Stratos Bass Boats

[Ihateriversnags]

Looking for anyone who has either owned or used a Stratos Bass boat. I can't afford a brand new one but am researching purchase of a used one. I have found some from the early 90's that are in my price range and am wondering if anyone has had experiences in them. Good or bad I just need some input. THanks.

Jason

[Chev_trucks501]

Riversnags,

I own a Stratos Bass boat and I love it. It is an 18.5 with a 150 Vmax on it. Does about 62 loaded down. This boat is a 2003 so I have no experience in a older model stratos. But I do like mine.

If you have any specific questions please ask!

Good Luck

Chev

[Ray Esboldt]

I have never owned a Stratos being that I am tin boat enthusiast. However, I have been a passenger in several. They are pretty fast boats, but not terribly nice riding. At least the older hulls were not. I think their quality is pretty decent relative to the price. Another brand to check out that would be in the same quality and price ballpark is Skeeter.

[blakjack23]

I have heard there were problems with the hulls cracking. I know when I was looking for a new boat I saw alot of early 90's 20ft Stratos' with 200's for real cheap.

[Bushwacker]

This past summer I bought a 1995 Stratos 284DC. It is a 18'11" bass boat with dual counsels. It has a 1995 Envirude 150hp Intruder with SE sport SE 300 fin on it. The top GPS speed I have gotten with it pretty much empty is 63 mph. I would put the ride of my Stratos up against any boat out there. It is a very smooth ride even in pretty good winds. The statewide LETS gave me a few opportunities to fish in some high winds this summer and it is actually a pretty dry ride. I really like my boat and all of its features. I do have some stress cracks in the hull, but the previous owner had a collision with his buddy's boat, when they were close to each other a big boat flew by and the other guys hull jumped up and hit the rail on my boat and cracked it. The gel coat cracking goes out a little way, but it has not gotten any worse and the boat does not leak at all. I am on a few bass fishing forums also, and there actually seems to be more problems with Stratos gel coats in the 1999-present boats than with the older ones. Here is a thread that I started when I was considering buying mine. I would recommend a Stratos to anyone. I bought mine because I was getting a great deal on it and I was thinking I would try it for a couple months and decide between my 17' Alumacraft deep-v and the bass boat. After fishing out of my Stratos I never took out the Alumacraft again. Fast, smooth, stable ride with a lot of room to fish.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=560634&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

[Stratosman]

I like mine alot as well. 2000 21SS Extreme w/225 FICHT, very dry smooth ride, had it on Mille Lacs a bunch smallie fishing and handles any weather that I care to fish in. Takes 2 footers like they aren't even there. Flies too, 70mph light with 1/4 tank. Handles great, I would recommend to anyone. Make sure you can test drive a boat before you purchase however.

[Ihateriversnags]

Hey thanks a lot guys!!

I know that people get to be brand specific and that is what I was counting on by posting this thread. I am upgrading from a 18 foot crestliner deep v but it's a really OLD crestliner with a 25 merc tiller. I just refinished the interrior so that should help me with the trade or sell outright. This will be my first BASS boat however and I really appreciate the insight from all of you. I have never really been a walleye guy it's cats or bass for me baby!.

IHRS

[Ihateriversnags]

Hey bush, you're from my former stomping ground. I grew up in Long Prairie. Where have the fish been hittin down in that neck of the weeds. LOL

[CASTnBLAST]

Sorry, guys. FM does not allow boat sales outside the For Sale forums.

[delmuts]

snags !! something to remember. when you buy your boat; be shure to have either the owner or some one that is experienced with these puppies to take you out and learn how to operate it. i went from a S16 lund with a 30 hp to an 18 ft ranger with a 175hp. wow! many things to learn ( i had to learn on my own), but what a ride!

[Ihateriversnags]

Sorry, guys. FM does not allow boat sales outside the For Sale forums.

[CASTnBLAST]

Snags,watch for it towards spring on ClassicBass. I'm not that terribly far away from you and would be glad to take it out for some fishing with you.

[Ihateriversnags]

Perfect, Did you get my email before it was deleted? Sorry I didn't know about that particular rule LOL. IF not then let me know i'll get it to you. Thanks.

[CASTnBLAST]

No,sorry I didn't

[Ihateriversnags]

jrieber at greatplainsems (Contact US Regarding This Word)

Email me when you get a chance.

[hanson]

IHRS-

You may be the 1st guy I know that fishes both Cats AND Bass. (FYI- Thats a catguy joke so don't sweat it.)

Should be a sweet ride for you. Do you plan on taking it up them wingdams on the RLR in Crookston?

[Ihateriversnags]

I'll tell ya what chris, I have been a Bass man my whole life! I have only been a cat man for 2 years. Bass is and always will be my first love, however around crookston with my current work schedule cats are about all I can go for. Smallies in the RLR are plentiful and I may target them however with the boat I'm looking at, I don't believe I will be putting that in the river. Need a boat like wiskers for that LOL. Take care man. Hopefully this spring i'll get you out on Pelican lake with me and my new boat!

[Random guy]

I may be chiming in a little late but I have been running a 219f Stratos Multi species with a 150 FICHT for a long time now and I just love it for my Musky fishing. It has seen some nasty water while I was guiding on Leech and Mille Lacs. I can honestly say it has seen 6'plus waves and I never felt nervous or unsafe in it, a few clients didn't look so good but I knew it would get us home without any problems. The boat has also held up well to the constant slamming around in the big water, and two - three footers you don't even notice. Heres a pic of the old girl.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Jon- WE dont allow people with muskies in thier avitar to post in our bass forum..

JK bud!

[Random guy]

Your'e just scared my avitar is going to eat your avitar.

[Ray Esboldt]

So, Jon, what does the Badger1 label stand for. You're not from the Badger state, are you? If you are, you definitely need to stay out the bass forum. Those type of guys just fish carp over there.

[Random guy]

Badger came about from the tournament and guiding days. A MC made a comment about crowding Jonny P-"You might as well stick your head in a badger den then try to move in on that boat" Thats how it got started, next thing you know it was a marine band radio handle to the name of my guide service. The 1 is because I'm the best darn guy I know!