CHAMP 183 VS RANGER 188

[GOOFY]

I have had a 188 with 150 and liked it but it was slow. Maybe a 175 would be good. It fishes big and is nice. Now I am back in the market for a boat and thought it would be between the 188 ranger and the 183 champ. I would like to have the 198 with a 200 but that is $$$$. I want the boat to fish stable. I fish some big waters here in Oklahoma with wind. The 188 handled it fine but was slow. Any opions or does anyone have a 183 they can share how it is. I just got pricing on a loaded elite 183 and about passed out. I was amazed at how much they are. Over $33000.00. I was thinking that is what the 198 ranger with 200 loaded would be. I may have to buy the bigger boat just because if I needed to or wanted to sell one day I cound't imagine getting more than $23000.00 used the next year with low hours. Wow. Well any input would be great.

[Lea]

Hi Goofy. The 183CX with 150 or the 183 Elite with 175 are really great rigs. Also, check out the Champion 188/200hp as well as the Champion 198/225 hp.

We have a bunch of folks with each model and I am sure they will chime in here as soon as they see your post... (I have the Champ198/225.. )

[dukhntr]

I think he was refering to the Ranger 198 with the 200 on it.

[dstacey]

Hey goofy, glad you stopped by. There is a ton of info on the 183 on this board, especially in the last couple of weeks, but a search here will give a wealth of information on the benefits of this model. This board being what it is there are a lot of people that love their ChampioNs but by the same token we speak loud when there are problems or concerns about our boats.

I think you will find that an overwhelming majority of the 183 owners on this board are very happy with the overall capabilities that this boat offers given it's size and specs. It's one knock is that it tends to be slower than other 18 ft brands with 150 hp setups. Speed is not what ChampioNs are built for and this hull is no different.

I think there are some deals to be had on some left over '07 model boats if you look hard enough.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GOOFY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I want the boat to fish stable.</TD></TR></TABLE>
This boat fishes very stable. It's 93 beam performs very well on Grand Lake wich is where I spend a lot of time.

Let us know if you have anymore questions, and good luck in your search.

[utinator]

The 188 really needs the 175hp. It doesn't perform very well with a 150hp, especially the 150 H.O. E-TEC. It will run about 63-65mph with a 175hp.

The 183 should be very comparable in speed and price. I have seen some good deals on the 183 here on the "boats for sale section". You should check that out. I believe there are a few under 30k with a 150hp. It won't be fast, but it will be one of the best riding 18ft boats.

The Ranger 198 is a lot more than 33k. It's closeer to 43k with duel console and tandem trailer.

[Lea]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dukhntr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think he was refering to the Ranger 198 with the 200 on it.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes, I know...Thanks, Randy....

I was just letting him know about the various other model Champs besides the 183....also letting him know the Champ 188 is 200hp rated and Champ 198 is 225 rated. His reference to the R 198 includes only 200hp.

[PolarKraft195]

My turn!

The Champ 183 is no speed demon, but it rides very well in ANY type of water. I would have to say it's one of the best, if not THE BEST, 18 ft boats out there when it comes to running in rougher water. It fishes VERY stable & level when at rest.

It's fishing platform is definately roomier than the Ranger 188..... for a fact! The Champs "beam forward" design is the reason. I measured my Champion 183's front deck width, directly in front of the console, and it was just 1/2" narrower than a Champion 210!!!
Here's a picture of my 2007 183's front deck. From this picture, you can see that it's front deck width is pretty impressive for an 18'3" boat!







Modified by OhioChamp183 at 4:20 PM 9/25/2008

[bassin butch]

Ohio Champ your on it! 183CX with a 150 is not a speed demon but its truly a fishing devil. What I found is: When its rough my 183Cx passes everything up except a bigger high HP champ! This boat is the BOMB for room, storage, handling and storage. I will go out on a limb: NO 18 ft bass boat will compare when all things outside of speed are considered. I have learned to overlook the speed and focus on it strength's. I highly recommend you take a spin in one yourself!

Hey fellow Champ owners: I might not have the fastest rig but your little brother is very happy to be in the Champ family

Bassin
Butch

[HaulinBass]

I have shop envy.

[JohnM]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HaulinBass &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have shop envy.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I hear ya Larry, the 183 takes every inch of 22' straight back and it's like my boat WIDE all the back. I see a door you could actually use back there AND shelves behind the boat. Did you notice the smaller rig sitting next to it?

Man I miss the crap out of the 32' pull through building I had in KY.

Jeff for sure has one of the nicer man caves, If there is a TV and fridge out there I would never have to go inside.

[PolarKraft195]

That my new 24x40 man cave, that I built a couple years ago.


No fridge..............yet!

That smaller boat to the right of it is my limited hp bassboat ( there's several very good limited hp lakes around my area). A 1998 Grumman 1752B with a 9.9 hp Johnson.



Pictures taken while standing on the front deck of the Champ!

FISH CATCHING MACHINE!







Modified by OhioChamp183 at 3:37 AM 9/27/2008

[GOOFY]

do u have by chance a picture of the 183 in the water? That would be great if you did it would help me see how high the nose sits or if you are in it standind on one side how much it leans or moves. Thanks if you can help.

[Lea]

Newer Champs are not as bow high as older ones.. As for stability when fishing, the wider Champs (183, etc) are very stable....

Do you have a nearby dealer?

[jfunston]

Well what speed are we looking at????

[grout-scout]

Well what speed are we looking at????

On an 11 year old thread, prob a lot less than it used to be.

[ruudawg]

HA HA HA Great answer!

Ruu

[arxpress]

2007 183CX 150 HP Optimax 23 tempest. 52 to 53 loaded with partner. Saw 56 once by myself fully loaded. Was on Lake Norfork a few weeks back, wind really picked up. I lowered the nose a little and cruised thru some big waves at around 48 mph. I passed several bigger boats that day that just couldn't cut thru it. I have had it since April 2018. Fishes great, rides great, tons of storage, but it's slow.