Super User jbsoonerfan Posted January 28, 2013 Super User Posted January 28, 2013 I posted a thread here before about buying a boat. I took some of the advice and held off getting that particular boat. I have since found a couple others that I am interested in. I am going to post each boat and you guys tell me which one seems like the better buy. I will only have to finance about half of the price of each boat. 1995 Stratos Pro XL Tournament Edition with a 1996 Evinrude 175HP. New lower unit with 3 year warranty. runs great. Adjustable jack plate. Brand new Hummingbird PiranhaMAX fish finder mounts to dash on bow with transducer on trolling motor. Brand new MinnKota Bowmount foot control Trolling Motor installed a month and a half ago, 80lb thrust, iDrive compcompatible, removable microtouch foot pedal that reaches to back of boat. Replaced carpet and hinges on front of boat and hatch locks redone. New 3 bank battery charger. Has dual fuel tanks and dual live wells with aerators. Tagged through 2013. Hot foot gas pedal. Tons of storage, sits on dual axel trailer. - $8,250 1996 Stratos 288 single console. 1996 Evinrude 150HP motor. The boat is tournament ready and in good shape. The trailer has new bearings and ratchet tiedowns on the back. It has a Lowrance HDS-8 on a ram mount at the console, Lowrance HDS-5 on a ram mount at the bow , Lowrance Structure Scan, a hotfoot, Motorguide tour 75 that is only a year old, two spare trolling motor props, batteries are a year old and it has a 2 bank onboard battery charger. I also have an extra eagle fish locator that will come with the boat along with two life jackets, a throwable floatation device, 2 marker buoys, and a few other boating/ fishing items. I have also upgraded the livewell valves to add recurculation to the livewells. - $9,000 I have not yet seen either boat in person, but I plan on making a trip this weekend to look at one of them. Well, I went with the 96 Stratos 288 I got to go look at it on Saturday and take it out for a spin. Boat runs great and has plenty of room for a 18' 3" boat. Electronics are really nice and it's in good shape for a 96. Gel coat has some scratches, but at least I don't have to worry about putting the first one in it. Here is a pic of it when I got it home. I have a lot of things I want to do to it, but I will start a new thread of before/after pics. 1 Quote
Sun Fish Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 First and foremost I'd go look at both of the boats before making the decision. I'm not the best person to ask but in my opinion I would go with the second boat if they are both in relativly similar good condition and the outboards check out alright. The first boat you are absolutely going to be wanting to upgrade the electronics which will bring you over the cost of the 2nd boat. The second boat being tournament ready w/ the HDS-8 & 5 w/ Structure scan you'll be set with great electronics and probably not a desire to upgrade for quite awhile. I bought a 95 Nitro w/ crappy old original electronics and trolling motor for 4.5K. The cost of upgrading the TM and electronics up to my standard for what I could afford with a MK 70lb Maxxum and two Humminbird 500 series SI units were nearly half the price of the boat. Quote
BassnChris Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 Sunfish is right on with look at them both and the electronics costing a lot. I bought my boat last year and this is what I learned......as far as for me......not you......you have to decide on your own. Don't limit yourself to two boats. Keep looking until you find the one that.....well floats your boat. Don't gt in a hurry and fall victim to the fever. There are a lot of boats out there and there will always be more. For me, if I had it to do over.........the finish on the boat would be one of the more important aspects....after the condition of the motor. Motor condition is first and paramount. Then the condition of the clear coat and overall contrition of the finish. The carpet, electronics,and everything else I can repair/replace on my own in my own sweet time. The engine repair/replacement is very expensive. The finish repair is very expensive......unless you are a good fiberglass man. The electronics can be expensive.......but you get what YOU want when you buy them, not what the last guy wanted. same with the trolling motor. I settled when I bought my boat......the finish is not very good at all. I have paid someone and it is better but not what I want. I added new electronics and a trolling motor this winter.....very expensive but they were what I wanted. The engine is good....knock on wood. Also, I would not ever buy a boat with dual console again.....you lose too much deck real estate. Now with all that said, understand I love my boat and I am very happy with it. I managed to move my storm saferoom out of garage and into backyard so I could put my boat in the garage while my truck sits out in the weather. I love my boat! Take all that with a grain of salt and take your time and wait for the right boat......do not succumb to the fever. Easier said than done, I know. Dang that boat gorilla. Quote
tnriverluver Posted January 30, 2013 Posted January 30, 2013 If it were me and both boats being about equal in condition, I would definitely buy number 2 just because of the electronics. While not absolute top of the line or the latest and greatest, they should get you by for a few years until you trade boats or decide to upgrade them. Having owned Stratos 201 Pro XL's I am biased when it comes to boat brand. I loved my Stratos boats. I just can't afford to feed them anymore Quote
james 14 Posted January 31, 2013 Posted January 31, 2013 Double check the size of each boat and consider what the max rated HP is for each. To my knowledge the 201 Pro XL is a 20' boat and a 175 would be on the low end for power. Don't know what the 288 is but if it's only 18' you may get the same speed with less $$$ on gas. Then again it may not make a bit of difference. Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted January 31, 2013 Author Super User Posted January 31, 2013 Thanks guys. I am going to take a look and a test drive on the second boat this weekend. If everything checks out, I may just get it. Quote
Super User Teal Posted January 31, 2013 Super User Posted January 31, 2013 After seeing those prices, im thinking i got a real steal a few years ago. Good luck bud Quote
tnriverluver Posted January 31, 2013 Posted January 31, 2013 175 on the 201 pro XL is definitely under powered. Think they were rated for 250 in 1995. My 93 with a 200 GT would run 70 plus with 2 people and tournament load but was a dog getting on plane no matter what prop I ran. Always wanted more motor on that boat. I'm not familiar with the 288 model but my Buddy had a 96 285 with the 175 and it would run within 1-2 Mph of my 200. Quote
jhoffman Posted January 31, 2013 Posted January 31, 2013 Its easier to stand your ground on what you want when you have a boat already. Its like buying cars, I NEVER sell my current vehicle until I purchase my new one for two reasons. 1: It makes me stay level headed 2: Private resale is much better Get a ballpark idea of what things cost and then you will be able to decide what you think something is worth. Have you looked at the price of a new motor lately? I would love to repower my boat but it would be more economical to just go buy a new one. If you dont HAVE TO HAVE glass then you really open up the field. Aluminum boats this day in age are pretty nice. My buddies boat, the same as mine 15 years newer and double the hp on the back runs like a freaking champion. Its more than would ever be needed if youre not fishing a big leauge. Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 8, 2013 Author Super User Posted February 8, 2013 I ended up getting the 96 288. Updated my OP. Was able to talk him down a little. Got some things I want to do to it, but it will work for now. Quote
BassnChris Posted February 8, 2013 Posted February 8, 2013 Congrats.....................now the fun really starts! Forgot where n OK you are exactly.........have to give me a shout sometime and maybe we can go fishing. Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 8, 2013 Author Super User Posted February 8, 2013 Congrats.....................now the fun really starts! Forgot where n OK you are exactly.........have to give me a shout sometime and maybe we can go fishing. Thanks. I have already bought new seats to put in. That will be done this weekend. Then I plan on installing a recessed foot tray and putting on some decals. I am from the Ada area. Quote
joetomlee Posted February 9, 2013 Posted February 9, 2013 Congratulations on your decision! It looks like a beautiful boat I bet you're super excited to take it out!! Quote
Sfritr Posted February 9, 2013 Posted February 9, 2013 Good Choice and Congrats!!! I have a 96 Stratos (3rd owner) and it has performed well above my expectations for 6 years now. Great in rough water, fast, reliable. I turn the key, she starts. I have had to replace 2 power packs on my Johnson. Also a 96. Quote
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