1996 Stratos 288

[NCStratos288]

I just bought a 1996 Stratos 288. I have been trying to find 'general' info about the boat, as well as a cover. I haven't been able to find much. Seems that manufacturers make custom covers for just about every other model of Stratos but this one. Is the 288 like 'the bastard child' of Stratos or something?

Thanks in advance.

[Tom G.]

Which 288 is it? There is a difference between the FS and the others... the FS is 18 feet, and the others seem to be 18 1/4 feet long.

I feel your pain - my Javelin was made for only 1 year, and I have only seen one other DC besides mine.

[NCStratos288]

Not sure... Where do I find it on the hull?

I sold my last boat 2 years ago and hadn't been fishing since...I was in dire need of a boat... I found this one, great, great shape, always garage kept, only been in the water a handful of times, always serviced.......and the price was great. I bought it... I've not even had the boat in the water since I bought it...just picked it up yesterday.

Thanks for your help.

[Tom G.]

Look on the Coast Guard plate by the drivers seat - it should be listed under model number...otherwise, single or dual console? Full windshield or separate for consoles? Any other numbers or letters on the side of the hull besides 288?

[NCStratos288]

I just got the hull number. I'll go back out and look by the drivers seat.

It's a single console. I'll take a few pics while I'm out getting the numbers by the drivers seat and post those...

Thanks again for your help!

[NCStratos288]

Ok, here are a few pics. These are the one that the guy I bought it from sent to me...a lot easier right now than taking my own.

I looked on the coast guard plate by the drivers seat and all that it says is "Stratos 288". Then it gives 175 as maximum HP...and weight stuff...

If it would help for me to post the hull number, I don't mind.








Thanks again for your willingness to help!

[Tom G.]

According to iboats, it's 18.25 feet long, and the max HP is 175... that 175 Faststrike is a very good motor, but a little thirsty.

Unfortunately, I can't tell you a lot more than that, but you could call Stratos and get some more info .

Here are the listings for the 288 on the owners list for Stratos...

96 Stratos 288 Pro XL 24" Raker, 6" Hi-Jacker, Lowrance electronics, OMC TM 96 150 Johnson Propshaft is 4" below the pad. 62 mph @ 5400 rpm (gps)

96 Stratos 288 Raker prop, 8" HiJacker jackplate. Propshaft is 3.25"
96 150 Evinrude Intruder below the pad. 68 mph @ 5700 rpm (gps)

96 Stratos 288 96 175 Evinrude 25" Mazco. Proshaft is 2.5" below the pad. 68.6 mph @ 5300 rpm (gps).


Fine looking boat - I wish I could get you more info, but the owners manual is just generic stuff.. Like I said above, a call to Stratos would at least get you some more info.

[NCStratos288]

Thanks for all of your help Tom. I thought it was the 18' 3" model.

Since I couldn't find much about the 288's on the web, I thought "Oh, no! This might be a boat to steer clear of..." and it made me a little nervous...

I agree with you on the engine. That's one reason that I bought it. I worked for OMC for a few years during the period that this engine was made and in my opinion these were the best up until the Ficht fiasco. Matter of fact, between 1994 and 1997, I made all of the pinion gears in the V4 and V6 gearcases. I was the only employee making them and only running one shift.....so I'm 100% that I had a part in the construction of this gearcase... Not that that makes it better or anything, just kinda neat.

I'm getting a garage to put the boat in. It's been garage kept and is in very good shape and I don't want to "ruin" it by leaving it uncovered. I guess until the garage is ready, I'll just buy a generic cover at Walmart.

Thanks again.

[billybass]

That's a great looking Stratos, Randy! Congratulations!

[NCStratos288]

Thanks billybass!

Always wanted a Stratos...finally got one! Can't wait to get it on the water!

[rchavis]

Nice looking boat . Try C&O Marine they may have some info. They where the top Stratos Dealer for years and still have parts ?

[rchavis]

ALso loved the way the small Johnson Faststrike motors look over the big GT & XP motor's clean boat .

[STRATOS 1]

Congrats on the Stratos...

[NCStratos288]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by STRATOS 1 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Congrats on the Stratos...


</td></tr></table>

Thanks man! I've always wanted one... Even though it's not new, it's in great shape, and feels new to me!

Everytime I glance out my window and see it sitting outside it's hard to believe that I finally got one! I'm stoked!

Hard part is: I've had it since this past Saturday (3 days ago) and haven't got to put it in the water yet...

Maybe work will slow down soon and I'll get to try it out.

[Dan21XRS]

Sharp boat, Congrats... Check with Aurora Canvas they should be able to make you a cover... Dan

http://www.auroracanvas.com/

[Phathog]

This is my '96 288 FS w/same motor as yours. My title says 18'-1" L.


This is from the day I brought it home.
Ran 62-63, super light, with the 24 Raker setting on the back deck.

[rchavis]

The only Stratos boat thats under 18 ft rated for a 150 hp or larger was a 179 V ?

[JR19]

The Stratos 273 was 17'3" and rated for 150 HP.

[NCStratos288]

Sharp boat Phathog!

You mentioned the 24 Raker. I have a Raker... can't remember what pitch it is right off the top of my head, but the one that came on this boat is a Shooter...can't remember the pitch on it either!

[JeffA]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by JR19 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The Stratos 273 was 17'3" and rated for 150 HP.</td></tr></table>and a freakin little rocket!..