285 Pro XL
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Been looking at an 88 Stratus 285 Pro XL and am wondering if it is a good deal at 3500.00. It looks good from the pictures I have seen. Emailed the guy but no reply yet. Is it a good deal if good shape? Also is there any place out there to get factory parts for it? Seats, windshield and other stuff?
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C&O Marine bought Stratos oem parts lock stock n barrel back in the mid or late 90s. You can check their availability on-line. Don't have as much as they used to of course but probably best single source.
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@kbbgood First off, welcome to BBB
As for this boat being a good deal, the price seems right, but with a boat that age, you should check it thoroughly before laying down any cash.
Check the bottom of the hull for cracks, deep gouges, etc. This is especially important near the nose/keel, where the boat will wear from beaching it repeatedly if there is no hull protector installed.
Also, it's very important to check the transom for cracks. Some boats can look perfect on the surface but be hiding a transom problem that even the current owner doesn't know about.
Look all around where the outboard bolts to the transom for stress cracks, etc. You can also trim the motor up partially and put heavy downward pressure on the motor to see if the transom flexes at all.
Check floors for rot. Older boats had wood floors.
If you're looking at the boat solely through pictures, request that the current owner send several closeup pics of various areas of the boat. General pics taken from even 5 or 6 feet away can make a bot look really good, but seeing it up close and personal will show you things that those other pics won't show.
And, of course, take the boat for a ride on the lake before buying it. -
id pass its older so parts will be hard to find...seats can be redone that's easy to have done..we have a used boat grave yard here in Michigan .called slicks if still around they may help? look at the motor real good and for stress cracks by the transom....if its been well kept then good deal but if needing a lot of little stuff that's a sign for laziness and could having bigger issues...hard to call....
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1 thing I did see from the pictures is a jack plate. Do they help or hurt the transom?
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1 thing I did see from the pictures is a jack plate. Do they help or hurt the transom?
Most boats will handle a jack plate without any negative impacts. But it gives you even more reasons to check the transom thoroughly before making a buying decision. -
Oh, and has the current owner of the boat been willing to furnish you with good photos, taken up close so you can see the details of the condition?
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a boat that old raises flags everywhere first take a rubber hammer and tap on the transon liston for hollow sounds listen for squishishy sounds. look across the top of the transom where the trim rivits to the cap look for missing rivits. Usually a great place for water intrusion., with a straight edge look at the area where the jack plate is bolted to the transom outside and in the bilge area. look for indented areas should be very flat indented places usually means they put the plate on with an impact gun and crushed the structure of the transom. Not good. look in the corners of the transom for hairline cracks. Have a bud lift on the tilted motor and let go while u look in the corners for movement. has to be NONE. look at where the console meets the gunwhale for stress cracks. check the rub rail for bumps that means screws coming out another great place for water intrusion into the fiberglass. enough of that and you have delamination You dont mention a motor so Im assuming it doesnt have one but if it st an 88 OMC run do not walk from it you will have a he!! of time getting parts for that sucka 3500 sounds cheap but you deff will dump a lot more into it . by the time u get a motor fix seats recarpet change pout steering u may be better off looking for some for a few grand more that wont need as much TLC