I am looking at getting either the Stratos 176VLO, Nitro Z6 or Lowe ST175 Camo. All three have traits I like and are close to the same price, with the Nitro being the most expensive. For advice you should know my fishing background. I typically fish two local lakes, one with a 9.9 hp limit and the other is no wake, so if I get a boat with a larger motor I will get a kicker motor as I fish these lakes 2-3 times a week. I thought about getting another used boat, but after doing some shopping, the boats I would go for are around 10k, so why not spend a little more and get a new boat with all those nice warranties they come with.
1. Nitro Z6: I am going to have to finance and the 3.99% they advertise is nice. I like the stability of fiberglass boats, but I would not be able to use the 115 hp motor to its fullest very often.
2. Stratos 176VLO: I can downgrade the motor to 25hp, which I am able to use on some local lakes I go to occasionally and it is fiberglass.
3. Lowe ST175: I can downgrade the motor to use at other local lakes, the camo option will probably have a better resale value in the area I live.
On all of these choices I will upgrade the trolling motor.
