Stratos 285 Magnum

I'm looking at a 2005 Stratos 285 Magnum with a 175 Johnson. I'm looking for opinions on the motor and on the boat. What do you like/dislike? I found a great deal and want to make sure about what I'm getting into.

Thanks

Hunter

Great boat and motor. The 285 fishes like a much larger boat. I had an '04 model with a 150 Johnson.
Put a 6" plate on it and run a 25 Tempest and you'll see 65-67 with the 175 Johnson. That is a tried and true motor that has been around for years. It is carb'd so don't expect as good of mileage out of it as an Optimax, E-TEC, etc.

The hull under that boat is the same as they've used since '02 or '03 from a Javelin 185 before being converted to the Stratos. They still use it today.

I like my 285 Pro XL. Mine is not the Magnum version, so it's 150 rated.

It's a lot of boat for the price-point. Like Jason said, it fished bigger.

Question, does your's have a recessed trolling motor pedal area? My 05 does, but I've heard of others that do not.

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

Question, does your's have a recessed trolling motor pedal area? My 05 does, but I've heard of others that do not.</td></tr></table>

Was that a dealer upgrade? the stock 285's in 2006 didn't come with a recessed trolling motor.

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

I meant to type 06. My Strat is an 06.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by 1blubyu &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/doh.gif

I meant to type 06. My Strat is an 06. </td></tr></table>

LOL.. your siggy has '06 on it.. what I was trying to say was that in 06, a recessed trolling motor tray was not a standard feature from the factory. It musta been a dealer installed option on your boat.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by barchief &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

LOL.. your siggy has '06 on it.. what I was trying to say was that in 06, a recessed trolling motor tray was not a standard feature from the factory. It musta been a dealer installed option on your boat.</td></tr></table>

It wasn't standard, but you could order it with it from the factory. The dealer did not have to be the one to install it. If the dealer installed it, it will be a screwed in tray. If it was done at the factory, it will be fiberglassed in as part of the boat. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Sorry, mine was a factory install. Definitely not a cut and drop in model.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Jason Phillips &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

It wasn't standard, but you could order it with it from the factory. The dealer did not have to be the one to install it. If the dealer installed it, it will be a screwed in tray. If it was done at the factory, it will be fiberglassed in as part of the boat. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif </td></tr></table>

Didn't realize that! Hmm.. I wish the guy that originally had my boat would have ordered it from the factory with one.. I still haven't gotten up the nerve to cut into my deck.. I have been having the tray for almost a year now.. I just can't make the cut.

Excellent boat and motor. My Javelin 389 has a 2002 175 Johnson on it. The motor is tough as nails but does like the gas compared to a fuel injected motor.

I have a 2004 Stratos 285 Magnum with a 175 Johnson...I love the boat and yes it does fish big...My set-up is a 10" Pro-Hijacker HP jackplate, running a 24P Raker that has been done by Mark Croxton...The motor will not turn anymore than 5150 RPMs....The best speed Ive seen out of mine is 62.8 GPS...Thats with all gear, 1/2 tank of gas and just me in the boat...I have tried almost everything to try and get that 65-66 mph range and just cant...It originally came with a 6" Slidemaster plate...changed it hoping to gain more speed, but only got a few more RPMs, plus a little more bow lift...Im beginning to think I have some sorta motor issue, Ive checked compression,changed plugs,decarbed the motor,cleaned fuel filter,checked for WOT, all that is great...Im gonna get the timing checked soon...Does anybody have any other suggestions on what I should check next??? I have been told that maybe Im over jacked, so now Im looking to trade mine for a 8" plate, if anybody knows anybody thats willing to trade let me know...Thanks

Oh, and BTW it does love gas!!!!!!

Hey barchief, dont be afraid to cut into the front deck to add a recessed trolling motor tray...I installed one in mine a couple weeks ago...theres nothing under the deck except for foam...The deck is prolly 3/4" thick...I purchased mine from eBay, its a fiberglass tray, payed $100 including shipping for it...It came with a template and all mounting hardware including the drain and tube...Really easy project...I used a jigsaw to cut mine out, I went through 2 blades...That deck is some awful hard material!!!!! I installed all new carpet at the same time...that job wasnt so easy!!! Definetly the first boat I ever did, prolly the last!!! It did come out really well though, it looks brand new!!! I also replaced my old lid latches with new stainless Perko latches, that made a big look difference too...Also got my seats reupholstered, theres a guy here local that did them both for $100, he did a fine job on them...Installed all new Faria white face gauges, they look nice compared to my old black faced gauges...replaced my old fuse block with a new Blue Seas fuse block, Its now easier to access plus doesnt have those push on style connectors, all wire connectors screw on and wont come loose now!!!...My wndshield had some scratches, so I sanded it down and painted it a gray color...Used the Krylon Fusion paint, its made for plastic...Then added my clubs logo to it in black...It looks really nice as well...Complete inside restoration for around $1,100....I bought the boat in 2008, payed $13,000...I definetly cant afford these new boats, so I'll just fix the one up I have now....Its alot cheaper in the long run...Last year I had the trailer redone, a local body shop painted it for $700, it was black and I had them spray it silver... I replaced the winch, jack, new rims (black and silver 5 star pattern), tires, bunk rollers and added all LED lights to it...Plus replaced the bunks and re-carpeted them...Complete trailer restoration for around $1,280...Next project is installing a Bluewater Kit for inside all my storage compartments...That might have to wait till next year!!!

Could you repeat that.....

Just kidding. BLUEWATERS ARE A MUST!.. Mike is top notch to deal with as well.. Highly recommended and a breeze to install, especially considering all the other work.you have done. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

I have an 04' 285 magnum, 175 johson, 6" plate, 25 trophy b & b'd, 3" below on the plate. I get 66 or 67 gps @ 5500 rpm. I also have tried a 24" & 25" txp and they are not as fast, I cannot get the rpm's with those. I have a 25" tempest that is b & b'd and at 5500 rpm I only see 64 or 65 mph. That trophy I have is the best on my boat. What is your prop measurement? You should sure be able to turn a 24" prop to 5500.