Hey guys, looking to purchase my first real boat soon. I'm looking at two on Craigslist, and both are Stratos's. One's a '97 and the other's and  '08. Both appear in pretty good condition. What are your thoughts on Stratos boats? Also, the 08' only has a 95hp motor. Is that too weak for an 18'6" boat?

 

Heres a link to the leading contender if anyone cares to look it over. http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/4453304624.html  

 

Thanks! 

My 19' 2000 Javelin is more or less the same boat as the 97 Stratos.  I don't think there is smoother dryer bass boat out there but they're a little slow in the hole shot and have a smallish front casting deck.  One of the problems of these hulls at the 19'' range is that the consoles rob you of some rod storage room.  Mine is a single console with a longer passengers side rod locker and I'm glad I don't have a dual console version.  7' rods are fine in the smaller locker size but an 8' is a no go without risking breaking it.  I've also heard horror stories about the older javelin/Stratos winch mounts.  It's spring loaded and causes problems loading the boat on the trailer.  Based on the picture, it appears to be the dreaded spring mount.

 

You might want to look at this as a potential replacement: http://www.championtrailers.com/telescoping-bass-boat-winch-base-kit-for-3-x-4-tongue/

Bought a 96 285 XL a month ago. It's my first boat and I love it. Was out in 4ft white caps. earlier and it handles rough water very well. 90 hp seems low. I have 150 hp on mine.

Stratos makes good boats. While not known for breaking any speed records, they handle very well in rough water, and are laid out well for fishing.  They're built really solid too.

 

The 95hp is underpowering the boat.  It'll work, but will leave you wanting, both in hole shot and in top-end speed.  You'll also want more hp when driving in rough water, and trailering on steep ramps.

 

BUT, if this is your first boat, 95hp is a good economical way to get into a boat.  In addition, anything higher than that might be a bit much to handle for a first boat.  My first boat had a 90hp on it, and that was plenty to learn from until I was ready to move up to more powerful engines.

Thanks for the replies, guys. Anybody have any idea how fast a 95hp motor could push an 18' boat? Heres the boat in question. http://kansascity.craigslist.org/bod/4449262612.html

My 19' 2000 Javelin is more or less the same boat as the 97 Stratos.  I don't think there is smoother dryer bass boat out there but they're a little slow in the hole shot and have a smallish front casting deck.  One of the problems of these hulls at the 19'' range is that the consoles rob you of some rod storage room.  Mine is a single console with a longer passengers side rod locker and I'm glad I don't have a dual console version.  7' rods are fine in the smaller locker size but an 8' is a no go without risking breaking it.  I've also heard horror stories about the older javelin/Stratos winch mounts.  It's spring loaded and causes problems loading the boat on the trailer.  Based on the picture, it appears to be the dreaded spring mount.

 

You might want to look at this as a potential replacement: http://www.championtrailers.com/telescoping-bass-boat-winch-base-kit-for-3-x-4-tongue/

Thanks for the insight. Good to know about stuff like that.

Stratos stopped using wood in their boats in  98. It might be a good idea to take that into consideration.I know it doesnt matter to most people but that is one thing I have been told to check before buying a boat. Ranger stopped in the late 80s and I am not sure about other boat brands. 

I can only guess at the speed but I'd say in the mid to upper 30s if it is propped correctly. I'm basing that on the fact that one of the guys I sometimes fish with has a 17.5 nitro with a 90 merc. It runs in the upper 30s. Another guy has an 18.5 skeeter with a 115 yammy. It runs in the upper 30s.

Thanks for the replies, guys. The stratos with the 90hp motor sold already, but it sounds like I didn't really want it anyways. I did, however, buy a boat yesterday. A used 2007 Triton Tr-186. 150 hp engine, the guy added an HDS-8, 82lb trolling motor, bought a passenger side console, and added a hotfoot. 

It is my opinion that you'd be a fool to spend good money on an under powered boat.  Buy the boat with the most motor you can afford the first time around, or else you'll end up spending more money in the long run when you go to re-power the boat.

 

Once you have the most motor you can afford, have an experienced boater teach you how to handle it in varying conditions if you're doubting your abilities.  Hell, you can learn how to drive a boat on youtube these days, just take baby steps and use common sense if going that route.

 

I mean, unless you're piloting an Allison with a drag motor on the back, and 18ft boat with a 150 on the back does not take rocket science to pilot.

 

Again, DO NOT buy that under powered boat.

 

Make sure to do a water test of the boat through all phases of throttle and bring a compression tester with you to perform a comp test of each cylinder.  If the owner doesn't want you to do the test, ask him if he'll let an unaffiliated third party marine mechanic/dealership perform the test.

 

Don't buy a used boat without a THOROUGH check of the engine as that's the most expensive part of the boat.

Thanks for this advice. Like I said, it sold before I bought it, but I think I wouldn't have been happy with that small of a motor. I've been boating with my grandparents since I was little so I already know a bit, and when I test drove the boat I bought (see post above) the guy showed me how to drive it. Thanks again!

nice boat upload pictures

Thanks for the replies, guys. The stratos with the 90hp motor sold already, but it sounds like I didn't really want it anyways. I did, however, buy a boat yesterday. A used 2007 Triton Tr-186. 150 hp engine, the guy added an HDS-8, 82lb trolling motor, bought a passenger side console, and added a hotfoot. 

 

Sounds like something similar I went through. wanted to look at a stratos but ended up being sold, found a triton the next week and took it home right after i looked at it.

nice boat upload pictures

Sarcasm? Here ya go.

We have a family friend that owns a Stratos boat, and he cannot say enough good things about it, he does how ever have a 150 on it, which pushes it very well..... as far as a 95 goes I feel like it would do just fine but it would not be as fast as it should