1996 Stratos 288

[rchavis]

JR 19 You are right ,know to be right but wrong more . Was they the same hull just tweek and a diff cap , or a whole new boat ?

The 179 v was 17' 8 '' with a 86'' beam

[Phathog]

This is my first Stratos. Bought new in '96, put several thousand hours on that trusty 'ol 130! The 278FS was 17'-8" and was rated for 150hp.

NC, your 288 should weigh alot less than the FS of mine.
I would imagine you could get 68-70mph tweaked just right.

[NCStratos288]

Well, tomorrow would be 1 weeks since I bought the boat....and I hadn't even cranked it up... SO, this morning I FINALLY got to take it to the lake.

I was very pleased. The engine fired right up, idled smooth...and ran like a scalded dog! I didn't have a GPS, but according to the "notoriously inaccurate" speedometer on the console, it had no problems getting to 60mph.

This is only my 2nd boat; the first one was a 1985 Hydra-Sports with a 1985 Johnson 150 that was about shot....compression very low. SO this boat seemed very fast to me. I'm sure that it will go as fast as my driving skills will be able to handle.

I'm just excited that it fired right up, ran great, smooth, straight and everything on the boat seems to work....even the radio!

This is the first boat that I've ever driven that had a Hot Foot... It should be against the law NOT to have one installed in all boats!

Here's a picture. Sorry for the lack of quality, it's from my cell phone.

Randy

[Phathog]

I love the sparkle of the Stratos blue "Glitter Boat" when the sun shines off the water like that.
I've had several people come up to me at the lake and ask who painted the boat like that.
They were surprised it is 15 year old gelcoat.

I've never drove a hot foot, seems like it would be great for running wide open all the time.
How is it trying to keep a steady speed less than wide open in rough water or crossing other wakes?
I don't think I'd care for it if it operates anything like the foot feed on my tractor (2,500# Hippity Hop)!

[JR19]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by rchavis &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">JR 19 You are right ,know to be right but wrong more . Was they the same hull just tweek and a diff cap , or a whole new boat ?

The 179 v was 17' 8 '' with a 86'' beam</td></tr></table>

JeffA can give better details about the 273 than I can because he owned one. If my memory is correct the 179 V is an older hull than the 273. It has a different hull at 17'3" and I cant remember the beam width. As Jeff said it was a rocket. I would wager it is/was one of the fastest boats with a 150. They were a hand full to drive if not set up properly. In clean water they would fly. I have seen a 273 with an Evinrude 150 Intruder 6" jackplate touch 70 GPS with 1 person, light load,perferct conditions and 67 loaded...very good numbers for a boat with a 150

[steven4362]

Very nice boat!!! I also had one and its a very good ride in rough water because of the deep hull. I had a 150 fast strike on mine. THe only problem i ever had with the boat was the dang livewell shutoff valve kept breaking. I also put hydraulic steering on it and improved the steering big time. You will love it!!

[NCStratos288]

Thanks!

I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on hydraulic steering... Did you install the kit yourself?

I'm pretty sure I can do it myself...I can do most other mechanical stuff...and I have about every hand tool known to man...

[steven4362]

No i didnt install it myself. I think it was around $500 about 6 years ago. It was well worth it.

[NCStratos288]

Did you have the Teleflex Pro system? I was thinking of putting the "Pro" system that will handle the 175HP... I also want the tilt column.

[steven4362]

I cant remember what i put in mine. I also put the pro air system in the livewell because it didnt have a recirculator pump. If you add ice to your livewell in the summer you may want to also add one.
Here is a couple pics of the one i had.

[NCStratos288]

Great looking boat! Love the color! The only thing I'm not too particularly fond of is the color of mine... Teal green... BTW, do you remember where you got the butt seats in the pictures?

I've not been able to find many people who own or have owned a 288... I've owned mine only for a few weeks now, and only had it in the water 1 time for less than 1 hour. Work has sure been putting the brakes on any fishing I could be doing...

[steven4362]

I like the color scheme of yours especially when the sun is hitting it!!
Butt seats probably came from bass pro. I may still have a couple of the livewell shutoff valves. If i run across them i will let you have them. I will look for them tomorrow.

[NCStratos288]

Thanks man!

[zbass333]

Like the other guys said, the 288 is a great boat. I was looking at your pics and the other ones and felt like I was in my garage looking at mine. you will be very happy with it. Here is a couple of pics of mine.

[NCStratos288]

Great looking boat zbass66!

Just added hydraulic steering to my 288 and liking the boat even more..

[derek81]

I had to post mine since i think it's siblings have all been posted here, 1994 model and she is a great boat, low 60's with me and a full load of gear. Really like the blue color scheme on the one this post is about. To me the older Stratos boats are sweet looking boats.

[dpscbizzari]

i want my first bass boat to have a Johnson fast strike 150 outboard when i get the money for 1 how much would you be asking for the stratos 288 with the black stratos trail trailer

[dpscbizzari]

Johnson Fast strike is my all time favorite outboard is the grey black and red 288 with the black stratos trailer located in indiana

[dpscbizzari]

Johnson fast strike is my top favorite outboard and i want my first boat to have that and every other i want and see when i get the money for 1 where are you located and whats the lowest you'll sell this blue stratos 288 for if you haven't already and also what about the 1 you removed images of the 1 with the grey body and black trailer

[luckydog]

The 284 is also under 18' and rated to 150hp.