Stratos 295 Pro Elite Restore/Update | It's Like New Again!

I love this boat but it needed some serious TLC. So... we did just that! Unfortunately I did mess up the 2 back lids and figured it out after uploading. When I ordered the second roll of carpet I flipped the lids on the original piece to fit on the first roll and do the last 2 lids. So the 2 back lids that are off colored run the same direction except reversed. I'll fix that later... :))
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Gear:
Every tool ever, 3 things of glue, tons of new hardware, and 2 packs of hand towels..
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Music:
JPB - Defeat The Night
Wanden & Slashtaq - Better Off (Instrumental)

[@jackmoe1651]

great job . reminds me of my 99 Cobra 201 DC that I bought a few years ago(2017) for 4000 with a blown 200 Johnson. carpet was completely rotted out, but hull condition was 8/10. I found a used 05 merc 250 with 200 hrs . sold it 3 yrs ago for 15000 after a complete recarpet, and dual Lawrance 9 grafts and new TM up grade. I'm too old now to be safe on 70mph bass boats. I've down sized to a 10 ft pond prowler and 12 ft mirror craft with a Johnson 15 all self outfitted with lots of extras. at 77 I still enjoy working on my boats. I enjoy reading your posts.

[@rodfather_bass_fishing]

Love the results! And the colors on your boat are awesome! I was in a similar situation and did the same thing... with the same boat! My '97 295 PE DC was seeing some serious wear and tear, and I had a guy in my driveway who was going to buy it on the condition that his wife said okay. He called me back 30 minutes later, and she said no, so I pulled the ad down, and ordered about $9k of stuff within an hour, including, but not limited to new Helix 15, Mega 360, seats, carpet, 1/4" pad for the front deck and the rear deck, all new lid struts, all new pumps/valves/cables/actuators (I converted over to the Flow-Rite and it works fantastic) all new battery trays, batteries, wiring, added a 4th battery, (16V AGM for the Humminbird units) fuel lines, etc. Basically everything except the hull and the powerhead. I have a quick video of the finished product on my channel. The gel coat is next... the plan is to pull it all apart again and do the gel coat all over again... on a rotisserie to bring the bottom back to like-new condition. I figure it will take most of a year to complete.

[@prestonodom1177]

I had a 1991 295 pro for a few years. I put around 30k into restoring it and repowering with a new 2006 200 optimax. Only to find out my transom was rotten after i finished everything else. My own fault for trusting a friend when he said it was good. I now have 2019 Skeeter and never have to deal with that nightmare again. Lol But man i did love that boat. The ride was great and they are fast enough hulls for the age.

[@melvinrawlings1457]

New subscriber here. Im glad i stumbled across ur channel. Great job and hard work and dedication. Much love to ya from Maryland❤❤❤

[@joewinkler2168]

Great video, nice work. 1st time is never easy.

[@jenechopaintingllcjenechop4392]

Lots of hard work! Your boat looks amazing! Good luck this season! You're simply amazing!

[@tharris4718]

That’s a lot of work. Thanks for sharing. For your front panel hole I have a similar modification and used a clamshell cover to cover it and keep the water out. I have a 2002 Stratos 18xl and she is in great shape for her age. I put some styrofoam on my cooler top and it made a big difference.

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

Thanks for watching! Stratos are great boats!

[@darrenpritchett1516]

Your boat looks amazing, brother. I have one like that I'm about to do the same thing to. I a Stratos as well. Great tips. 👍🏿

[@davidwilliams1805]

I think you did an awesome job my friend! Thanks for sharing!

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

Thank you for watching!

[@dalephillips1836]

Very nice job!

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

Thank you!

[@Bobbysheresomewhere]

I'd use star bit or square head screws. Less chance of stripping the heads if you need to remove them.

[@DMZ9999]

Nice Job! I think the carpets are different colors because you had two separate orders. They sent you two different dye lots resulting in slightly different colors. None the less it looks awesome!

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

I believe I have enough carpet left over to redo those 2 lids so eventually I’m going to redo them! Thanks for watching!

[@DMZ9999]

@@ZakWisemanFishing Good idea, that will clean it up.

[@TheirsHopewithJesusChrist_277]

Save your money and keep that money to compete each season with. I don't see why you would need a new one if this one works fine for you so far. If it was me I'd keep it, because in my eyes the way I look at it it's better to have a boat already paid for and be able to compete than to try and get a new one and put yourself in a bind to where you can't afford the boat and can't afford to compete. Be very careful financially my friend. Competing competitive in bass tournaments I'm sure ain't cheap

[@jackierutherford5179]

impressive! looks great

[@ernieowens742]

Looking good dude

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

Thank you!

[@cameronoutdoors6049]

legit subbed cuz of the intro shit was fire

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

@@cameronoutdoors6049 haha thanks! Tight lines.

[@snlahaus666]

Awesome job on this boat restore!! I just bought a 1998 295 pro elite and need to do some work on. I have lots of questions. Any help would be much appreciated.

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

Great boat and hull! Worth putting money into.

[@snlahaus666]

@@ZakWisemanFishing I’m not on Instagram or FB. Would you mind sharing you email so I can ask some specific questions? If not I understand.

[@marv4084]

hey great job. I have the same Stratos. How and with what did you extend the casting deck at the front? with a wooden plate placed on the edges and fixed?

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

The extended deck is factory! Though I've seen people fabricate one themselves.

[@lamebritishman1]

Looks good! What ounce of carpet did you put down? Whenever I replace the carpet on my 2003 Skeeter I'm putting down deck padding.

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

16oz carpet. All the lids had to be shaved down to be able to close. Be sure to order more than you need! I ordered 24ft originally for a 19’ 8” boat and it wouldn’t have made it even without my mess up.

[@lamebritishman1]

@@ZakWisemanFishing Honestly I'd end up screwing it up, I'm probably going to take mine to a few local shops who do this on the regular. I've seen these guys do the entire job for $1400 with a fully padded front deck.

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

@@lamebritishman1 100% worth the cost if that’s the case!

[@rodneyjacoby5788]

Wrap the white PVC in carbon fiber, it'll look nicer.

[@Jason_Emry_Fishing]

Looking great! What carpet did you use? I am looking to fix mine as well!

[@ZakWisemanFishing]

16oz carpet from BassBoatSeats . com. Midnight Star Gray color 6’ wide. 27ft would have probably done the whole boat. Minimum order is 10’ so it’s better to order more rather than run out and have to buy another 10’.

[@Jason_Emry_Fishing]

@@ZakWisemanFishing thanks for the information! I will check it out!

[@winstonrocco1981]

Probably the factory was most your problem

[@MrBumbles2]

bought my 201 pro elite in 90 , a work horse and still fishing today. fyi why bother with carpet?? you can buy the best out there and its gone in a few years. ive turned mine into a intercoastal with tuff coat. no more fking with carpet. been done 4 times and its just not worth it. original carpet lasted the longest other than no uv protection it went from sky blue to black as far as gel coat go directly to PRO TECH senioa ga there is no better gelcoat system period. . miles on my stratos ??? probably a mill who knows . next for me is no more evinrude looper parts so a new suzuki 225 coming . mercs are just to unreliable