stratos or nitro?

[north pole]

I will be looking to purchase a new boat in the near future,can anyone tell me which they prefer,a nitro (basic model) or a stratos (basic model).

[AnthonyRSS]

By basic model do you mean 17'?  I think the current short boat offerings from most manufacturers are under powered.  Either way I think Stratos makes better boats than Nitro.  You can get a lot of used boat for the money though- something I would consider if I were in the market for a boat.

Anthony

[285xl]

Either way I think Stratos makes better boats than Nitro.

Anthony

please explain.

[XcoM274]

I've been looking into the same boats, and I went and saw both in person. I was MUCH more impressed with the Stratos. The decks were bigger, more open,  much more attention to detail, and all around a more solid feel. The Nitro was nice, but there were some minor issues that turned me off a little. Just things like loose carpet corners under the lids, handles that were difficult to open, things like that. It had much wider and taller gunwhales than the Stratos which I didn't like, but probably offers better ride/stability in rougher water.

[Jig Man]

I live in the heart of Nitro country.  Those things don't hold up very well and depreciate very rapidly.  I have seen them only a couple of years old and they looked terrible with loose things flopping on the boat and trailer.

Stratos is owned by the Genmar corp which also makes Ranger and Champion.  I'd go with the Stratos of the two.

Another consideration is service.  I have read a lot of night mare stories about Tracker Marine and the (lack of) speed and quality of their service.

[DMB Fan]

save your self some cash and buy a used boat and neither one is better. Buy a Ranger you'll be happy you did.

[XcoM274]

Out of curiousity, where would a Skeeter fit in quality wise?

[JShrock07]

Let me solve this delima for you....

NITRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8-)

I bought a used 1995 Nitro 16'9" rick clunn edition last year. I had spent over a year looking at different types of boats but I didn't know which one to choose either.

I looked at a Javelin.... Piece of junk!!!

I looked at a ranger.... way to expensive!!!

I looked at a Triton.... Way to over priced!!!

I looked at a stratos... A nice boat but just not nice enough for me!!!

I finally went to Bass Pro and looked at the new Nitros and they were very nice!!!

I don't know where you were looking at a Nitro where the carpet wasn't right and the compartments wouldn't open but maybe you should have looked at another Nitro since that one probably wasn't takin care of.

The Nitro I have was owned by an older guy who had a serois medical problem that made him go deaf and he was in a wheelchair. He actually bought the boat about a year prior to getting sick. He claims he only had the boat out on the lake 3 x since he owned it. After looking the boat over with a fine tooth comb I decided to buy it. It has yet to cause me any problems at all!! Now the ONLY thing I would have done differently if I had the chance is to buy a bigger boat. The one I have has a small deck up front and sometimes makes it difficult to land the lunker, but I started using a net and that pretty much solves my problems.

Hope this helps you!!

-Nitroman!

[north pole]

Thanks for the replys.I was looking to purchase a boat in the 18 to 19 ft range with a 115 or 135 merc optimax.I would like to have a decent boat in the 20 to 25000 dollar mark.I know that i could get a good used boat with a 225 and lots of extras but is used the way to go?Having a 225 hp motor would just burn a hole in my pocket.

[Wayne P.]

Nitroman, you are biased towards Nitro especially since you bought one. Most boat owners are that way. Of every brand that you mentioned plus some that you didn't, the Nitro is the least desirable and the only thing it has going for it is low price. If you are basing your opinion on used boats and what you chose was a very lighty used boat as opposed to some highly used boats, your comparison has no merit. If you compare 10 year old boats of all brands with the same usage, the Nitro would be way down on the list of desireable boats.

[JShrock07]

Wayne P. without being disrepectful I would have to disagree. I know what I wrote on there sounded like I was one way towards Nitros, but you are right I know a buddy of mine who doesn't take care of his nitro at all and it looks like crap and his is a 2000. I also have another buddy of mine who has a 2004 and he treats that boat better then his own wife. And that boat is in awesome condition.

I like Nitros and the only way I would ever buy any other type of boat is if I had the money to buy a Ranger. But I doubt I ever will so I have to stick with the most reasonably priced.

If you take care of your boat it will take care of you... Thats all Im saying but I dont want this to seem like I am arguing with you.

By the way what type of boat do you have and which boat would you recommend??

[mackkie]

Given the fact that:

1. Gas prices are so high, and

2. People seem to realize they cannot afford to keep their "toys" due to gas prices/economy,

I think you should get a used boat!  There are some excellent deals to be had when i was looking around last year.  IMO, You can spend significantly less on a used boat and still get yourself a beauty...The first place i would look would be used if i were you...

[Wayne P.]

Thanks for the question Nitroman, I have a "piece of junk" Javelin that has been gararge kept since 1993. I put it's quality of construction, and performance way ahead of any Nitro.

Since the bankrupcy of OMC, Javelins are no longer made, but they would be my first choice for another boat if that were not the case. I would chose a Triton for any future purchase. I have driven and been a passenger in just about every brand, some have more desirable features for my taste than others, but for overall fishability, and performance, I would choose Triton. Stratos would be my second choice, Skeeter woud be my third choice.

Edited: after a little more thought, I would put Bass Cat as a second choice.

[AnthonyRSS]

Half of all people who own Nitros like theirs.  

With a 18 or 19ft boat you will be looking for a 150-200hp engine.  You should be able to get into a late model DFI for your price and they get good mileage.

Anthony

[JShrock07]

Wayne....

All I can say is I apologize for calling your boat a "piece of junk"  

[TournyFish001]

the used bass boat market should be flooded- excuse the pun

[mferris]

i too own a nitro 640 LX and am very pleased with it..yes they are cheaper and may lack in some quality compared to other boats but i think for me it made it possible to buy a new bass boat...the only other boat i looked at was a skeeter and it was nice and probably better quality but was more money and the nitro actually had more storage which was one thing i was looking for.....

[XcoM274]

For 20-25000 you can buy a NICE used Ranger which is the way to go. I've been feverishly researching, and havn't heard a bad thing about them. People complain about the price, which is admittedly significantly higher, but the quality follows suit. Then again for the same price you could get a Nitro with a 300OptiMax. Guess if you like repairs and wasted days on the water, its the way to go.

[njpaulc]

Don't buy an 18 to 19 foot boat with a 115/135.  You will be terribly underpowered and you will put too much stress on the engine.  Buy a smaller boat, or a larger engine.  Tracker/Nitro have terrible reputations, but, I know 3 or 4 people with them who have had little or no problems with theirs.  I think the older ones are ugly and worn looking, because most Tracker/Nitro buyers are first time, inexperienced buyers and don't know how to treat a boat, and leave it docked at the lake, or parked in the back yard uncovered.

[Mr.Twister]

Get a Skeeter and be done with it. Older or new, you'd be a happy camper and in a nice USER FRIENDLY QUALITY boat.

[norriscraftdanny]

if you live near tennessee try norris craft. They are high performance fishing boats however like a bullet or allison but they are SOLID and have most of the features of the tritons, rangers etc. with a wonderful hull and u can get an awesome one for the price u mentioned also look at bullets as they are great as well but they are fast if that turns u off.

[Tin]

Just wait until that Stratos hits 50-55 and starts chime walking like a  :-X

[skunked_again]

nothing like a friendly boat debate. the next fish i catch i will ask it to identify the boat were in. ill get back to you on what the fish says.

;D