Great news. Talked to Kelly Power and his Son at Springfield boat show Saturday and they said work begins on the 198 Elite NEXT MONTH.
Great news. Talked to Kelly Power and his Son at Springfield boat show Saturday and they said work begins on the 198 Elite NEXT MONTH.
What did you think of that 210??
Beautiful. For someone wanting a 250+ rated boat, perfect. Myself, the 198 is perfect. I can't hardly wait till the 198 comes out. If I can get a decent price or trade in for my Ranger---Done Deal. I have always said the layout of a Champion cap is PERFECT. Of course everyone already knows the Champs OWNED the rough water ride category.
I will be a player on a 198, my 08 will go up for sale if I like the layout.
I'd love to see them build the 200 elite instead of the 198...
Heartland of America
2000 Ranger 520dvx
2000 Mercury Optimax 225 - 0T136160
--
1997 Charger 395TF
1997 Evinrude Vindicator 200 - G04296981 (E200STLEUB)
The layout, deck width and design of the 200 elite is what I would prefer. I still kick myself for not buying the 200 Elite when I was at the dealership in 2008 looking at it... Just my preference for that model, I know the 198 is more popular, but I always think of it as the CX and not Elite...
Heartland of America
2000 Ranger 520dvx
2000 Mercury Optimax 225 - 0T136160
--
1997 Charger 395TF
1997 Evinrude Vindicator 200 - G04296981 (E200STLEUB)
The ONLY difference between the CX and the Elites is some features which are standard on Elites are options on the CXs. Mine is definitely the Elite. I do understand about the difference in the topcap, but most folks compare speeds. Me, I love mine...more than fast enough (71.9 GPS), holds more stuff in the storage compartments than I ever should be carrying And I prefer the console/instrument panel being all glass with no plastic stuff.....and the switches being the rocker style. It just boils down to personal preference...which is why there are different brands and options.
Finally....I wonder how long until it is out and ready for orders....... I have been holding onto my old boat waiting on the 198 to come out
This is great news!
This should be a big seller. The 198 is the best all around platform that Champion put out in later years. I'm not a fan of the lines of the 200.
Yeah, it's all preference, I think the lines of the 200 and 210 elites were the sharpest they ever made..
Swiped this pic online, it may be someone on here's not really sure, but sweet looking rigs either way...
Heartland of America
2000 Ranger 520dvx
2000 Mercury Optimax 225 - 0T136160
--
1997 Charger 395TF
1997 Evinrude Vindicator 200 - G04296981 (E200STLEUB)
Oh how I hope it's affordable and they keep the "fluff" items off of it.
Has there been any cost estimate numbers given?
Last edited by grout-scout; 01-19-2017 at 09:30 PM.
Be ready in 2 weeks.
Live Hard, Fish Harder!
BTW, Power, the deck width of the 200 and 198 is the same. As well as the newer 202 (which is the 200 rebadged)
You know, I'm afraid you guys are not taking into account the fact that as nice as the 210 was, you folks DID NOT support the design when Champion first came out with it or when Stratos continued it. What makes you think that with Charger building it, it will all of a sudden become this big seller? Sorry, but I've got to throw the BS flag on this whole thread. The price is not going to be what you guys are willing to pay either. The 210 is a $60K boat and the 198 will be maybe $3 - 4K less. To my sorrow, I just don't believe the Champion design will ever be as popular as it once was. There are too many other manufacturers splitting up the available buyers. Back in Champion's hay-day, they only really had Ranger, Skeeter, Bass Cat and maybe Stratos as real competition. Now add in Triton, Phoenix, better Nitros and Legend and the competition gets steep. I know it won't happen, but if I ordered one, I'd ditch that goofy Charger three box logo. It totally wrecks Champion's classic graphics.
The StratoChamps never got supported for two reasons which were put in place by design to kill the brand:
- NO ONE KNEW THEY EXISTED! I am in a 30 man bass club and not a single person even knew that the hulls were being produced by stratos unless i told them.
- They put "Stratos" on the side of them. In my area stratos has a public perception as a cheap junk boat to put things plainly. No offence to stratos fans, but most folks in my area don't see them as a regal high end boat. I have had to go rounds with guys trying to explain that the only difference was the decals on the boat. they still all turned their noses up.
I am not one to turn a away from the fact that we as bass fisherman are very judgmental about our equipment and especially our boats. It is human nature. there is a small club/group of guys in my town that all own ranger and WILL NOT fish out of any other boat. one of their group bought anther brand and was ostracized so bad that he sold it and bought another ranger even though he like his new boat better. branding and image matters to us and people don't want to be seen in what they deem as lesser than. Champion was seen as a classy high end boat. There is much better chance that they can still exist under the Charger umbrella as charger's image is that of a respectful and quality boat builder. All they need to do is put the word out and not shy away from the fact that they are producing a Champion hull.
The people on this board only represent a small fanatical segment of the market, we tend to forget that. Between my bass club and others friends, i know know personally about 50 fiberglass bass boat owners. I am the only one of them that comes on the board. every knows phoenix, triton, ranger, skeeter. They all know champion too, but they just know that they went away in the late 2000's.
'98 187 Elite, 175 EFI (Serial 0G750796)