eulerentinc Posted January 2, 2007 Posted January 2, 2007 WOOOOHOOOO!!!! Wife OK'd new boat purchase!! All the men know what a hurdle that is. I layed it all out last night before the ball dropped and she said sounds good, go ahead and get the ball rolling. Boat is going to be a Stratos 294 Pro XL, still havent worked out all the details as far as 06 or 07. Hopefully i can still find a good deal on an 06. If anyone has any tips or pointers for the new ride i am open ears. Thanks!! Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted January 2, 2007 Super User Posted January 2, 2007 Get a 200 hp motor and if you can swing it, get the E-Tec. I know it's a big chunk extra up front, but it sure makes all those trips to the lake a lot more pleasant when you find out how much less is cost to run it and their warrenty is hard to beat. Since you will probably be paying for the thing a long time, you're gonna want all the motor warrenty to can get. Also, look at the options, if it doesn't come with gas springs on the battery box and rod locker lids, get them. Also get the 80 #thrust variable speed TM and three bank onboard charger. Rod storage systems I think are a pain and take them out if intalled but to each his own on that subject. I know it's exciting getting a first class ride that but can't help feeling for you though, that's gonna be a lot of boat payments. (I only buy used boats at auction I can pay cash for) Causes me more work to get it like I want it but saves me thousands of dollars. Quote
StatosDadRI Posted January 2, 2007 Posted January 2, 2007 200 HP HO ETECH ,Jackplate, Minnkota Maxxum Pro 80-101 Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted January 2, 2007 Super User Posted January 2, 2007 Yep, forgot the mention jackplate, that's a must have, along with hydraulic steering and Hot Foot. I personnaly wouldn't go larger than #80 tm, don't feel it's needed for that size boat. Plus when you get into the 36 volt systems you've got to have another 70 pounds or so added for another battery or have to share the cranking battery with the TM, something I"m not fond of doing at all. Plus that's a whole lot more bow weight stuck up there for that size boat. I'd leave those monster TM motors for the 21' boats with the 250's and 300's on the back. An 80 is going to be a heavy motor to ride on the bow of a 19.5' boat, get much weight in your storage compartments, a couple of people with a full live well and you will have a hard time getting good bow lift. Quote
Super User cart7t Posted January 2, 2007 Super User Posted January 2, 2007 Nice thing about those ETECs vs other new motors is you can take your new rig to the water, drop it in and drop the hammer now. None of that break-in junk. Quote
eulerentinc Posted January 3, 2007 Author Posted January 3, 2007 Thanks for the info folks. Pretty much everything you mentioned is on the top of my list. I was having a hard time deciding between the Etec and the Vmax but i have pretty much settled on the etec. Jackplate, 80lb thrust trolling motor and 3 bank charger are all on my accessories list as well. Also, pro trim at the wheel. Hey, how about electronics? I was thinking 2 X135's or possible going with a LMC-332c in the cockpit. Is a GPS necessary, or can i do without it?? Quote
Cajun1977 Posted January 3, 2007 Posted January 3, 2007 you can definintly do without gps but if affordable it is a very nice feature i would strongly recommend getting a keelsheild installed on the boat also Quote
HPBB Posted January 3, 2007 Posted January 3, 2007 GPS or no GPS???? Well, I got my GPS twp years ago and can't live without it now. If your going to be fishing lakes that you don't know very well maybe new waters. A GPS with mapping is a great advantge. Also if you do any fishing way off the bank. They are great for marking humps, trees, just about anything. so you can find the same spot every time to fish there. I fish this lake in Canada and in the main body of the lake the depth is about 50 feet. There is a small hump up to 19 feet about a 1/2mile from any shore line. the hump is only about 10 feet wide and about 100 feet long. before I had GPS it would take forever to find it and once I did. I would lose it fast. Got GPS maked it and can come right to it every time now. I fish Erie alot. there are no land marks out there. Find a hump, rock pile, wreck, ect mark it and can come back to it anytime. I would get GPS. If you don't, you will want it soon, then you'll be smacking yourself. get the 332c it is well worth it and the color make it even better Quote
Painter Dude Posted January 3, 2007 Posted January 3, 2007 GPS or no GPS????You are a fortunate one! I am considering GPS this year so if you have her blessing go for it1 Dont forget the 42 " plasma Quote
jdw174 Posted January 3, 2007 Posted January 3, 2007 Thanks for the info folks. Pretty much everything you mentioned is on the top of my list. I was having a hard time deciding between the Etec and the Vmax but i have pretty much settled on the etec. Jackplate, 80lb thrust trolling motor and 3 bank charger are all on my accessories list as well. Also, pro trim at the wheel.Hey, how about electronics? I was thinking 2 X135's or possible going with a LMC-332c in the cockpit. Is a GPS necessary, or can i do without it?? If you listen to the pros, you need a 42" flat screen not only in the console, but on the bow as well. I'd recommend that if you can afford one, get one at the console. For the bow, the X135 would be a good choice with it's 480x480 pixel count. Add a handful of marker buoys and you're good to go. Quote
Al Wolbach Posted January 3, 2007 Posted January 3, 2007 Let me start by saying this is JMHO. All of the accessories that have been mentioned so far you will either get now or will want later and is usually cheaper to get now. If the decision were mine I would rather have the accessories than the etec. When you chrunch the numbers if you must cut somewhere, I suggest you consider the Yamaha hpdi and keep the accessories. My first choice would be the etec but don't be afraid of the yammie. Both are good motors, but you will want or need all of the additions that have been mentioned. If I still had to cut, next to go would be the GPS. Great to have but not absolutely necessary and it is fairly easy to add later. Hope this helps, good luck.................Al Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted January 3, 2007 Super User Posted January 3, 2007 Now for a 180 degree view point from Al's. Accessories like the high dollar electronics and a few of the other upgrades are something that can be always be added as the piggy bank will allow. Granted they are nice and makes a great fishing platform if fully rigged, but the motor is their for keeps, there ain't no going back an upgrading a little along on it so if I had to pick my jaw up off the floor after they quoted my dream boat, I would start looking at dumping the easily upgradeable stuff before taking a cut in the motor. If I was going down and buying his rig today, I would not leave the dealership without, The boat, 200 E-tec, the jakeplate (hydraulic if I could afford it), the Hotfoot, 80# variable speed TM, (mine would be the MG digital) hydraulic steering and those gas springs to hold the lids up on at least the battery compartment and rod locker. The only thing I would consider changing from this basic rig would be to use a manual jackplate if I needed to save about $500 and the E-tec if that was an absolute deal breaker. Everything from there would be negotiable because it's easily added/upgraded. GPS is only mandatory if you structure fish large bodies of water where you can't get land marks, in most other bodies of water they are only a nice thing to have. I very seldom even use mine but 95% of my fishing is in areas where it's no more than a few hundred yards from bank to bank so I just cross vector landmarks and puts me right on where I want to be. Wow, just realized, while we are spending his money, forgot one very key feature for that size boat, the double axle trailer with brakes. Quote
eulerentinc Posted January 4, 2007 Author Posted January 4, 2007 Wow, great info guys!! I love it. Being my first boat purchase this is helping alot. Let me tell you about my situation. THE particular boat i am looking at is an 06 model left over obviously. It has: 200 HO etec, Tandem axle w/ brakes, alum wheels w/ spare, jack plate, hot foot, gas pistons on all hatches (except maybe the live well), rod organizer, tackle oraganizer, max 80 TM, Lowrance 332 in the console and 135 on the bow, 3 bank charger, pro trim, upgraded pop up cleats, rod buckle upgrade, and maybe some minor stuff i forgot. An excellent boat in my amateur opinion. I went to see this rig in early November. The salesman said he could let it go for 32(no, not dollars). Again, in my amateur opinion this was an excellent price. So, if this machine is available in about a month, it will be mine. However, god forbid it isnt, i will settle on an 07 model and batter the he** out of the dealer to get the rig where i want it, atleast comparable anyway. Oh and the 294 has hydraulic steering standard. Hopefully it is still available and possible dropped a little in price. It is still listed on Boattrader but that doesnt really mean anything. I will probably call in about a week and see if it is still available and schedule a wet test, cause i think thats pretty important!! One last note, the other option instead of a 42" GPS is a 7 year warranty!! Quote
Al Wolbach Posted January 4, 2007 Posted January 4, 2007 Sounds like a great setup. The only additions that comes to mind as cart7 suggested is some type of keel protector and maybe a lockrbar. The keel protecter I would see as a must for the areas I like to fish. The lockerbar is great if you must leave your boat unattended such as motel parking lots or even resturants. At least it gives you some peace of mind........................Al Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted January 4, 2007 Super User Posted January 4, 2007 Sounds like a great fishing platform, you will love it. Just be aware, with a new boat like that, most likely you're going to catch a lot fewer fish for the first couple of months, so make as many trips to the lake as you can before spring warm up starts. The reason for the fewer catches, you're gonna wanna ride and grin more than fish and make longer runs to other spots. Quote
eulerentinc Posted January 4, 2007 Author Posted January 4, 2007 way2slow, i will be sure to let my wife read your post. Al, (or anyone) what is a lockrbar? I am interested in all the security devices available. My boat will be kept in my garage/screen enclosed carport. I know, it sounds weird. Just imagine a carport that was enclosed, turned into a screen room with a garage door facing the street. Its about 3 truck lengths long so there is plenty of room but as anyone would i want to protect my rig!! thanks for the info!! Quote
Al Wolbach Posted January 5, 2007 Posted January 5, 2007 A lockrbar is a dealer installed bar that runs across the boat that prevents opening the rod lockers and lure storage compartments. It utilizes a keyed padlock. The bar slides together when not in use and slides into the boat gunnels when in use. As best as I can remember it cost about $250 installed, a small price to pay for additional security. It will not keep out a determined thief but might make him pick another boat, car etc. My insurance agent actually gave me a small discount on my boat insurance when he saw mine installed. I too, keep my boat in the garage while at home but I travel several times a year out of state and the bar does provide some peace of mind when you must leave the boat unattended..................Al Quote
Al Wolbach Posted January 5, 2007 Posted January 5, 2007 One piece of advice I forgot to mention. DO NOT store that bar in a rod locker when not in use, keep in the tow vehicle. When and if you hit ruff water it becomes a missile. And yes, G Loomis did replace the rods..........................Al Quote
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