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What's your favorite on-water memory with your Stratos? Matt Quillen poses with his Stratos Boat after a win at Smith Mountain Lake, November 9, 2008. According to Quillen, he joined the Virginia Bass Federation - Richmond Virginia Bassmasters Club nearly three years ago and this win boosted him into the first place position for his Club's season. Quillen will complete in the Mr Bass tournament in Spring 2009. Congratulations Matt! Elizabeth L. VA |
| What dreams have you fulfilled with your Stratos boat? Just about 15 years ago I purchased my first Stratos boat from Accent Marine in Tampa Fl. My father, who from the time I was born, always made and found time to take me fishing. I decided since I had built some seniority as a Police Officer, that I would dedicate spending time back with him, and what a better way then to do it on the water bass fishing. After all it was not like I had to make a big sacrifice! My first 201 was all it took to sell me on Stratos and the quality of service from Accent Marine was all it took to keep me a customer even though I live in Tallahassee about 285 miles away. The owners of Accent Marine, Ted and Maxine, (everyone knows that Maxine really runs the show), have treated us like family. Not only do they provided us with the best service around but also a tournament trail that has enabled Dad and I to fish the last weekend of every month together for close to 15 years! They even sponsored us and went to Kentucky just to support Dad and I when we went to the Stratos World Championship. Stratos has come a long way and there are very few issue that come up with the boat but from time to time an engine will have a problem, the trolling motor has problems or on a rare occasion an issue with the boat. I can not count the times that we called Accent Marine late Friday when we were pre fishing with an issue and drove back to Tampa from Kissimmee just to find Randy waiting to fix whatever the problem. They always found a way to keep us on the water even after we had a boat wreck and totaled a boat in the Stratos owners tournament in 2002. I still contend that it was the strong, sturdy, safe construction of my 21SS Extreme that allowed us to walk away from that wreck. I am now the owner of a 2006 201PRO XL, our 7th Stratos from Accent Marine, and still get giddy and excited like a child on Christmas Eve the last weekend of every month looking forward to getting on the water with Dad in my Stratos boat and CONTRIBUTING to the other fisherman that fish the Accent Marine Tournaments. My brother has been fishing the tournaments with a great friend, Joe O. for the last 5 years. Joe and I about 6 years ago came up with a slogan that has lasted these years,"Niiicce Boat" because that it the response non owners seem to give. The dreams, memories and down right good times that Stratos boats and Accent Marine have contributed to in my life are priceless. I can assure you that as long as I am physically able to fish, and Stratos makes boats I will be a loyal customer and may be that my 9 month old son, Joseph R B, named after my father, will be able to share some of the dreams with me that Stratos and Accent Marine has allowed Dad and I to Share. Thanks for making a huge contribution in our lives. John B. Tallahassee,Fl. John B. FL |
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| Stratos is 25 years old this year... When stratos was 5 years old, my 1988 179v was built. In 2008 I bought it in pristine condition and everything still works in it: The gauges, lights, pumps and trim. When I first showed all my friends who have bass boats in the same age range, they thought I had bought a late 90's or early 2000 model. The ride and looks of their competitor bass boats doesn't even compare to my stratos. I cant wait to move up into a brand new stratos to enjoy the new technology applied to a masterful boat. HAPPY BIRTHDAY and here's to 25 more years, of which I will always be a part of. Stratos owner for life damiko t. OH |
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Vacation from Afghanistan Took my two weeks vacation from Aghanistan in July 2008. As a family we decided to spend 7 days on Kentucky Lake, which turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I had been gone 6 months, but first turn of the key in my 2004 Stratos 201 PRO XL/Evinrude E-TEC 225 I was on my way. We fished early morning everyday, skiing/tubing mid-day, Picnicing on the boat to watch the sunset. No question asked the best boat I have ever owned. I was able to completly forget Afghanistan everytime I made that run down the lake. The day before I left to come back to Afghanistan I detailed out my 201 PRO XL and just stood back and looked at if for one last time before I had to cover it for the next 6 months. I can promise one of the hardest things to do is put the cover on my Stratos and pack it away for the next 6 months. I am back in Afghanistan now and the countdown is on for an early March 2009 redeployment. I look forward to seeing you all on the lakes in 2009. SFC MICHAEL I. AFGHANISTAN Michael I. TN |
| What's your favorite on-water memory with your Stratos? Really, I just wanted to give a shout out to the men and women of Stratos boats. Several years ago I bought a brand new 1999 21 SS Extreme while living in South Carolina. I now live in Texas and I am still fishing the same boat loud and proud... Anyways, I had the best fishing, best performing and best looking boat on the water when I bought it, and today, I still have the best fishing, best performing and close to best looking (it is 9 years old) boat on the water. I have always taken extremely good care of my boat but, it is a fishing boat, and as most things in this world, sooner or later the effects of age become visible. Other than minor cosmetic issues... I have never had a major problem with the boat. It is the best built boat I have ever owned, fished, or been around. The quality of a boat become becomes evident after its been fished a few seasons and things get knocked loose and age becomes obvious. Other than minor gelcoat spider cracks, my boat is still sound and tight. My 11 year old son just started fishing some local tournaments with me and in his eyes we have the superman of all boats, its the fastest and best boat ever built. Recently, he and I were prefishing a lake and we ran across a brand new 201XL - thats a pretty boat!! We dont see enough Stratos boats on the water here and we ran across this one, my son excitedly yelled, "look! a Stratos just like yours...but, I think ours is faster!!" When we saw the new 201XL, It instantly made me feel good about all of my research and exhaustive searching to find the best bass boat when I bought mine. I noticed the same basic hull design and setup (with improvements in all the right places) and it was confirmed, I made the right choice. I kinda jumped off track and took the long way, but the purpose of this message is to let everyone at Stratos know, your hard work and dedication is visible on the water. Though faced with many changes over the past few years, Stratos is still the best fishing, best performing, and best looking bass boat on the water. On a cop's salary, I had to save up for a long time to buy my first Stratos in order to get the model, motor, and setup I wanted. When I get in a position to upgrade and buy a new boat, I will again save and buy another Stratos. Not only does Stratos have dedicated boat builders and employees, but Stratos also has dedicated and proud boat owners!! Keep up the good work, one of those might be mine!!! Thanks, Mike M. W. TX |
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