We build aluminum boats, so read this knowing where our interest lies. But Tracker and Lowe build good boats too, and pretending otherwise would waste your time. Here is how the three lines actually compare in 2026, using published numbers.
Price, as published
| Boat | Length | MSRP / Price | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Series Jon Boat 12 ft | 12 ft | $1,899 | Free (US) |
| Tracker Grizzly 1236 Jon | 12 ft | $1,395 | Dealer freight + prep extra |
| Black Series Utility Boat 14 ft | 14 ft | $2,399 | Free (US) |
| Tracker Grizzly 1436 Jon | 14 ft | $1,695 | Dealer freight + prep extra |
| Lowe L1436L Jon | 14 ft | $2,110 | Dealer freight + prep extra |
| Black Series Utility Boat 16 ft | 16 ft | $3,499 | Free (US) |
| Tracker Grizzly 1648 Jon | 16 ft | $4,995 | Dealer freight + prep extra |
Dealer freight and prep on the national brands typically add $300 to $800, and that gap does not show up until you are at the dealership. Compare delivered prices, not sticker prices.
Construction: riveted vs welded
The Grizzly line is all-welded; Lowe's L-series and our boats are riveted. Both methods build a sound boat, and the internet argument between them is mostly noise: plate thickness and alloy matter more than the joining method. Our hulls are 2 mm (about 0.080 in) 5052 marine-grade aluminum with foam-filled flotation compartments — comfortably above the 0.050 in floor we would consider acceptable on any boat that gets trailered and launched hard.
Beam — the number people miss
The Grizzly 1236 and 1436 run narrow: 4'4" to 4'5" of beam. Narrow boats feel tippy the first time two people stand up. Our 12-footers run a typical beam of 4.5–5.5 ft, the 14 ft runs 5.0–6.0 ft, and the 16 ft runs 5.5–6.5 ft — closer to the wide-beam Grizzly 1648 class. If you fish standing up, beam is the specification to buy.
Where the national brands win
Honesty cuts both ways. Tracker and Lowe have dealer networks in every state — if you want to walk around the boat before buying and have a local service counter, that is worth something real. They also publish maximum horsepower ratings across a large standardized lineup. And at the strict entry level, a Grizzly 1236 at $1,395 plus freight is a cheaper way into a first boat than anything we sell, if the narrow beam suits you.
Where we win
- Delivered price: free US delivery and no prep fee — the number on the page is the number you pay.
- Wider beam per foot of length — a steadier fishing platform.
- Free 30-day returns on stock boats, which no boat dealer offers.
- Custom lengths built to order for commercial and special-project work.
- Matched trailers: our single-axle and 25 ft tandem trailers are sized to the boats, so the pair is engineered together.
The bottom line
If you want a big dealer network, buy the Tracker or the Lowe with our blessing. If you want the widest platform per dollar delivered to your driveway — with the option to return it if it is wrong — that is the boat we build. Our sizing guide will tell you which length, and a phone call will tell you honestly whether ours is the right boat for your water.
