Stratos Boat what do you think?

[RUSS9999]

1999 Stratos 17.5 foot bass boat. Have not seen it yet. Says everything works. New Axle and tires. 2 new battery's. Ferly new trolling motor. 1 fish finder.  Said he had it on the water last weekend  and ran grate. I think it would be a good buy. What do you think of Stratos boats? $2,900.00

[senile1]

Stratos boats are good boats, but there's a lot to check before you buy one used:  Check the boat deck for weak spots, check the transom for flex and weakness, take it for a spin and see if it leaks, have a mechanic check the compression and motor for $150 bucks or so, check steering free play, etc.  An Internet search will give you plenty of checklists on what to look for.  I wouldn't skip any steps when purchasing a used boat.

Some owners lie and some owners don't have the knowledge to know when a boat has problems.  I wouldn't take my Mother's word on the condition of a boat.  

[Siebert Outdoors]

Stratos are nice.  I've been running on for about 6 years now.  Like Senile said  Check it over good and I would have a mech check it out also. If he will let you run it.

[Catt]

Stratos's secret weapon is; Mr. Alan Stinson. 

A veteran many times over, Alan was not only the founder of Nitro Boats, which he sold off to Bass Pro Shops, but he was the designer of the well known Skeeter Starfire, and the world record holding Stratos 201 hulls. He has designed every hull Javelin Boats currently have in their production line up. These are the same hulls they have been running under Javelins for some time now. He also designed the proven 19, 20, and 21 foot Stratos SS hulls. 

Alan Stinson has designed every hull that Larry Nixon has fished from since 1976!  

I have a Stratos.258.

[WIGuide]

It looks like it could be a decent buy if everything checks out. It looks like you're going to be dropping some money in electronics if you buy it though, so keep that in mind. 

[senile1]

I have a 2000 Stratos 295 Pro Elite.  It has been a very good boat. 

[J Francho]

They are/were good hulls.  A 17 year old boat leaves lots of questions that you'll have to answer through inspection and an on water test drive.  Nothing wrong with an older boat - my Bullet 21XDC is 21 this year.

[Further North]

A friend has an '05.  Great boat.

[Bluebasser86]

I've got a 189VLO that has been a great boat for the last couple years. 

[cbass12]

Going on 20 years now on our 280 SF. It's a '93 and is still a great boat. 

[thirtysixit]

I love my Stratos 189 VLO!

For 2900.00 getting on the water with a Stratos is a good deal I think.  My current fishing partner fishes in a 77 Hydra Sport and does just fine in our weigh ins...

I would check the condition of the outboard and see how much gas and oil this thing is drinking though.  That would be a big decision point for me if I was in your position.

[fishnkamp]

Check your mail Also the boat looks pretty decent and I agree just expect things like batteries and electronics will get replaced if not now soon.  When you get to test run it try everything check gauges, switches, check the anchor and front lights, livewell pumps this checks  for wiring problems.  Remove the plug or install it yourself then after running the boat pull it and check there is no water coming out. This checks for both hull and plumbing hose leaks. Often it could be just a split or dry rotted hose or could be more serious like hull issues.