Ok, im military deployed and grew up fishing tournys in WV. I'll be moving to SC or FL within a year and want to get back into them. i have a limit of $32,000 to spend on a new or used boat. i want Stratos for sure and i like the new VLO. any suggestions on the best type of Stratos for the money? also new or used.
I would look for a 201 Evolution. Good rough water boat, still moderately fast, real stable fishing platform. You should be able to find a really nice one for what you have to spend.
Days Boat Sales in KY had a really sharp Stratos ASX for sale. If you wanted a rocket that rides and fishes good, that would be a great choice.
Thanks. Thoes are nice if i can find one that isnt red. i will have to be in a flatter state or my toe vehicle wont pull that i think. i only have a V6.
My neighbor pulls a Sammy Duvall Edition Master Craft wake board boat with a new Rubicon. I think you'll be fine. I pull my 21XL with a Pathfinder and it has a V-6 and it does fine as well. In fact I get better gas mileage pulling it than most guys with full size trucks get. Just make sure the trailer has brakes of some sort, which most do these days.
trailer breaks are a MUST HAVE if it does not have them i will upgrade the trailer to have them. the only thing is im afraid of some of the monster mountains in Utah around where i live now. its a 6 speed standard so i should be able to manage.
Don't worry about SC there isn't any fish here..... Joking aside I wouldn't have anything under 20' that's just my oppinion. I've alway's wanted to be able to get to the fish no matter what the weather was doing. I have fished most of the lakes in SC. Santee is my home lake and it can get very rough in an instant. I think a 20' boat handles the rough water pretty good. Try and find you a 201, there is a bunch of Stratos's for sale on this site...
For 32k you can find a nice used boat with warranty still left!
There are three types of people in this world, those who can count and those who can't!
Look for a leftover. I did and think I made out pretty well.
so far i have only been on the northern SC lakes like Whiley and Fish and Creek. had nice fish out of both. i have been looking at the 201's now and my only issue is i dont want red.... ill have to keep looking thanks for the info
As Jim said look for a leftover 200 or carry over year 294, you can buy one at that price.
Stroker 21
Mercury 250 PRO XB
TN Bluewater dealer/rep.
BBO
what about the 285XL? is it pretty good as well?
The 285's are solid as they come. Very nice boats at the price point to make them affordable. I got to fish out of one last year, and found it to be a very nice rig. But if I was looking to go that route, the new VLO's would be before it.
'05 Stratos 200 ProXL, '05 Evinrude 225HO
It all really depends upon what you want out of the boat and what you plan on doing with it. If you are going to larger lakes that can get rough and make long runs a 201 would be my choice. If you are going to be fishing smaller lakes that do not get rough or make long runs I would look in the 18'6" range. You also have the 294 which would be a good compramise of the two other choices.
I would look in the used market for the boat of your choice. You can save a little cash and if you look around good find a good deal on the boat you want with warrenty left on the motor.
Bottom line is get what you like and can afford!
Brad Whitaker
08 Stratos 201XL 250 HO E-tec
05 Weld-Craft 1852 semi-v 115/80 Mercury jetdrive
Don't forget to check out the Stratos Champ Elite 183. It will be within your price range on a used or this years left over. They fish like no other 18ft, IMHO. Best ride out there. You need to Ride and Decide. I would never buy a boat without riding in it first and comparing to others I've riden in. Only you know what's gonna make you happy.
Thanks for all the info everyone. i contacted Stratos yesterday just to get bad news. my state does not have even 1 dealer.... the closest is about 5 hours away. thatÂs gonna make my looking a bit more fun I guess.
Got my 08 294 last year for 25k at Days Boats Sales in frankfort, kentucky. Great buy on a great boat. Plus with the left over you can add some toys. Great in rough water and when up get it setup right it is in the mid 70's on speed. In normal conditions i can run 60 mph all day and never break 5000 rpm's which helps with gas. It's draw backs are a 36 gal fuel tank and the front deck could be a little wider. Other than that, i love it.
Go Cats
Bill Schneider 2007 294 Stratos / 200 HO E-tec
I will second the look at the 294... this boat handles big water fine and you can really save on fuel/oil/batteries costs over a larger 20 or 21ft boat powered with a 225 or 250hp. If you do want to lay the hammer down, the 294 is as quick or quicker than any of those larger boats aside from your performance boats.
Did a Louisville fan just agree with a UK fan? Wow, fishing really does mend relationships. Good pick on ur boat.
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