Boats Review
Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC – Why Is It Loved by Many People?
Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC Review
Reference price: from $13,995
Type: Jon boat
Weight: 730 lbs
Carrying capacity: 4 people
What we like about it: The captain can easily steer the boat using the side console.
What we didn’t like about it: The lack of a tachometer, speedometer, and other gauges on the console made it difficult for the captain to fully understand how the boat was doing.
Rating (4.75/5)
The Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC is a Jon boat with side console, which is perfect for a family of four. On one hand, the side console design is convenient and easy to operate for steering the boat. On the other hand, the integrated all-welded aluminum hull has high durability.
If you are interested in this boat, you are welcome to read on. The next part will be a more detailed introduction from the boat’s driving feeling, fishing feeling, specification details and many other aspects.
Driving Experience
My cousin Sam invited me to go fishing with him, and it just so happened that my family had recently acquired a Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC. We decided to go to Lake Superior, one of the largest lakes in the Great Lakes, where there are many species and a ton of jon boats go fishing every year.
The day of the appointment was a beautiful fall day, perfect for going out. Sam and I stuck the trailer with the boat in the back and headed for our destination. Arriving at the lake, we worked together to push the boat down into the water. We both couldn’t wait to get into the boat, and even with the amount of movement we both made getting into the boat, the boat didn’t wobble significantly. The flat bottom of the boat is well designed to ensure the stability of the boat.
Activation Effect
The ship’s console, located on the right side of the ship, will be easier in grasping the direction of the ship for me. I sat in the driver’s seat and turned the key, and the sound of the engine starting came from behind me as the ship started to go offshore. I held the motion steering wheel and it felt very smooth in the turning process. The boat cut a beautiful arc across the lake under my control, with the wind blowing across my face, making the mood more and more pleasant.
Of course, this console is not particularly complete in terms of functionality, and there is no tachometer, speedometer and other instrument settings. I wouldn’t be able to get all kinds of information about the boat’s movement, and could only respond by observing the surrounding situation with my eyes.
We parked the boat in a slightly secluded spot, because even in autumn the temperature is still a bit high and the fish prefer to stay in the cooler areas. The Trolling motor on the bow came into its own at this time, and the foot control helped the boat to stop exactly where you wanted it to go.
Fishing Feeling
The boat stopped on the water and I leaned down to take out our fishing gear from the deck and handed the rods to Sam. The boat can accommodate up to 4 people, so there was more than enough room for both of us inside the boat at the moment, very spacious.
We waited patiently for the fish to bite at different locations on the bow and stern of the boat, but perhaps it was our bad luck that the float didn’t move after a long time. In the quiet environment around us, we all tacitly agreed not to break the quiet.
Finally, when we felt that today to return empty-handed, I sensed a struggle on the fish rod in the force of resistance. I quickly retrieved the line and there was a big enough trophy on the other end of the hook. Sam exclaimed and came over to help me take the fish off the hook and put it in the live well in front of the console. 9 gallon live well was not a big capacity, but at least kept some of the trophy alive.
Specification
Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC has attracted a lot of attention with its high cost performance.
First of all, in the design of the driver’s seat, the console located on the right side of the boat helps the captain to drive the boat. Steering through the steering wheel rather than the engine lever is generally more effortless and provides more control over the boat.
Secondly, the main fishing and hunting Jon boat is also very good in function. On the one hand, thanks to its lower Deadrise hull’s strong stability, even in the boat to walk back and forth and to carry out a variety of casting line pulling operation of the boat will not be too shaky. On the other hand, the live well system in front of the console can basically meet the function of ensuring the freshness of the loot, and it is also very convenient to use.
Last but not least, Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC is also well thought out in some details of design. The drink holder in front of the console is within easy reach, providing the most intimate service for the skipper who works hard to drive the boat. In addition, the welded-in foam filled interior allows for a quieter ride and ensures better structural strength of the boat.
Other versions
In fact, the current Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC model has been optimized and almost every few years the boats are upgraded in some detail. On Tracker’s website, the latest version is the 2023 model Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC, with a few 2019 and 2020 model Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC still available. There may be some slight differences in the boats of different generations.
Each upgrading of a ship increases its price, either because of the cost of the vessel or because of inflation. The 2020 model has two fewer motor options compared to the 2019 model: the 15 EL FourStroke and 30 ELPT FourStroke. Secondly, the 2020 model adds NEW LED bow courtesy/navigation light electrical equipment to guarantee the visibility and safety of boating at night.
The 2023 version, the latest version, is actually not much different compared to the 2020 version, with only the increased flow rate of the bilge(from 500 GPH to 800 GPH) and the improved performance of the vessel to some extent.
Of course, the continued high price of boats is not too friendly for those on a budget, so if you are looking forward to new boats from other brands, feel free to get in touch with us.
What we like
- The 7-degree vessel inclination ensures the smoothness of the vessel while avoiding as much as possible the accumulation of water in the cabin caused by the tilting of the vessel.
- The spacious front deck provides plenty of space for fishing and hunting.
- The lockable storage space on the bow deck protects the equipment well.
- The passage for drainage in the cabin helps to maintain the cabin dry.
- The design of the side console will be more convenient in driving the boat.
What we don’t like
- There is no tachometer, speedometer and other kinds of instrument panel to measure the ship’s driving condition on the console, which brings inconvenience to the captain to understand the basic situation of navigation.
- Jon boat does not have much seating arrangement and is dificult to guarantee the comfort of the seats.
FAQ
1. Are Jon boats stable?
Of course! Thanks to the low cocking angle and flat bottom design of Jon boat, the stability of the boat is greatly ensured. But it also causes the disadvantage that the boat is not very suitable for driving in high waves.
2. Can you take a jon boat in the ocean?
Generally speaking, Jon boat is not very suitable for driving in seawater. Because the sea surface is prone to many unstable factors and waves, it is not very safe for the Jon boat with a shallow draft on the flat bottom. the Jon boat is more suitable for driving in relatively calm water.
3. How big is a jon boat?
Jon boats come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 8′ to 24′. In the case of the Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC that we mentioned now, this boat has an overall length of 16′ 1” and is a medium-sized boat.
Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC SPECS
Standard
| Length | 16′ 1” |
| Beam | 6′ |
| Bottom Width | 4′ |
| Max. Recommended HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 6 gal. |
| Max. Person Capacity | 4 persons |
| Max. Person Weight | 550 lbs. |
| Max. Person, Motor & Gear Weight | 1055 lbs. |
| Interior Depth | 15.75” |
| Transom Height | 21” |
| Deadrise | 7 degrees |
| Hull Material | 0.100 5052 marine alloy |
| Average Dry Weight | 730 lbs. |
| Average Package Weight | 1395 lbs. |
| Package Height | 6′ 1” |
| Package Width | 6′ |
| Package Length | 20′ 4” |
| Storage Length (W/Outboard Trimmed Down) | 20′ 4” |
Optional
| Mercury® FourStroke | USD |
| 9.9 EL FourStroke | $ 12,635 |
| 20 ELPT FourStroke | $ 13,995 |
| 25 ELPT FourStroke | $14.935 |
| 40 ELPT FourStroke | $16,235 |
| 50 ELPT FourStroke | $16,935 |
Video
Comparison Table
| Ships | Deck | Maximum horsepowerLimits | Maximum capacity limit |
| Lowe Boats Roughneck 1660 SC | Full length 16′ | 60 HP | 4 persons |
| G3 Boats Gator Tough 1652 WOF | Overall length 15’10” | 60 HP | 4 persons |
| Crestliner 1660 Retriever Jon Deluxe | Full length 16′ | 50 HP | 4 persons |
Lowe Boats Roughneck 1660 SC VS Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC
Although the Lowe Boats Roughneck 1660 SC and Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC are similar in terms of basic functionality, there are still significant visual differences in the layout of the boats.
In terms of seating setup, the Lowe Boats Roughneck 1660 SC has more seating options on the rear deck, with a total of four fishing chairs front and rear than the Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC’s two fishing chairs in terms of quantity. As a result, Lowe Boats will be more comfortable in riding experience.
The live well system is also slightly different on both boats, with the Lowe Boats having no front box on the right side of the console and the live well positioned on the foredeck. When it comes to the capacity, the significantly-increased Lowe Boats live well 19 gallon design, compared to the Tracker 9 gallon design, ensures sufficient space to store the fish caught.
G3 Boats Gator Tough 16521 WOF VS Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC
If you need more space for various equipment, then the G3 Boats Gator Tough 16521 WOF may be more suitable for you. First of all, in terms of space arrangement, the open deck of G3 Boats provides a larger cargo capacity, which is where its advantage of giving up the side console comes in. On top of that, the double-step foredeck design provides more functionality for activities such as hunting and fishing. So overall, the boat is not competitive to the Tracker in terms of ride experience, but better as for cargo capacity.
The vinyl interior of the G3 boat is waterproof and anti-corrosion on the one hand, and more convenient for cleaning and maintenance on the other. The design of the non-slip floor is also quite practical, as the interior of the Jon boat cabin used for fishing will inevitably splash water, and the non-slip function can effectively protect the safety of anglers.
In short, both Jon boats are good companions for going out, and you can choose according to your needs.
Crestliner 1660 Retriever Jon Deluxe VS Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC
Crestliner 1660 Retriever Jon Deluxe, is just as its name implies, with a slightly more luxurious configuration that will be more of a highlight in terms of functionality.
Although the Crestliner boats do not feature a console that is easier to drive, even the traditional tiller controls ensure that the captain’s driving experience is as comfortable as possible. The winged stern design ensures that the captain can comfortably control the tiller and conveniently store the stick, which is very friendly to the captain’s sense of driving experience.
In terms of fishing functionality, the Crestliner 16 gallon live well will be larger in capacity than the Tracker 9 gallon design, and will certainly hold more trophies. Also, the Crestliner’s inboard rod holder on the port side protects stored rods safely and sturdily. In addition, the new 45 degree bracket slides accessories along the side of the boat for very easy access.
Summary
If you’re struggling to find a Jon boat that is suitable for fishing and hunting, then this Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC might be a good choice.
Of course, for anglers on a budget, this Velocity Sailfish jon boat, which is extremely similar in appearance and layout to the Tracker GRIZZLY 1648 SC, may be more suitable for you. It is much more affordable and keen to serve the majority of ordinary people.
If you’re interested in learning more about the boat, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to hear from you.
