Tracker Panfish 16 2003 vs Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Tracker Panfish 16 2003 or the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005?

For trailering, the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 has the edge at 148 lbs dry weight versus 707 lbs for the Tracker Panfish 16 2003. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 is rated to a maximum of 125 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tracker Panfish 16 2003 tops out at 40 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Tracker Panfish 16 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 is certified for 5. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 measures 94" wide, compared to 72" for the Tracker Panfish 16 2003. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Tracker Panfish 16 2003 or the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005?

The Tracker Panfish 16 2003 has the bigger tank at 9 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Tracker Panfish 16 2003 and Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tracker Panfish 16 2003 and the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 are built by Tracker. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Tracker Panfish 16 2003 vs Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005

Tracker

Tracker Panfish 16 2003

2003

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Tracker

Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tracker Panfish 16 2003 vs Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tracker Panfish 16 2003 vs Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 125 hp, the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 has a 85-hp advantage over the Tracker Panfish 16 2003's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Tracker Panfish 16 2003 carries 9 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Tracker Panfish 16 2003 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Tracker Panfish 16 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeTracker

ModelPanfish 16

ModelTarga? 17 WT

Model Year2003

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam71.5 in

Beam94 in

Beam - Meters1.83

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches71.5

Beam - Inches94

Weight - Detail707 lbs

Weight - Detail1,480 lbs

Weight - kg320.69

Weight - kg671.32

Weight - lbs.707

Weight - lbs.148

Height [transom]19.25 in

Height [transom]21 in

Length overall - Detail15 ft 9.75 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Meters0.25

Length overall - Meters5.28

Length overall - Inches9.75

Length overall - Inches208

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail23 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters58.42

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches23

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 74 in

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.1

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail9 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters34.07

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal9

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Engine max40 HP

Engine max125 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMercury? 50 ELPTO

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity880 lbs

Maximum capacity1,530 lbs

Maximum people4 Persons

Maximum people5

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailTrailstar Drive-On Trailer

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allw/ Transom Saver 22 ft. 9 in

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,265 lbs

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 3 in

Tracker Panfish 16 2003 vs Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Tracker Panfish 16 2003 or the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005?

For trailering, the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 has the edge at 148 lbs dry weight versus 707 lbs for the Tracker Panfish 16 2003. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 is rated to a maximum of 125 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tracker Panfish 16 2003 tops out at 40 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Tracker Panfish 16 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 is certified for 5. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 measures 94" wide, compared to 72" for the Tracker Panfish 16 2003. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Tracker Panfish 16 2003 or the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005?

The Tracker Panfish 16 2003 has the bigger tank at 9 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Tracker Panfish 16 2003 and Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tracker Panfish 16 2003 and the Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 are built by Tracker. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Tracker Panfish 16 2003 full specs ← Tracker Targa 17 WT 2005 full specs