Tracker Guide V16 Laker DLX T Review

The Tracker Guide V16 Laker DLX T is a versatile and lightweight 16-foot fishing boat that can go anywhere.

Small enough to store in a standard garage. Compact enough to tow behind a normal-sized vehicle. Light enough to launch easily from rough, unimproved ramps on remote back lakes. And easy to afford. Little wonder that for many anglers, a 16-foot tiller boat is the only way to go. Tracker Marine quickly realized the appeal of the 16-foot tiller, and the company has offered several such models in its lineup over the years. But in terms of comfort and capability, none can hold a candle to the new Tracker Guide V16 Laker DLX T.

The Laker DLX was designed from the keel up specifically for anglers who trailer their boat to a number of different lakes and rivers, and who enjoy the thrill of chasing several different types of fish. Keeping the boat small and light was a key design consideration, since many of those quiet back lakes can only be accessed via narrow, winding cottage roads – many of them simply too tight for larger trucks and trailers to navigate. Yet within that compact footprint, this is a boat that has to be able to do a lot of different things and do them all very well. Make no mistake, that’s a real challenge. But with the Laker DLX, the engineers at Tracker have hit it out of the park.

The versatile Tracker Guide V16 Laker DLX T is ideal for accessing remote waters at the end of narrow, twisting roads where big boats just can’t go.

The Tracker Guide V16 Laker DLX T measures 16 feet in overall length with a beam of six feet, two inches. It rides on an all-welded deep V hull with an 8-degree deadrise, that’s made from tough 0.100 5052 marine alloy. With its welded-in stringer system and transom, the result is a tight, unitized hull that delivers a pleasing, dry ride.

The overall layout consists of a large raised casting deck in the bow, with a deeper main cockpit and tiller steering from a fixed driver’s seat in the stern. Surrounding the boat, Tracker’s Versatrack accessory mounting channel allows owners to mount components like rod holders, beverage holders or RAM mounts for electronics anywhere, and without drilling any holes in the boat.

The pedestal-mount passenger seat swivels for convenience, and can be mounted in the cockpit or on the raised bow casting deck.

One additional seat can be positioned in either of two in-floor bases, one in the cockpit and another on the raised front deck. Most people will leave the swiveling, folding fishing seat in the cockpit and add a second pedestal with a smaller bicycle seat on the deck, to maximize interior space.

Vinyl flooring dries faster than traditional carpet, and is far easier to keep clean.

Flooring in both the main cockpit and the raised bow deck is a durable, fast-drying vinyl, which is longer lasting and much easier to clean than the traditional carpeted decks. The bow deck conceals two large in-deck storage compartments, plus a 15-gallon aerated live well with a standpipe overflow and an integral bait bucket holder.

Ahead of the bow deck is a moderately sized bow platform for mounting an optional electric motor. There’s even a thoughtfully-placed drink holder to the starboard side of the platform.

A large 15-gallon live well includes provision for a bait pail.

The raised bow deck continues along each side of the cockpit, forming very large gear storage compartments on each side of the boat. While designed for fishing rods to seven feet, six inches in length, these compartments can hold all sorts of gear, giving the Tracker Guide V16 Laker DLX T exceptional versatility. Of note are the six cleats that Tracker has elected to provide as standard equipment. Most boats in this size range only come with four, inevitably leaving an exposed spot where the hull can rub against the dock. Not so on the Laker DLX.

The Laker DLX comes with Tracker’s Versatrack system, allowing accessories to be mounted anywhere without drilling holes in the boat.

Also noteworthy is the simple fact that the Laker comes supplied with a fire extinguisher, again as a standard item.

Rod storage compartments in the gunnels accommodate rods to seven feet, six inches in length.

Options for the Tracker Guide V16 Laker DLX T include a range of accessories to work with its Versatrack system, and various motor upgrades. Standard power is a 20-horsepower Mercury four-stroke. While this engine delivers reasonable performance pushing the 708-pound Laker, its selection as standard power has more to do with allowing Tracker to sell this boat with a trailer and still keep the sticker price under 10 grand. Moving up to a Mercury 40-horsepower four-stroke will add a few dollars to the final bill, but it’s a worthwhile upgrade in view of its vastly better performance (delivering a top speed in the 30 mph range) and greater resale value.

Tiller steering not only eliminates the need for a space-gobbling console, it allows anglers to control the engine with one hand – leaving the other one free to hold the rod and feel for sensitive bites.

For anglers who need a versatile fishing boat that can get into those remote hot spots, the Tracker Guide V16 Laker DLX T deserves a serious look.