Opinions on Stratos Direction Wanted

[svfetter]

After watching what has happened recently at Stratos and the departure of some of the most key people in the last few months, (which I Knew) I was very interested when I had the opportunity to confront the Stratos Rep at the Louisville, KY boat show today. To be brief, he basicly stated that stratos was loosing money and Genmar / Ranger had to make substantial changes to keep the company viable. He said since the people who left did not agree, they left. I do believe that part of the story!! He also said that there was no truth to the rumors that stratos was being cut back because they were cutting into Ranger sales. He really went out of his way to convince me. I have already mentioned the only part of his story that I believed. As for the rest it sounded far to rehursed. How could a company which at worst was very close to being the leading bass boat company in America be doing as much wrong as this guy claimed??????? What are your opinions out there????

PS: Some others at the show said the latest is there will be another boat hit the market in a few months. Put together by guess who, after their non compete clause expires. Should be interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EJP]

[Bassin Billy]

Here we go again.. All I know is I am happy in my Stratos and still get great customer service when needed. Thats all that matters to me!!

[Jason Phillips]

When I get asked the same thing over and over, my answers probably sound rehearsed also.

[Kenneth ALBassr]

Stratos has gained market share this year. They have been able to get dealers in areas where there has not been a Stratos dealer in many years. With the gain in market share this year, they will be able to add to what they are doing now and continue to grow.

Stratos is certainly not going away.

Kenneth

[DR Stratos]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by svfetter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
PS: Some others at the show said the latest is there will be another boat hit the market in a few months. Put together by guess who, after their non compete clause expires. Should be interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

</TD></TR></TABLE>

For those not up on the industry, who and what is this about?

[jig stroker]

I was at a show last week and a dealer showed me a report showing registrations for the last year for the state of TN and it showed Stratos down almost 100 boats. I don't remember what this report was called, but that is what they said. I am sure that the new 176 has had some affect on the numbers since the shows started, but if they were off 100 boats, it will take some time to catch up. I have owned 4 Stratos's since the mid 90's and it was a great boat, but I am concerned with the future. I sold my last one in the fall and am not sure what I will buy now.

[James O.]

For years I have only had 1 Stratos dealer near me. Now in the last 6 months they have added 2 new dealers within an hour. Doesnt seem like they are going away to me

[Javelin389t]

Could the person your talking about name starts with a G & ends with a C. Also do you think they are bringing back the Old Javelin Hull?


Javelin389T

[Jason Phillips]

Which old Javelin hull? I think the 2 best are being used by Stratos. The 285 and the 200 are both old Javelin hulls.

[Kenneth ALBassr]

I would think Genmar (Stratos) owns all of the past hull molds. I doubt they would sell them.

Kenneth

[Neilslure]

IMO I dont like the road they are going down.

[JerryT]

Neil
Ive seen you say that in a bunch of threads?? Maybe i missed it but what is bothering you so much about the road they turned down??

[Neilslure]

Used to seeing them loaded with all the bells and whistles, now thats all gone. Why would they try and compete with Tracker and Nitro when they have being one of the best boats for so long? I know they are probably still well constructed but they just dont offer what I want anymore. If they still made the same 200 Pro XL they did a few years ago, I would probably have my sights set on one. JMO

[Jason Phillips]

This goes back to the same threads that have been on here numerous times already.

You can get any bell and whistle you want on these boats. My 201 that is on order is loaded up. The only thing you cannot get on a 200 that you previously could is the two storage boxes up front. The livewell is now one divided well, but it's larger. What else do you want? It has the same hull. The same carpet. The same motors. The difference now is that if you don't want all of the extra bells and whistles, you don't have to pay for them and you can get a 200 for a couple thousand dollars less than you could last year. Doesn't sound bad to me. But like you said, that is MHO.

[Kenneth ALBassr]

Neil,

If I remember right, you are not looking to buy until later this year or begining if next year. Why don't you wait and see what changes may be coming for the 2008 models. As in every year, Stratos will be listening to their dealers for input on new models or potential changes within the current models to help them sell more boats. I do not know if there will be any changes but we can all find out when the 2008 models are ready sometime between July and September.

I have seen the other boat you are interested in and feel Stratos offers a better product. Every option that was offered for the 2006 models is still available for the 2007 models. Your only complaint about the Stratos lineup would have to be the changes with the 200 going to the one LARGE front stroage box or the one LARGE divided livewell. Either way the 200 has more storage than the other product you are looking at. The ride of the Stratos cannot be duplicated by the other product either. I have said this before and will continue to say Stratos has the best riding and handling boats made. Comparing other boats of the same size, the 285, 294, 200 and 201 are some of the best hulls ever built.

I wish you well in your search for a new boat. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Kenneth

[F150owner]

One thing about Stratos is that they use proven hulls.

As Jason noted, the Stratos 200 and 285 hulls are tried and true Jav hulls. Even on last year's 285, you could still see the Javelin logo in the side of the driver console. The 200 has been around in various forms from the Jav 400T to Renegade 20 to the 200 Javelin.

If I recall correctly, Stratos started out as a no frills boat.

Honestly, I did have a problem with hearing that Stratos was going to make the boats into price point boats. However, having seen the '07 boats, and knowing you can load them up with the equipment you want - I see that as a positive for buyers at all levels.

My '07 didn't come with a few options, but they were easily added. . . no big deal. I haven't had it in the water but I'm a very happy camper.

[Neilslure]

My thinking is that since everything is now an option they can charge you more for it. I do like the idea of two front storage boxes and do like seperate livewells also. Why doesnt Stratos have all the options listed in their catalog or on the web so people know exactly what is available? I have heard options are available on here but what about average Joe who lives in a box and gets a catalog in the mail?

[Kenneth ALBassr]

Neil,

You can either get help from us or go visit a local dealer.

Do you have a particular list of options you are interested in?

Kenneth

[ChadASX]

I took my rig back to the Stratos plant a couple weeks ago so they could do some repairs. I asked about all this while I was there and was told that for right now you could still get most the options on the previous boats but they ARE going to be cutting many of them out. I hope they quickly realize the error of their ways and Ranger boats can get off their high horse and allow some competition within the same company, cause that is the reason for the changes with stratos. Many people, except for the diehard Ranger owners, if looking at both boats would buy the Stratos over the Ranger. The Stratos was optioned out to the max, was faster, rode better, and would save you 10 or 15 grand. They were hurting potential sales that could have been going to Ranger and that is why all this is going on. Genmar wants Ranger to be the premier boat in the line. Thats another reason for having all these Ranger dealers selling Stratos now. They want you walking in the showroom, looking at both, and if you want a fully optioned out boat choosing the Ranger which is a lot more expensive. If you don't care about paying that much and having all those options they still have you covered and can sell you a Stratos. I'd be willing to bet that options like the Stratos tackle organizer that was in the 201's will be in Rangers really soon, if they are not already. But when you step back and add everything up, Ranger is the reason for all these changes. FLW and Ranger are partnered up and now all of a sudden to go with all these changes there will also be no more platinum program bonus money offered if you win an FLW outdoors tournament. The platinum program is still there, just not where it directly competes with Ranger. Ranger is a nice boat but don't try to force Stratos owners into one by cutting out what we do want to buy.