Best Champion year models and hulls

[Tx Champ]

The 210 Elite succeeded the 206 which became a CX model in 2006-2009. There were some changes to the running surface as well a new top cap that resulted in deeper compartments. The new top cap design was also applied to the 198 which became the 200 with that new top. The 200 & 210 also got the ever popular MegaLink system which was a digital control of all electrical in the boat (livewell functions, bilge, lights & horn).

There may have been a few 2010s, but for all intents and purposes, 2009 was the last year for all Champs. The 210 was re-badged under Stratos which ran 2011-2013. Two other Champs were also re-badged when Champion was shut down, the 183 (2011 & 2012) and the 200 which was re-designated 202 (2011-2013). The Stratos badged boats also did away with the MegaLink system and went back to a discrete rocker switch control of those functions.

[jeffleo]

Also youtube Tactical Bassin-they do a nice review on the Champion 210.

[Tx Champ]

Yeah, and Matt's wife got a 198, and there is a video on it as well.

[Lea]

Champion once made a metal Jon type river boat. I think it was about 20 ft long. I forget which year but it is in one of my brochures. I have never heard of any other metal/tin Champions.

Frequently, folks mix Champion with Campion, another brand entirely?????

[pmgoffjr]

Lea I remember the fiberglass float boat, are you sure it was tin?

[MMosher]

They made the glass 20 foot flat bottom river boat that is so popular down there for a few years. They tried to copy a old hull that was used for years and it flopped. The trout guides refer to them as "lead sleds". Shawnee/Supreme that's made next to BCB holds most the market for that market with a few sprinkled in.

[Sharp hook]

May be a bit bias however, the 188 elite gets it done for me!
Fast, stable, fish catching, head turner, Champions or inferior bass boats choice is easy.

[Tx Champ]

They made the glass 20 foot flat bottom river boat that is so popular down there for a few years.

Were those the Backwater or Back Country or something like that?

[pmgoffjr]

No, different boat completely. Porthouse bought back country boats in Florida, they are a pure florida style flats/poling rigs. I actually got to use one, a 20' with a 225 for about four months. Won two tournaments out of it in a row on Amistad. Sight fishing off the poling platform was pretty dang close to cheating.

[Lea]

I need to check brochure. I thought it was tin, but maybe that stuck in my mind because of appearance.

Still wondering what tin boat the poster was talking about.

[pmgoffjr]

Another FYI, Back country was part of the genmar deal, they took all the BC boats and those are the ranger bahia (spell?) boats.

[ChampioNman]

Wasn't that a tunnel hull??

[pmgoffjr]

Nope. They did make a champ 22 tunnel. I don’t remember any back country having a tunnel.

[RALEIGHCHAMPION210]

Agree!

[Lea]

Lea I remember the fiberglass float boat, are you sure it was tin?

I was wrong. It was glass. Thanks for keeping me in line.

Reggie, the 210 is not wider than the 198, but I think the 196 may be narrower than the 210 by 2”. Maybe. Once again, I read these posts when I am not home to check brochures.

[Alumicraft145]

Let's talk fish hunter multi species. I liked the early one, 1800???

[Waynew]

i loved both champs i have the 1990 184 had a 150 merc would do 57 loaded really handled well but if it had a 175 i would have loved it it is a nimble boat but fish like a big boy that was not afraid of big water but cracked transom found 1996 202 with rebuilt 225 merc efi and love it but learning that it has to be balanced (i fish alone a lot) it will walk at 63-65 comes out of it at 66-67 if you can stay with it only thing i would fix is it set low in back and you have to feather your stops love both boats both are different but ride great and fish great a testament to the guys that built champs there is nothing like them and if you find one hang on to it

[n2ratfishin]

I've been in a whole bunch of them. The 223 was a a dream in rough water and a nightmare working around docks or a crowded cove prior to blastoff. That nose looks like a landing deck from the drivers seat. My fav's were the 203 and 187. The round sides prior rode fantastic but tended to rock a bunch when an angler walked around on the back deck. The 188 was a hidden gem, especially with a big block 200... baby brother the 183 is often another overlooked "wide hull" all those hulls were about the time Champion decided to go wide body. The 198 was tough to make run when they released it, eventually people got them dialed in.

Don't be afraid of a real clean 203 or 223. You don't really need a 250 to make those hulls run. A 225 performs just fine.

I've ran from Goose Pond to Mud Creek with my old 187 when others looked at the river and trailered. Champs and Cats tend to be very responsive to driver input.

[Wendy lou]

I have 2001 206 DC

you could land a F-14 on the deck

best fishing platform, big water boat I’ve owned

[Wendy lou]

My other favorite boat was 186 Elite with hopped up 150 turning out 200 hp

that boat ran fast, took on rough water, fished shallow