Stratos 219F owners

[Luvtotroll]

I am looking for some feedback on this boat. My brother is looking at buying one that is in very good condition. I have never fished out of one but see quite a few around. Let me know what you think about performance in big water, storage, fishing out of it, or anything you can think of.

thanks,
Scott

[219guy]

Hello Scott
I have a 1993 219F dual console with a 150 Evinrude & a 15 Evi. kicker. The boat has been used for tournament fishing from 1996 to present. I have run it on Green Bay, Bays DeNoc, Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, just to name a few of the bodies of water the boat has been used on. The old girl has been in 8ft+ waves on Green Bay & Bays DeNoc with no problems.
PLUSES: Fast (62.4mph on GPS with a 22" pitch OMC Raker)- A quick, responsive, easy to drive boat - A very dry boat. The hull design pushes the spray down & away out of the wind. - Low in the water (makes netting & handling fish easier) - Light boat (1,337 lbs) lets you run a smaller motor and easy to trailer on a single axel. - Wide beam (96") makes for a stable platform. - Muskie size livewell & 2 bait/live wells. - A very well built boat that has had no problems apart from standard maintenance. She is showing her age with some gel coat cracks & carpet wear but overall is still a great boat.
NEGATIVES: A light boat (makes for a rough ride) - Limited storage. - Old style wireing (it will be a nightmare if anything ever goes wrong with the electrical, luckily that hasen't happend yet) This might not apply if the boat is a newer 219.
Over all, the 219 has been a great boat. I keep telling myself it's time for a new Ranger, but it's diffacult to justify when the Stratos is still running and performing great. And best of all, she's been paid for for about five years now. If the used one your buddy is looking at is in good shape and the price is right, I don't think he can go wrong.
Rick Stange
219guy

[Lumpy]

I own a 1996 219dc full windshield 150 intruder with 15hp merc, running 23pitch and will do 54-58 GPS. Have been out in4-6 footers and did not feel worried at all.Would have to agree with 219guy about how the boat handles. I also fish bass and walleye tournaments for the past three years and also fish and waterski with a family of five and the boat works great, it does every thing that we ask it to do and more. If there was a chance to design this boat again it definately needs more storage.That is the only negative with this boat. Good Luck.
Lumpy Nick Murphy#215


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