I have owned 6 Stratos boats since 1984 and last boat was another brand. I am shopping for a new boat now and looking at Stratos again as I had great luck with all the ones I owned. Anyone have suggestions as to the ultimate Stratos? I do want SAS seats, at least 20' length, high top speed(high 70's or low 80's), good holeshot, great fishability and ability to handle rough water. If you could own the Stratos of your choice which one and what power would you select?
Gary
201 pro...suberb handling and rough water ride...i have ridden and driven most major brand.... this one really sets the mark....just my honest opinion....
Very dry ride with minimal chine walk...would give Champion as my second choice, but not as fast... One rideon a bad day will convince you...Good luck..i wouldgo with e-tec 225 ho....
My choice is the 200Pro XL/ 225HO it s about 5mph faster than the 201 (with the same motor) fish's and handle's rough water just as good as the 201. I may be a little partial seeing how I own a 200Pro XL and love it, but there is no way I would ever trade my 200 for a 201.
If I had the garage space, I'd have a 201 simply for the extra length on the deck and rod lockers. It will have a great ride and it is a basically a "point and go" boat.
If I had a 201, I'd get the 250HPDI engine. If I was getting a 200ProXL, I'd get the 225 ETEC HO or the 225 HPDI.
I have the 200 ProXL and I'm definitely liking the speed. The 200ProXL has a deep "V" hull and narrower pad than the 201. Some say the 200 will ride better in rough water due to this. I'm turning a 29pitch prop. The ETEC is so powerful that it shoots me out of the hole faster than the trim motor can trim the boat out. The ETEC starts before you let go of the key. Awesome engine so far. . . Without tweaking my setup, I'm doing 75 GPS with two guys and a BFL load and otherwise I get 78.9 GPS effortlessly without really trying hard. With some tweaking, I know I can get it to 80. The 200 will require just a bit more driver input than driving a 201 but that has been a non-issue for me.
Either way, I'd have a 201 or 200. It just depends on what you like. I'm loving the deck storage tackle trays. I don't even use the two rear storage boxes since there is so much room in the deck storage area. Sounds like you know the brand to get, just choosing the size is the big deal!!!
Best of luck and let us know how it goes!!
Duane
Allison XB21 2+2, Merc 250 ProXS, 1.62 Sportmaster, Hydromotive Engineering X-OB 29
Excel 1751 Viper F4, Tohatsu 50 4-stroke, EZ-Trac trailer
FeelFree Lure 11.5 Kayak
Anyone have any numbers yet with the new Merc on the back???
Gary,
It's nice to see you on the Stratos board. I've been reading about your neverending saga with your 250 XS. As far as motors I don't know what you will be hanging of the Stratos but the 225 Pro XS and the HO are 2 hot little motors that would be great on the 200 Pro XL.
The 201 is a great hull. The ride is great and it will scoot with the 250XS. It fishes great also. But my boat of choice is the 200 Pro XL because it is the best combination of speed, ride, and fishability in the "heavier" boats. There are not too many boats other than those fast hulls that can run with a 200 Pro XL.
The 200 Pro XL is 7 inches shorter than the 201 and you'll see the length difference on the front deck.
As for speed, on my current 200 I am running a Evinrude DI 225 HO and i've seen speeds of 78 and some change on a few occasions, but i'll normally run at 74-76. I'll be the first to admit, that I need a different prop to get the best out of my boat but I don't run wide open alot up here so it never bothered me. I'm curious to see the numbers with the 225 Pro XS on the back as that is the motor i'll be hanging off my transom once I sell my boat. It should be equal to that of the HO, but i'll play with the Merc a little more...
The ride is also great. When you have to slow down and run though that rough water the hull is great. Very responsive and very dry ride. My home waters are Erie and St. Clair, and I spend 3-4 days a week on them starting in April and i've been nothing but happy with my boat.
On the fishability aspect, of the boat... The storage is awesome. Storage to me is part of fishability. The Stratos has a PTO that no one in the industry can match. It keeps your 3700 boxes neat and organized as well as your 3600. The trays keep stuff at easy reach. The layout is just great. It is a very stable platform also.
So that is pretty much a 200 Pro XL in a nutshell and it is why I like it so much. But I would not hesitate to run a 201. The 201 is the best boat in the Stratos line-up and it will scoot really good also with the 250XS. If you're still a Merc guy after you get your problem fixed, then throw a Merc on the Stratos...
Jose
does Stratos offer the SAS seats?
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