Tracker boats are made by White River Marine Group, the boat manufacturing arm of Bass Pro Shops.
The brand is known as the top selling fishing boat brand in America, built around affordable, all welded aluminum boat, motor, and trailer packages.
Bass Pro Shops is a privately held company founded by Johnny Morris, who introduced the original Bass Tracker in 1978 as the industry’s first nationally marketed rigged boat package.
Knowing that Tracker was the original product that launched Bass Pro Shops helps explain why the brand remains central to the company’s identity even decades later.
This article covers Tracker’s ownership, where the boats are built, its warranty coverage, and how it compares to sister brand Nitro.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Tracker Boats?
Tracker was created in 1978 when Johnny Morris introduced the Bass Tracker, the first professionally rigged boat, motor, and trailer package marketed nationally.
The brand has remained the top selling fishing boat brand in America for more than four decades, according to White River Marine Group.
Tracker Marine Group, the original manufacturing entity behind the brand, later became part of White River Marine Group when Bass Pro consolidated its boat brands in 2015.
Where Are Tracker Boats Made?
Tracker aluminum boats are manufactured at the company’s plant in Lebanon, Missouri.
In 2019, Tracker added two multi million dollar Salvagnini L3 laser cutting machines to the Lebanon plant, a move the company says improved part fit, welding consistency, and overall boat quality, a detail confirmed in an owner forum discussion on where Tracker boats are built.
Trailers for Tracker boats are built a few miles south in Ozark, Missouri, matching the same custom trailer approach used across other White River Marine Group brands.
What Warranty Comes With a Tracker Boat?
Tracker offers a limited lifetime structural and deck warranty, along with 5 years of bow to stern coverage on interior components like seats and livewells.
The powder coated exterior finish and trolling motor each carry a 3 year warranty, which is considered strong for an entry level aluminum boat.
Tracker’s all welded hull uses two layers of marine grade 5052 aluminum alloy, braced by a longitudinal stringer system welded along the full length of the boat’s running surface.
Tracker vs Nitro: How Do the Sister Brands Compare?
Tracker and Nitro are both owned by White River Marine Group, but Tracker builds aluminum boats while Nitro focuses on fiberglass performance bass boats.
Tracker sits at the entry level end of the White River Marine Group lineup, positioned as a lower cost, aluminum alternative to Nitro’s fiberglass models.
Buyers stepping up from a Tracker often move to Nitro when they want a fiberglass hull and higher performance, while staying within the same parent company’s dealer network.
Are Tracker Boats Any Good?
Tracker is widely described by owners and forum members as a solid entry level boat, and most reviewers frame it as good value for the price rather than a premium product.
A very common complaint across multiple forums is that dealers pair Tracker packages with underpowered motors to hit an attractive price point, which some owners only realize after purchase, according to a reliability review of Tracker Boats from GoDownsize.
Other recurring complaints include weld failures leading to slow leaks, torn seats, and wood flooring on some models rather than the aluminum flooring used by higher tier competitors, along with owner reports of inconsistent warranty responsiveness.
At the same time, many owners report a decade or more of heavy use with only normal wear and tear, and forum members widely agree that build quality has improved over the past 15 years compared to older Tracker models.
The honest takeaway is that Tracker delivers real value for entry level and budget conscious buyers, but buyers should specifically ask about motor sizing before ordering and should compare Tracker directly against Lund, Alumacraft, and Crestliner if premium build quality is the priority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tracker Boats
Who owns Tracker Boats?
Tracker Boats is owned by White River Marine Group, the boat manufacturing division of Bass Pro Shops.
Where is Tracker’s factory located?
Tracker’s aluminum boat manufacturing plant is located in Lebanon, Missouri.
What warranty does Tracker offer?
Tracker offers a limited lifetime structural and deck warranty, 5 years of bow to stern coverage, and 3 year warranties on the powder coat finish and trolling motor.
How old is the Tracker brand?
Tracker began in 1978, when Johnny Morris introduced the original Bass Tracker package, making it nearly 50 years old as of 2026.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.