It’s Nice to Have the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC With You on the Travel!

G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC Review

Type: Jon Boat

Weight: 895 lbs.

Carrying capacity: 4 persons

Length: 17’2″

What we like about it: The boat is fully equipped with specialized facilities for fishing.

What we don’t like about it: The console only displays information about fuel, and the captain struggles to keep track of other useful information.

Rating (4.75/5)

The G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC counts as one of the larger Jon boats in terms of boat size.The all-aluminum, all-welded hull ensures long-lasting durability. The vinyl upholstery is not only easy to clean, but also has the advantage of being corrosion resistant. These may be the reasons for this boat’s popularity, but it is by no means limited to that. If you are interested in this boat, feel free to read on.

The following article details several aspects of the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC including driving experience, fishing experience, and specification details.

Driving Experience

My grandmother is very fond of fishing, especially fishing in the wilderness. Even though she is nearly 60 years old, she is still physically fit. In order to satisfy her fishing needs, I recently purchased a used G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC, and under her influence, I have gradually learned some professional knowledge about fishing and felt the charm of fishing.

After making the handover with the previous owner, I picked a nice day and took my grandmother out with me. Of course, my father joined us for safety reasons.

Arriving at the shore, I was the first to board the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC and met my father and grandmother at the stern boarding area. Thanks to the unique flat bottom design, the boat was able to maintain a certain level of stability as we kept moving around.

Cockpit Details

Once everyone was seated, I went to the console on the right side of the boat and prepared to start it. The camouflage-colored seats, which are the same color as the hull, are upholstered and didn’t feel particularly hard when I sat on them with a design that improves comfort for long drives.

Thanks to the generous space under the console, I was able to stretch my legs. I started the engine, pushed the right hand lever forward and the boat was soon moving forward. The setup of the components on the console in front of me was very simple and I could only get information about the fuel level of the boat.

Considering the elderly people on board, I drove the boat as smoothly as possible without applying too much speed.

I learned where the fish were through the Hummingbird system mounted on the console. Next I slowly maneuvered the motion steering wheel and the boat made gentle turns.

Nearing the spot shown on the electronic screen, I turned off the somewhat noisy engine and switched to the trolling motor on the bow to slowly approach the destination.

Fishing Experience

With a quiet motor, the boat made its way silently to where the fish were. As soon as the boat came to a stop, my grandmother very aggressively headed for the port side of the boat where there were three rod holders ready for fishing and the rods were very easy to reach.

We spread out on various spots on the deck, holding our rods and waiting patiently for the fish to take the bait. The fishing holders on the side of the boat avoided the fatigue of holding the rods in your hands for long periods of time.

Finally, we hooked our first trophy, caught by my grandmother who loves fishing and was as happy as a baby. I went over to help remove the fish from the hook and place it in the live well below the bow deck.

This large 19 gallon live well has been divided into two sections by careful design to support holding bait buckets. Not only did it keep the trophy, but it also kept the bait fresh.

Of course, the most important thing is to ensure the safety of people when going out fishing. All kinds of life-saving equipment belongs to the basic configuration of the boat, and the spacious storage space under the deck guaranteed enough places to store all kinds of fishing gear and life-saving equipment.

Specification

The G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC boat has an overall length of around 17’2″ and is capable of accommodating up to 4 passengers.

The setup from the driver’s seat is kind of simple, and while the side consoles are designed to be captain-friendly, the simple dashboard and various controls still make it difficult for the captain to keep track of all the information on the boat.

Considering the specialized equipment for fishing, this boat has basically dabbled in varied aspects. The 19 gallon below deck live well fully ensures that trophies and bait are kept fresh.

The three rod holders on the inside of the side of the boat are very easy to access, and the trolling motor, a professional device to improve the efficiency of fishing, enables the boat to be docked in the exact spot with a quiet effect.

Other Version

If you’re into this brand of boats and want to know more about the series, then take a look at the GATOR TOUGH 17 CC below.Here’s a brief description of it, which I hope will help you.

G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 CC

In fact, one of the most obvious differences between the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 CC and the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC is the location of the console.

The former’s console lies in the center of the cabin and has an additional console front box design, with the addition of padding on the front box lid invariably adding a seat setup. Vertical rod holders next to the console provide greater ability to hold more rods, and there is also a forward windshield that provides some protection for both captain and passengers.

Also, the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 CC is a little lighter in boat weight compared to the 17 SC, but at around 865 pounds net it’s really not considered lightweight.

What do we like about it

• An all-aluminum, all-welded aluminum hull that is durable and fuel efficient.
• Vinyl upholstery has the advantage of being waterproof and corrosion-resistant, and is very easy to clean.
• The large 19 gallon live well with dividers not only safeguards the freshness of the trophy, but also accommodates bait buckets to keep the bait active.
• The side consoles facilitate the captain to maneuver the boat around.
• The port inboard rod holder is very convenient in reaching the rods.

What don’t we like about it

• With only a fuel gauge display on the console, it was difficult for the captain to keep track of the vessel’s other parameters.
• This boat can only carry a maximum of 4 people and is not very suitable for events with larger numbers.
• The vessel has little fuel capacity while the range and duration of the vessel is difficult to guarantee.

FAQ

1. Are Jon boats good for fishing?

Of course, a Jon boat can simply be customized for fishing outings. The boat’s specific flat-bottomed, low-inclination design is ideal for traveling in shallow waters. It is fully equipped with a variety of specialized equipment such as live well, fishing chairs, rod holders, etc., all laying the foundation for fishing activities.

2. Do you need a trailer for a Jon boat?

For smaller and lighter Jon boats, it is possible to move the boat on shore without a trailer, using the family SUV. However, medium and large boats need to be moved with the help of a trailer, which is what we are focusing on today with the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC.

3. Can you use a Jon boat in saltwater?

Jon boats are generally better suited for calm waters, with a low camber design that ensures stability. However, the disadvantage of this construction is that it is not well adapted to rough waters. The salt content in the sea is high and the current is too fast, so for safety reasons, try not to drive the Jon boat into the salty water. Even if there are special circumstances, remember to rinse the engine and other parts with clean water after the boat is ashore to avoid damage to the hull caused by the high salt content.

G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC Spec

Dry Weight	895
Package Weight	1620
Width on Trailer	83″
Boat Length	17′ 2″
Package Length	21′ 8″
Max Horsepower	75
Fuel Capacity	19 GAL
Person Capacity	4
Beam	83″

Video

Comparison Table

Boats	Deck (of a boat etc)	Maximum Horsepowerlimit	Maximum capacity limit
Tracker Grizzly 1754 SC	Total length 17’1”	75 HP	5 persons
Lowe Roughneck 1760 Pathfinder	Overall length 17′	90 HP	5 persons
Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC	Overall length 17’1″	75 HP	4 persons

Tracker Grizzly 1754 SC VS G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC

The Tracker Grizzly 1754 SC may make some concessions in terms of performance compared to the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC.

First of all, the former has a smaller fuel capacity of 9.5 gallons, which means that it can support a shorter range and time, and less suitable for long-distance sailing.

Secondly, the Tracker’s live well will be smaller, and with only 9 gallons of live well system compared to the other boat, the experienced angler may not have enough room for trophies.

Also, unlike the G3’s front live well, the Tracker opts to combine the live well with the front box of the console.

Of course, I still prefer the G3’s arrangement when it comes to storage space. The spacious storage space under the deck caters for storing a wide range of fishing gear as well as life-saving equipment.

In short, both ships have their own focus and advantages, and you are advised to choose according to your needs.

Lowe Roughneck 1760 Pathfinder VS G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC

If you like to sail a boat with a center console, then take a look at this Lowe Roughneck 1760 Pathfinder.One of the most notable differences in the Lowe Roughneck 1760 Pathfinder compared to the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC is the center console setup.

The Lowe’s console will be closer to the front of the boat. This allows the skipper to have a clearer view of the surrounding waters, which further ensures the safety of the boat. In addition, the larger horsepower and number of passengers on the boat increases the overall performance of the Lowe.

Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC VS G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC

The Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC and the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC are basically the same in terms of size and number of passengers.

However, the Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC is characterized by a more comprehensive instrument panel, with a tachometer, speedometer and fuel level warning on the Alumacraft console, helping the skipper to have more control over the boat.

For experienced skippers, it doesn’t hurt to have more information about the boat at their fingertips.

In addition, the Alumacraft has a draft of 0.4 meters, making it easy to navigate in shallow waters.

On top of that, the boat will be more reasonable and comfortable in terms of seating, and these features add to the appeal of the Alumacraft.

Summary

If you are looking for a Jon boat for wilderness fishing, perhaps this G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC will be more in line with your expectations.

The larger size of this boat provides more room for passengers to move around, and the side-facing console can make it easy for the captain to maneuver the boat.

Of course, the price of the G3 GATOR TOUGH 17 SC is not really too friendly for those with a limited budget.

If you are interested you may want to consider jon boats of the same type from the NeoBoats website, they are good value for money and their design is also very attractive, feel free to contact us for more boat related information.