Stratos 176T vs Nitro 640 2025

Avalonjohn44 reply :

Both boats are 12,995 before delivery, prep, etc.

Anybody have any experience with either (or both) that can help me decide which one is right for a first time bass boat owner?

http://www.stratosboats.com/modelIntro.cfm?mid=5013

http://nitroboats.com/boat/index.cfm?boat=2123

Catt reply :

There is only one problem with both boats

Both have underrated outboards

Other than that I own either

frogtog reply :

I think the Stratos will probably have a better resale value. The Nitro is just

a verison of a Skeeter. Just my two cents worth. 8-)

cart7t reply :

As stated, both boats are very HP underated but just looking at the two, the Stratos uses it's space wiser than the Nitro. More storage. That along with the better resale value of the Stratos causes me to choose the Stratos.

burleytog reply :

Aye, but the Nitro offers storage for longer rods.

IMO that is the one shortcoming of the 176.

That said, I like and dislike certain aspects of each boat. The front deck on the Nitro isn't long enough. The Nitro is capable of handling a larger OB (90 vs 75 for the Stratos).

If I were buying, I'd opt for the Stratos with a 75.

cajun1977. reply :

i love my nitro and i would strongly suggest nitro ....but the stratos is a foot longer i beleive so id go with the bigger boat and max hp

Avalonjohn44 reply :

Thanks guys. I'm leaning toward the stratos myself...

Hale reply :

I own the Nitro 640 and i got the 90 2 stroke. It runs every bit of 55 (gps). Its size is perfect for shallow water. I can run her in 8" and only 24" to get on plane. Storage is plenty.

jayhawkfishin reply :

I don't know if you just want new but in that price I would look into a used boat. My family was in that price ranger and we got a used ranger fish/ski (wouldn't recomend fish/sky however) for about that price with a 200 merc and it 18.5 ft. Runs great and have had little problems.

Just the looks of both i think the nitro looks better.

cjensen reply :

Im going through this exact same issue jayhawk. That 176 is priced right, but that 50hp is way too skimpy of an engine IMO. If you max it out at 75hp I think it would be a sweet rig, but then the price would be somwhere in the 15-17000 range.

I like the fact that the 640 can handle a 90hp motor, but for me 16' 4" is just a little too small. I'm kinda cramped in my 16' Lowe as it is. I bet that rig would be perfect if you fish smaller water.

So now I'm looking at Nitro 750. It's on sale right now for 15995. 17'6", 90hp Merc (max of 135), 30 gallon fuel tank and able to store 7' rods.

This whole boat buying thing is kind of nerve racking. There are things I like and dislike about all 3 of these boats. I want to make sure I make the right decision.

mferris reply :

i own a nitro 640 with a 60hp mercury. i am very happy with it but i almost always fish by myself... i would like alittle more room on the front deck...if you are fishing with someone else i would definately get the bigger motor and also the largest boat you can afford....i bought the 640 because of price and fishing alone,i don't fish any really big lakes so my nitro is fine for what i use it for.....

majosu reply :

I bought the Stratos a few weeks ago with a 70 hp Yamaha. I am still breaking it in, but looks like it will do close to 40 mph. The storage is great and unlike some some posts I have seen, you can store 2 7 foot rods in the locker in the center section. This is my first bass boat and I am still enthused.

A few other observations, you will have to buy a spare tire and carrier, the Lowrance depthfinder that comes with the boat is a bit cheesy, but I got a deal at the local BPS on an Eagle 480 for $159 that was a heck of an upgrade that worked with the existing transducer and temp gauge. I am installing the Lowrance on the bow.

powerman970 reply :

I also bought the Stratos about a month ago and I LOVE it. I opted for the 50hp Yamaha and I am getting right at 34 mph. The 70 is only turning an extra 4 or 5 mph according to Yamaha's website and is not worth the extra money IMO. I can run the skinny water with no problem and am saving a ton on gas. I got rid of a 150hp for the 50 hp on purpose because of the price of gas. A boat payment is cheaper than gas! I have no trouble storing rods up to 7' and actually have 16 rods in mine right now (some are doubled up but there is storage for 10 rods if you put 1 in each cylinder.) I have ample space and the boat handles great. I'm not familiar with the Nitro so I won't bash it but I am very pleased with my new Stratos.

llPa1nll reply :

Quote
I don't know if you just want new but in that price I would look into a used boat. My family was in that price ranger and we got a used ranger fish/ski (wouldn't recomend fish/sky however) for about that price with a 200 merc and it 18.5 ft. Runs great and have had little problems.
Just the looks of both i think the nitro looks better.

I couldnt agree more look for a used boat. You will get more boat for your dollar.

strick9 reply :

I too have considered the Stratos 176XT. For those of you that have this boat how does it handle choppy water and boat wakes? My lake gets pretty busy with skiers and PWC's at times and I was wondering how this boat handles these conditions.

coacht reply :

I own a Startos 176 XT and love it. Check out my post on my boat. it is all composite (no wood) the nitro has wood storage. better built boat and much better resale than the nitro. check out my post and you will see what i got mine for.

booneangler reply :

just curious what kind of interest rate did you guys get with this boat and what year loan did you get and payment amount. Im trying to figure out if i can get one of these or maybe something diferent. Thanks. Hope you can give me some info.

coacht reply :

7.9% for 12 years with no penalty for paying off early. ath 163.00 a month. Insurace is 21.00 a month with state farm. Got a big discount for taking a boaters class. Usually about 35.00 a month.

Nick_Barr reply :

I have seen nboth of these boats at a boat show and got into looking at both of them extensively since they were both highly promoted. From all I can say, the Nitro wins hands down in quality.

strick9 reply :

I too recently purchased the Stratos 176XT and it is an awsome boat. I upgraded to the 70hp Yamaha 2 stroke for $1700 and with freight/rigging charges, taxes and title and license fees and a $450 cover, mine came in at $17,000. I financed for 10 years at 6.75%. As far as the hp rating on this boat I can't imagine needing any more than the 70hp, I have not yet reached the full breakin period but have reached 40 mph, it gets on plane quickly and rides great in rough water. As far as the rod storage, you can fit 7 ft rods in the top few spaces and 6 1/2 in the bottom ones. This is a quality boat and I would recommend it for anyone interested in a well equipped bass boat but can't afford or doesn't need one of the big boys.

booneangler reply :

I think im gonna call my local stratos dealer and see if they have any an if not maybe talk with them on what it will cost me to get one i dont think i will upgrade though. But thats just me. Thanks for the info on the loan and interest rate i appreciate that. Thank you.

coacht reply :

Strick9

I hate to tell you my fishing stratos friend, but you got ripped off!!! I bought one of the newer 2007 176XT, and the reason I say newer is because my father bought one the same day as well and his steering colum and a few things just look a little different. I bought the blue on white and he bought the white on red. My steering colum is more hi tech looking and the manufacturing dates show mine to be newer by a few months. Anyway the point is this. I bought the boat with a 70 2 stroke yamaha, extra fish finder, transem savor, very nice trailable boat cover, boat paddle, 3 life jackets, anchor, anchor rope, and ski rope, and upgraded to a stainless prop. All for tax taters and everything out the door. 15,000 even. Although, I live in Alabama!! But I will be more than happy to give you the number of the dealership and they can see about shipping you one.

The only one complant I truely have about my boat is this. And if you own on be careful. The rear deck fishing chair is mounted to close to the transem. It needs to be about 3 to 4 inches moved toward the front. Because when you get in shallow water and you have to trim your motor up alot the rear seat will spin around and hit the motor and scratch the callon.

You can feel free to email me your thoughts on this boat a thorn.wade@lee.k12.al.us

senile1 reply :

I was considering some used boats, the Stratos, and the smaller Nitros earlier this year, but I decided (with a little help from my wife ) to replace the siding on my house and wait until next year to replace my current boat. The Stratos has a decent footprint on the water but the storage space lists as only 6' 7" for the rod locker in the middle of the boat. Some of you are saying you are able to store 7 foot rods in there. Please elaborate, if you could.

It also comes with just a 12V Minn Kota and the depth finder leaves something to be desired. I'd want at least a 65 lb thrust 24V trolling motor and quality depth finders at the console and at the bow. If I were to purchase this boat, I'd want at least 70 horses on the back as well. Once you start adding it all up it gets a lot harder to choose.

coacht reply :

Trust me I have this boat. The trolling motor is plenty strong I usually fish on level 2 and when I use level 5 d**n!! she moves through the water. This boat is very light. And i have 2 7ft rods and yes they will fit. If you put them directly in one of the middle holes in the rod box. And the 70 yamaha is awesome.

senile1 reply :

Thanks for the info, coacht.

strick9 reply :

Hey coacht, thanks for the response. I love this boat and I don't feel like I got ripped off at all. There was nowhere around that I checked that I could get the motor upgrade for any less than the $1700 and no one would make me a custom cover for free so those 2 things alone took me just over the $15,000. I don't know what kind of sales tax you have in Alabama but the 6% we pay was another $900 and the freight and rigging charges (which maybe your dealer paid for you) came to another $1000. The registration and license / title fees made up the rest. Congrats on the great deal you got but there is no way you get that boat for that much here. This is going to be an awsome boat for me for a long time. You are correct about the 70hp Yamaha and the trolling motor is plenty strong enough. Enjoy your boat and GREAT FISHING!!!!!

The Next KVD reply :

I bought a used 2002 Nitro 640LX with an 2003 90hp Yamaha 2 stroke. I wish the front deck was bigger but the 7 foot rod locker holds all of my 15 rods. the 6 foot locker is used for tackle. because I fish tournaments on big lakes i wish i waited and bought a 18-19 footer w/ a 175-200hp. Its fine for fishing but my preference is for a bigger boat. the stratos is underpowered even at the max rating. most 17 footers are rated for 125 to 135 horsepower. thats just my 2 cents worth.

ThomasL reply :

I know this is beginning to be a old topic now but i'd like to chime in on the stratos,not to

step on toes.I do agree the 70 yammie to be the first upgrade,next would replace the

depthfinder with at least something in the lines of the x96 lowrance,and yes a larger

trolling motor than 40 lb thrust but not to the degree and going to a 24v,motorguide and

minn kota make 12v models to 55lb thrust which would be better than the 40,a spare tire

and mount along with a motor mount would be nice,at this point you are in the 15-17k

range aren't you for a boat rated for a 75 in 17 1/2' length.I have not priced them but

ranger makes a 170 model that 17' rated for a 115,skeeter a 16'8" rated also for a 115,

but i don't know how price compares to the stratos.One more thing i would remember,being

it is a entry level fiberglass and only available in four colors,when the time comes

for owners to upgrade will not the market be flooded with these boats being sold off?You

know once taken off the lot you loose 20-25% off the bat... :-/

Jeff H reply :

The Stratos 176 XT is a great boat for the non tournament, "small water" type of guy that doesn't have a speed fetish and can appreciate his mpg. I would like to have one but I'd like it to come without electronics or trolling motor and I'd be very happy with a 50 hp Yamaha bolted to a CMC hydrualic jack plate.

Taliesin reply :

I was looking at boats not long ago, and I have to agree with those suggesting a look at used ones.

While I was looking I found a 1997 Nitro 911 with a 225 hp Merc for 16K. I thought about it, but decided against it (barely).

Look around at some used boats, you might be surprised what you find.

However, most lenders will finance a new boat for 15 years, but a used one for only 6. It's something to keep in mind.

bassman19 reply :

I am too contemplating buying my first new boat. I am leaning towards the Stratos with a Yamaha 4-stroke 70 HP. Does anyone know how much a dealer makes on a boat? If I am buying a car, I can look up the invoice and figure the dealer to make $50-$100 over invoice. Any suggestions on bargaining for a boat?

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Stratos 176T vs Nitro 640 2025

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