId=0019112&c

 

[TOMMY RICH]

If I hadn't gotten mine throwed in for free...I would have not bought it for sure. Mine's a 2002 and the lettering is already comin' off and is not in good shape. I'd look other than BPS...

TEE

 

[Greg Neely]

Thank, y'all. The above tip from Terry H. more than paid for my subscription to this website. In fact, the difference in price between BPS and Cabela's would allow for the acquisition of another Curado 200 and BPS Extreme rod - as if I needed another fishing pole.

 

[Terry Heydt]

Glad I could help. Certainly reaped my share of info from others. (And thanks for the offer of the Curado and Extreme!! LOL!!!) ;^)

 

[Greg Neely]

Terry, I just tried to order the cover from Cabela's and a disclaimer came up that it would not fit the 2002 and newer models. What's up with that?

 

[Terry Heydt]

 

[Terry Heydt]

Dang! Sorry about that. My PT185 is a 2001 model. I'm trying to remember the manufacturer of the cover (if I heard it, I'd know it)... I'll check the box and see if there is a direct number for the manufacturer. Anyone know what Tracker changed that would change the profile of the PT185? I know they are labeled "Silver Anniv. Edition", but they lable them "Special Editions" every other year or so....throw in an onboard charger, swing-away tongue, fancy decals... Not sure what would have changed that dramatically structurally.

 

[Larry Harp]

Other than the side graphics and the fake carbon fiber dash I can't think of a thing that changed. Is the trolling motor the same?



Harpo

 

[Terry Heydt]

THAT was going to be my next question. I see MinnKotas in a lot of pictures in recent Tracker ads. Did Tracker switch to MinnKotas instead of MGs? If so, that would definately do it. Since putting my MK Genesis on, my cover "barely" fits (needs a little "persuasion").

 

[Greg Neely]

My trolling motor is standard issue MG 4300. The boat is a 2002 Special Edition with a 2003 Mercury Tracker from Dusty Rhodes in Lufkin??? I'll bet Cabela's would honor a refund if it didn't fit - wouldn't they?

 

[Terry Heydt]

Cabelas is VERY good with refunds. I just returned an onboard charger that didn't suit my needs - no questions asked.



The maker of the cover is Attwood. I did a little research and found their website at http://www.attwoodmarine.com/ I would possibly try contacting them to see what they have to say. They do make semi-custom fit covers as well based on boat style, length, beam, etc. For the money, I was not able to come close to the quality of their cover, especially with all the extras like doubled-up reinforcement panels over the TM and other "rough" points.
http://www.attwoodmarine.com/

 

[Greg Neely]

Thanks, Terry. The Cabela's/Attwood price is about half of BPS' and a little more research, especially since this is an interim cover for 'on the road ocassions', is in order.



I wish I could afford a big Nitro, Skeeter or Champion. Those boats don't need a cover to make you look good.

 

[Greg Neely]

Several phone calls later and Tracker tells me that the 2002 is the same length as previous models but 3/4" wider in the beam. Does that mean that this 3/4" is going to cost an additional $150 for a fitted cover?

 

[Larry Harp]

What? Did they make the gunwales 3/4 wider because I'm sure they didn't compleatly retool just for 3/4 of an inch. I would thing a cover would have that much slack or stretch in it.

Harpo

 

[Terry Heydt]

Definately. When I cinch the tie-down straps down, I have an average of at least 4-5 inches of cover going down past the rubrail. I've been looking at the pics of the new Trackers trying to see what might have changed. No idea. Unless they put on a rubrail that DOESN'T constantly pop out at certain points... (I know, epoxy...beating it back in with a mallet works well on those skunk days - let's me take out some frustration). ;^)

 

[Greg Neely]

Thanks everybody. I'm gonna' go for it. I'll let you know how it works out.