Stratos's business direction

[madtackle]

I called Stratos the other day to inquire about their Platinum program for owner’s incentives since I couldn't find anything about it on their website. The gentlemen told me the program was not published this year but I would have to check with the local tmx directors to see if they are participating. If Stratos isn't publishing anything about the program then I would assume the program is not running. I asked him if they were going to do anything next year and he didn't know. They also discontinued their owners tmx's for this year. And he also didn't know if they were going to do them again next year.

Does anyone know what's going on at Stratos? They don't seem to be doing as much as the other boat builders. I know they also dumped their whole pro staff minus Larry Nixon. Thoughts or comments?

[Jason Phillips]

Already been covered over a year ago. Don't think there's a real need to go over it all again.

The pro-staff decision I understand completely. The Platinum Program I can do without. Both of those things helped to keep the price of my boat from inflating so dramatically last year. Marketing costs a lot of money which is passed on to the customer.

Stratos' sales are way up over last year. They have more dealers in more places than in the past. They are listening to input from owners about the boat lineup (you'll see what I mean later on). I don't see any poor business decisions being made. I questioned a lot of the stuff before the '07's came out based on the same things you brought up, but I see differently now.

I know others will chime in with there thoughts also, but I'm good with everything. I'd like to see an owner's tournament, but won't change brands if we don't have one.

[joeschmoe]

This has been beaten to death in other threads...DO a search and you can do a ton of reading on it.

Bottom line the owner of Genmar Holdings Irwin Jacobs wants Ranger to be the #1 bass boat and Stratos to be the Entry Level Bass boat.

Not my words his words...A friend was told this when he took Irwin Jacobs out fishing during a recent FLW tournament in my area.

[Todd Morgan]

All our local tournaments are Platinum Stratos events. As long as it's a large recognized event there's no issue with getting Platinum placed on it.

Stratos is through the roof......while many others are shrinking, Stratos is growing. This has been our biggest year for Stratos sales. Stratos' marketing program is reaching out to a whole new group of buyers in what has been a market stagnant in the bass boat area.

The product has never been better....the reduction in warranty claims proves that. There will always be issues with electronics and components not made by an end installer.

If you're trying to talk yourself out of buying a Stratos you should not make the purchase. It's better off to not have a customer than to have an unhappy one.

[Tom I]

I don't think he is trying to talk himself out of a Stratos. I just think he has started seriously looking and had a few questions, Here in Arizona we have had a tournament series that would give away a Stratos boat, until this year. Madtackle is a well respected person that runs a well respected tackle business. I don't think he even thought to do a search on the subject.
I understand Stratos' view on the subject, but Skeeter seems to be the most prominant manufacturer here when it comes to promoting tournaments. Maybe because the Skeeter dealer is very active in the local tournament scene.

Anyway, I didn't mean to "butt" in, but I just wanted to give "Madtackle" the benefit of doubt.

[Todd Morgan]

Ranger #1?.....they do build more....now it's the ultimate cookie cutter surpassing even Nitro.

I like Rangers....they make good waypoints they move so slow!

[madtackle]

Todd I'm not trying to talk myself out of a Stratos. I owned an 2003 201 and I never should have sold but anyways. I just want to make sure Stratos's recent decisions weren't a refelction of them not on planning on being around much longer. As a consumer getting ready to buy you want to make sure whatever you buy that not only is the manufacturer is going to stand behind their product. Doing your homework and being patient before any big purchase is just being a smart buyer.

Stratos comments and lack of publication around the Platinum program was a concern as well. If Stratos Platinum is still running why don't they publish it on their website like they use to. And the owner's tmx were just a way of saying Thank You to their consumers.

Sorry if this has been beaten like a dead horse but I haven't looked back into Stratos since I just recently sold my Ranger.

[madtackle]

Thank you for the kind words Tom!!!!

[Rebel1]

I believe that Stratos is getting ready to make its way back to the top of the Bass boat food chain, if Gemar will let them.

[JJohnSind]

Stratos may be selling more boats, but around here it isn't to tournament fishermen (I am seeing a significant increase in another brand though). Boat sales (and popularity) are regional so with Stratos being from Tennesse, I can understand that it is doing well there. I'm guessing that their 17ft boat is also a huge hit with entry level buyers.

I disagree that the price has gone down because of the "marketing" cut backs. If all the features that were once standard are priced back in, the price went up significantly. To me, marketing not only helps sell boats, but also increases brand awareness which helps drive resale.

All that said, Stratos is still a great boat that excels in some departments (ride & speed) that even it's flagship sister company (Ranger) can't hold a candle to. It is still a good value product, but I'd say that the used '03-'06 boats are a STEAL for what you'd get for the money compared to the new Stratos prices.

[Jason Phillips]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JJohnSind &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm guessing that their 17ft boat is also a huge hit with entry level buyers.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

They've been a huge hit.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JJohnSind &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I disagree that the price has gone down because of the "marketing" cut backs. If all the features that were once standard are priced back in, the price went up significantly. To me, marketing not only helps sell boats, but also increases brand awareness which helps drive resale.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm guessing this is toward me. Take a look at my post again. I did not say the price of my boat went down. I said it kept the price from increasing so drastically. My 201 IS loaded. Advertising helps sell the boats which is part of Marketing. However, if you are handing out 15 $40K boats a year to guys fishing with other anglers that have free $40K boats, that is a lot of money for not as much bang. Better advertising avenues exist.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JJohnSind &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
All that said, Stratos is still a great boat that excels in some departments (ride & speed) that even it's flagship sister company (Ranger) can't hold a candle to. It is still a good value product, but I'd say that the used '03-'06 boats are a STEAL for what you'd get for the money compared to the new Stratos prices.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Agree with you on all of that. But, my '07 201 team boat is a steal also.

[Tom I]

All I know is every Stratos I see on the lake looks like a brand new boat, whether it is 1 year old or 10. That and the fact that you really don't hear anything bad about them or any complaints. And the fact that they are indeed cheaper than most of the other boats makes it a win/win situation for anyone with one or thinking about one. Some things I would like to see for 08 are the 200 with the 2 storage compartments up front like they used to have. And a 285 rated for 175. All the other makers have a 18.5 footer rated for 175. I think that Stratos is missing out on that market.

[bassnbuc]

Here in Central Florida, Stratos definately is the #1 boat. You see quite a few Tritons, but there are few (new) Rangers or other brands. I think it has to do with the quality of Stratos dealers we have in Tampa and Orlando. When I bought my Stratos 2 months ago I wanted to look at some other boats besides Triton to compare (even though I was pretty sure I was getting a Stratos), and there really aren't many other dealers.

[AB]

Yep, Stratos is doing VERY well in Central Florida.....Accent Marine and Advanced Marine have made great headway in getting the Stratos name in Florida. Everywhere you look there is a Stratos now, where just a few years ago they were all Tritons. I love my 201 and my next boat for sure is going to be another 201.

[madtackle]

We only have one Stratos dealer in Phoenix and one in Tucson. But the phoenix dealer is also a Ranger dealer so Stratos takes a backseat in that case.

So you don't see a lot of Stratos's in central AZ it's mainly of mix of Ranger, Skeeter and Triton.

[JerryT]

This has been beaten to death..But i just want to add this one more time

How many here bought a boat because some Pro was on there Pro Staff?? If i was given the Stratos boat company 5 years ago the first thing i would do is let go all the "Free boat" guys..Its a huge waste of money..Simple choice to cut that first if you ask me

[bob101]

The only time "free" boat guys make any sense to me is if a dealer or the factory can put you in contact with them and schedule a demo ride of more than 5 minutes on a local lake, but I don't think that was happening at all.

To me free boat guys (which I assume they are not free but reduced or at cost whatever) should be boat salesman and less about fisherman.

Just my opinion.

We have a stratos/ranger dealer locally and several stratos dealers within 2 hours away. The local stratos dealer is ok but he commented something to me which made me think when I visited earlier this year. Told me he didn't order any Stratos boats that were in direct cmpetition with Ranger boats, he had 176xt's and the 18ft. stratos and that was all. He said no sense in stocking 200's and 201's.

[Kenneth ALBassr]

I bet that dealer missed out on some opportunities to have more customers.

There are some people that are going to buy a Ranger (for various reasons) and there are some people that will not buy a Ranger (for various reasons again). I wonder how many potential customers ended up buying a Stratos from another dealer or bought a different brand all together. It should not be about taking a sale away from Ranger. It should be about offering his potential customer options.

Proof that he is missing out: the 201 continues to be one of the top three selling models offered by Stratos.

Kenneth

[Todd Morgan]

I agree on the new customers.......

Here's the truth...at least I see it: Stratos was not growing and was in fact destined to fail in a short period of time. While the 201 is still the king of the heap for TX boats we needed to attract the Nitro/ProCraft/Triton buyer.......we did that.

Aluminum boats in the 17' range is a huge part of the market...so we took advantage of the 176 and bit into that....there's a few more things coming I'm not at liberty to speak of that will make the bite even larger this year.

We need to attract other customers to our brand......

Now as for Platinum......probably 10% of our annual customers place great credence in that program....and the program is there. The other 90% are looking for an economical way to get out on the water and while the Platinum program is a consideration, it's not the driving force behind the purchase.

The old Stratos was not getting it done.....so the marketing strategy changed....the factory streamlined and produces more boats with less defects in a 4 day work week than it ever did with a 5 day week. The future is very bright.......we have had our biggest year with Stratos ever.....we now have a fantastic dealer network......none of this is by accident. It's been a very well executed plan and continues to grow and attract more quality dealers. Quality dealers are the key to success.....other builders have dealers jumping ship daily and Stratos has a backlog of dealers wanting to come on board.

I'll get off the soapbox now.......Stratos is a boat you can beleive in as well as it's core management.

[Jason Phillips]

Good posts.