The boat monkey is on my back.

MississippiBoy · 03-23-10, 11:56 AM

I need to stop looking at craig's list, apparently. I have the itch for a new boat, and there's too many on there that I like.
This one, for example, is pretty much exactly what I want. 1999 Stratos 273 Vindicator, 17 ft, 150 'Rude motor, stainless prop, etc, etc, etc.
If anybody has any experience in one of these boats, how's the ride and stability? Any known problems I should look out for?

Anybody want to buy it for me?

Or this one? 2000 Javelin Venom, 90 hp Johnson, stainless prop....

And our third contender....Ranger 372, 150 'Rude, stainless prop...

It's an addiction....somebody help me....

Bubba_Bruiser · 03-23-10, 01:54 PM

I will help you out. As you look feverishly you can hear the crowd chanting "DO IT...DO IT...DO IT" as you sign the dotted line. I have been looking at the exact same boats lately and a few more way out of the price range. I just don't have much hope in "Mean Green" pulling a heavy boat. So I am being hindered by the truck monkey right now.

brushhog · 03-23-10, 03:37 PM

The Boat monkey haunts me daily... more in the $1200 dollar jon boat kinda thing

, but dang that monkey is strong!!!

brushhog · 03-23-10, 03:37 PM

Ps - do it, do it, do it!!!!

tarpon120 · 03-23-10, 04:50 PM

Just bought a 06 stratos 285proxl. deal was to good to pass up. dual consoles, 3 seats, jack plate, hotfoot, 4stroke 150 yamaha (2 years warranty left on motor) tilt on wheel, 2 x52's hrydraulic steering, all service records. All for under 14

woody · 03-23-10, 09:11 PM

Get at least a 150HP.

Do It! Do It!! Do It!!!

-Mark

tarpon120 · 03-23-10, 09:27 PM

There was a 99 triton over in Chunky a few weeks ago. It was 18' and sounded like it was avery nice boat. It was in Craigslist in Memphis about a month ago. Might be worth checking out. Good look

bamabassman · 03-23-10, 09:41 PM

DANIELSON...............go ahead and get it young one. LISA and I would love it as well as PRINCESS CAITLYN.

WTL · 03-23-10, 10:19 PM

Do the lakes you fish really require such a large boat? Can you tow it comfortably? Do you have the disposable income not just to heft the initial price, but gas and repairs? How many more bass can you expect to catch out of a large fiberglass rig as opposed to something more modest and cost effective?

Or should you just say the hell with reason and go for glitter and gel coat?

nofearengineer · 03-23-10, 10:32 PM

Do it!!!!!!

MississippiBoy · 03-24-10, 12:18 AM

Out of all you hare-brains, Billy is the only one that actually helped me think through this logically. The rest of you are nothing but enablers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTL

Do the lakes you fish really require such a large boat? Can you tow it comfortably? Do you have the disposable income not just to heft the initial price, but gas and repairs? How many more bass can you expect to catch out of a large fiberglass rig as opposed to something more modest and cost effective?

Or should you just say the hell with reason and go for glitter and gel coat?

#1. Yes, my "home" lake is a 33,000 acre reservoir (Ross Barnett), and much of it gets way too rough for my little 14' boat. I've almost sunk the thing twice, so now I stay in backwaters and tributaries if the wind is over 5-10 mph. That severely limits the available water.

#2. Yes, my truck will handle that size boat easily.

#3. Yes, within reason. I'm not going out looking for a $30,000 boat, but one somewhere below $10,000 will work out just fine. I need to budget a little more carefully than we have been, but it's very managable.

#4. The new boat should help me catch approximately 314 more fish this year than last.

One of the main reasons I'm looking for a larger boat is the baby. Once she's a little older, I would very much like to take both Louann and Caitlyn out with me instead of leaving them at the house and disappearing all day. There's just no room in that little 14' boat for us. So for family trips, a bigger boat is required.

jasonfish320 · 03-24-10, 02:05 PM

..It looks like you've talked yourself into it.

carolina-rig-01 · 03-24-10, 03:38 PM

Do it Do it Do it!

Seriously Daniel, I agree with everything you said. Britney and Lake will both spend a lot of time in the boat with me this spring and summer (until the heat gets too bad for the little guy) and there is no way fishing could be as much fun without them going. But it has to be done safely and that is hard to do with smaller boats. And there is nothing worse than wanting to fish a certain area but not being able to do it safely. Plus dude there is nothing like a new boat lol so as long as you can swing it financially and it sounds like you have that figured out then I say there is no reason not to. Do your homework as far as what you need out of a boat and what you want in a boat, make a pros and cons list of every boat you are looking for and be as detailed as possible (Britney and I made 20 or so of these list before buying our Triton) and you can't go wrong.

Good Luck.

nofearengineer · 03-24-10, 05:36 PM

Was the outcome of this "conversation" ever seriously in doubt?

I've posted this thread myself multiple times. It always ended with me purchasing whatever item it was about.

carolina-rig-01 · 03-24-10, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

Was the outcome of this "conversation" ever seriously in doubt?

I've posted this thread myself multiple times. It always ended with me purchasing whatever item it was about.

Very true! Whenever you start asking for opinions on if you should buy a new boat or not, more often than not the decision has already been made and the boat monkey owns your butt lol.

MallenManson · 03-24-10, 07:47 PM

ssippi, definitely sounds like you've weighed the pros and cons, and know what you need/want. Good for you, now giddyup!
WTL, you made great points. Big flashy fiberglass rigs are sexy, but not everyone needs 'em. Variables like the ones you pointed out can certainly be the difference between actual needs and keepin up with the Joneses.

bamabassman · 03-24-10, 08:32 PM

DANIELSON............DID YOU FORGET THAT YOU WERE ALSO NEEDING IT TO TAKE ME AND LISA OUT FISHING TOO?!?! Knucklehead!

MississippiBoy · 03-24-10, 10:01 PM

You've already got a boat, fool. What do you need mine for?

My God, I said "mine" already...I need to hide my checkbook from myself...

brushhog · 03-24-10, 10:05 PM

Do It, Do It, Do it!

bamabassman · 03-25-10, 05:41 PM

Hahahaha, daniel. well after looking at the pics (again) that you posted, the only one that comes close as far as looking pretty and all is the nitro. Which i know isn't the brand you truly want, the basscat will need repainting, carpet looks good though. a good scrubbing and it will be fine. The basscat and the ranger are probably as nice (or as fair or whatever,lol) as mine. Maybe a little better. If you are interested, i'll try to get some pics taken for you and send em to ya. Let me know bud.

MississippiBoy · 03-25-10, 05:46 PM

I see Bama's looking at this thread, so I'll probably post some of the same stuff he is, but here we go...

He found a 1997 BassCat Sabre at his local dealer, who sold the motor off of it. It came with a 150 Merc. I haven't seen the boat, but John says it's in good shape. I'm a little nervous about getting a boat and having to put a motor on it...I've never dealt with something like that before, so I don't know what I'm getting myself into.
What kind of money am I looking at for a good used 150 Merc, and maybe how much for labor? Thanks for the help.

bamabassman · 03-25-10, 06:09 PM

You just better hope someone doesn't offer me a really descent price for the cajun pal. Or that cat won't be for sale very long, hahahahaha!

carolina-rig-01 · 03-25-10, 08:20 PM

I really don't know what you are looking at money wise as far as adding a motor to a boat goes. However the Bass Cat Sabre is a good boat and all Bass Cats have a lifetime warranty on the hull so you would have peace of mind there.

zooker · 03-26-10, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MississippiBoy

This one, for example, is pretty much exactly what I want. 1999 Stratos 273 Vindicator, 17 ft, 150 'Rude motor, stainless prop,

Slippy
You all need to focus on this one..

The 273 is 17'4'' fishing machine.I have fished from several they are good boats that will run with that rude.That combo should run low 60's with ease.

zooker

nofearengineer · 03-26-10, 04:13 PM

I'm with Zooker on this one. I don't know a ton about Stratos, but that sounds like a really good deal.

03-23-10, 09:41 PM	#8
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	DANIELSON...............go ahead and get it young one. LISA and I would love it as well as PRINCESS CAITLYN. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

03-23-10, 10:32 PM	#10
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Do it!!!!!! __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

03-24-10, 02:05 PM	#12
jasonfish320 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MAINEIAC Posts: 585	..It looks like you've talked yourself into it. __________________ "If at first you don't succeed; have another beer"

03-24-10, 03:38 PM	#13
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	Do it Do it Do it! Seriously Daniel, I agree with everything you said. Britney and Lake will both spend a lot of time in the boat with me this spring and summer (until the heat gets too bad for the little guy) and there is no way fishing could be as much fun without them going. But it has to be done safely and that is hard to do with smaller boats. And there is nothing worse than wanting to fish a certain area but not being able to do it safely. Plus dude there is nothing like a new boat lol so as long as you can swing it financially and it sounds like you have that figured out then I say there is no reason not to. Do your homework as far as what you need out of a boat and what you want in a boat, make a pros and cons list of every boat you are looking for and be as detailed as possible (Britney and I made 20 or so of these list before buying our Triton) and you can't go wrong. Good Luck. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

03-24-10, 05:36 PM	#14
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Was the outcome of this "conversation" ever seriously in doubt? I've posted this thread myself multiple times. It always ended with me purchasing whatever item it was about. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

03-23-10, 11:56 AM	#1
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	The boat monkey is on my back. I need to stop looking at craig's list, apparently. I have the itch for a new boat, and there's too many on there that I like. This one, for example, is pretty much exactly what I want. 1999 Stratos 273 Vindicator, 17 ft, 150 'Rude motor, stainless prop, etc, etc, etc. If anybody has any experience in one of these boats, how's the ride and stability? Any known problems I should look out for? Anybody want to buy it for me? Or this one? 2000 Javelin Venom, 90 hp Johnson, stainless prop.... And our third contender....Ranger 372, 150 'Rude, stainless prop... It's an addiction....somebody help me.... __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

03-23-10, 01:54 PM	#2
Bubba_Bruiser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South MS Posts: 3,659	I will help you out. As you look feverishly you can hear the crowd chanting "DO IT...DO IT...DO IT" as you sign the dotted line. I have been looking at the exact same boats lately and a few more way out of the price range. I just don't have much hope in "Mean Green" pulling a heavy boat. So I am being hindered by the truck monkey right now. __________________ \,,,,/ ROCK ON! HRN4L!

03-23-10, 03:37 PM	#3
brushhog BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Whitesboro, NY Posts: 1,222	The Boat monkey haunts me daily... more in the $1200 dollar jon boat kinda thing , but dang that monkey is strong!!! __________________ 3/4 of the Earth's surface is water and 1/4 is land. Clearly god wants me to fish, not mow the lawn.

03-23-10, 03:37 PM	#4
brushhog BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Whitesboro, NY Posts: 1,222	Ps - do it, do it, do it!!!! __________________ 3/4 of the Earth's surface is water and 1/4 is land. Clearly god wants me to fish, not mow the lawn.

03-23-10, 04:50 PM	#5
tarpon120 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bluff Park, Alabama Posts: 154	Just bought a 06 stratos 285proxl. deal was to good to pass up. dual consoles, 3 seats, jack plate, hotfoot, 4stroke 150 yamaha (2 years warranty left on motor) tilt on wheel, 2 x52's hrydraulic steering, all service records. All for under 14

03-23-10, 09:11 PM	#6
woody BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jonesville, Indiana Posts: 3,597	Get at least a 150HP. Do It! Do It!! Do It!!! -Mark

03-23-10, 09:27 PM	#7
tarpon120 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bluff Park, Alabama Posts: 154	There was a 99 triton over in Chunky a few weeks ago. It was 18' and sounded like it was avery nice boat. It was in Craigslist in Memphis about a month ago. Might be worth checking out. Good look

03-23-10, 10:19 PM	#9
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	Do the lakes you fish really require such a large boat? Can you tow it comfortably? Do you have the disposable income not just to heft the initial price, but gas and repairs? How many more bass can you expect to catch out of a large fiberglass rig as opposed to something more modest and cost effective? Or should you just say the hell with reason and go for glitter and gel coat?

03-24-10, 07:47 PM	#16
MallenManson BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beulah, Michigan Posts: 6,431	ssippi, definitely sounds like you've weighed the pros and cons, and know what you need/want. Good for you, now giddyup! WTL, you made great points. Big flashy fiberglass rigs are sexy, but not everyone needs 'em. Variables like the ones you pointed out can certainly be the difference between actual needs and keepin up with the Joneses. __________________ Bass fear me. Women pepperspray me.....

03-24-10, 08:32 PM	#17
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	DANIELSON............DID YOU FORGET THAT YOU WERE ALSO NEEDING IT TO TAKE ME AND LISA OUT FISHING TOO?!?! Knucklehead! __________________ so many lures, so little time.

03-24-10, 10:01 PM	#18
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	You've already got a boat, fool. What do you need mine for? My God, I said "mine" already...I need to hide my checkbook from myself... __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

03-24-10, 10:05 PM	#19
brushhog BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Whitesboro, NY Posts: 1,222	Do It, Do It, Do it! __________________ 3/4 of the Earth's surface is water and 1/4 is land. Clearly god wants me to fish, not mow the lawn.

03-25-10, 05:41 PM	#20
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	Hahahaha, daniel. well after looking at the pics (again) that you posted, the only one that comes close as far as looking pretty and all is the nitro. Which i know isn't the brand you truly want, the basscat will need repainting, carpet looks good though. a good scrubbing and it will be fine. The basscat and the ranger are probably as nice (or as fair or whatever,lol) as mine. Maybe a little better. If you are interested, i'll try to get some pics taken for you and send em to ya. Let me know bud. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

03-25-10, 05:46 PM	#21
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	I see Bama's looking at this thread, so I'll probably post some of the same stuff he is, but here we go... He found a 1997 BassCat Sabre at his local dealer, who sold the motor off of it. It came with a 150 Merc. I haven't seen the boat, but John says it's in good shape. I'm a little nervous about getting a boat and having to put a motor on it...I've never dealt with something like that before, so I don't know what I'm getting myself into. What kind of money am I looking at for a good used 150 Merc, and maybe how much for labor? Thanks for the help. __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

03-25-10, 06:09 PM	#22
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	You just better hope someone doesn't offer me a really descent price for the cajun pal. Or that cat won't be for sale very long, hahahahaha! __________________ so many lures, so little time.

03-25-10, 08:20 PM	#23
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	I really don't know what you are looking at money wise as far as adding a motor to a boat goes. However the Bass Cat Sabre is a good boat and all Bass Cats have a lifetime warranty on the hull so you would have peace of mind there. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

03-26-10, 04:13 PM	#25
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	I'm with Zooker on this one. I don't know a ton about Stratos, but that sounds like a really good deal. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)