I may have finally found the right ChampioN at the right price.

[ou1dadgumit]

But it has a ritehite. What setback for a 97 202 tournament? Also looks like I may need seats replaced. Is recovering the old ones more or less expensive?

[SLambeth]

Check LleBroc for replacement seats, they can add the Champion logo to them also. I will be ordering some for my champ in the next week. I saw the boat you are looking at, it's the exact color scheme to my 01 196 Elite. I would look at upgrading to hydraulic steering vs. the cable steering at sometime also.

www.llebroc.com

[STLBassBuster]

I would go with a rapid jack to replace that rite hite. I think the 202's like an 8" set back but I will let Pat confirm.

[bigfish1259]

Deans Top and Canvas made your originals and can match them with your Vin number. They can give you a price on recover versus new.

[bigfish1259]

And yes replace the rite hite with a rapid jack magnum

[bigfish1259]

I had a 97 202 with a 25 temptess I seen 70 multiple times

[ou1dadgumit]

The plate on it looks like 6 inch that's why I'm just trying to confirm

[ou1dadgumit]

And thank you all for the information

[BalsaBee]

I changed my 6" rite hite to an 8" Rapid Jack Magnum on my 202. I had enough slop in my steering cable to do that.

[Luke]

were the Ritehite plates the ones that were breaking?

[ou1dadgumit]

were the Ritehite plates the ones that were breaking?

Yes, from everything I read it was the bolts breaking first, but still

[Lea]

There is a sticky up top about the rite hites....

[basspro57]

And yes replace the rite hite with a rapid jack magnum

+1 for both the Deans seats and the 8"Rapid Jack Magnum. Deans can make you the original seat or they make a really nice set of bucket seats. The original seat has that lip on the back in the center and it is a trip hazard. Also the passenger has to step on the seats to get up on the back deck. The buckets with the step center (or I just made a step by using marine plywood and some carpeting it), from Deans can't be beat. Be ready to spend about $800 for the seats and $500 for the jackplate...but it will be a great improvement.

[pmgoffjr]

What motor?

[ou1dadgumit]

What motor?

Has an evinrude 225

[pmgoffjr]

If you have hydraulic steering, no more than 8"
Cable steering? 6"

202 doesn't need a lot of lift help, move the motor too far back and the handling will suffer.

[ou1dadgumit]

Thank you Pat. I appreciate all the answers.

[BigMouth]

I have the 10” but it seems to make my boat a little bit more of a handful "sensitive?" to drive, compared to my old 203, RIP.

i.e. it porpoises easier in turns and gets squirrelly in the rear at speed.

I’m not much of a driver but Matt Mosher gave me a "demo ride" at the TOC in 16. He said, while driving with one finger at 72 gps, "THIS BOAT IS PUSSYCAT! I was jelly. But then again he’s been driving Champs for a whole lot longer than I. I had a tournament load+ in the boat and I was very happy with a little over 72 gps top speed.

FYI, 250 ProXS, 10” Rapid Jack Mag, Tempest 27P+ worked a Steve's prop, 3.3” P2P.

You should listen to Pat, wish I had.

p.s. It’s amazing what these boats can do in experienced hands. While I watched Matt drive he took my boat through a 30'-40’ cruiser wake at speed. Other than a couple of thumps, I didn’t even notice. Later he churned the water into 2’ waves by doing figures 8’s and went right through at 60 plus!

As I said before, I’m not much of a driver and reconcile that by telling myself I’d rather be fishing than driving. It behooves me to learn boat handling as well as Matt and others on this board. I’m lucky to be retired, have the means and a wife that lets me go on extended fishing trips. But one of these days I’m going to find myself on some big water and wish I had paid more attention or taken more time to get experience/lessons.

[ou1dadgumit]

Well im gonna buy it unless something crazy happens in the next week or 2. Seats aren't as bad as I thought and he is gonna lower the price for my jackplate concern. Couple other things I need to fix is trim gauge and want blinker trim. Also needs a kill switch. Other than that I believe I'll be extremely happy. I have already picked out a name, but will wait until I take ownership.

[pmgoffjr]

I'd find something to stick in the hole besides the trim gauge. THE most useless/prone to fail gauge on your dash. They all fail, not if buy when.