Looking at a 2012 189 VLO. Any Stratos guys out there that can chime in on the brand or model? I've always thought of Stratos as the Kia of the bass boat world but I really like what I see.

Nothing wrong with a Stratos, never owned one myself but have fished out of them. They have a good smooth ride and a fast hull.

Used to fish out of a 201 and had no issues. What about them makes you feel they are the Kia of the boat world?

Stratos doesn't get a hole lot of love in Texas simply because of the Ranger and Skeeter following but they make a very good boat with excellent handling and performance qualities. I've fished out of the 189 VLO and the 294 EVO and both are solid fishing platforms with great big water rides that are worth taking a look at. I'm hoping I'll run across someone with a 201 EVO so I can fish out of it too.

I've owned 2 Stratos boats over the years and actually sold my 03' Ranger in 05' to get back in one (98' 201PE) which I still own today. I re-powered in 08', several electronic upgrades, trolling motor and routine pump and battery replacements and haven't looked back. All of the wiring, gauges, switches and hardware are original and working. I'm sure one day time will catch up to her but it doesn't look like it will be any time soon.

I cant speak about a 189, but I have a 03 201 Pro XL with a Merc Pro XB, that will flat scat... And the bait and rod storage is still better than any of the newer rigs I have looked at recently. Like someone above said all the switches, wiring is still rock solid and everything works (I did put all new Livorsi gauges in it),, 14 years old. Now there crappy box tubing trailers I dont care for, I had to re-do mine recently due to a rusted out back cross member. But the boat is as solid as any. Ive had a Ranger as well and wouldnt trade back... Check that trailer close!!!

I have been to the plant and saw them being made. The only difference between a stratos, triton, and ranger other than the obvious like hull design, layout, and the bells and whistles is the materials they use in the transoms and stringers. All the fiberglass and gelcoat is the same. Think of it as ford, Mercury, and Lincoln. The stratos uses a material similar to a hard styrofoam (but it's not), the tritons use some sort of hard plastic board, and the Rangers use the pultruded fiberglass. This is since 2009 or 2010 when they were bought out and moved to the ranger plant. For the money, build quality, and the ride I think they are hard to beat. The only thing near the same price point to me is a nitro and their finish work and plastics are not very good from what I've seen.

Honestly, their affordability. They aren't advertised as much and don't seem to be as popular as other brands. I've never heard anything bad about them so I was just curious to see what the masses think of them. The one I'm looking at seems great. Just wanted to do my homework.

Damn good boats. If you like it ,buy it.

I had a '96 201 XL that I fished out of for 10 years averaging. 30 weekends a year. It was a great boat & took the rough water better than my current Skeeter zx225. Never had any issues. I,d buy another one if a good deal presented itself when in the market.

I am far from an expert but my 03 Stratos 185 DC is a lake worthy boat imo. It is a far better boat than I am a fisherman.

I never owned one but have looked at them. The only thing I really don't like is the big step from the passenger compartment to the back deck. I know its a small thing to fuss about. But It's the way I feel. This is just personal thoughts.

I had the 189VLO with the 150HP etec Evinrude. The boat would run! About 68mph. I bought it because I got a good price. It fished great, and was laid out better than the boat I have now.
Looking back, I would have gone ahead and put a Minnkota Fortress on it instead of their second line troll motor, but out side of that, I loved that boat.
Like an idiot, I thought I needed a bigger boat with a 250 HP on it. I really didn't but I traded it off anyway. Whoever bought it, got a fine boat.
I really liked the 294 with the 200 HP but there wasn't one around at the time.
Stratos doesn't sell well down here in the South, its kind of like the Charger line. That is another great boat but you don't see many of those down here either. Someone said that Skeeter and Ranger own this market. That's probably true, and the market is also very competitive with Triton, Bass Cat, and others.
You can have confidence in your purchase if you go ahead with the 189 VLO.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd get a 294.
Good Luck

I ran my Stratos for 20 years with no problems. Great boat no issues the intire time I owned it.

I'm running a '95 Stratos 201 Pro, still kicks a**. The drawbacks are simply that they aren't too popular here in Texas.

Javelin was the Stratos knock-off.

Both boats are sufficient but old tech.