eulerentinc

yeah, i understand they are optional i just wondered if you felt they should come equiped with them. Let me put it this way, when i was dealing with the sales manager a week ago we were going over prices and such and i wanted to make sure the boat came with a spare. Well i finally spoke to him over the phone and we agreed on a price. But on the downside for me i was so excited about the new rig i failed to make sure it was going to come with a spare, although he said it would previously. Every other rig on the lot has a spare. I guess we'll see on saturday when i bring the check. Hopefully he wont let a spare tire kill the deal.

Ok, so im getting ready to pull the trigger on a new boat (Stratos 294 Pro XL '06 model). The boat comes with a single axle trailer. Do you think the package should come with a spare tire/wheel? I believe it should. I think its silly to not come with one. Tell me what you think. Thanks!!

Check out Stratos' new 176XT. Starting at 12,999 its hard to beat. Its a fiberglass boat with alot of good pro boat characteristics.

Im gonna have to side with cart7 on this one. I am also getting ready to pull the trigger on a new boat. A new Stratos 294 XL with an etec 200 HO. I know it might be a little more than the nitro but i am telling you its way more boat and worth it. I have also looked at the nitro's and i promise you the stratos is a lot more in a package than the nitro. That merc may have 5 years of warranty but the etec has 7 years if you buy before march 31st. oh and a 500 dollar gift card for cabelas and a 200 dollar gift card for stratos clothing. im not telling you youre crazy just telling you to go check out a stratos! AND im not biased. this will be my first boat!!

the 200DHSV is a great reel. I have 2 of them i use for topwater and spinnerbait setup's. And i will probably be buying another one for flippin/pitchin. I am a big fan of the high speed reels. As for your question, i dont know why they are so pretty??!! Its kind of like boats ( i am currently shopping for one)! OOOHHHH, The Colooorrrrssss!!!

Ted, im not a pro but i would guess no. I am currently in the process of buying my first new boat as well. A stratos witha 200 HO Etec. I asked my dealer about a transom saver as well, and he said no. I dont know if your 50 horse has it but the 200 had its own kind of "transom saver" already on the motor. Once you trimmed the motor all the way up it had a little bracket/bar that folded down for the weight of the motor to rest on. I even asked him about long trips, if one (a transom saver)would be necessary and he said no. But like i said, im no know it all, ask your dealer and hopefully you will get some more replies from here as well!!

Its a good looking boat Ted. If im seeing it correctly the boat is tan, the tan and red actually look great together. Good Luck!!

Congrats on your new rig. I am going through the same emotions, about to get my new boat!!!

WOW!!!

Nice looking boat! I hope to have my first new boat soon as well!!

once again we don't know what we are talking about.you should really reaserch things a lot more. You mean things like spelling?? Its not reaserch, its "research"!! Glad to hear about the good news. I too am thinking of upgrading some rods to All Stars!!

Yeah, stiffy push poles are the most popular. My buddy has 17 ft Maverick we go fishing in sometimes and we use a pole. I dont know much about them, i do know they are pricy, starting at about 250 or 300 dollars. I like preston clark's idea. Just go to play it again sports and find an old pole vault pole. Its perfect!!

Congrats on your finish OC!! Now thats the kind of dedication im talking about!! I love it!! Im hoping to fish the stren series as well possibly next year. Where are you located in FL? Im up in Orlando. Did you fish boater or co-angler?

way2slow, i will be sure to let my wife read your post. Al, (or anyone) what is a lockrbar? I am interested in all the security devices available. My boat will be kept in my garage/screen enclosed carport. I know, it sounds weird. Just imagine a carport that was enclosed, turned into a screen room with a garage door facing the street. Its about 3 truck lengths long so there is plenty of room but as anyone would i want to protect my rig!! thanks for the info!!

Wow, great info guys!! I love it. Being my first boat purchase this is helping alot. Let me tell you about my situation. THE particular boat i am looking at is an 06 model left over obviously. It has: 200 HO etec, Tandem axle w/ brakes, alum wheels w/ spare, jack plate, hot foot, gas pistons on all hatches (except maybe the live well), rod organizer, tackle oraganizer, max 80 TM, Lowrance 332 in the console and 135 on the bow, 3 bank charger, pro trim, upgraded pop up cleats, rod buckle upgrade, and maybe some minor stuff i forgot. An excellent boat in my amateur opinion. I went to see this rig in early November. The salesman said he could let it go for 32(no, not dollars). Again, in my amateur opinion this was an excellent price. So, if this machine is available in about a month, it will be mine. However, god forbid it isnt, i will settle on an 07 model and batter the he** out of the dealer to get the rig where i want it, atleast comparable anyway. Oh and the 294 has hydraulic steering standard. Hopefully it is still available and possible dropped a little in price. It is still listed on Boattrader but that doesnt really mean anything. I will probably call in about a week and see if it is still available and schedule a wet test, cause i think thats pretty important!! One last note, the other option instead of a 42" GPS is a 7 year warranty!!

Thanks for the info folks. Pretty much everything you mentioned is on the top of my list. I was having a hard time deciding between the Etec and the Vmax but i have pretty much settled on the etec. Jackplate, 80lb thrust trolling motor and 3 bank charger are all on my accessories list as well. Also, pro trim at the wheel. Hey, how about electronics? I was thinking 2 X135's or possible going with a LMC-332c in the cockpit. Is a GPS necessary, or can i do without it??

the curado is my first pick and then on to the 50 mg.

I started using Hybrid due to Mr. Warrior's recommendations. On my baitcaster it does have some memory but after a few (5-10) casts it is gone. I have not broke the line yet. I would recommend it as well!!!

Shimano Curado! Awesome reels!!

Rat-l-trap as well for me. All year round kind of bait and like they said just rip them through the weeds or over stumps. They are the best.

WOOOOHOOOO!!!! Wife OK'd new boat purchase!! All the men know what a hurdle that is. I layed it all out last night before the ball dropped and she said sounds good, go ahead and get the ball rolling. Boat is going to be a Stratos 294 Pro XL, still havent worked out all the details as far as 06 or 07. Hopefully i can still find a good deal on an 06. If anyone has any tips or pointers for the new ride i am open ears. Thanks!!

Yeah, according to each outboards performance bulletins (each, Yammy and Etec, have them on their website, the yammy is done on a 294 where as the etec is done on the 295. Both boats are the exact same except for the bigger gas tank on the 295 and a little more storage, its not in the lineup for '07) they are identical motors, performance wise, MPG wise, and speed wise. Both in low 70's for top speed (which isn't real important to me, but who doesnt like fast things), both around 3000 RPM's for best fuel economy at around 4.5 MPG and 35 miles per hour. Like i said i just got these numbers from the respective websites so if somebody knows their different, i am just going by what i saw. thanks for the info guys!

Hillbillly, did you get any info on this? I too was waiting for info on the university programs. Let me know what you found out, please! thanks!

I am sure this has come up before and i did a search to find info on it but with no luck. As i talked about before i am looking at buying my first boat in March or April. I am looking at a Stratos 294 Pro XL. My engine options are the Etec 200 and the yamaha 200 HPDI. What are your opinions on both engines? Some things to consider: Etec has free 7 year warranty if purchased before March 31st! Yamaha is about 2700 dollars cheaper (according to my local dealer) I favor the yamaha because i havent heard much about the Etec's. I have heard of a few minor problems that BRP took care of with little hassle. And Yamaha's are on everything. Whether they are cheap or just good motors, they are everywhere! Any help is appreciated!!

i try to check out everything in person. If i see it on paper ill go to the shop and check it out. If i like it then i might try to find a good deal on the internet. Otherwise, ill just buy it. With BPS about 10 minutes away i have bought about 95% in store.