186xt

Why is it that the 186xt is only rated for 115 hp when other boats in that class are rated fot 150hp or more?Also why is there a 20,000.00 dollar difference between the 186xt and the next boat at 20 feet?Is the 186xt notbuilt as well as the larger boats? Thanks Sam

Sam,

The 176xt and 186xt are designed for the aluminum boat buyer, or the budget-minded fisherman who doesn't need 250 horsepower to go fishing.

The hulls of these two boats are designed to be extremely efficient with smaller motors. Have you looked at these two boats? The decks on them are larger than my 201. They have a lot of room and the prices are affordable. They come with a depth finder, on-board charger, prop, and batteries--a ready to go to the lake package.

If you want a 150 on a Stratos, then step up to the 285 XL. It is 18'6" and is rated for 150 hp. It is a tournament ready boat.

I'm very confused by your comment about the 20,000 difference between the 186xt and the "next boat at 20'". Stratos has two boats in between the 186xt and the first 20' boat in the lineup (the 200 XL). Those two boats are the aforementioned 285 XL which as I stated is an 18'6" boat rated at 150 hp. Stratos also has the 294 XL which is 19'6" and is rated for a 200 hp motor.

The 176xt and 186xt are both HOT sellers. The buyers are extremely happy with the boats and you would be hard pressed to find a used one for sale. They are so hot, in fact, that other boat brands are now building similar rigs (Triton and Ranger for example).

If you have any other questions, I'll be glad to try and help you out. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

I think Jason is right. If you could look at the 186 xt and the 285 XL side by side you could see the difference in these two boats. The 186 xt is a very nice boat that will get you on the water for a very reasonable price. If you prefer the 150 then the 285 is the next step. If they put a 150 on the 186 xt it is no longer a budget minded as Jason put it level boat anymore because of the cost of the engines. Go take a look at a 285 XL with a 150 on it if you have not already. I think you would be really pleased with them. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

I am sorry i did not look at the full line of boats I was compareing the186xt to the 200xl.The 285xl would be exactly what i would be looking for.Right now i own a ranger 492v(1993) the boat is in great shape and i love it but i just dont need that much boat anymore and I am looking to downsize.Every time i have been to a boat show here in the northeast i cant pull myself away from the stratos i think they are well made and priced right allthough most guys around here dont think much of them.The only problem i have is that the dealer up here is not very close to me(3 hours) and he has a bad reputation.

Sam,

If I can help you out with any questions at all I'll be glad to. I owned an '04 285 so I am experienced with the boat. Stratos has done nothing but improve it since '04. It's a great hull with lots of storage. It seems much larger than an 18' boat. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

And, although it is always best to buy from a local dealer whenever you can, if for whatever reason you don't feel right about that you can make the drive to C&O. They WILL take care of you and you will get a great deal. People drive from all over the country to purchase their boats from C&O. It's a three hour trip for me and I drive past two other Stratos dealers on the way. It would be more than three hours, but might make for a good little winter getaway. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

http://www.candomarine.com

horsepower rating is based on length and beam. does the xt not have the dimensions for the 150hp? there's surely not a "corner cut" on the boat's transom.

he might want to just swap an engine to it...?

No. That is not all that goes into a hp rating. If that was the case, you wouldn't have 20' boats with 87" beams rated unlimited but 22' boats with 93" beams rated for 250.

The dimensions of the 186xt and 285 xl are completely different because they are different boats. They are different hulls, different top caps, different layouts, etc. The 186xt was designed after the 176xt.

how's it add up for the rating? weight figured in?

I don't know all the details, but here's food for thought.

I had a '99 273 Stratos. It was rated for a 150. In 2000, they didn't change anything on the boat, but changed the rating down to 130 (I think that was it--it lowered either way).

Now, jump ahead to current times. Triton has had a TR19 for years that was rated for a 200. Now, it's rated for 225. The TR20 is now rated for 250 instead of 225. Dimensions have remained almost constant.

The Stratos 285 would hold more motor (for a couple of years they made a 285 Magnum with max of 175--everything was the same as a standard 285). They have also made a 201 Magnum which was rated up to 300, but they don't have that option any more. Nothing changed on those hulls or the process in which they are built. The Stratos 294 would handle a 225 and the 200 xl would handle a 250. But, that will not happen.

Could the 186 handle a 150? Probaby. Would that raise the price on the boat to where it was closer to a 285 and go against the reasons Stratos developed that boat in the first place? Yes.

Fields... if you really want a confusing article that describes the HP rating formula .. here it is..

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/a...login

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/roll.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/roll.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/roll.gif

where in the world did that come from??? read like doyle/sherlock holmes stuff. maybe a turn of the century lawyer perhaps.

i've just been curious about this subject before. i've had a 1100 lb bullet with unlimited and other boats like he says that were much more in weight but less in rating. agreed that a 20XF with unlimited doesn't add up to equal with other twenty footers that are only rated for 200s and 225s. if there isn't a formula for size and weight, how does the coast guard issue ratings? if it's not on size and weight dimensions, it almost has to be on build quality issues because that's how they do the passenger/weight limits on water drafted. just wondering. not going to lose any sleep. like to know for future reference.


http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/popcorn.gif

This topic seems to pop-up after a few folks go to the boat shows and wonder . . "why a 115 rating on an 18ft boat?" And, I'm probably a little late to post in the thread, but. . .

To add to and to reiterate Jason's comments, the 176XT and 186XT are targeted specifically at the folks who don't want a deep v hull "bass" boat but instead want a great all around, affordable fishing boat that is competively equipped and marketed to the aluminum boat segment.

In other words, if you were leaning toward an aluminum boat, consider the Stratos 176XT/186XT. If you were already leaning to the head-on tournament bass boat side, the 186XT may not be for you. (Granted the 186XT does qualify for fishing tournaments)

The folks who are buying the 176XT and 186XT boats seem to love them for what they are.

There are models for just about everyone's style of fishing.

a close estimation can be produced using this formula ... but it's not exact.. different hull designs change he actual results


L x W x 2 - 90 = hp.

201XL--- 20.66 * 7.92 = 163.63
x 2 = 327.5
- 90 = 237.25


close to the rated 250... but not a perfect formula..

cool...

sorry SAMPARK for the minor thread highjack.

I have had three different stratos boats and they have all been just what i needed at the time. I went to a triton, then to a bullet for my speed fix, and now i'm back in a stratos to stay.

I haven't fished out of that series, but if stratos makes it...she's a good one and with plenty of factory support.

Lots of times a smaller motor will get a boat on plane and run very well. I've seen people with 150s on allisons and bullets and be content as me with a full belly...

It is actually very simple.

The 176XT and 186XT are designed to perform with the smaller HP engines to help capture a certain price point and give buyers an alternative to aluminum boats.

If the 186XT was designed to use a 150 or 175 HP engine, it would not perform well with a 90 or 115 HP engine.

This same topic was brought up a lot last year after the introduction of the 176XT. The 176XT was purposely designed to run well with 50 HP engines.

Kenneth