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I am looking for information on Javelin Bass Boats. I can't seem to find much about them on the internet. All I really know is they are made by Stratos, or at least I think they are. Can anyone tell me the quality level of these boats...compared to Ranger, Tritons, Skeeters, etc. Does anyone own one and could possibly tell me their own personal pros and cons? In particular the Javelin Venom 17? Thanks for the info in advance.

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A guy in my club has a 1997 Javelin. It is a 20 footer, dual console, 175 johnson. It goes about 58 mph gps. It really rides high in the water. Javelin was made and owned by Stratos, About a couple of years ago they cut down the Javelin division and eliminated it for business reasons. Now the only way you can get a similar javelin is to custom order a STRATOS with a J model Hull, which is the javelin model hull, which is slightly deeper and makes the deck sit higher than regular strato's, and i have been told takes o rougher water better, but not as fast.

post-76-130162905397_thumb.jpg

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The Javelin was made by Stratos, but not the same boat.  When Stratos went to total composite construction with no wood, they didn't do the same with the Javelin, at least I know my 99 Javelin R20 still has wood.  I think it was about 2002 - 2003 Genmar droped the Javelin line.    I know they went to a lifetime warrenty on the Stratos hull and the Javelin only has a 10 year.

As for speed, I think the Javelin is actually a little faster than the Stratos of similar size, at least the R20 is.  I read an article while back where they tested the 1999  R20 like I have and it ran 78 with a 225HO, loaded with two people.  The 201, was the same size back then is a couple of mph slower.   Mine was said to run 76 by previous owner with a 225 Ficht, don't know haven't run that motor on it yet.  I GPS'd it a 81.7 with my motor, loaded to the hilt, livewell full, 35 gallons of gas and two 230+ men in it.  That was with no setup, just bolted the motor on and ran it.  

I haven't had mine in really rough water but I'm told the 201 and the 20' Tritons handle the rough water a little better, but that's one person's opinion.

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I had a 2000 Javelin Renegade 18.  Great boat.  Reached 65mph with a Johnson 150 and actually had more storage than my current Champion 193.  Stratos has discontinued the Javelin name, but you can see the similarities in the two.  I sold my Javelin to a friend and it is still going strong.  Also, I fish alot on the great lakes, and that little boat did quite well for its size.

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I'd always heard good things about Javelin. As the industry consolidated alot of brands of bass boats disappeared forever. It would fun to try and list them all. In addition to Javelin, Cajun certainly comes to mind as well as Astro. I would think that the prices of used boats that are no longer being manufactured would come down as interest in the brand subsides. You may be able to find a sweet deal on a late model Javelin.

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I had a Javelin Renegade 18 with a 150 Johnson manual jackplate 8" setback, it was a good boat fairly fast. I clocked it at 65 mph fully loaded with 2 people and all our gear full tank of gas.

The only thing I didn't like about it was that it didn't take rough water very well, it got  pretty squirrely.

I now own a Triton Tr-186 with a Johnson 150, it's not quite as fast as the Javelin but it rides a lot better and takes rough water extremely well.

And as said in a couple posts above that boat is no longer in production.

Thats one of the reasons I sold it and bought the Triton.

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Thanks for the info and pics.  In your opinion, would it be worth it to buy a Javelin?  I am still young and it would be my first boat.  I am looking at a 1999 Javelin Venom 17.  It has less than 30 hours use on it and has been garage kept.  It has a 90 hp Johnson and the previous owner put a bigger trolling motor on it.  It's a 50+ lb. thrust Minn Kota.  It has a Garmin fish finder on it and an in dash blinker.  2 livewells, rod locker, storage compartments, built in cooler...etc.  Everything is in great shape and has been taken care of.  The previous owner took us out on it and it fired right up and ran great.  The only thing wrong with it, is the tacometer isn't working right now.  He said the last time he had it out it was.  Could be a fuse, who knows.  Looks like a beauty!  What do you think a boat like this is worth?  How much would you pay for one?  Is there a website that shows that boats are worth?  Thanks again!

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NADA Guides Say thw Whole package is $6,000 Low Retail and $7500 High. Consider the Extras i would pay $6500 TOPS and as always try and Get the Boat for Cheaper by making a good Deal. I would Say if it is $6700 or lower it is a Legit Deal

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That seems like a lot of boat to only be rated for a 90 hp motor so I wouldn't expect blistering speeds from her. I would definetly take it for a test ride, with two full size people full livewell to see how it peforms.

NADA.COM is a good source for getting prices but take them with a grain of salt. Don't use as a bible.

Another thing, about the tac, that's could very easily be a bad rectifier/regulator. That's what supplies the tac signal it's very common for them to fail. Bad batteries or disconnecting the battery with motor running or switch on are the main cause of their failure. This is about a $200 repair if you have to have it done, parts about $150.

No longer being made is also going to make them go down a quickly in value, I bought this 1999 R20 for $5,000 + $600 to get it to GA. THe 225 Ficht motor needs injectors rebuilt, that cost $600. So work your deal carefully and don't get boat fever.   NADA shows this boat to be approx $15,000

javelin1.jpg

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A good friend of mine has a 1998 17 foot Javelin with a 130 Evinrude on the back. I'm not sure of the model number or name off hand but I think it's similar or the same as the rig you're looking at.

I must say it is probably the best 17 foot bass boat on the market. It clips along at a nice speed and it can handle a chop half decently. For an entry level boat I would highly recomend it.

Take it easy

Urs Duelberg

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Thanks for the info and pics.  In your opinion, would it be worth it to buy a Javelin?  I am still young and it would be my first boat.  I am looking at a 1999 Javelin Venom 17.  It has less than 30 hours use on it and has been garage kept.  It has a 90 hp Johnson and the previous owner put a bigger trolling motor on it.  It's a 50+ lb. thrust Minn Kota.  It has a Garmin fish finder on it and an in dash blinker.  2 livewells, rod locker, storage compartments, built in cooler...etc.  Everything is in great shape and has been taken care of.  The previous owner took us out on it and it fired right up and ran great.  The only thing wrong with it, is the tacometer isn't working right now.  He said the last time he had it out it was.  Could be a fuse, who knows.  Looks like a beauty!  What do you think a boat like this is worth?  How much would you pay for one?  Is there a website that shows that boats are worth?  Thanks again!

Just an opinion...

I'd hold out for at least an 18 footer, unless you have tow vehicle limitations. Also, the 90 hp will soon have you wishing for more power, at least a 115, unless you are fishing smaller water where long runs are not part of the equation.

Shop around and take your time. I'll bet there's an 18 footer with a 150 just waiting for you to discover her.

Good luck!

F.Rod

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The guy took us out on it...him, myself and my dad...all 3 of us over 220 lbs...and it got up to 45 mph or so...he said by himself it's more like 51 or so...that's with just an aluminum prop.  I'm thinkin with a stainless steel prop and just myself on board it will probably push upper 50's or if I'm lukcy 60.  That's not bad with a 90 horse.  It's only rated for a max of 115 anyway.  It sits up high and it wasn't rough riding but we were in a bay that day without many waves so I don't know.  

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