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

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

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

The post Stratos 186 VLO appeared first on Boating Mag.

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

Stratos 186 VLO

The post Stratos 186 VLO appeared first on Boating Mag.

Stratos 176 VLO

Stratos 176 VLO

Stratos 176 VLO

Stratos 176 VLO

Stratos 176 VLO

Stratos 176 VLO

Stratos 176 VLO

Stratos 176 VLO

Stratos 176 VLO

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.

The post Stratos 176 VLO appeared first on Boating Mag.

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

stratosboats.com

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With a tournament-tested hull in place, Stinson widened the deck by an inch. He also added slightly higher gunwales for an even drier rough-water ride and to help keep rod or tackle secure on the fly. To strengthen performance, Stratos balanced the batteries and gear compartments, but more importantly, lowered the center of gravity by molding the seats lower on the cockpit bulkhead. The effect gave us a feeling of greater security while we were trying to break the 75 mph barrier. We never exceeded 72, but Evinrude engineers dropped to a 25-inch prop and increased the top speed to 75 mph.

Speed got us to the fishing hole first. Then we noticed the rod lockers, with individual tip-tubes and cradles for nine 8-foot rods, were going to be useful in keeping rods secure in rough waters. Slots for 20 Plano tackle boxes meant nobody had to leave a tackle bag out or buried in a compartment. Dual-aerated and recirculating livewells refreshed the fish for weigh-in, and a built-in cooler in the bow step refreshed anglers.

To make fishing comfortable all day, Stratos added extra padding to the bow deck and recessed the trolling motor pedal. Both reduce fatigue, letting an angler focus on casting, not on back pain.

Key Note: A 40-gallon livewell, on-board battery charger and Humminbird 767 GPS keep fishing performance toe to toe with running performance.

Standout Features
• The 201 is wired for three batteries and a two-bank charger. Opt for the three-bank charger and an extra battery for tough tournament fishing.
• Actia instruments communicate with a second GPS module to give accurate speed and fuel flow for managing the longest fishing range.
• Powder-blue livewell interior makes it easy to sort and cull fish.

Vital Stats
* Length Overall: 20’9″
* Beam: 8′
* Dry Weight: 2,350 lb.
* Weight Capacity: 1,575 lb. (people, motor, gear)
* Fuel Capacity: 50 gal.
* Maximum HP: 250
* MSRP (test boat w/ Evinrude 250 E-TEC HO): $49,995
* NMMA Certified: Yes

Test Drive
* Test Engine: Evinrude 250 E-TEC HO
* Test Prop: 26″ Raker, 3-blade
* Test Load: People (235 lb.); Fuel (30 gal.)
* Optimum Cruise Speed: 35 mph @ 3,000 rpm @ 8.4 gph
* Top Speed: 72.9 mph @ 5,500 rpm

The post Stratos 201 XL Evolution appeared first on Boating Mag.

Length Overall: 18’9″
Beam: 7’5″
Dry Weight: 1,450 lb.
Max HP: 115
MSRP w/ Yamaha 90TLR: $16,996
Standout Feature: Clean instrument panel makes it easy to focus on the Humminbird depth sounder.

The post Stratos 186XT appeared first on Boating Mag.

Starting at its streamlined bow, the 186 features a 40-pound thrust trolling motor with a basic foot pedal and a standard fishing chair. Bow storage includes a center box that lifts on gas pistons and holds 12 rods. In the cockpit area, two fixed bucket seats and a middle bench give secure seating plus ample leg room. Aft, the Stratos offers an aerated, recirculating livewell with a center removable divider.

Motoring onto the lake, the Yamaha 115 hp two-stroke was nearly able to reach 50 mph — not tournament speed, but not bad for a modest two-stroke. The same summary applies to acceleration out of the hole. However, that’s not the only power option available. Buyers will save money with the no-feedback cable steering, which takes driver attention, but our effort produced quick, sharp responses.

Stratos clearly knows what recreational and buddy-tournament anglers really need, and what they really don’t. The 186XT doesn’t pretend to be a boat for those who fish pro tournaments on big lakes. On behalf of the majority of the anglers out there, Stratos has put that knowledge into this no-nonsense fish boat, which will save smart buyers a bundle.

Who should buy it: Cost-conscious anglers of all ages who prefer fiberglass construction to aluminum, and tournament anglers who don’t want to scrimp on fishing room or necessities yet prefer a smaller boat that can still keep them in competition.

Vital Stats * Length Overall: 18’9″ * Beam: 7’5″ * Dry Weight: 1,450 lb. * Weight Capacity: 1,320 lb. * Fuel Capacity: 23 gal. * Max HP: 115 * MSRP: (test boat w/ Yamaha two-stroke 115, including trailer): $18,995 * NMMA certified: Yes

Power Picks
Yamaha two-stroke 90 (including trailer): $16,995
Mercury two-stroke 90 (including trailer): $17,295

Also Consider…
176XT
Length: 17’6″ Beam: 7’0″
Max HP: 75
A slightly more compact option, the 176 still features plenty of deck space, livewells and storage.

476SF
Length: 17’6″ Beam: 7’9″
Max HP: 115
For those who might prefer a fish-and-ski option, the 476SF represents choice and value, priced at under $20,000.

Test Drive * Test Engine: Yamaha 115 two-stroke * Test Prop: 23 Yamaha three-blade, aluminum * Test Load: People (295 lb.); Fuel (23 gal.) * Top Speed: 49.3 MPH @ 5,800 RPM * Time to Plane: 3.5 sec. * Time to 30 MPH: 7.7 sec.

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