I'm just hoping in the end I don't regret getting a Stratos. Not because they aren't a great boat because they are. But because I truly had my eye's on a Ranger or Triton. But because I might be able to possibly get a Stratos that not only has a good ride and speed but more importantly warranty left on the motor.
1995 Ranger 487VS / 1998 Mercury 200 EFI
I hate to say this on a Stratos board, but from my experience, you'll be happier going with your heart. Sounds to me like Ranger or Triton is where your heart is and on a big ticket purchase like this you might as well get what you really want or you will always be second guessing yourself.
Hell, you might as well make this process fun and go to boat shows and look at EVERYTHING available. After that, you'll either find something else that moves you or you will reinforce the first choices that you had. I think you'll know it when you find the boat you really want.
I've had my 21ss extreme with a 200hp ficht for 3 years and i am extremely happy with it, i do wish i had some more power, but i can get into the high 60s and and take rough water like no one else.
At WOT, my ficht gets about 5 mpg but as stated before, my mileage greatly increases when i go down to about 80% throttle
Whats your price range?? Every boat has a price...
looks to me MR. Sind has not been happy with his stratos 's over the years. the question if you are not happy and find fault all the time either with the motor or boat , WHY keep buying or using them a ton of boat companies out there try a different one next time.
[I]TEAM CORGI DOG[I]
1996 javelin 400T /1996 Johnson 200 Venom
Totally wrong in your SS assesment JJS.
Only 1 design had an issue, the 99/00 20 SS. The 19's and 21's were not affected.
What the issue was had nothing to do with a "lean".
Todd: I stand corrected, I didn't state that I knew for sure. I knew there was an issue somewhere, glad to have you clarify it. My 03 201 "leaned", but all I had to do was trim a bit.
IK: Actually, I liked my Statos - I even helped sell a few (and still do occasionally - Todd: one of your recent sales was a referal of mine). For certain people it is the right boat. I have also owned a few different boat brands as well as all the major motor brands; hopefully I was able to share an unbiased opinion comparing the differences based on my experiences.
When making a big purchase like a boat, there's nothing wrong with someone asking as many questions as they feel comfortable with, in the end, it is their money and their boat, far be it from me to steer them away from their heart.
Modified by JJohnSind at 12:29 PM 2/19/2008
Almost every boat I've been in has the "lean".......the reason being is that you have to constantly steer left to counter prop torque.
The way I quieten the non believers is to find a large body of open water....set the boat on a straight course at idle and punch it......it will turn right but still be level...as soon as you put steering into it to go straight you get the left "lean".
My TR 21's back in 99 and 00 were every bit as likely to do it as the SS' were......I've even had to prove my point with Champ and Stratos.
I went with my heart several years back and got caught up in the smooth marketing video from a well known fishing icon and I never drove the boat before I bought it. My heart was in the right place, but my booty sure didn't think so. Hearts are smart, booties are dumb, right?
I didn't understand how much I didn't like the ride/handling of my new, stylish, awesome, heavily advertised boat until I drove another lowly, uncool, out of style, boat brand (no offense to the Champion crowd) that was so way beneath me and my curent "cool" boat brand. Then I realized I got bedazzled by clever marketing people. I listened to my booty. . . finally! Then my heart, brain, and booty started getting along real well together.
For a minute, forget about brand names, what the pros drive, marketing campaigns, what your buddy drives, how fast you want to go, and how much $$$ you can borrow.
When it comes to boats, think with your booty. It will tell you which boat handles, rides, drives, and fits the budget best for your needs. It doesn't care what the boat looks like or what your buddy thinks.
How many times has someone said, "I'm gonna kick your heart!" or "you're gonna get a heart chewin!" or "I'm gonna open up a can of whoop-heart?" On the other hand, booties are usually targeted because of their general importance in focusing our direction and thought process. Booties provide tangible evidence of unbiased intelligence and I dont' think we give them credit for keeping us out of trouble or from making bad choices.
During your test drive (don't repeat my costly mistake of not taking one) at full throttle, if your booty gets tight, then the boat may not handle to your liking or it may just be too difficult to drive. If your booty gets bumped or bounced around harshly, it may not like the ride. Keep in mind, booties don't like to be kicked, chewed, or other wise damaged. If your booty gets tight when the $$$ are shown to you on the buyers order, then the boat may cost too much.
Test drive the boat(s) you are interested in prior to signing the buyers order. Hearts and minds are too easily bruised by pride & ego and we listen to them when its convenient. Booties usually don't lie about the situation but alot of times the heart and brain just aren't listening. . .
All said in good fun.
Allison XB21 2+2, Merc 250 ProXS, 1.62 Sportmaster, Hydromotive Engineering X-OB 29
Excel 1751 Viper F4, Tohatsu 50 4-stroke, EZ-Trac trailer
FeelFree Lure 11.5 Kayak
Man, I wish I had the time to type as much as Duane does.
Just so you know Duane, I'm printing out all of your posts and putting them together in a novel, Decisions We Are Faced With When Looking For A Boat According to Duane. The Forward is going to be written by Todd.
Jason Phillips
I enjoyed Duane's analogy.
It must be cold outside, we're all spending too much time posting rather than fishing!
I'm dealing on a new 07 294 with a 150 Vmax. My only concern is eventually being disappointed with the power. It will be the fastest boat i've ever owned and don't need the power now but who knows in a year or two of heavy fishing. I was considering buying a 3-5 year old ranger/triton because of the name but a warranty is real appealing to me. The dealer has a great price on the rig and I'm trying to get as much input as I can before I sign on the bottom line....
anyone.....?
Someone once said that horsepower and money are alike. . . . you can never have enough.
That combo won't be that fast. A 285 will run off and leave you with that same 150 carb Yamaha. Don't cheat your future self over a few dollars now. If you think you might say "I wish I would have gotten the 200hp engine", you will. Max out the power unless you fish lakes with restricted hp ratings.
Allison XB21 2+2, Merc 250 ProXS, 1.62 Sportmaster, Hydromotive Engineering X-OB 29
Excel 1751 Viper F4, Tohatsu 50 4-stroke, EZ-Trac trailer
FeelFree Lure 11.5 Kayak
Don't let the name Ranger/Triton fool you into security. Yes they are both good boats, but Ranger is owned by Genmar who also owns Stratos. Just because they are usually more money, doesn't always mean they are a better boat. The 294 is a great boat. I've owned 3 Stratos's since 96 and was possibly thinking about switching to Ranger as well, but after riding on one in rough water, my decision was pretty easy sticking with a Stratos, and you can't beat the customer service. As far as the hp of the VMAX, I think you would only get a couple more with a comparable motor. If your thinking you might want more hp in the future, I would see what kind of deal they could do with a 200
Like Duane said, you can never have enough
My first boat was an 88 201 pro and it was really great in rough water. I fish the Upper Chesapeake Bay incase anyone wants to know what rough water is. Boats wakes, wind and tide all moving in different directions at the same time. I loved that boat. My current boat is a Javelin R20, 2000. Not to bad but gets bounced around more that the old Stratos. I was in a couple of Pros boats last year on the Potomac. Triton TR21s. They felt like very solid boats and Velvik was running 72 at 4600 with the 250 ProXS. I was inpressed.
All that said, if the newer 201s are like that 88 I had, then thats my next boat.
2000 Javelin Renegade 20 DC.
Strong men create easy times, Easy times create weak men & weak men create hard times. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
In 1944 18-20 year old's stormed beaches, and parachuted behind enemy lines to almost certain death.
In 2015 18-20 year old's need safe zones so people don't hurt their feelings. "Author Unknown"
In 2021 18-40 year old's want to and work to cancel you out if you have a different opinion.
I've got an 07 285 XL with a 150 that I'm trying to get rid off. I've already added all of the bells and whistles to it and I bet I can beat the price. You can read about the boat and the amount of time I spent setting it up by doing a search with phillipshunter as the creator.
2017 Trition 20TRX, 250 Pro-XS
Saw the pic's, nice boat. The 294 i'm looking at has the same paint scheme. Had my heard set on a 19 footer. What's ur price, I have a few other friends that might just upgrade to a stratos after they see mine. rigsnrc@sbcglobal.net if you prefer.
2 of my guys have a 294/150 HO ETEC coming down the line at Stratos for 25K....all 08, all new. Gunmetal/midnight blue in color.
I'm at 22,299 with 5 years coverage on the motor. They are also offering to do some extra wiring/installing. Not sure how big of a deal the second is but every little bit counts.
I'm kinda new around here but I have an 06 294, and I wouldn't be happy with a 150 on the back after having a 200H.O.
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