Could The 2023 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL Select Be Your Ideal Fishing Partner?

2023 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL Select Review

• Reference price: from $16,995 (excluding trailer)
• Type: Pontoon boat
• Weight: 1090 lbs (average dry weight)
• Capacity: 7 people

What we like about it: Reasonable layout and detailed design bring comfortable experience to the rider.

What we don’t like about it: Not very price-friendly for people on a budget.

Rating (4.7/5)

The 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT is an excellent fishing pontoon boat, suitable for fishing enthusiasts who favor family trips. On the one hand, the two foldable fishing chairs in the bow give anglers a very comfortable ride, with the body leaning back in a relaxed state and the seat backrest fitting the back. On the other hand, the four rod holders around the side of the boat, the Bimini top system and the livewell system take into account your needs and overall feeling when fishing from all sides.

Here’s a breakdown of the 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT’s driving feel, ride experience, spec features and other versions.

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Driving Experience

My good friend John and I love to fish and travel, and the last few days have been sunny and bright, a great day to get out and about. He just got the new 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT last week and invited our family of three to experience this fishing pontoon boat with his family for a great weekend.

As soon as I stepped on board I couldn’t wait to get to the driver’s seat. The soft seat of the cockpit instantly made me feel like I was back home on the couch. In addition to its comfortable and soft fabric, this seat also had an adjustable swivel function. When I was tired of moving my body around a lot, I could get a huge 360°view with just one swivel motion. It was so great that I decided I would be at the helm for the rest of the trip.

I turned the key to turn on the engine and soon the boat started to move smoothly. I turned the steering wheel with great responsiveness, looked back and saw a smooth wave coming out of the stern of the boat, which ignited my mood.

As I got faster and the sun got brighter, I opened the Bimini top to block out some of the harsh sunlight. Thanks to the wrap-around tinted windshield, I was protected from the wind and water during the drive, making the the whole journey very comfortable.

When we reached the center of the lake, John reminded me to turn on the Bluetooth® stereo system and then the high quality music came out. The relaxing atmosphere enveloped the whole boat, and I felt very satisfied seeing the expressions of enjoyment on the faces of my family and friends.

Ride Experience

Just as I was enjoying this rare drive, John was worried that my long driving time would cause fatigue and offered to drive the rest of the way. I readily agreed to have a rest because, after all, I wanted to spend time with my family.

I handed the steering wheel over to John and walked to the aft L-shaped couch and watched John’s wife and I with the kids fishing and playing on the bow with a happy smile on my face. Then I stood up and opened the storage box under the couch, took out a few bottles of drinks we had prepared beforehand, and walked to the bow to hand them to my family and friends. The kids saw me walking over and excitedly called out to me, “Come on over here dad! There’s a big fish to be hooked!” I immediately walked up and pulled up the rod that was resting on the stand, and sure enough it was a lively fish, placing it in the livewell under the pad with the shut-off valve to keep it fresh.

It was already a bit late and dark on the way back, but that didn’t cause any trouble for driving. The illuminated instrument panel made it easy to keep track of the boat’s RPM even at night. The LED navigation lights on the side of the boat blinked on and off, improving the safety of the voyage and giving me and my family and friends more peace of mind.

Specification

Fishing System

This fishing pontoon boat has won the favor of many fishing enthusiasts with its complete facilities. First of all, it has a live well system with shut-off valve to ensure the freshness of the fish caught. Secondly, the two fishing chairs with full composite seat frames distributed in the bow and the removable folding fishing chairs installed in the stern of the boat greatly meet the needs of most people for fishing.

Finally, the four rod holders around the side of the boat also make it easy for anglers to catch more fish from all directions.

Cockpit

The 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT is perfect for fishing excursions as a pontoon boat. The cockpit seat is wide and comfortable, and the high-density padding undoubtedly adds to the captain’s comfort, while the adjustable swivel seat satisfies the driver’s needs. In addition, the sport steering wheel ensures responsive steering and easy turning, and of course, the illuminated instrument panel design further enhances the convenience and safety of driving at night.

Here the captain can enjoy the fun of driving very easily, and some of the surrounding facilities can enhance the whole experience of the journey. First of all, the object holder and cup holder above the control are within reach for the dedicated captain to help himself to food and drinks. Secondly, the 12V socket on the control panel can respond to the lack of power supply for electronic devices in time. Finally, the sound control system around the cockpit utilizes an AM/FM Bluetooth® stereo host to deliver favorite music in high quality to all corners of the ship.

Detailed layout

It is praiseworthy that the marine grade flooring used in this ship has the advantages of good water resistance, high density and good load-bearing, which is more suitable for the use environment on water.

In addition, the design of the boat enclosure is very user-friendly. Sound- and vibration-insulating fence allows for quiet sailing, and the high-gloss finish is long-lasting and beautiful. Marine-grade UV resistant trim and multiple density foams are more considerate of people’s riding experience during the voyage.

Finally, the boarding platform set up both fore and aft, which improve the overall efficiency of boarding passage, and the 4-step telescopic boarding ladder and handrail at the stern facilitate the leveraging of force during the boarding process.

Other version

Of course, if you’re looking for a more spacious fishing boat, consider the 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY® 18 DLX.

2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY® 18 DLX

Both boats are similar in terms of feature set, but the 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY® 18 DLX is a bit larger compared to the 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT. Its deck length is 17′ 8” and width is 8′ 2”, which represents its large amount of the seat setting with the maximum capacity upgraded to 8 people. Of course, the larger size also means a higher cost of construction, so in terms of price, the BASS BUGGY® 18 DLX is higher than the BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT.

In fact, neither the 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY® 18 DLX, nor the 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT are very cheap with the same ride experience. After all, apart from the cost of building the boat, the Sun Tracker brand itself has an economic plus. If you’re expecting a cheaper new boat, consider this Bait & Drift SF-16 fishing pontoon boat.

What we like about it

• Advanced cockpit settings enhance the driver’s driving experience and provide a comfortable ride.
• AM/FM Bluetooth® stereo mainframe with integrated low-voltage alarm and 2 padded speakers delivers great music to all corners of the cabin for an ambient feel.
• Bimini top can effectively block the direct sunlight.
• Livewell system with shut-off valve keeps the fish fresh.
• Illuminated tachometer ensures easy visibility of the boat’s driving conditions even at night.
• The L-shaped lounge at the stern is not only comfortable but also has some storage space.
• 4:2 ratio no-feedback steering for responsive steering and easy cornering.

What we don’t like about it

• A little expensive and not suitable for everyone.
• The instrument panel on the operator’s console only shows the RPM, and no other navigation information is available.

FAQ

1. How much is a pontoon boat?

The price of 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT starts at $16,995 and varies slightly depending on the horsepower of the engine it is equipped with. Note that this price does not include a trailer, so if you need a trailer you can contact us to buy one separately. I have to admit, compared to most brands of fishing pontoon boats, this BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT is competitive at less than $17,000. But in fact, in NeoBoats platform, such a price is very common. Take a similar model Bait & Drift SF-16 as an example. It is less than $ 12,000 price is cheaper and more pro-people.

2. How to drive a pontoon boat?

If you are interested in driving a pontoon boat, then congratulations you will reap a pleasant trip. Driving a pontoon boat is not a difficult task. First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the water conditions before launching the boat and find out whether the local laws allow the boat to pass. Then you need to master the basic operation of the pontoon boat, remember the principle of safety first, and keep caution during the driving process. Finally, when the vessel is about to dock, reduce the speed in advance and dock carefully to avoid collision with the shore.

3. How to maintain the pontoon boat?

The correct maintenance of a boat determines to a large extent its service life and feel on use. It is important to clean and maintain the boat regularly, keep it tidy and check for damage, and carry out timely replacement of worn-out parts. Also, store the pontoon boat on a trailer or boat rack when not in use to keep it out of the water and reduce the risk of damage caused by water, algae or other marine life growth. Finally, use coverings appropriately to protect the boat from sun, rain and snow and to minimize damage to the interior and other components.

2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT SPECS

Standard

Length	18′ 5”
Deck Length	16′
Deck Width	8′
Max. Recommended HP	50 HP
Fuel Capacity	6 gal.
Pontoon Log Length	16′ 7”
Pontoon Log Diameter	24”
Pontoon Log Material	0.080 5052 marine alloy
Max. Person Capacity	7 persons
Max. Person Weight	1090 lbs.
Max. Person, Motor & Gear Weight	1550 lbs.
Interior Depth	24”
Average Dry Weight	1310 lbs.
Average Package Weight	2430 lbs.
Package Height	8′ 8”
Package Width	8′ 3”
Towing Length	25′ 1”
Storage Length	24′ 10”

Optional

Mercury® FourStroke	USD
20 ELPT FourStroke	$ 16,995
50 ELPT FourStroke	$ 18,995

Video

Comparison Table

Ships	Deck	Maximum horsepowerLimits	Maximum capacity limit
Lowe ULTRA 162 FISH & CRUISE	16′	50 HP	8 persons
Starcraft LX 16 F	Overall length 17’0″	40 HP	6 persons
Bennington S16 Fishing	Overall length 17′ 4.5″	40 HP	7 persons

2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT vs Lowe ULTRA 162 FISH & CRUISE

Lowe ULTRA 162 FISH & CRUISE and 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT have some similarity in basic facilities and functions that are suitable for fishing and leisure scenarios.

They, all equipped with reliable livewell for anglers, has ensured the freshness of the trophy. In addition, they also both use the layout design of two fishing chairs at the bow, a mid-port console and an L-shaped sofa at the stern. Of course, the difference in price between these two boats is not particularly large, with both priced at around $18,000.

Of course, there are some discrepancies between the two. Although they both have a 16′ deck length, the Lowe ULTRA 162 FISH & CRUISE carries a maximum of eight people. Compared to the more spacious layout of the 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT, it has longer seats to give more crew the opportunity to go out. But as far as comfort is concerned, the former may impress me more with its skin-friendly and soft sofa fabric.

All in all, both ships are good options for outings and you can choose whichever according to your preference.

2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT vs Starcraft LX 16 F

If you just like fishing trips with a few friends and family, then the Starcraft LX 16 F will be a more suitable choice. Compared to the 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT, it is a compact fishing and cruising pontoon boat with smaller load that is perfect for tiny lakes and small-scale families.

When you drive these two boats separately, you will clearly feel their differences. On the one hand, although there is a place for water cups in the driver’s seat, the Starcraft LX 16 F locate it on the right side, while the 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT on the upper left side of the console, which is not so convenient and accessible for people who are used to using their right hand.

On the other hand, I prefer the 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT in terms of the wrap-around tinted windshield on the cockpit to protect it from wind and water and to offer better experience, unfortunately the other boat was not in line with this design philosophy.

If you expect more, you can click on our homepage to learn more about the same type of fishing pontoon boats.

2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT vs 2023 Bennington S16 Fishing

The Bennington brand is known for its luxurious, high-quality pontoon boats, offering a wide range of models to suit different budgets and preferences.The Bennington S16 Fishing features a livewell system right in front of each of the two fishing seats in the bow for easy storage of the fish each catches. Compared to the one livewell system in front of the XL SELECT driver’s seat, Bennington’s design allows for competition between two anglers, adding to the fun of the activity.

In addition, the size of Bennington boats is longer, reaching 17′ 4.5″, which will be more spacious in seating arrangement and more comfortable for the passengers.

Of course, Bennington’s luxurious features come with a high price tag, with even the most basic features costing about $27,933, not really friendly for people who do not have a big budget.

Summary

If you are looking for a pontoon boat for your family or group to fish and relax, this 2023 Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY16 XL SELECT is undoubtedly a great choice. It will not disappoint you or your passengers in terms of selection, performance or comfort. Especially for those groups with many children, the spacious design and thoughtful details is sure to make them safe while enjoying much comfort.

Of course, if you are on a budget, you will get more new boats with excellent performance but at a cheaper price by clicking here. You can also contact us with your requirements to find the right boat more quickly.