MCF

As deep in the water as possible so you avoid coming out of the water and spinning air on every wave. You do not have to have it even with the transom because the kicker is not going to put the boat on plane.

Power plants in Dunkirk and Tonawanda closing as well. The one in Somerset has been struggling the past few years.

In the mid 90's the OMC and Mercury Marine bought up a bunch of boat companies. Stratos had originally started out by making bass boats and once the company was bought there was a mixing across boat lines, so I think the bigger Stratos boats were made by some other company with a Stratos label. Do your research on line, to see if there are any issues out there, having a survey done is a good idea to check out the stringers and transom etc. $5500 seems like a very fair price.

My guess is the boat has spent most of its time in the pole barn shown in the pictures behind it.

have 1986 19 GLS-holds 24 gallons

There will be others on here who will see this post, including one who had a Thompson. A 25 year old Thompson, unless it was stored most of the time inside is going to have rot issues. From the sounds it, you seem to be describing an issue with the side bolster and then some floor/transom issues. The side bolster(wood covered by vinyl) is simply replacing that piece. The floor issues and transom are of more concern because there could be issues with the stringers which are underneath the floor and support the boat and floor. This is a major job and major expense. Should it be extensive damage, you need to evaluate all your options before moving forward. There is a marine product which was made by Glov-it-west marine has it to stop rot in its tracks but it sounds like you issue is more extensive then what that product can solve. Like I stated, others will respond who have gone through this issue in detail.

No increase in years, there are some tournaments in Eastern Lake Erie now that are 500.00 for 4 guys for 3 days. The marketplace decided twenty plus years ago when ESLO went down, if there is an issue this time the same thing will happen which I doubt simply because participation is a fraction of what it was twenty plus years ago. Capitalism still works and let the marketplace decide. Any yes I have owned and run a small business in the past and work for one now.

One of the largest boat brokers in WNY, been in business since 1972 and moves over 100 used boats a year repeatedly says fall is a good time to attract the educated buyer who is looking for a specific boat be it brand, condition, equipment etc. I believe there is a window between now and October 1st to attract that buyer. You set your price and see where it goes. I have been around boats and fishing for decades, several years ago I purchased a boat in September simply because it was the right boat at the right time. I concur that certainly there are far more buyers(and lookers) in the spring.

Long Point State Park docks, the boat launch at Prendergast Point, I think there is a dock or something to fish where the Stow ferry crosses. Could also try the boat launch at Mayville Park