Stratos Boats

[FightingSioux]

Anyone have any experience with Stratos boats? Wondering if they are a decent fiberglass boat with any known issues. I know they are not a Ranger or warrior but how do they ride in comparison to aluminum boats. Looking at some 1760 and 18’ models.

 

[Bfishn]

I have no experience with them but I believe they have ceased production so just take that into account when purchasing and future resale value. If your looking at a Stratos with an Evenrude G2 you better be getting one heck of a deal haha.

 

[Weekender]

I've fished out of my buddy's Stratos 386XF a few times. I think that one is a 18.5'. Nice boat, I haven't heard any complaints.

 

[MicLee]

IMO that is the type of boat to go for these days. The 386xf and 326xf are both nice boats. The new Triton 18.5' boats use the same hull as the Stratos 386xf. It's the same exact boat, pretty much.

 

[FightingSioux]

I have no experience with them but I believe they have ceased production so just take that into account when purchasing and future resale value. If your looking at a Stratos with an Evenrude G2 you better be getting one heck of a deal haha.

Same parent company is over triton and nitro boats. Supposedly they still stand behind them

 

[sdtransplant]

Have a 326xf with 250 opti max 2013, don't have any complaints

 

[SLE]

Same parent company is over triton and nitro boats. Supposedly they still stand behind them

That is the current situation. A little interesting history about stratos & triton boats. Stratos boats was originally formed by Earl Bentz back in the 80s. Earl then sold Stratos to OMC (Evinrude / Johnson) and became President of OMC fishing boat company. He then started Javelin boats shortly after under OMC. Earl and several key individuals left OMC in the mid 90s and then started started Triton boats.

All of the brands under OMC were all sold off when OMC went bankrupt in 2000. not sure where stratos went at that time. Triton was sold to Brunswick in 2005'ish and earl went to brunswick with that sale. Triton was then sold to Platinum Equity Marine Group around 2010. Platinum was the same group that at that time had Ranger and Stratos and this is where stratos and triton, both early bentz originated boats, were united. Finally, in 2015, platinum equity sold their fishing boat business to White River Marine Group which is good ol' Johnny Morris. Earl remained at Brunswick until 2018.

Earl has now started Caymas Boats which you have likely seen pop up over the last handful of years.

I probably have a timeline or item or two off a little but it's interesting a few key individuals in the boat building business that seem to keep circling. Forrest Woods family, Randy Hooper that was CEO of Ranger and now starting Vexas boats, Earl Bentz with Caymas, and Johnny Morris just being purchasing behemoth in the outdoor world to name a few.

 

[Vollmer]

I ran a 386xf for a few years. I liked that boat. It had a real big cabin area, which is something I search for.

 

[Weekender]

I ran a 386xf for a few years. I liked that boat. It had a real big cabin area, which is something I search for.

What would you say were the major differences/improvements when you moved to your angler?

 

[Vollmer]

What would you say were the major differences/improvements when you moved to your angler?

Well my 386xf was a 2008, and the Angler is a 2019, so the age difference, of course.

The Angler has a better fit and finish and handles big water better due to it being bigger, but they fish very similar unless you are a guy that fishes up front a lot. The size difference is mostly in the front triangle.

 

[Petras]

I ran a 386xf for about 5 years. it had a 200 yammi on it and I absolutely loved it. Only reason I sold it is because prices on used boats have been through the roof and with us building a new house I knew I wouldn't get to use it enough to justify keeping it... If they were still in business, I would definitely buy another one when I am ready to buy again. I never had any issues with mine. One thing that I absolutely loved about it was like Vollmer said, the Cabin area was great in its size and I loved the size of the livewell.

 

[Sluggo]

Interesting thread. Proof that personal style comes into play. When I was last boat shopping I looked at a Stratos and saw the smaller bow which is where I fish primarily from so it was not a good fit for me.

 

[walleyewanker]

Interesting thread. Proof that personal style comes into play. When I was last boat shopping I looked at a Stratos and saw the smaller bow which is where I fish primarily from so it was not a good fit for me.

Definitely comes down to preference. I'm opposite. I don't need a dance floor up front for just one person. Give me the room in back where it's multiple people fishing.

 

[5575]

I have no experience with them but I believe they have ceased production so just take that into account when purchasing and future resale value. If your looking at a Stratos with an Evenrude G2 you better be getting one heck of a deal haha.

100% this

 

[Skeeter]

Buying a boat with an evenrude is like taking your ex back or the same as trying to put shit back up your ass.

 

[shorthairsrus]

Buying a boat with an evenrude is like taking your ex back or the same as trying to put shit back up your ass.

My brother and i both bought boats (his is newer) - he has dumped thousands into his merc -- me nuttin. I replace my own plugs and i did my impeller one going on 12 years on my evenrude . Mine has twice the hours he has on his. Then my bud who has the merc on his toon - just out of warranty and the alt went out this summer and ruined a trip

 

[Wirehair]

Also run a 386FX with a Merc 150 four stroke. Mainly fish Missouri from Bis south and Sak. Not the fastest boat but works well for me. Also not a dry boat in rough water. Like the boat and no issues so far.

 

[FightingSioux]

So is the Stratos on the same level as Triton, Nitro, Larsen and skeeter when comparing fiberglass? I’m assuming Ranger, Warrior, Lund gl, and Yarcraft are the top tier.

For a ten year old used boat could a guy even go back to the manufacturer if problems developed?

 

[Wirehair]

Son has a 19' Skeeter and I believe that his Skeeter handles rough water better than my 386FX.

 

[shorthairsrus]

So is the Stratos on the same level as Triton, Nitro, Larsen and skeeter when comparing fiberglass? I’m assuming Ranger, Warrior, Lund gl, and Yarcraft are the top tier.

For a ten year old used boat could a guy even go back to the manufacturer if problems developed?

"level" --- they said on the live feed this am that WOT was right around 53mph for the Tin boat that just won the Bassmaster Classic. Boat smoat. Plus the guy had small screens on the front. Cinder fknk rella