Need Y'alls $.02

[ColtonM]

Alright guys trying to work a deal on this champion its a 97 196. Has new 52" ultrex 2 Helix 9 SI's brand new lower unit with 3 years of warranty left on it. boat is in good condition needs alittle cosmetic work such as some carpet maybe a wet sand job. Also, will do some work to the trailer. Gel-coat is in good shape has one small spot on keel that you can barely see and will be covered with a keel guard. (P.S. first time to post pics)

[Dan21XRS]

Depending on price, engine evaluation and transom check... It looks like a solid boat... The Ultrex is a major plus... Depth finders are decent not exceptional... Carpet can be a bear, but doable... If it all checks out, it's in your price range you can't go wrong... Dan

[Ziggy]

Thats not a 196

[jbh3]

More likely a 191. It's a good ride. Concur with the comments above.

[ColtonM]

Motor has clean bill of health when the lower unit was put on at the beginning of summer. Transom is good has one small stress crack next to a tie down on the outer glass but was verified to not be structural. I'm actually working a trade deal on this boat.

I was not specified the model. I just know it measures 19'6". Would this not be a 196?

It falls perfectly into my price range and I am looking at it as a starter boat.

Thanks for the replies guys.

[SCOTT196]

No its a 191, didnt make a 196 til 2001.

[STLBassBuster]

That’s a rare single console which is nice!

[Breezy1]

Motor has clean bill of health when the lower unit was put on at the beginning of summer. Transom is good has one small stress crack next to a tie down on the outer glass but was verified to not be structural. I'm actually working a trade deal on this boat.

I was not specified the model. I just know it measures 19'6". Would this not be a 196?

It falls perfectly into my price range and I am looking at it as a starter boat.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I would quadruple check for moisture in transom if it has a stress crack near a tie down. Thought the same thing on a older Ranger "it's only a small gelcoat stress crack" and 2 years later another popped up and next thing I learned was transom was junk.

[ColtonM]

I would quadruple check for moisture in transom if it has a stress crack near a tie down. Thought the same thing on a older Ranger "it's only a small gelcoat stress crack" and 2 years later another popped up and next thing I learned was transom was junk.

I will definitely do that. Trying to setup a time to go see it, drive it, and fish it alittle bit to see how it feels before making the plunge. Are the transoms a wood / glass mix?

[Lea]

Not sure how Champion measured, but the 196 is the only model which is listed at 19'6". And, as said above, the 196 was not built until the 2001 model year. In many cases, I have seen where folks measured their Champs differently, usually longer, than brochures show. In all but the later Genmar (Murfreesboro factory) models, the length, as measured by Champion, was the same as the model number.

[STLBassBuster]

Not sure how Champion measured, but the 196 is the only model which is listed at 19'6". And, as said above, the 196 was not built until the 2001 model year. In many cases, I have seen where folks measured their Champs differently, usually longer, than brochures show. In all but the later Genmar (Murfreesboro factory) models, the length, as measured by Champion, was the same as the model number.

Funny because in my 2004 catalog they state a 206 is 20ft 8"

[Breezy1]

I would quadruple check for moisture in transom if it has a stress crack near a tie down. Thought the same thing on a older Ranger "it's only a small gelcoat stress crack" and 2 years later another popped up and next thing I learned was transom was junk.

That year would be wood. I personally would be very cautious because of the stress crack on transom.

[getfished]

Where do you get a 3 year warranty on a lower unit replacement ?

[n_gong]

Where do you get a 3 year warranty on a lower unit replacement ?

SEI ?

[Lea]

Funny because in my 2004 catalog they state a 206 is 20ft 8"

And in other brochures it shows correctly as 20'6". Unfortunately, there were errors in several brochures. One even show specs as "front deck" and "front deck" instead of front and rear. At one point, they sent me drafts of brochures, so I could make corrections. One even showed a spare on trailer with an entirely different rim than those on the other four wheels. For the most part, the model number is the length....tho I have no idea how they measured.

[getfished]

SEI ?

Might want to check and see if that is an SEI brand lower unit or some other brand other than Mercury. I don;t have experience with lower units by SEI but I have heard some negative things about them. Might be good to know beforehand.