Stratos 200xl questions

[jiggerjake]

I see Stratos has dropped the 200xl from their line,any idea's why?.I was thinking this would be a good rig to look at for my first boat.I was going to buy used anyway,but wondering why they discontinued.Not too familiar with Stratos in general and have a few questions.Speed is not a priority to me at this time as I mostly fun fish and like I said it would be my first glass hull.How well do these boat fish as far a stability,front deck size,TM tracking in wind and do they (sit)have a fairly level platform.How driver friendly are they and how do they handle in rough water-I don't fish really large water but would still like to be dry in a good chop.I recently found out there is a dealer 45min from me which could be helpful.If anyone has any on-water profile shots they would like to share they could e-mail me jiggerjake1@yahoo.com Looking foward to your input.Jake

[Dan21XRS]

Not sure why they discontinued the 200 model. I'm sure some one will chime in soon.

I know you says speed isn't an issue but you'll be pleased to know it's always there if you need it. I gps 74 with 2 and full tourney load and 78 gps with just me. It take seat time but once you master it it's fun to drive.

Fishability is good. We fish 2 up front all the time, room has never been an issue. I've got a MK with 80lbs thrust and have never needed them all. Very level platform when fishing.

Rough water ride is excellent, been to Lake Erie, Sam Rayburn, Guntersville and other big lakes. Remember the driver is the one who determines the roughness of the ride.

Hope this helps... Dan

[ep72]

The 200 is an awesome hull. It will do everything you want and more. I dont know for sure but think sales # were down cause the price point folks went for the 294, and the folks with plenty O money went for the 201. Sad to see it gone cause it was a great hull with a long history.

[JR19]

"In my opinion" it was a business descision that had nothing to do with what the customer wants or the quality of the boat. When Genmar sold Stratos to Plantimun Equiuty they closed the Stratos plant in Tennesse and moved Stratos to Arkansas. The Stratos 200 is similiar in size to the 201 but yet very different in the way it handles and fished. If the customer wanted a boat over 20 ft in legnth they had 2 choices 200 or 201.The 201 had stronger sales so that is the reason why they cut the 200 out of production.

The boat line that I feel the bad for is Champion. When Plantimun Equity bought Champion they closed their plant and put them in the same plant as Ranger and Stratos. To make things worse they only kept three of the Champion modles and renamed them Stratos Champion Elite. Stratos is still made with the orginal Stratos molds. The Starots Champion Elite is still made with the orginal Champion molds so why the name change..another business descision

My point is sometimes it does not matter if the product is great or not. When large companies buy up smaller companies they do what they think will help their profit in the end. They did not see a large market for the Startos 200 so it was cut from the line up. They did not want to eliminate Champion all together because they knew Champion had a loyal following. They kept the three most popular Champion modles in production but renamed them Startos Champion Elite. They believe it is easier to market/promote 1 boat line better than 2 so they combine the Champion name with Stratos.

To the best of my knowledge the only major change Platinum Equity made when they bought Triton was closing the factory and moving production to Arkansas with Ranger Stratos and Stratos Champion Elite. I think it is bad when a company owns as much of the market as Plantinum Equity has. I hope they never see the day when they can say Monopoly. I believe small busniess companies tend to listen to what the customer want better than large corporations...sorry if I got side tracked and took the long way to answer your question. I just wanted to put my opinion out there. The Stratos 200 was and always be a good hull and Yes it would make a good first boat.

[Flipping57]

I am now in my second 200XL, and it is the only Stratos I would have. Thier decision to not build it anymore will cause me to look for another brand of boat. I would reconsider this if they would get the 294XL rated for a 225, and I don't understand why they do not get this done (just about every other boat brand has a 19' boat rated for 225) but for some reason Stratos has never wanted to change a HP rating on thier boats.

[StratosBrad]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Flipping57 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I am now in my second 200XL, and it is the only Stratos I would have. Thier decision to not build it anymore will cause me to look for another brand of boat. I would reconsider this if they would get the 294XL rated for a 225, and I don't understand why they do not get this done (just about every other boat brand has a 19' boat rated for 225) but for some reason Stratos has never wanted to change a HP rating on thier boats.</td></tr></table>

The 200 is a great hull. Ive driven one to over 80 on the Ohio river a couple times.
The 294, properly set up is a mid 70s boat with a load. Don't sell them short. The lil 294 will outrun most of those 225 equipped boats. I used to have one, and did outrun most of them.
To answer the posters question, great hulls that are stable and fast as heck. You WILL have to drive the boat above 70 or so,

[Flipping57]

A 294 that would run 80 consistantly is wha tI would want. I run my 200XL over 80 just about evertime i get in it. I have had it to 84.2, but my 225 ProXS is not normal.....

[ep72]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Flipping57 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">A 294 that would run 80 consistantly is wha tI would want. I run my 200XL over 80 just about evertime i get in it. I have had it to 84.2, but my 225 ProXS is not normal..... </td></tr></table>

Kinda like MD's 200 huh.

[Flipping57]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ep72 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Kinda like MD's 200 huh. </td></tr></table>

Yep....just like his...

Sometimes if they won't give you want you want, you just have to get it on your own.......

[JR19]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Flipping57 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> I would reconsider this if they would get the 294XL rated for a 225, and I don't understand why they do not get this done (just about every other boat brand has a 19' boat rated for 225) but for some reason Stratos has never wanted to change a HP rating on thier boats.</td></tr></table>

In my opinion I dont think they will increase the HP rating to 225. Like it has been stated a 294 will run with or out run most boats that have a 225. With a HP rating of 200 they can market and sell a 200 HP boat for less money that will run speed wise with a 225. If a 294 had a 225 HP rating the price would go up. Most peolpe would feel like it was under powred if the rating was 225 and rigged with a 200...even thought it has been proved that 200 HP will out preform most other boats with a 225.

What I would like to see them do is make the 294 standard with a 200 but offer a magnum package where a person could get a 225. Stratos has done something similiar to this in the past with another model. If my memory is correct there was a period when you could get a 285 magnum that was rated for 175 HP. The hull was the same as a regular 285 that was rated for 150 HP. The only differance was the HP rating on the sticker. Even though I would like to see it happen I dont think it ever will. I think the 294 will have a 200 HP rating so they can keep the price lower.

[ep72]

They could also market it like Basscat is doing the Eyra where it will run great with 200 or 225. It runs fine with a 200 and would run even more efficiently with a 225. Heck Im sure it would handle a 250 fine too, but I know im dreaming on that one. Imagine the fuel economy heavy loaded with a 250 pro xs.

Heck Javelin put a ton of 200 Venoms and Vindicators on the 400 back in the day.

[JR19]

Phoenix has a 719 that is rated for a 225 and a 619 that is rated for a 200. They are the exact same hull and top cap with the same lay out. Only differance is they call the one with a 200 rating 619 and the 225 rating 719...otherwise they are the same boat.

If a person wanted a boat similiar in size to a 294 with a 225 HP rating the Phoenix 719 would be my first choice. I think Stratos should strongly consider doing something similiar with the 294.

[greeneboat]

The 200 XL is a great hull and a great all-around fishing boat. It was my favorite in the Stratos lineup. As much as people like the boat, however, the sales numbers weren't great on the boat so Stratos decided to eliminate it from the lineup. Maybe it will return one day...

Andy Greene
Greene Boat & Motor

[buzzjet]

Greeneboat, you know that I am first in line if the 200 ever makes another appearance!!!!

[Dan21XRS]

buzzjet... Make a direct call to Stratos and see if they'll make a special order for ya. Can't hurt to ask. $35,000+ would be hard to turn down in this econmy... Dan

[Sterling]

Why all the hype over the 200? What makes people desire that hull over say a 201?

[Tom B]

The 200 was going to be my next boat also. Whats interesting is I ordered a Stratos catalog two weeks ago - the catalog they sent me has the 200 in it.

[JR19]

A lot of people want speed. When the 201 had a max hp rating of 225 it was slower than a 200 buy 4-5 mph. Now that the 201 has a max hp rating of 250 the speed numbers have changed...back when 225 was max HP on most boats the 200 was the Corvette of Stratos.

[buzzjet]

You have to own a 200 to appreciate it. The 201 is a good boat but it is much, much different than the 200. The 200 is more agile, quicker, etc. It has a great rough water ride. It is so easy to turn in and out of the waves and actually drive it through rough water. For that reason, I think it rides better. It is very easy to manipulate the bow angle and control boat. Plus the boat is exacly like a corvette. It is fast and really fun to drive. Plus this boat is great on the trolling motor. It is much easier to control in and around docks or other tight places.

The 200 owners don't want anything else. I have owned a lot of boats and fished out of many, many more. The 200 is without any doubt, the best boat that I have ever been in.

I would order another one today but the guys at the plant have shut the door on me too many times to ask again.

[Fish-Ninja]

The 200 ProXL was the last Stratos I had and man was it AMAZING! I had a 201 before that, and an ASX before that one. The 201 is a great boat, but I believe the 200 was always faster, or just as fast even with a smaller motor. The 200 is a little quirky, but it is an awesome boat, great rough water ride, and super fast. With just me in it, I could get up to 80. The first year on tour, it ran 75 everywhere we went with 2 guys, livewells full and tournament gear. Mine had a stock Yamaha 225 HPDI. If you can find one you like, you will not be disappointed.