opinios on these

[rayz379]

I am going to buy one of these rigs. Have looked and looked, eliminated many boats. Down to these two for my final picks. I have the money for either, that is no issue, travel time is almost equal. Here they are. Price is not what I am after. I know the 00 is a little more then the 97, but if the 97 will make the better boat, so be it. If the 00 is the better rig, that's cool as well. If it is a toss up, I will go with the best priced one compared to its price in relation to retail value. Its opinions too, cant edit the title of my misspelling

1997 201 pro elite 200 vindicator I love that this one has the tandem trailer



00 javelin renegade 20 200 johnson

[ezmuny13]

partial to javelin since i own one,but the stratos looks good.just look at the options storage,electronics etc.most of all which one will benefit your fishing needs the most.either one you can't go wrong

[JerryT]

Id have to go with the 201..Basicly the same thing i own...the Jav looks like it might be a little better taken care of?? Hard to tell from the pictures..Would still think i would go with the Strat...Little easyer to find parts and Info for

[rayz379]

Im loving the tandem trailer on the 201, both of them are spot on pretty much as far as options. But there is something about that 201 that makes me lean towards it more, its not the money, its just more appealing to look at I guess

[RedBlazer]

Somethin' to think about b4 you buy Rayz379. When lookin' at these two boats , look at the front deck room on each one. I've been on both models. One of the guys we fish with has the same color green/gold Javelin 20. Very classy lookin' rig! While another friend of mine has a 201 in that year. It just seems like the Jav has a more of a "rider forward" cockpit to it and therefore a noticeable size difference in the front deck, gets narrow quick and Much smaller!
Just gotta ask yourself, where do ya spend most of your time on da' boat and what fits ya' betta'?
Great boats either way, you'll love em' both! That's it...you said money wasn't a problem... get em' both!

[ChadASX]

I'd have to go with the 201 myself if the motor and all is in good shape. I used to run Javelins myself. I had the 409 series that were made before the renegade's. When Javelin went to the Renegade series I switched to Stratos. There's not a thing wrong with the Renegade Javelins but to me, when they went to them they cheapened them up. Before the Renegade's, Javelin and Stratos were pretty well equal with options and all around how fancy everything was. The Renegade's were a lot more plain jane than the prior years, everything was a lot more basic it seemed. The Stratos 201 has always been the same and still is, a top of the line bad a$$ fishing machine that is layed out better than anything else on the water. I think the 201 will retain its value better than the Renegade also. Plus, I think the Stratos is just a lot better looking boat than the Javelin. If you were looking at a 409 Javelin the same year as the 201 I'd probly lean toward the Javelin just because I've owned them and I know they were incredible boats, but its not, its a Renegade series. So as you can gather, I vote for the Stratos , I just don't think you can go wrong with it.

[HeavyMetalBassinKing]

I'll take the Javelin

[Luke]

the javelins are nice boats good ride good speed
i dont know on the Renegade 20 but my deck on my 400 is a little skinny but not too bad to put up with. parts are hard to find for them.the single axle trailer isnt to bad of a deal thats what mines got to, but its not that bad of a deal.

the 201s are awsome boats but i think it would benifit a lot better if it was a 225 but oh well speed isnt everything. huge front deck on the 201,parts are easier to get and its got a tandem trailer.

thats a tough one but i think you would be happy with both boats really

[Kerry201pro]

Myself, I would go with the 201. That is a awesome rig and will perform in the roughest water. If you make long runs the dual axle will be a giant bonus. I have a 201 on a single axle and really wish I had the dual. Also the 201 I think will have a better resale value. Either rig will be nice but I am partial to the 201 series. Good luck!

[Jason Phillips]

I may be in the minority here, but my vote goes to the Javelin for a couple of reasons. If they were the same age, same price, etc., I'd go with the 201. But, it is three years older which means that 200 hp outboard on the back has been pushing a boat under a stressful load (that boat is underpowered with a 200) for a longer period of time. That is a heavy boat and although it will perform good with the 200, it is still considered to be underpowered. For that reason alone, I'd want the newer boat. If the Stratos is $3,000 cheaper and then the motor goes out, you just spent what money you saved.

I'd take them both out on the water and see which one you like the best. The type of water you fish will help you with your decision. The 201 will ride better in the really nasty stuff. The Javelin will be a little faster.

And personally, I just don't like white boats!

[SkeeterZXR21SHO]

I would have to go with the Javelin myself for a couple reasons.
1. Because of what Jason just stated.
2. I am partial to the Minn Kota flexible shaft. The stratos looks to have a motor guide.

I have had both stratos and Javelins. Both ride and handle well. I don't think you would have a complaint with either. But I would fell better with the newer boat for the money.

[rayz379]

these are all great opinions and are very helpfull. Thanks for that. I have looked for a while now and it seems that this style boat will suit my needs best. The speed is not a huge issue, it will be only my second bass boat, so I am in great need of input and this is a big help.

[ChadASX]

Keep us posted which one you decide to buy. I would take them both out on the water and see exactly how each one compares. Then you will know which one you like the best.

[BuzzB8]

Get the Stratos if it checks out ok, you won't be sorry!.

[Kbass]

I'd go with the Jav, a little newer and looks like a better motor. I am partial though, I have a Jav and I love it. I am very happy with my Jav and its performance. I do wish my front deck was larger but other than that I love it. If I do get another boat it will most likely be a BCat.

[Neilslure]

I have seen on here more than once guys saying how much they loved those older 201s. Just have to decide which is right for you. There is a different boat for everybody.

[jbradfishn]

rayz, I have owned both a javelin and I am now on my second stratos. My 21 XL magnum is basically the exact same boat as the 201 you are looking at. The differences in quality were enough for me to switch to stratos from my renegade. It was the several small things I noticed that made me switch. Take a look at both boats and I'm sure you'll notice several quality differences between the two. I just think that the Stratos is a better built boat.

[Kerry201pro]

Jason, What were you thinking bro???? A 90's model 201 underpowered with a 200??? WTH, the 90's models were rigged with 200's primarily and 225 were a bonus add on. I think that Blazer is starting to distort some of left side thinking bro That 201 is not under powered or been struggling with that 200 pushing her. My 201 is a 91' and has been pushed by the same 200 Rude since 91' (15 years) and she still runs 64+ loaded out with fat boys and gear. She dont run with the Bullets and such but she did cash quite a few checks this year carrying my arse around with numerous green heads. JP can't you give the 201 a little love there brother and foreget about your new drag boat

[BuzzB8]

Kerry, can I have an Amen? My thoughts exactly! Counting you, I can think of 5 or 6 with 200's.

[Jason Phillips]

Oh boy. Didn't think that would open a can.

Maybe I should have reworded that. You cannot beat the 201 hull, layout, and ride. 'I' would probably choose the Javelin if all other things were equal because it is a newer boat. 'I' would personally feel as though the 201 w/ 200 wasn't powered to it's potential. There were a lot of older 201's that were built with 150's on them. 'I' personally wouldn't want one of those either. The 201 will perform well with the 200 (as I posted above), but will not perform its best.

When you have a boat that will run 64 w/ a 200 or 70+ w/ a 225, 'I' personally feel that means with the 200 it is underpowered. Does it work? Yes. Does it do everything it can? No. In 'my' opinion, that means it is underpowered. Some people would say mine is underpowered because it is setup for 'Unlimited Horsepower'. From the same things I stated, I'd agree with them.

Kerry, I think you know I didn't buy my boat because of how fast it will go.