by Ian Fortey Updated on October 31, 2022. In Pontoon Boats Show Boat Safe is a community supported site. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we have confidence in all recommended products. Sun Tracker’s Bass Buggy line of pontoon boats has been a hit with anglers for years now and their latest model keeps the trend going with some great features and a great value. What Is it?You can tell with a name like “Bass Buggy” that we’re not dealing with something like a ski boat here. This is one the longest lived model lines in the pontoon boat world and they’ve been around for over a decade at this point which speaks to the model popularity. For some that’s a mystery since the Bass Buggy is not blazing a trail through the water at all, but that’s kind of the point. If you’re not an angler, this is not going to be the pontoon for you. But if you do want a comfortable, reliable and well made boat to make your fishing trips more enjoyable, this is the gold standard. Key Features2020 Sun tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL selectThe Bass Buggy is a fishing boat and that means features to make any angler happy when they’re on the lake. Here are some of the Bass Buggy’s standouts.
Optional fishing package also includes:
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What You Need to Know2020 Sun tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL selectThe Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL starts at a very reasonable $18,000 straight from Sun Tracker and you can tack on $2,000 if you want to bump up the engine power. Throw in the added fishing package and it’s another $1,400. They even offer some trailer options with additional charges for a standalone trailer purchase. You can get a fully kitted out fishing pontoon for under $26,000 which is still under what a lot of other base models have to offer. Now, the trade off for this being a great fishing boat is that it’s not a sport boat by any stretch of the imagination and absolutely does not have the power to offer that versatility. With the smaller engine you’ll probably be tooling along at around 15 mph, give or take. This is meant for leisure times and that is all, so keep that in mind. The live well is a good size and the seating is comfortable for spending long hours on the water, plus the rod holder makes for a great convenience. I have to say one of the most incredible features that’s really overlooked because it only applies to a small number of boats is the wheelchair access door. If you have someone in your family in a wheelchair you’ll know just how limiting that can be when it comes to leisure activity, so a big thumbs up to Sun Tracker for designing the Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XLto accommodate everyone regardless of mobility. Because the engine is not a powerhouse, the onboard fuel tank is pretty small but it should really be ample for a fishing trip. When you are in motion, the boat is incredibly well balanced to make it a smooth, even and surprisingly quiet ride. What People Are Saying2020 Sun tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL selectMost boaters and anglers are pretty happy with this Sun Tracker model but they’re not without their flaws. Over the years, electrical issues have been a not uncommon complaint. Not that they are super common, either, but issues getting the live well to work or with wiring have come up for some. Another issue for some owners is Sun Tracker service. Dealerships tend to deal with most of the issues before Sun Tracker will take over and some dealers seem to be not entirely familiar with the product and all of its features.. For that reason I’d recommend not just thoroughly researching the pontoon, but the seller as well. Make sure you’re trusting a dealer who has experience and a customer service track record that can offer you peace of mind. It’s a common refrain from those who have issues with Sun Tracker Bass Buggies that getting them fixed is an uphill battle. That said, it’s still the minority of boats that do have issues so don’t think these are notoriously unreliable boats, because they’re not. In fact, most owners have generally good things to say and the boats are highly recommended by those who use them. There are no serious stand out issues with Sun Tracker’s Bass Buggy line and that’s part of the reason these have been around for so many years now. Not everyone wants a fast and furious ride on the water, or a pontoon that struggles to achieve that goal. Sometimes less is more and the Bass Buggy 16 XL lives up to its promise for most boaters. Do We Recommend It?I’d definitely recommend a Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL for anglers as long as you know what you’re getting into it. Because these boats take leisure to heart, they do not offer the oomph even a casual boater might want or expect. A solid boat for a very relaxed fisherman or perhaps older anglers who have stability and balance issues and don’t want or need anything that is going to be too intense. That said, if you want an incredibly value priced fishing boat that lives up to the promise of getting you on the water and being a comfortable ride while you fish, you probably can’t beat the Bass Buggy 16 XL. With a live well, fishing chairs and rod storage, this boat does a good job. The slightly larger Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX may be a serious option for those who wanted a bigger boat with some more options and more power if this doesn’t seem to be checking the right boxes for you. For the price, and for its intended use, the Bass Buggy 16 XL is a great option to while away some hours on the lake doing just what the name suggests, catching bass. If you want something with more options for family fun or speed, I’d recommend looking somewhere else. About IanMy grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure. Categories: Pontoon Boats How fast is a bass buggy?Performance. Having said that, during our test of the Bass Buggy 18 DLX, powered by a 40-hp Mercury 4-stroke, we had a WOT speed of 16.8 mph on average, burning 3.8 gph.
How fast will a 75 HP pontoon go?Pontoons with 75 hp to 90 hp engines may travel at speeds of up to 22 miles an hour. This is great for towing children while tubing and kneeboarding.
How big of a motor can you put on a 16 foot pontoon boat?For 16-foot boats, getting a 25HP motor should do the trick. In calm water, you can expect to ride at about 5 mph. Any boat longer than 20 feet shouldn't have less than a 115HP motor.
What does a bass buggy 18 weight?Specifications. |