stratos – Boating Mag

Stratos 386XF

The Boating Tech Team — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 07:59:00 +0000

LOA: 18’6″
Beam: 8’3″
Dry Weight: 1,940 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: 7/1,160 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 31 gal.
More Information: stratosboats.com

The Stratos 386XF has been a hallmark of the multipurpose fish-and-fun genre for decades. So it was with great care that the company set about redesigning it to reflect the latest in boat comfort, construction, style and technology.

Only the proven running surface was retained. It was one of the few capable of carrying four-strokes in the early days, and refinement from there made it more efficient with both improved running and at-rest stability.

Clearly Stratos succeeded in keeping what was great, as our test drive with a hot-off-the-line Yamaha 150 proved. The boat accelerated smoothly, ran beautifully and, thanks to the combination of hull and engine efficiency, boasted a family-friendly 5 mpg fuel burn at wakeboard-perfect 18 mph. To get the platform to the fishing hole ahead of the competitors, it popped up to 46 mph — with minimum horsepower and the comfort of hydraulic steering.

It’s the deck where Stratos engineers focused their powerful lens, and the refinements there stood up to our scrutiny as well. Angular, Cadillac CTS-style surfaces with crisp lines were all new. The cockpit was deeper too, offering more security to safety-conscious families.

The center rod locker can also stow skis. Step up on the hatch for easy egress to the forward casting platform. Four cockpit pedestal-seat mounts make the rig ideally convertible for walleye trolling, and an aft casting deck makes it bass-buddy ready. Fold the casting deck upward to reveal two more luxury jump seats. A reboarding ladder on the starboard transom makes it safer and more convenient for reboarding from swimming and towed water sports.

The livewell is aerated and features recirculating and refreshing modes with a pump-out too. Our boat was equipped with a Minn Kota Terrova 80 i-Pilot trolling motor — that allows the angler to set the course and let it maintain position while he focuses on accurate casting and line control.

Buyer’s Spotlight
*The Minn Kota Terrova’s i-Pilot is controlled by a wireless remote and can record trails to retrace them or use Spot-Lock to do what the name says.
*Gelcoated, insulated cooler drains to the bilge and conserves deck space.
*Snap-in carpet offers an easy cleaning option for hanging out at the beach or sandbar.
*Our boat was equipped with a rocking factory-installed stereo system.
*Stainless-steel handrail is a factory-installed option that adds safety and good looks.
*Air-ride suspension driver and passenger seats ease the trip on tournament days when getting there ASAP is mandatory.
*Road Armor-finish custom fit trailer is corrosion and road-chip resistant for long life.
*Definitely opt for the custom cover and spend your time boating, not cleaning out the elements.

How We Tested
Engine: Yamaha F150
Prop: 14½” x 21″ Pro Series
Gear Ratio: 2.0:1
Fuel Load: 31 gal.
Crew Weight: 350 lb.

Price
$39,995 (as tested)

Contact
Stratos Boats Flippin, Arkansas; 877-978-7286; stratosboats.com

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Stratos 186 VLO

The Boating Tech Team — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 06:52:14 +0000

Stratos 186 VLO

LOA: 18’9″
Beam: 7’5″
Dry Weight: 1,450 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: 1,320 lb. (total, persons and gear)
Fuel Capacity: 21 gal.

Stratos 186 VLO

The Stratos 186 VLO is the next step in the popular fiberglass line that includes the 189 and 176 VLO. Like the smaller 176, the 186 VLO gives boaters on an aluminum-boat budget a new, comparably priced option in a fully featured fiberglass fishing platform — and this one has the deck space and features for a tournament-ready angler. Priced as low as $21,000, this gleaming new bass boat is sleek and easy to maintain and comes with a matching trailer to complete the package.

The 18-foot-9-inch fisher is rated for up to 115 horsepower, but weighing in at just 1,450 pounds, it would perform nicely with as little as a 90 horsepower motor to save on the sticker price and at the fuel pump. When we tested it with a 115-horsepower OptiMax, it climbed to a top speed of 48.7 mph at 5,340 rpm. The hull design of the 186 VLO cuts crisply through the water and offers a smoother, quieter ride than that of most aluminum competitors.

A tour of this boat reveals an expansive front casting deck equipped with a Minn Kota trolling motor and a recessed foot pedal that reduces fatigue with its ergonomic angle. An electronics panel can accept a 5-inch sonar display. The gunwale is raised slightly above the deck to keep gear from rolling out. Other highlights are large, lockable storage compartments to port and starboard and a center rod locker capable of securing 12 rods up to 7 feet 6 inches long.

Dual consoles give an angler and his partner cover from the wind, and there’s more space for placing rods on the front deck since the helm console is offset from the gunwale. The console also has enough room for flush-mounting displays with 7-inch screens. The seating layout features a wide center bench seat flanked by two bucket seats. Some dry storage is tucked beneath. The seat also folds down to serve as a step to the rear deck. The passenger’s rods are secured in a ramp with slots for the rod butts and a silicone bungee for the tips. The tournament-ready livewell is dividable, aerated and recirculated on a timer.

A tournament-ready bass machine was never so affordable.

Buyer’s Spotlight
*Large helm station accepts 7-inch GPS/sonar displays.
*Massive rod locker holds rods up to 7 feet 6 inches long.
*Offset bow design keeps trolling motor cables clear of electronics screen.
*Power choices include Mercury, Evinrude, Yamaha or Suzuki engine.
*Offset console securely cradles rod tips.

Specs
LOA: 18’9″
Beam: 7’5″
Dry Weight: 1,450 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: 1,320 lb. (total, persons and gear)
Fuel Capacity: 21 gal.

How We Tested
Engine: 115 hp Mercury OptiMax 115
Prop: 15¼” x 21″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 2.07:1
Fuel Load: 15 gal.
Crew Weight: 480 lb.

Price
$20,895 (base with Evinrude 75 hp); $22,695 (as tested)

Contact
Stratos Boats
Flippin, Arkansas; 877-978-7286; stratosboats.com

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Stratos 186 VLO

Boating Staff — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 06:41:42 +0000

Stratos 186 VLO

LOA: 18’9″
Beam: 7’5″
Dry Weight: 1,450 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: 1,320 lb. (total, persons and gear)
Fuel Capacity: 21 gal.

Stratos 186 VLO

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Stratos 176 VLO

The Boating Tech Team — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:42:55 +0000

Stratos 176 VLO

The Stratos 176 VLO is the ideal bass boat for the recreational angler with a competitive streak. Better yet, it has all the advantages of a fiberglass boat, with an aluminum-boat price.

The 176 VLO is a redesign of the best-selling Stratos 176XT, a fiberglass model created to challenge the aluminum-boat market. The 176 VLO delivers a smooth ride and tight-turning ability superior to other aluminum bass boats we have previously tested. Wind and waves easily push aluminum boats around, but the 176 VLO remained stable in choppy waters.

The redesign includes a deeper cockpit and an offset panel for mounting electronics at the bow. The panel position helps prevent the the trolling motor cables from blocking the screen. More front-deck features include a recessed trolling-motor foot pan, lockable stowage on both sides, and a rod locker capable of holding 12 rods up to 7 feet long.

I found plenty of legroom at the helm, which features full instrumentation and space for flush mounting electronics. Cockpit side pockets hold baits and other necessities. Other standards include a Humminbird Piranha Max 160 graph, a Minn Kota Edge trolling motor and an onboard Minn Kota battery charger.

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Stratos 294 XLE

Boating Staff — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:00:00 +0000

The new 294 XLE is available with a wide range of factory-rigged outboards of up to 200 horsepower. Dedicated tackle and rod storage plus a divided aerated 34-gallon livewell make catching and keeping fish on board a snap. It also sports a recessed trolling motor foot pedal for less back strain and easier steering. It’s prerigged with a Minn Kota Maxxum 70-pound trolling motor. Our experience on Stratos boats show them to be fun, quick and agile.

Vital Stats * Length Overall: 19’6″ * Beam: 91″ * Fuel Capacity: 36 gal. * NMMA Certified: Yes

stratosboats.com

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