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Tracker Targa V-18 Combo (2015-)
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Brief Summary
It’s hard to beat the Tracker Targa V-18 Combo for multi-use, multi-environment fun with family and friends. Like other Trackers, the Targa V-18 Combo comes loaded with fish-ready standard features. This model is ready for other uses as well, including water skiing and wakeboarding. If one wants the toughness and practicality of welded aluminum in a boat that does it all, the Targa V-18 Combo delivers it in a fully equipped, turn-key package that will have the boater enjoying the water, fast.
Key Features
- Diamond Coat finish with exclusive powder coat and clear coat
- 2-piece, all-welded Deep V aluminum hull
- Port/starboard consoles with walkthrough windshield
- Flip-up aft fishing deck extension with folding jump seats
- Removable ski pylon and swim platform with ladder
- Minn Kota 24V, 70-lb. thrust PowerDrive trolling motor
- Lowrance 3X color fishfinder
- 2 side rod boxes hold rods up to 7'
- Bow 19-gallon aerated livewell and 11-gallon aft aerated livewell
- Tandem-axle custom trailer with Super Lube hubs and swing-away tongue
Specifications
Length Overall | 19' 1'' / 5.82 m |
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Beam |
8' 6'' 2.59 m |
Dry Weight |
1,850 lbs. 839 kg |
Draft | N/A |
Deadrise/Transom | 20-deg. |
Max Headroom | open |
Bridge Clearance | N/A |
Fuel Capacity |
40 gal. 151 L |
Water Capacity | N/A |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
Currently no test numbers |
---|---|
Std. Power |
1 x 115-hp Mercury EXLPT 4-stroke |
Opt. Power |
1 x 150-hp Mercury XL 4-stroke 1 x 150-hp Mercury XL OptiMax Pro XS 1 x 150-hp Mercury XL Verado |
Warranty
Deck Warranty Extended | Limited Lifetime |
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Learn More
Watch Our Video
Mission Statement
As the name implies, the Tracker Targa V-18 Combo delivers a bit of everything. This welded aluminum deep-V combines a hull shape typical of big-water fiberglass models with the comfort and stability of a big 8’6” (2.59 m) beam. To say the boat comes equipped for fishing is an understatement. A Minn-Kota trolling motor, aerated livewells, fishfinder, sliding rod holders, multiple pedestal seat base locations and 7’ storage compartments are but the beginning of a long list of fishing-related standard equipment. Step pads on the same wide, walkable gunwales that make fishing a pleasure facilitate easy dockside entry and egress.
If fishing is but one of the watersports that a family enjoys, they’ll want to see the other features the Targa V-18 Combo offers. She’s equipped with a Bluetooth-capable AM/FM stereo with MP3/USB ports. The aft deck flips up for additional seating and supports an easily mounted ski pylon. When the platform and aft seats are up, the added cockpit sole area facilitates 5 to 6 person activity while allowing people to remain in the Targa V-18 Combo’s safe, deep cockpit. Cushions forward make the bow a comfortable seating area.
Aerated livewells are located to port, fore and aft. The 19 gallon forward livewell contains an integral bait-bucket.
Underlying Structure
Between the Targa Targa V-18 Combo’s easily cleaned vinyl cockpit sole and its Diamond Coat outer finish is a structure of welded 0.100” 5052 marine alloy including a robotically welded, all-aluminum box-beam transom. Enough expanding foam is injected into hull cavities to meet or exceed NMMA and U.S. Coast Guard requirements, contributing to hull stiffness and sound attenuation. Welded aluminum construction is tough, is used on very large vessels. When utilized in building boats the thickness of the plate is generally greater than on riveted boats, resulting in ruggedness along with greater reparability than fiberglass. Compartment covers are also aluminum. Floors and decks are pressure-treated lumber and marine plywood, on which there is a limited lifetime warranty.
Warranty
The following items are part of the Tracker Warranty --
Conclusions
The welded aluminum Targa Targa V-18 Combo is tough and “big water” capable, including salt water. There are special maintenance considerations when any aluminum boat is berthed or moored for extended periods in a salt water environment, and “big water” does not mean open ocean, or that small craft warnings should be ignored. The affiliated Mako brand boats are better suited to the saltwater angler.
Our test of the Tracker Targa V-18 Combo’s sister model, a 2014 Targa V-18 WT, established that with an 88” (2.24 m) chine beam for plenty of bottom area, reverse chines, and an optional 150 horsepower engine, this boat is quick to plane. The bow will rise, but the transition will be swift with the application of a power. While the Targa V-18 Combo is a few pounds heavier than the V-18 WT and the 2015 model a few pounds heavier than the 2014, our performance test of the Targa V-18 WT is generally applicable to the Targa V-18 Combo.
Tracker, owned by Bass Pro Shops, makes some of the best-selling boats in the United States. The result of continual improvement is a well-designed and equipped versatile boat that deserves any freshwater boat buyer’s serious consideration.