bass buster Posted February 8, 2009 Posted February 8, 2009 I am looking to buy a boat. I am looking at a 2000 Ranger R83 with a 175 Evinrude E-Tech or a 2005 Stratos 285XL Pro with a 150 Vmax. The Ranger has only 80 hours on it and the Stratos has low hours too. Ranger price is 11,750 and the Stratos is $12,500 What would you buy? Quote
Garnet Posted February 8, 2009 Posted February 8, 2009 Just like getting married what ever tips your switch. Garnet Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted February 8, 2009 Super User Posted February 8, 2009 The 2000 Ranger, you say has a 175 E-Tech. What year is that motor? They did not make the E-Tech in 2000, only the ficht. If it is the 2000 ficht, it's the 60 degree motor second to the V-4's, they were the worst motors made in the fichts back then. Now if it is the E-Tec, it's a later model motor than the boat. So, if it is truely the E-tec, and not the ficht, then I would have to say what ever trips your trigger. Yes you get the bragging rights saying you have a Ranger, but that 285 Pro XL is a hellava boat and it's five years newer. It fishes much larger than any 18.5 boat I ever had. It actaully had more storage room than my current 20' boat. They are fairly fast also. Quote
bass buster Posted February 8, 2009 Author Posted February 8, 2009 It is a 2000 Evinrude and it does have the FICHT motor not the E-Tec.. I have been seing some good deals on the Stratos boats. I know there not the Quality of a Ranger, Champion, Skeeter, etc but they seem like a good value for the money. Buddy of mine owned a Stratos and loves it. Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted February 8, 2009 Super User Posted February 8, 2009 If I was buying one of those two, with that motor on the Ranger, it would rot to the ground. I would go with the Stratos in a heartbeat. Not sure why you don't think the quality of the Stratos is not equal to those other boats. It may not be as plush as the Ranger or the Champion, but the quality is ever bit as good. I would personnaly take it over a similar size Ranger. They ride good, and they haul ***. Oh, and don't take this wrong and think a dead set against the early fichts. I happen on own a 1999 225 ficht and love it, but it's the 90 degree V-6 and I have had all the upgrades done to the ecm that fixed the problems that pleagued them. The 200 and 225 are good motors but they require a lot of special care that most people would never do. Quote
bass buster Posted February 8, 2009 Author Posted February 8, 2009 Ok, last question. Which would you buy, 2006 Stratos 275 ProXL with 150 Yamaha VMAX for $13,900 OR 2005 Stratos 285 ProXL with a 150 Yamaha VMAX for $12,500 Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted February 8, 2009 Super User Posted February 8, 2009 The 285 is a very nice size boat. It fishes a lot bigger than the size it is. I personally would not want anything smaller. For many years I fished out of boats in the 17' size range and they all seemed to small. The 285 had decks big enough to move around on and still had plenty of storage room. I also hope neither are dual console. Dual consoles are great for your partner but in that size boat, they totally suck when it comes to being fishing boat. Quote
bass buster Posted February 8, 2009 Author Posted February 8, 2009 They are single consoles. Although I wouldn't mind having a dual because I have two kids. Do you think the 285 would be a good buy if I were to get it bought for $11,500? Quote
Super User senile1 Posted February 9, 2009 Super User Posted February 9, 2009 I agree with Way2slow. The 285 is a sweet boat in that size. I was in the market a year ago. I ended up buying a 19' 6" Stratos 295 Pro Elite, but not before I had tested the Stratos 285. It has lots of room and rides well. My current boat also has the 200 Ficht engine but all of the recall work was performed on it and it runs like a top. I wouldn't have bought it if the recall work had not been performed. As Way2Slow stated, it does require specific maintenance but it's not that difficult or expensive in my opinion. I read that the 175 Fichts had the most problems (See link below); however, I have no experience with them so I can't speak for them. Just from the information given, I would go with the Stratos. (As for the 275, take the 285. The 275 has a wide beam for a 17 and a half footer but you'll want the extra length.) http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=79617 Quote: CORRECTION, JB,20% of the '98 and '99 150 and 175 FICHT's without the factory fix, were some of the worst motors OMC built, since the 1964 90hp. The 2000 and later series were the next generation FICHT Ram and they have a good reputation. Proper setup by a QUALIFIED tech is the key.If it has not been registered before, it carries a 2 year warranty from Bombardier. Like was mentioned previously, see if it had the injector hold-down upgrade on it. The easy way to tell is to look at the bolts holding the injector flange to the cylinder head. If they have a 1/2" head, they are the new ones. Bolts with a 3/8" head need to have the kit installed at no charge to you.Make sure the engine is propped for 5800 to 6000 rpm, feed it the FICHT Ram oil, and run it like you stole it. Quote
Bass Dude Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 I've owned my 285XL w/the Yammy VMAX for 4 years and love it. My Yammy isn't the HPDI, but it is still an awesome motor. I've clocked mine at 63 on the GPS, with no equipment onboard. I get to about 58-60 with all my equipment and a partner w/their equipment. The livewells are great, I've never had a dead fish. As someone else said, I would buy ANY brand of boat less than 18'. The 18.5 footer is a great size and it can take some big water, trust me!! Not that you're looking at new boats, but the Stratos Evolution series is SWEEEETTTTT!!! Quote
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