2009 294XL Evolution 200 Etec HO . . .

[SwampNinja]

Looking at this boat new at a dealer. If you own one or have been in one what are your thoughts and impressions. I want to hear the good and bad. Feel free to IM anything you would maybe not want to post. Can you squeeze a 7'6'' pole in the rod locker? It doesn't have a jack plate but my boat I'm trading in does, so I would like to keep it. CMC hydraulic 5.5 set back. Is this set back good or should I add 2 inch spacers? It has a single axle trailer. And yes I've spent some good time doing searches hear on BBC on this boat and I'm feeling pretty good about it

Thank You BBC

[Texguy02]

Buy it! I have had many bass boats and by far the is the best boat i have owned ever. ANd i promise i will buy another one when the times comes. Just the right size in my opinion. I can fit a 7'6" in my locker so i would thikn you could also. Boat is fast and i can keep up with the big boys. Fishes excellant and to my surprise it handles awesome. As far as the jackplate i would go with a 6".

Did i mention i believe dollar for dollar this is one of the best boats you can buy. Just my opinion on know others will say different.

[bassknight]

Why are you following daddy to the Stratos Family. You still want be able to keep up with me. I think it's a good buy also.

[ep72]

As was said its the best boat out there in the 19.5 foot class. It does everything well, and can hold its own with the big boats as far as ride and handling. Set up right with a good driver, you will pass most bigger boats with 250's.

Ok things I dont like......The unit in the console is hard to see, because of the angle its at, and steering wheel right in the line of sight. The trailers are cheap looking and built. I wish the compartment lids had dual shocks on them. The rest of the stuff is minor things im just picky about. Overall their great boats for what they are.

[StratosBrad]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ep72 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">As was said its the best boat out there in the 19.5 foot class. It does everything well, and can hold its own with the big boats as far as ride and handling. Set up right with a good driver, you will pass most bigger boats with 250's.

Ok things I dont like......The unit in the console is hard to see, because of the angle its at, and steering wheel right in the line of sight. The trailers are cheap looking and built. I wish the compartment lids had dual shocks on them. The rest of the stuff is minor things im just picky about. Overall their great boats for what they are.

</td></tr></table>

What Eric said.

[ALF1]

My only complaint is the rear deck is spongy. Im never back there but i have had a few guys fishing with me and comment on it. Basically just the livewell lids.

[stevousa6]

They are fast as hell (haven't been beat yet), and overall boat quality is definitely good. I like the single console the best, obviously more room, and the front deck of these boats are very good size. I can see the comment about the trailers, but I wouldn't buy anything else in the 19 ft. class. I do wish the livewells were bigger, but overall storage is excellent. Before I got my 2006 294 XL I looked at a 2005 Bass Cat Pantera. The Pantera didn't even come close in storage, or set up. I don't feel cramped in the 294, but did in that Pantera.

[stevousa6]

One thing I forgot to mention is the back storage compartment for the Stratos is awesome. This may not mean much to you, but the 294's is wide open, therefore, easy access to batteries, livewell hoses, etc. The pantera's batteries and other boats like triton, are actually tucked up under the boat, and a major pain to get to. Just something to think about.

[SwampNinja]

Thank you all for the info!

[NB Basser]

I would have to agree with the general consensus here. Although I have only been able to fish out of my boat since April, being in an area of North America with hard water for half of the year, so far I have no complaints. It's my first glass boat so hard to compare against others, but this is a great boat to fish out of. I am still working on the driving, as it tends to chine walk badly once I get to around 67-68 mph. I haven't had it faster than 70 mph yet because of this. Others on this board have said that more seat time is all that is required, but it's a little frustrating so far. I have a 6" jackplate. Just raised the motor from 3.5" below pad to 3" below pad - hope it makes a difference!

I didn't like the rod holders on the front deck by themselves, so I added one more holder on each side closer to the consoles to be more secure.

I have a manual jackplate and the ladder on the port side was in the way, so I had to use a wrench instead of a socket wrench to loosen the jackplate bolts on that side. Not a big deal but something to be aware of. The drain plug is a real pain to get access to. The roller on the trailer that holds the transom saver is in the way, and you really have to squeeze your hand in there and can barely turn the plug. Not sure if this is common with most bass boats but it annoyed me.

Awesome storage, even for two guys (I fish in partner tournaments). As stevousa6 mentioned, the back compartment is spacious and easy to get into. The console and gauges are top notch (although the steering wheel is indeed in the way sometimes). I also have the single axle trailer and haven't had any issues so far. I have seen this boat with dual axle trailers, so I'm not sure how it's decided whether to go with single or dual axle for these boats.

Good luck and enjoy the boat if you buy it!

[JC25]

I started putting my drain plug inside the boat... alot easier for me to get to, much better than crawling under the boat.

[295 Pro Elite]

stay away from etec! Go Yamaha or Mercury unless you want a new powerhead every year.

[SwampNinja]

5 year warranty.

[flukeman]

I have a 2006 and love my Etec. My buddy is on his 4th Yamaha power head. I think every brand has it's problem units in any of it's lines. Dealers decide whether to order boats in with dual or single axle trailers on floor models. My dealer only orders dual axle trailers. I love my boat to this point, it came with a 3 year warranty and a choice of extending for 4 more or getting a couple of other prizes (big TV was one). So I extended to have 7 years of warranty.

You will be happy!

[WV294Stratos]

I have a 2009 294 XLE with 200 Etec HO. The only thing that will pass you once the boat is set up will be a Bullet! Mine is 78 mph high on actia guages! A rocket with a very respectable ride. Would not trade it for any other boat or bigger stratos. Best buy you will ever make.....and don't let the merc & yammy guys fool you the Rude will out run them all trust me I know when I wave as I pass them buy! In fact a friend of mine with a 200 merc lost his injector the same day as mine in a tournament 15 miles from the ramp and mine made it back and his was towed backed....Etec is so much more advanced.
Make sure its set up with a 8in plate and 26 Fury 2.75 below pad and hold on. I have played with mine many many times up and down different props and 6in plates.

[ep72]

The Etec is no better than the other 2. Their all great motors, just whatever flavor you like. BTW mine has run 78 too with merc power, so there.

[ALF1]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by WV294Stratos &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I have a 2009 294 XLE with 200 Etec HO. The only thing that will pass you once the boat is set up will be a Bullet! Mine is 78 mph high on actia guages! A rocket with a very respectable ride. Would not trade it for any other boat or bigger stratos. Best buy you will ever make.....and don't let the merc & yammy guys fool you the Rude will out run them all trust me I know when I wave as I pass them buy! In fact a friend of mine with a 200 merc lost his injector the same day as mine in a tournament 15 miles from the ramp and mine made it back and his was towed backed....Etec is so much more advanced.
Make sure its set up with a 8in plate and 26 Fury 2.75 below pad and hold on. I have played with mine many many times up and down different props and 6in plates.</td></tr></table>
My Merc will also run 77-78... Your not as special as you might think.

[gocats]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents. I have a 2004 295 pro xl, and this is the first boat I have owned.
I have a 200 HO on it with a 6in jackplate from the factory. I have a renegade 25 pitch prop and haven't got it set up just right yet and it still out performs most bigger boats. Plan on keeping it for a long time. Everyone that rides in it loves the boat and how it fishes. Oh, by the way it is still wicked fast with full tank, tourney load, and passenger. (70 mph) not a problem.

[Tom B]

Mine will do a 100 with my Etec

[SwampNinja]

I should have some eye candy for you boys come Wednesday.

And to answer one of my own questions yes a 7'6'' fits in the locker no problem. Don't know why their web site says 7'? Also noticed the drain plug thing but I can live with that.