294 and 285?

[basscubs1]

does anyone have a 294 or a 285? likes dislikes? are there any tournament incentives?
thanks for any input!

[Clint S]

both boats are great. they are 2 totally different boats as far as hulls. the 285 is a deep v type hull whereas the 294 is more of a mod v hull. they both have a great ride and impressive speeds for their size.

i ran a 285 a couple of weeks ago on a demo ride with 3 people in the boat we gps'd 64.2

my 294 runs in the mid 70's with a tourney load.

both are great boats and they both fish like they are much larger boats. you can't go wrong with either.

the incentive program is unique at best. in order to get factory bonus money, you have to have the tournament director contact stratos prior to the tourney to get the tourney qualified. but yes there is a bonus program.

[285XL]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Clint S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">both boats are great. they are 2 totally different boats as far as hulls. the 285 is a deep v type hull whereas the 294 is more of a mod v hull. they both have a great ride and impressive speeds for their size.

i ran a 285 a couple of weeks ago on a demo ride with 3 people in the boat we gps'd 64.2

my 294 runs in the mid 70's with a tourney load.

both are great boats and they both fish like they are much larger boats. you can't go wrong with either.

the incentive program is unique at best. in order to get factory bonus money, you have to have the tournament director contact stratos prior to the tourney to get the tourney qualified. but yes there is a bonus program.

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

64.2 GPS with 3 people? You sure that wasn't the 294?

[Clint S]

yep. 150 etec HO.

[bigfish]

my 185 would run close to 64 gps in the winter with a merc XR6 and a 25 tempest....
My 294 ran low to mid 70s

I loved both boats but with the 294 i was able to get a dual console and still have room to get in and out of my rod locker, I think with a dual console on a 285 it would get a little cramped,,, but with a single console either one would be a great boat

[bassnbuc]

I have an 07 294 with an E-tech 200 HO and love it. Fishes great, and has a great ride. I don't have a jack plate, but I've had mine to 72.0 on the GPS. Lots of storage, really comfortable seats.

[basscubs1]

the price is really nice on these, compared to rangers 188 and 198, these things are a steal.

my buddy has a 285, it was nice, except that all the water in the cooler was sucked out when we were running, also he thought something was wrong because he couldnt get it up to full speed. he found a beer can under his hot foot a couple weeks later???

[F150owner]

The 285 and 294 are great fishing boats. My opinion is that the 294 is one of the best values on the market for a fast, great riding, fully water ready 200 hp tournament rig in the 19ft class. The extra length on the 294's keel makes a lot of difference in rough water.

Not to dimish the 285 which has been around for a very long time and was formerly a Javelin hull. It is a proven performer and the hull was kept as the 18 ft offering in the model lineup when Stratos and Javelin lines merged several years back. There are many 285 owners on this board that love their boats.

You've got two great choices.

[RonC]

My brother bought a 294 with 200 yamaha. He added a 6 in jackplate to it and it runs 73 or so with both of us,full fuel,and all our fishing crap.I think it's a real nice boat,hasn't had any negative issues of any kind.I may try to buy either a 294 or a 200 just because of how much I like his boat.

[fmm1]

I am really wanting a 285. It runs every bit as fast as my Ranger, and has the economy of a 150 on it. I fish big lakes, Kissimmee Chain, Harris Chain, and multiple other huge bodies of water and my 18' Ranger handles it'self just fine. The 285 is 8" longer, which would be a noticeable difference im sure. It has plenty of storage, great seats, and a huge deck with a nice little cooler. If you need the bigger boat get it, but if you dont, the 285 I think is an awesome boat for the money!

[basscubs1]

thanks for everyones input, i really like the color schemes, the seats look good and they are comfortable, prices are good, now i have to bs the wife!!!!

[06Stratos201PXLDC]

What contigencies are being provided by Stratos and which tourneys apply??

[Musky Mike]

Both are good boats. I own a 285 and have not had a problem with it. It's fine fishing 3 people, but the the 294 would be better. If you get the 285, get 175hp engine, I have a 150, but with 3 people in the boat I wish I had got the 175hp engine.

[285XL]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Musky Mike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Both are good boats. I own a 285 and have not had a problem with it. It's fine fishing 3 people, but the the 294 would be better. If you get the 285, get 175hp engine, I have a 150, but with 3 people in the boat I wish I had got the 175hp engine. </TD></TR></TABLE>

The 285 is only rated for a 150. I think it used to be rated at 175.

[Mike1]

Basscubs,
Bring the wife to the Springfield show on March 7-9 and come look at the 285. We will have a few at the show or you can call Steve or Debbie at Eastside Marine in Springfield. They are two great people are will treat you like family.

[basscubs1]

thanks mike1, i will give them a look!

[Musky Mike]

A 285 with (blinker trim, hot foot, and 6" jackplate) can be ordered as a "magunum package" and is rated for 175. Talk to the dealer...they don't advertise it, but it was available (2004) when I bought mine. For a few years they also called it the 286.

[Jason Phillips]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Musky Mike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A 285 with (blinker trim, hot foot, and 6" jackplate) can be ordered as a "magunum package" and is rated for 175. Talk to the dealer...they don't advertise it, but it was available (2004) when I bought mine. For a few years they also called it the 286.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It was available as a Magnum package for a couple of years ('04 being one of them). The 286 was only around one year. You can not order a 285 rated for a 175 now.

[basscubs1]

what kind of price am i looking at for the 294 and 285?

[Musky Mike]

Too bad they did away with the "magnum" option.