targa 2000

[Matt]

Looking at buying a targa 2000 with a 225EFI, any comments about this boat would be appreciated.
What is a good price for this boat. Is it best to try and get a good deal this year on a 2000 Or should I wait for the new 2001

[Nofish]

Hey Matt,

See if you can find one, on a dealers floor, that he may be real anxious to move. If you can bear to wait, do this in Feb or March of 2001.

Dealers with old model boats are reeeaal willing to help you take it off their floor. No, most won't sell it for below their cost, or something silly like that.

But there will be very little hagling if they know you are serious. You may have no choice in the color selection, but it is still basically a brand new boat.

Good luck.........R

[Targa2crap]

If you want a boat hard to load and just as hard to unload. The live wells leak every time you put the boat in gear. If you fish ONLY with one other person and fish ONLY live bait. Its to much like a Bass Boat seats for fishing and seats for running. I tried pulling plugs with three people in it and never again. It also takes a country mile to get it on plane. So go with the biggest motor you can find. I will never own another. I perfer more room behind the wind sheild.

[Dakota]

Hey Matt I think if you look in the classifieds under South Dakota the dealer in Sioux Falls has a couple new ones Empire Marine.

[magna19]

dont listen to targa2crap or whatever its name is.if this is the boat you want,then buy it.i have a tracker for 6 yrs now and like it.going bigger in a yr or so.might keep it if i dont sell it for what i want.got it rigged for lake ontario fishing in 2-4 ft waves or so.

[2000 Driver]

Tracker makes less than 50 2000's a year- so they can be tough to find. I'd buy one now on a dealer's floor or place your order immediately. All of us guys sponsored by Tracker will be ordering our boats soon. Some probably have already. I've found that if I order my boat by 15 November I will have it for the first tourney in the spring. The livewells on the 2000 model year are much improved. Plan on putting a hydro-foil on to help the holeshot. Weight distribution is important. Fast props are Tempest 21's. I go 61 GPS with a tourney load and empty wells. The Tracker basher above has one thing correct- the 2000 is in my opinion an awesome 2-man tournament fishing MACHINE. It goes in big water like the other two 20's CAN NOT. It isn't a family boat. As for trolling well- Ask P/K, Rick, Norb, or any other pro that runs it. To say you can't troll cranks out of it is idiotic. Enjoy that windshield buddy while you are admiring my red Tracker's @ss. The 2000 is not a perfect boat- that boat doesn't exist. If it did we would all be driving it.

[JimStolpa]

I agree! I just posted a similar response on another thread. There is no perfect boat. I have heard Lund, Ranger, Warrior, etc. negatives as well. I have owned a 98 Targa 2000 for 2 years with 225 Opti and I'd agree some features like weight distribution and battery access could be better, but for the money I still think it is the best big glass boat for the money. Don't get me wrong...I've had to re-glue some interior decorative molding and thought tracker or the dealer could've spared an extra nickel's worth of wiring behind the dash, but I'm still happy. That's all that matters to me. Happy hunting.

[Targa2Crap]

The 1998 Targa 2000 I had was in the shop more than at my house. Empire marine has to say the least poor customer service. And for those of you who say it goes 60 you are full af crap mine never went over 55 SOG even with only 30 gallons of gas. It had a 225 EFI 9.9 four stroke with 5 Batteries on board. As for pulling Cranks try doing it with 3 people on board you have NO room. BUY A Ranger at least you can fish out all the seats. Besides that The Ranger IS FASTER than the Targa. First hand Exp on the one. When I sold it the paint was comimg off the trailer and it had several stress cracks in it. JUNK.

[2000 Driver]

Rangers are faster? LOL. In all the PWT's and MWC's I've fished I've never been passed by a Ranger. NEVER! Rangers are well made and have a fishable layout but fast they are not. Maybe your talkin bass boats or something. The only boat faster than my Tracker is a 205 with a strong motor in a flat track. I repeat Tracker 2000's are an awesome 2-man tournament boat. From your posts I can see that you are fishing with more than 1 partner. Perhaps this boat isn't suited to your style. Try a Warrior or a Yar Craft.

[NeverAgain]

That is true I fish with three to four people. I can tell you for a fact a friend of mine with a 620 Ranger with a 225 Yamaha beat the Targa out of the hole and down the lake. FACT Sorry I to have fished a few tournaments in my life I have passed alot of Lunds but not many Rangers. The boat I now own is not important but I can tell you is not a Targa or a Ranger. All I have to say is YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR and Targa's are cheap.
I found the boat hard to load and unload and the it always had water in it. And you my Targa loving friend can not say your live wells never leak can you? How about stress cracks by the cup holders or under the seats?

[Dave W.]

I bought a targa from Empire Marine and it was my best boat buying expirience I've had. They were more than pleased to help with anything. I got it for a great price too. I've bought alot of boats and so far this boat is my favorite and it's tought to find a better dealer.

[Lund owner]

i have been fishing' tournaments for 10 years and the lund i run is the fastest boat out there! i pass warriors and Rangers all the time. not even a comparison compard to my lund. Its by far the best boat out there! the only reason there are more complainers about lunds is that they have out sold any other boat manufacture by 4 to 1 in the last ten years!!!!!!!1

[JimStolpa]

It's great to hear from happy boat owners. I don't think everyone expects to their boat to be perfect in every way. When someone asks for my view of my boat I try to give them my honest evaluation of the pro's and con's. Once again in owning my 98 Targa 2000... Do I think there is a better boat out there...yes. Am I willing to pay $10,000 more for a better glass boat...no. Sure my livewells leak, but into the bilge so my bilge runs a little more than normal...big deal. There's no boat manf. out on this board getting a few bashes so pick the boat that best suits your fishing style and wallet and pick a good dealer.

[Monte]

In response to your Lund owner statistics, 4 to 1 ? You may want to do a little research before you make such statements. The Organization that produces the Targa is by a Good margin the Largest manufacturer of Fishing boats.
For the record.

[check your brains for something missing]

Your so full of it...even my four your old boy has more common sense and brains. . Facts are out there according to aviable boat rwgistration info. that can be purchased thru state!

[Do you know what you are talking about?]

Targas are made by Tracker, which includes fisher , ProCraft, Astro. With that in mind, it sounds reasonable they together outsell Lund by a 4:1 ratio. Ya gotta read carefully!

[no not really]

thanks for helping pull my head out of my #####!lol

[lundsNOT]

In the shot time I fished out of a Targa2K I can I was NEVER passed by a LUND and I passed alot of them in the Gary Allen this spring. Lunds are and will alway be SLOW. So I gotta give that to the tagra but I was passed by a 620 with a yamaha. Maybe you 2K boy should try a yamaha.

[Tim P]

Just a little update about Lund it is owned by Genmar They make lund ranger and crestliner so do your homework Genmar is the largest manufacturer of boats in the US.

[MNNICK]

Actually if one was to become technical, I belive U.S. Marine would qualify as the largest boat manufacturer in not only the United States but the planet.

[Mike_Jensen]

The facts are that Tracker Marine is the largest fishing boat manufacturer, by number of boats produced. And Monte knows his stuff- He is the Regional Sales Manager, for the upper Midwest, for Fisher, Astro, and Pro Craft boats (The Marine Group), which are part of Tracker Marine. And Oh by the way, he does have the registration stats and studies them constantly.
Monte has been a tremendous help to me in my newest business venture--Pioneer Marine. Pioneer Marine will be open in November and will be located just north of Rogers MN on Hwy 101 (North West of Minneapolis). Pioneer Marine will sell and service the entire line of The Marine Group boats, Fisher, Astro and Pro Craft.
Mike Jensen

[Either way guys]

I have been in many minnesota lakes and and all over all the wisconsin lakes,great lakes including superior,michigan,erie and there are very few of those boats cruising any of these big waters. So matter how much you want to attempt to make tracker marine out as a quality top notch boat manufacture then you and everybody who is involved in that company must have not been able to enter into the no. inland lake fishing areas such wisconsin,michigan,minn, cause you boats just are not out there in this terroritory of the country except for a few of them in tourny"s.Now thats a fact!!I'll take a Lund over any of this pond boats!

[EMPIRE MARINE]

I think the merits and defects of the Targa 2000 have been appropriately discussed. Empire Marine did not sell the Targa basher his boat. He must not have looked at the boat before he bought it as it seems he did not get what he expected---a family troller. I doubt he could find three friends to get in the boat with him. He wanted three grand more for his boat than a much nicer 99. We worked on his brakes twice and were kind enough to do it under warranty in 2000 on a 98 boat. He complained when we did not have a part at 6:30pm on a Saturday. I kicked him out and told him to find another dealer who was open past 1:00 on Sat. He now has a Warrior. Good luck and good riddence.

[Confused?]

Wait a minute I owed a Targa 2000 and yes I sold it. It was not my style of boat. That was my choise. But Empire Marine I have not bashed you in ANY way. Your service was great and I had NO problems with the service as for the part that I think there was falt on both ends. So as or you slamming me if you have a problem with me you have my # lets talk. And Targa's are great tourny boats and they do move.

[walleyeguy]

I am from SD and I own a Targa 2000. I don't care what kind of boat you have someone somewhere is going to have a problem with it. I have had no problems with my Targa. I am considering selling my boat so I can get another Targa. If you are interested email me.

[Rip Lips]

I can tell you this I would NEVER buy a thing from this Empire marine just listen to the attitude and they didnt even sell it to ya yet.LOL.Sorry guys its to funny,MY dad can beat your dad up!!!!

[Targa fan]

The Bismarck PWT was the Tracker 2000 show. Was there another company with more boats entered?

[prchjerker]

Looks like there were 11 trackers,9 Lunds,9 Rangers present a few Tritons,and few others thrown in.Couldnt tell what the rookie of the year was running.A definite majority, but I wouldnt call it a blow out.

[Scott]

I'm not throwing sand at anyone's eyes here. I just want to suggest you look at another brand too that hasn't been mentioned here. It's the new Javelin 21 MSX. It's a 21 foot multispecies boat. I test drove one just a few weeks ago and I must say, I am impressed. The layout is as good as anyting I have seen in the market. It was rock solid and very quick. With a 225 carb engine it topped out at 61. The motor was flat on the transom and it was just broken it. Certainly you could expect a couple more mph with some dealer tweaking.

I drove it at the mouth of the Detroit River near Lake Erie. There was a hard south wind, so the waves from the lake hitting the current made for an excellent rough water test. It was a very good ride and the driest ride I've ever had from any boat that size.

Abundant storage, two livewells (HUGE), two baitwells and more than enough dry storage. It was a good looking rig also. If you'd like a reference to a dealer who can get you a test drive, let me know. I believe it'd be worth a drive to test it for your self.I've left my email. Good luck .

Good luck in your search..

[EMPIRE MARINE]

Perhaps we are talking about two Targa 2000 owners who latter bought Warriors? We are here to service everyone who wants service in the area and we post our name, no secrets. This is a tough business as everyone knows and we are open far more hours than any one else.We are trying to establish ourselves and appreciate the support we have received. THANKS!

[magna19]

just wondering sonething,where do you bashers get your info from?also,why is it on the bass fishing homepage,boats for sale,why are the majority of them rangers,tritons,and other brands?not nitros?curious on that fact?could it be thay cant afford to pay for that 33,000+++ boat,spend all the time working to pay for it,and not enjoying it?my 93 trackerf is paid off,and all MINE!!the bank or anyone else has no leins on it at all!and i fish in 2-8 ft waves with it,and have pics to prove it.2 weeks ago on ontario in 2-4,4-6,then 6-8 ft waves,and stayed dry!!


so all you bashers,put that in your pipe and suck it!!

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

I have a 1998 Targa 2000 with a Merc, 225 E.F.I. that I use for Musky and Walleye Charters on Eastern Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River.I run through some very rough waters out into Lake Erie in November and surf sometimes 10 footers into the Buffalo Harbor.Yes this boat works best with 2 to 3 passengers,some times with a 4th passenger it can be very hard to get out of the hole.But even with 3 passengers I can always break 66 mph,with a full windsheild as well.On a flat glass like day I have reached 70 mph with 2 in the boat.I have had my share of problems that you will get with almost any boat that you purchase in todays market,but I am very happy with this boat and there isn't a Ranger 690 or 691 that can stay with me on the run,especialy in the rough stuff. Capt. Larry D. Jones / Mostly Muskies Charters

[Larry your Full of it.]

My Targa has never and will never see 70 or 60 SOG for that matter. Its 55 and that as good as it gets so stop smoking crack and wake up. I own a Tagra 2000 and I think Its a P.O.S.

[magna19]

hey,mine wont go 60,or 70,but it will go from 0-2.5 mph,which is quick enough to catch fish!!!

dont listen to the childish post.anybody who doesnt post there e-mail address just isnt credible in my eyes!!!

well,maybe a friend of a cousin or a friend of a friends brother in law had a small problem with there boat,and has blown it into the transom fell off the boat at 50 mph,or something like that??

[This is a PLOY]

Some anti- Lund dealer, or anti-Lund Rep, or anti-Lund owner, posts these baiting statements just to get everyone bashing, everything under the sun, and you guys fall for it everytime.
Anyone who has fished any tournaments ought to be able to recognize a bash-bait when he sees a statement like this .
AND, from the look of the long list of responses.......Yup! It worked again!

[JohnP]

Hey, where is Empire Marine? Sounds like it must be in New York. I'm interested in a new Targa myself. My friend just got a ##### of a deal on a 97' model and it is one ##### of a ride. I don't know what their talking about not planing off quick enough! It has a 200 Mariner on it and it is awesome! If Empire reads this, please e-mail me at johnp034@msn.com
Thanx, JOhnP

[DK]

Empire Marine is in Sioux Falls SD and they have a very nice targa 2000 with a 225 Merc, very nice boat. This time of year you could get a great deal, it's in the classifieds under SD.
Dustin

[tly]

Do not know where you are at, but if you are in Wisconsin or Minnesota Dolan Marine in St Paul is a great place to cut a deal.
The service is awesome.

They can be reached at 651 738-3102 (St Paul MN)

[HAHA]

And I bet fred is ur best friend! If Empire has poor custy service what does that make soo sports? U guessed.. Piss poor!