Looking for some experienced advice please!

I am looking to purchase my first boat. Specifically I am looking at a 1989 Stratos 201. I don't have all the specifics on the gear yet, but I do know that it includes boat, trailer, trolling motor, fish finders, etc. It is 21 ft. long and has a 150 hp Johnson GT motor. This boat is owned by a reputable individual, which I have verified with several co-workers/friends. He says that he bought the boat four years ago from his neighbor who bought the boat new. The neighbor only had the boat in the water 14 times and the current owner 4 times. Other than that, the boat has been pampered. He is asking $6,500. I am looking for a good boat that I can expect several years of good use from. This is my first boat, so I am looking for sound advice to help me decide on this deal. Value is important to me, but reliability moreso. Is a 20 year old Stratos boat in the like new condition described a good buy for $6,500. Can I expect many years of good use? Any and all comments are greatly appreciated! Thanks and good fishing to all!

Matthew

I think it is under powered

I bought a 90 201 DC with a 90 XP 200 for 6500. 2 ss props, cover, Hand controll 74lbs tm. Lowrance lms240 w/gps. The boat is in great shape. From a guy on this site.

I love this boat, and regulary carry 4 people and a heavy load it works great for me. I will repower with a 225 when I have to. A 150 could work for 2 people if you have a light load. This is a heavy boat so don't expect a bunch of power or speed with that motor. Hope this helps. Good luck. BTW 20'3"

I had an 88 w/ a 150 1990 Rude. It was under powered but it worked. Run a 22p prop and you be ok. I got the prop I used to use on mine and I'd sell it to you cheap. I loved that old boat. best there was in rough water and we get it here on the chesapeake. Check it out real good though cause its got wood in the transom and wood stringers. has it been garage kept ? if its in great shape and used like you say i think its a great buy. If all goes well and you buy it you could always trade up on a used ( or new ) 200 or 225. I think the BIA plate reads 245 Max HP

Thanks guys for your replies. As I said this is my first boat, and honestly speed is not a huge deal to me. From all I have heard this boat has been cared for very well. The man who owns it will not display it for sale if there is a chance of rain. I have heard about the wood on these boats, is it visible for me to inspect when I check the boat out tomorrow. I am a big time novice with these matters, so I am happy to hear all comments. Thanks again.

Matthew

Great boat, but indeed underpowered! You will likely use more fuel with the 150 that if it had a 225. You will have to work the 150 harder just to maintain a 45 MPH speed that you would the 200-225!

Matt, I realize the boat is in great shape, but the comments above about the boat being under powered are true. A 150 is simply not enough. If you walk away, this might be the reason. Once you learn how to drive it and get comfortable with it, you're going to wish for more, and then it will cost you way more than its worth to repower or trade.

If you start fishing like crazy like I think you will, the boat will suffice for a year or two at the most, then you will begin to look at other boats to move up to. Knowing that & the NADA value, the age of the boat, & call me crazy but I would not offer over $3500k. I know the guy is proud of his boat and may take this offer as an insult, but that's an older engine that has not been run, the boat has a wood transom and floors and seat bases, and things like the seats and carpet begin to deteriorate (dry rot) over time. Having said that, wood is not bad if the encapsulation has not been compromised, it is the chance that over time, the glass coating of the wood may have cracked and the wood has began to deteriorate.

I would also not take as gospel the use of the boat. <U>Trust your eyes </U>over the stories of how a little old lady owned the boat and never had it in the water over 5 times and its a cream puff (ok, I'm being sarcastic!). Look under the bottom of the boat to see how the pad looks. (I mean get down on your hands and knees and look up under the very bottom) Does it have gashes, scrapes into the fiberglass, etc. Does the engine run? Have a compression check done by a mechanic you and the seller agree on. Nothing worse than buying a used boat with a dud of an engine. Do the electronics work? What are you willing to accept as broken or not working?

Check http://www.nada.com for the retail value of the boat. (boats on NADA prior to 1999 have to add boat+ engine + trailer to obtain avg value)

If you decide to buy the boat, I know you will enjoy it (if everything works). I like the old school styling on that model year. My dad owned an '89 285 (18ft) that had a 175GT Johnson. Also, remember that http://www.candomarine.com has original OEM dash panels, switches, plates, seats, and other stuff specific to that Stratos boat that no one else will have if you need to replace guages, etc.

Good luck!!

Duane's right, once you learn to drive it you'll want more. that boat is very underpowered and you won't be happy with it.

The guys are right. If it were me I would take my $6500 and look at something else. I would even go smaller if I had to. There are newer boats out there to be had for that kind of money especially in the 18 foot size with a 150 on them.

Duane is giving good advice http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

I have to agree.

I got my '99 Renegade F/S for $5200, its NADA was like $10,500 or something. Its only rated to 150, thats what I have on there, and I feel like that's not enough.

Your $6500 should be able to get better value elsewhere

I have a 1989 201 and when I bought it, it had a 150 on it. It does work that little motor really hard and the ride of the boat suffers because you can't really get on top and run. I traded the 150 for a 200 and it really improved everything.
As for the boat itself, check the transom and jump on the floor to see if it is spongy. Outside of that there is little to go wrong with the boat itself.
Sorry but I don't buy into what they are telling you about the value of the boat. I have seen many dealers selling that same combo for around what you are talking. If the dealers are getting that type of money out of it then there must be something to it. That boat will ride better than most new boats so keep that in mind. If you think you are going to want to be in the boat long term it might be a good one to get, fish with the 150 a few years, and then upgrade to a bigger motor. Either way, you will need a jackplate on it.
My .02.
Eric H.

BTW, you do not want a under powered boat or a wrong pitched prop when the water gets rough. I found that out the hard way a couple of times with the other boats I owned or drove. Yea I probably paid to much for mine but I took in consideration the extras that came with it and thaught it was a fair deal. Plus I don't regret it.

Hey guys, once again I appreciate all of your advice on this matter! I found out that my original contact concerning this boat was wrong in the fact that the boat is actually an 18 ft. 285 pro. I had a family member who is very boat savy look the boat over and test it with me, and everything worked great, and the engine ran perfectly. Also, I feel that the condition was definitely as described as the boat showed no signs of really being used. There were no dings or scratches, and the seats didn't even have creases in them from being sat in. Even the carpet of the boat looked brand new. The bottom line is that I have decided to purchase the boat and I really feel like it was a fair deal. In testing the boat it exceeded my needs as a fisherman (keep in mind that I am a 25 yr. old buying his first boat). That said I appreciate everyone who responded trying to help me, and although I am sure that some of you may disagree with that decision, I am happy to be a new member of the Stratos fishing family! I am also excited about having a friendly forum like this to turn to for advice in the future. Thanks again.

Tight lines!

Matthew

Matt, congratulations!

Now, go fishing!! http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif