2010 Stratos 200xl vs 2006 Triton TR196

[PatriotAW4]

I am going to look at 2 boats soon, one is a 2010 Stratos 200XL with a 225 Pro XS Optimax, 36v Ultrex and 2 Helix 9 units, around 450 hours on the motor and he is asking $21,500 for it. The other one is a 2006 Triton TR196 200 Optimax, 36v Lowrance Ghost Trolling motor, and 2 Lowrance Elite 9 TI2 units, unknown hours on the motor but I could check that, he is asking 22K for. The Stratos seems like a far better deal but which one is a better boat? Everyone I have takled to who has or has had a TR 196 loved it, but I haven't heard much about the Stratos 200XLs.

[mactlman]

stratos if everything checks out ok and good! check trailers over good also

[Lightning 6]

I love my TR196 but would not shy away from a newer & well cared for Stratos. Both boats should be on tandem axle trailers (were available w/out)!

[DaveBrabec]

Stratos

[JohnM64]

I am going to look at 2 boats soon, one is a 2010 Stratos 200XL with a 225 Pro XS Optimax, 36v Ultrex and 2 Helix 9 units, around 450 hours on the motor and he is asking $21,500 for it. The other one is a 2006 Triton TR196 200 Optimax, 36v Lowrance Ghost Trolling motor, and 2 Lowrance Elite 9 TI2 units, unknown hours on the motor but I could check that, he is asking 22K for. The Stratos seems like a far better deal but which one is a better boat? Everyone I have takled to who has or has had a TR 196 loved it, but I haven't heard much about the Stratos 200XLs.

Just a suggestion: Consider jacking the boat you may choose up off bunks, before buying, to look for gel coast blisters.

[Javelin389]

Stratos for sure, but I will admit I'm a bit biased.

I love my boat and almost everything about it. My only gripe is the plastic dash/shroud components. As things start breaking, there are no replacement parts. You have to get lucky and find one, or figure out a way to fix what you have.

[catdude28]

I had a 2006 Stratos 200 Pro XL with a 225. Next to the BCB’s that I have recently owned, it was my favourite boat. The Stratos fished really well, was fast, and was fun to drive. I also owned a Triton just before that. If the condition of the two boats that you are looking at is pretty close to the same, I would be going with the Stratos for sure.

[JR19]

I have fish a few times out of a TR196. With the trolling motor down it is a stable platform. IMO its just small enough to maneuver around in tight spaces but also large enough to fish somewhat comfortable in open water. Granted I was never on anything that had 3-4 footers but normal boat wakes and small rollers are nothing for the 196. I have no first hand experience in big or rough stuff. I like the deck lay out and would consider buying one if the price was right and the boat/motor was healthy. However I will add there is one major thing that is a negative with the 196 and I'm surprised no one has already mentioned it. If your wanting to run above low 60's you best be prepared to tame a chine walking beast. With proper setup they are drivable with a person who is experience in driving a hull that walks. However if you have a poor set up and don't know how to drive a chine walking boat your not getting that hull above 60 mph without getting the chit scared out of you. Do some search here on BBC and use the words chine walk and TR196. You'll find that hull is temperamental when running wide open throttle...but as I said it can be adjusted for and tamed but its not a hull for an inexperience driver.

I have zero personal experience out of the Startos 200 but I do know some history of that hull. In the Stratos line up the 201 was know to be the Cadillac and the 200 was the Corvette. In the hey day of its production 225 HP was the common HP for boats over 20ft. Not long after they stop production 250 HP became very popular. A 200 with a good set up can run down most 20 ft boats with 250 hp. As for the ride and fishability I've read reports they are very good. When talking Stratos the 200 has a good reputation.

As with any used boat it does not matter make or model, if the equipment was not well maintained its a pass.

[PatriotAW4]

I love my TR196 but would not shy away from a newer & well cared for Stratos. Both boats should be on tandem axle trailers (were available w/out)!

The Triton is on a single axle, Stratos has a dual axle trailer.

[wareagle24]

My son used to have a 2005 Stratos 200 Pro XL with a 225 Etec H.O. Great boat and that thing would haul ass!! Fished great, rode great, etc. I really liked it.

I have a friend who has a Triton 19X with a Mercury 225 Pro XS. I have no idea how similar this boat is to a TR196 but I can say his is a very nice boat. Great to fish out of, stable, etc.

If I had to chose I would get the Stratos.

[Rubrail]

Stratos.

[JohnnyO]

Stratos is a very good boat, The tandem axle trailer would make my decision easier.

[Jim R]

Stratos. No question about it.

[swampshark]

sell.jpg 2006 294 Pro XL...got it to 71mph but chine walk got the pucker factor too hi!

[bassfisher444]

Kind of odd to see a Stratos with a Mercury on it, most got Evinrudes, I would rather have the Mercury though. A 225 seems a little underpowered for a 20 foot hull, but I think that is all Stratos rated the 200 XL for, that 225 Pro XS puts ouy close to 250 hp anyway. The Stratos seems like a much better deal than the Triton for sure. For some reason people seem to think old Tritons and Rangers have gold plated hulls. I Looked at an 04 TR196 that the owner wanted 20K for, way too high, saw a 97 TR21 that the guy was asking 25K for.

[Javelin389]

225 is not underpowered on the 200. It's a very fast hull.

[bassfisher444]

225 is not underpowered on the 200. It's a very fast hull.

That's good to know, there is one close to me that I may check out then.

[mactlman]

That's good to know, there is one close to me that I may check out then.

i had a 200 ficht on my 20ss and it ran 69mph GPS 2 guys

[Highcentered]

Kind of odd to see a Stratos with a Mercury on it, most got Evinrudes, I would rather have the Mercury though. A 225 seems a little underpowered for a 20 foot hull, but I think that is all Stratos rated the 200 XL for, that 225 Pro XS puts ouy close to 250 hp anyway. The Stratos seems like a much better deal than the Triton for sure. For some reason people seem to think old Tritons and Rangers have gold plated hulls. I Looked at an 04 TR196 that the owner wanted 20K for, way too high, saw a 97 TR21 that the guy was asking 25K for.

When my local dealer carried Stratos he always rigged Mercury on his. Only seemed right for him to carry Stratos after Champion went away. Then Stratos went away and Xpress is his one and only and will stay that way until he decides he's too old to run the business. Somewhat wishing I would have bought a 189 or even just a 186 VLO from him but money was an issue but they were neat boats at the time.

[bassfisher444]

I have fish a few times out of a TR196. With the trolling motor down it is a stable platform. IMO its just small enough to maneuver around in tight spaces but also large enough to fish somewhat comfortable in open water. Granted I was never on anything that had 3-4 footers but normal boat wakes and small rollers are nothing for the 196. I have no first hand experience in big or rough stuff. I like the deck lay out and would consider buying one if the price was right and the boat/motor was healthy. However I will add there is one major thing that is a negative with the 196 and I'm surprised no one has already mentioned it. If your wanting to run above low 60's you best be prepared to tame a chine walking beast. With proper setup they are drivable with a person who is experience in driving a hull that walks. However if you have a poor set up and don't know how to drive a chine walking boat your not getting that hull above 60 mph without getting the chit scared out of you. Do some search here on BBC and use the words chine walk and TR196. You'll find that hull is temperamental when running wide open throttle...but as I said it can be adjusted for and tamed but its not a hull for an inexperience driver.

Pretty much all fast hulls will try to walk when you get them up on pad.