Trying to buy my first boat. I can get. 96 stratos or 95 procraft. Both have merc 150. They r in similar condition etc. Would the stratos be a better boat? It is 2k more. Thx!

Have you checked nada.com for boat values?

Yea I checked them out. Both are fairly close to book.

Really depends on their condition and what electronics/features one has over the other that you prefer.  They both make/made good boats but Procraft is no longer around, Stratos is.

I've always liked stratos boats

Any pictures ?  Personally I would buy the stratos. What is your price range? 

_{Hope to have some pictures I can post this evening.  The ProCraft is 5K and the Stratos is 7K.  The Stratos is at the top of my price range.}

_{Hope to have some pictures I can post this evening.  The ProCraft is 5K and the Stratos is 7K.  The Stratos is at the top of my price range.}

Make sure they are both powered correctly. Some of the older procrafts were a little heavy.  Get the boat you are going to keep and is easy to upgrade. Dont get something you cant see yourself using for years.

Thanks for all the input!  Another thing I'm trying to consider is resale value.  I would like to eventually move up to a nicer boat, so being able to sell in a few years is important to me.

Quick update - just heard back from the owner of the Stratos.  He isn't budging any on price.  Considering the condition of the boat (and my budget) it looks like this one will have to be a no go.  Plan to take a trip to look at the Pro Craft this weekend.

Resale value should be at or near the bottom of your priority list.

 

"Eventually", you plan to move up to a nicer boat.  That eventually sounds like you may be a few years in whichever you decide to buy. 

 

Buy the boat that you believe will best suit your needs, the boat that you would rather fish from.  Why spend a few years fishing from a boat, and thinking, the other boat would have served me better?  The resale value difference, even if it's a couple of thousand dollars is not a good trade off if you aren't as happy as you would have been fishing from the other boat for the few years you'll own it.

 

If it's a toss up, then resale value becomes a more important factor.  But if you prefer one boat over the other, for whatever reasons, get that boat.

And do not settle......don't be in a hurry.

There will always be another boat. I know it doesn't feel like it......and it's not easy.........but you will not be happy if you settle.

It should be just about like buying a new boat........get the color you want, d/c or s/c, brand you want, condition, finish, motor............electronics & TM are closer to the bottom for me (I like to buy those that I want).

Did I say don't settle?

Good luck

Seen 2 procrafts go through 4 motors, still solid as a rock . You can not go wrong with procraft. 1995 and 1996 models.

Trying to buy my first boat. I can get. 96 stratos or 95 procraft. Both have merc 150. They r in similar condition etc. Would the stratos be a better boat? It is 2k more. Thx!

Not sure of your price range but check out my post in the fleemarket section. 97 ranger with a brand new motor and electronics. 

My buddy has 93 stratos 201 pro xl and it's a great boat handles rough water great and fishes extremly well.

I've fished out of both many times & I've owned a Stratos for 10 yrs now.

Both handle real well in chop & corners if they are no under powered.

LOL resale value! Dude your buying a used boat that is already 18 years old, by the time you upgrade electronics your going to take a beating.

I know mine's a 96, the best thing for my investment is to keep it. I'll give mine to a grandson or nephew!

I love my Procraft.........I've been toying with the idea of getting another boat........I keep looking at Procrafts.

 

I have upgraded my electronics.....but will move them over to a new boatshould I buy one.

Thx for the good advice. Looked at the pro craft. Like the design but this particular boat had a few issues. That being said I'm going to keep looking. It's been a year looking so far so a little longer will not be ideal but will have to be ok. I guess the words I keep hearing are "don't settle." I'm sure I will find what I'm looking for.