Stratos...Blazer....WHICH?? WHY?? (LONG POST)

[bcbasser]

I too look at the same two boats. I went with the Stratos!!! I am 6'6" I have plenty of room in my stratos!! I look like I am driving a go kart but I have lots of room . The storage and tackle organizer in the stratos is in my opinion second to none!!! As far as handling the big water it is great ie Erie and St. Clair!!! But is some one tells you 5 ft with no sweat they are full of chit...no bass boat handles true 5 ft with no sweat...its plain scary!!!! The Blazer is sweat I have never been in one in rough water so??? I too have heard they were good though!! And they are fast!!! The stratos has a ton of lift and hes an excellent hole shot...it almost feels like you are floating..pardon the pun!! Either way you will be happy but If you are a big guy you will love the stratos!!!

[Bassin Billy]

6'4 here and picking up my 201 from C and O tomorrow. I have had a Stratos for a few years now and have looked at Triton and Ranger to see if I felt like I was missing anything by not comparing. Trust me I didn't miss a thing. For the quality of what you get compared to price you pay Stratos is the best. Everyone has to make there own decisions though. If you have the time to put a little seat time into both of these boats it is the proper way to go.

[Bullz EYE]

If you want lots of speed and getting gawked at, at the ramp and getting asked what kind of boat you got and they say "Blazer?? who makes that??" If you like sitting by yourself at a lock (river fishing) after take off waiting for everyone else to show up, and getting a bath when you have to full power off when in shallow water when the wall of water comes crashing over the back of the boat, (horrible problem) Being cramped when your driving. I am 6'3. Dont let anybody tell you different that the 210 has a lot of leg room. If they do than they have really long torsos and stubby legs. Not having very good dry storage in the boat. (Lot of wet stuff when it rained alot.)

I owned a 2002 210 with 250 vmax efi for 2 years and what I can say is that it served its purpose. It really was a decent boat, very fast for a 21 footer and it got out of the hole great and the rough water ride was very good. Things I did not like was the front deck was to narrow, when I had rods on both sides of the troller pedal It was very crowded. The storage was ok, nothing like the Stratos p.a.l.s system. The seats felt like I was sitting straight up and down in them, but got used to them and didnt notice after a couple trips. I thought the boat wasnt as stable as my previous boat (Javelin Renegade 20), but got used to it. Basically had everything you need to tournament fish.

I now own a 2005 201 Stratos with 225 Di HO, and only been out 3 times with it and it is a big step up from the Blazer. It just seems way more solid. Alot more stable, way more tackle storage (rod organizers suck though ) I think the other compartments are also bigger. I like only the one fuel tank, I hated the dual tanks on my Blazer. Some like duals for evening out the load switching back and forth was a pain in the azz. I fish with someone usually all the time and it balances out the load just fine. My legs fit alot better in this boat. Like a previous post, the livewells have auxiliary pumps (awesome idea) One thing I did notice was the spot where the trolling motor mounts is really beefed up. Blazer was so thin it flexed a little. That Stratos is really thick and I think it will really be solid with my Minnkota 101 on it. I havent had the boat long enough to find out any cons about it yet, well I guess the one con I do have is its about 10 miles per hour slower than my Blazer was. Other than the speed, I dont miss my Blazer, and I cant wait really put my 201 through its paces. I really think its going to be a great boat.

If you were in the market for a 201 you would have alot of info to digest from me but I know your going between a 200 and a 210, sorry I rambled on but 200 and 201 are very similar, alot of carryover from one model to the other I think.

Oh by the way GOOD LUCK with your decision!!

[BassHog007]

Email sent to you Bill.

[EDEERNET]

I have looked at both boats, I'm 6'4" and I couldn't even get my legs under the dash on a Blazer 202, the 210 wasn't much better. I just bought a Stratos 201, I was really disappointed after seeing a Blazer in person.....the qualtiy just isn't there like a Stratos. Granted they are one of the fastest boats on the water, but they don't handle rough water like a Stratos. From the research I have done, you are going to spend a almost $10K more on the Stratos with an ETEC HO then you would for the Blazer with the same engine. You also are not going to a brand new Stratos with an Etec for under $40K

[Jpadge]

What type of load are you running with and how much gas? If you're only at 5200 rpm and get 72mph, you seem to have quite a bit left in her! If that is the case what are you doing diff than me? I know we have damn near a whole tackle shop in the boat, (Pops always wants to be prepared for whatever) but let us know. I have a 201 pro xl dc stratos with a 225 e-tec also! Anxious to find out!!

[ppcpilot]

That's awesome that at 19 you have 40K to spend on a new boat!!!

[bigfish]

check that price...If you talk to Todd at Cand O i am sure you CAN get into a new stratos or a demo for under 40K...I bought a NEW 294, with a 200 etec for much less than 40k ...a 201 will cost a little more but look into a new demo....good luck