Stratos Boat

I have never fished out of a Stratos but they definitely took some steps this year as far as being fisherman friendly.  I was impressed with their layout for the most part.  They took a step forward while Sylvan kinda took a step back.  Sylvan totally re-did their boat and I do not know why.  They had a very good boat.  It was one of the most popular out there for Sakakawea anglers (or so it seemed).  Affordable, well built and did what most anglers wanted.  I fished out of one (Dani's parents) and it was a good boat.  Rumor has it quite a few Sylvan owners are scratching their heads why all the odd changes.

we have had a 386 for a few years now it's been a great boat I would sugest a 175hp motor though it's underpowered with a 140. The ride is very smooth we commonly fish on devils lake and it will handle the biggest it can throw at you.

I bought a new Stratos last year. The 386 is the way to go. It has the 150 Yamaha and powered just fine. We have hit as high as 51 mph with 2 guys and full of gear. Quiet, smooth, handles all water perfect and cuts the water as opposed to skimming across it while turning. Only a few changes I would make but I absolutely love mine. The first thiing I would change is to move the front deck seat position forward so you can open/close the walk thru windsheild without taking the seat off. The other thing I would add to this boat is what the 385 has and that is storage for tackle trays up front on the deck. I fished a lot of tournies last year with it and it ran right along with most of the boats with 200 hsp and better than a few. I did look at putting the 175 on it but for 5k more just for 1-3 mph more wasn't worth it to me. I am still working with improving my hole shots and I think it is just the prop that I need to match. From fishing on the Missouri river to Lake Oahe, Lake Sak or any smaller area lake, this boat is as good as any and a fraction of the cost as a Ranger.  Infact, the same company that owns Ranger owns Stratos and I heard Rumour that Stratos molds the boats for the glass Lunds. If you are in the Bismarck area and want to go out with me, I will start prefishing for the Big Muddy on the 20th of April. Email me at jimsimmers@yahoo.com or call me at 701,220-3251.

Glass Lunds are not made by Stratos.  They and Crestliner were sold to Brunswick (Mercury) by Genmar (Ranger, Stratos, Champion, Triumph).  The hulls are made in a Triton plant and sent over to New York Mills to be finished off.  I have been in a 386 a few times and they ride nice.  The 385 looks to be the walleye boat.  It would be nice if they put jump seats in that though.  I wasn't impressed with the hole shot, but it was a Yamie.  An Opti or Verado on that rig would be really sweet.  I think they ride nicer than the Rangers, but the Ranger does have a nicer fit and finish to it.

Thanks Auggie for the correction. All in all, dollar for dollar, Stratos is as good as any. If this is that way you go, you will not be disappointed. Good luck.

labman, if you are serious in purchasing, I have a 386 with a Johnson.  It's got all the electronics, etc.  I will let it go fairly cheap.  Shoot me an email at rdbblock@yahoo.com. 

I bought my Stratos 386 in 2007 it is powered with a yamaha f150.  I love the boat.  It handles very well.  It is a wide boat which makes it very roomy and easy to fish out of.  It will handle 2-3 foot waves easy and is a very dry ride.  Top end with 2 guys and gear is about 47-48mph.  There is very little I would change.

Since there are so few of us Stratos owners, we should start a Stratos Owners Group. (SOG) Kinda of like the Harley owner Group. (HOG) only better. :)

Stringerfull,

I sent you an email, was wondering if you received it yet? Just wanted some more info on your boat and possibly some pictures if you had any.  Thanks

Jeremy

I bought a new Stratos last year. The 386 is the way to go. It has the 150 Yamaha and powered just fine. We have hit as high as 51 mph with 2 guys and full of gear.

This is just a thought from an outsider but in the current state of the economy, unless you are dead set on getting a brand new boat, I would stronlgy suggest looking at used. I was recently looking for a friend and found an  05' 386XF with a Yami 150 4 stroke, dpeth finders, trolllng motor and a few other goodies for 18k and change. This of course was over in the wisconson area. I also found a few for the low 20s. The Ranger Reata's and Skeeter 1880WXs seem to bring about 2-4k more on the used market. If you're really itching to spend 35k, You can find dozens of Ranger 6xx series boats completely loaded with warrenties for that kind of money..

I would do some research I believe Genmar is in bankruptcy and doing some selling off. We should know in the next few months as which of there brands survive!

there is a stratos and a ranger on bisman for sale ranger seems like a good price

warn Said:
I bought a new Stratos last year. The 386 is the way to go. It has the 150 Yamaha and powered just fine. We have hit as high as 51 mph with 2 guys and full of gear.

just imagine what that boat would do with the 200 on it, i know when i was looking at them they were rated @ 200, but the dealerships didn't want to put the 200 on it because the 150 fourstroke they were able to sell better. personally i am a bigger fan of the 2 strokes, but you can't argue the reliability and ease of use of the four stroke. Before i bought my skeeter, i had a 1785 yarcraft ml w/175, great boat but just a little to small for big water tourney's. I looked at tons of boats and talked to a lot of people  i was probably going to go with the 385 dual bubble 200 opti max, they seemed like a fishable and now way better put together boat. the dealrships were all trying to push the viper on me, but the stratos seemed more fishable. from the owners i talked to a lot of the guys that run them are weekend warriors, but i haven't talked to one person who didn't like them at tourneys. They have demo days in the spring/summer where they will cruise you around, best bet is to ride or drive in one.

Stringerfull,

You still haven't sold your boat yet? WOW!!!!! Thats a shocker!!!  I figured with the price you were asking it would go and go quick thats why I stopped pushing it up here in my neck of the woods. Will begin the push again!!!!!

walynut,

Stringers boat is gone now.

Noted; Didn't notice the date of the posts till after the fact.