Potential Champion owner needs advice

After searching the internet for weeks, it didn't take me long to find out this is the place to go for questions about Champions! I've always wanted a champion, but money has been tight. I've finally got to the point where I can afford a small one which is all I need. My question is, which would you buy:

2000 Champion mean 16 w/ 50HP Yamaha. This boat is spotless and appears to have been well taken care. It is also some type of Annv. package? I don't particulary like the color, but it's okay (metallic burgandy on the bottom of the hull and the cap, w/ metallic gray on the side. My main question here is how hard will it be to resale this later down the road w/ just a 50 hp motor? Once again though, this thing is spotless.


1998 Champion mean 16 w/ 115 Mercury. This boat looks like it has been fished hard, but it still has been taken care of good. I like the color a little better (meatallic gray hull and cap w/ a teal stripe down the side and on the edge of the cap)This boat has 3 graphs and one has GPS.

Boath of the boats are priced at $6900. I'm very confused, any thoughts or advice on these? I did notice that on the 2000, all the switches are off the console and on the side. Are there any differences on the hulls. Has anyone owned one of these boats?

All I can really say is if you bought a boat with a 50 HP and it's rated up to a 115 or whatever it is, you'll be unsatisfied. If you weren't you'd be one of the first that I have ever heard of who wasn't....I think that if you kept looking around, you could get a slightly older boat for the same price that is alot bigger.....I just sold my 1996 181 with a 150 EFI for only 6k. That was a helluva steal, but there are good deals out there. Either way, good luck with your choice and you'll love any Champ that you get. Welcome to BBC http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

Welcome to the BBC Jonathan !! http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/glasses.gif

I would agree with Randy; you won't be happy with a boat that's underpowered that much and 16' is a very small boat; I would expect it wouldn't be long before you'd want something bigger. Better to keep looking at larger boats, maybe 18/19'.

yep i am a big beliver that you need to always max out the HP as much as you can afford to do since you will always want more

I don't know if you are aware of it yet but this web site also has a boats for sale section there are some good deals in there and there are quite a few Champs for sale that for less the 10-15 k check it out.

My first champion was a 1999 mean 16 with a 115 johnson. It did an honest 60 mph turning a 22 pitch prop. The boat performed well and I liked it. With that said, I sold it after 6 months and bought a 181 with a 150. For sure don't get the 50 hp unless you want to repower with at least a 90. I agree with other, keep an eye out for a clean 18. It will cost you less in the long run. Best of luck, btw I am up to a 20fter so it can never be to big http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif

Thanks for the quick replies!

I do know what you are saying about eventually wanting a bigger boat, I guess I am just trying to think conservatively. I don't really need a big boat, and I don't really need a big motor although they would be nice.

I found a 1996 202cdx w/ Mercury 225XRI for $6950. Does that sound too good to be true?

I think what they are saying is if you a thinking long term ownership, get an 18fter (181, 184, 186) with the max horsepower rating motor on it...You will be much happier in the long run and resale will be much better...We hear all the time of guys who didn't get enough boat or motor and are unsatisfied. A clean 18 fter w/ a 150 or 175 should be the best option...IMHO http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

That 202 deal is too good to be true... If it were an 1988 I would believe it, but not a 1998... I personally would try to get the biggest boat you can afford comfortably. My second point of interest is the newest motor, third point would be the hull... You really can't go wrong with a ChampioN hull.

Hi Jonathan! welcome to the BBC and Champion forum! Got some good info here...

And definitely do as suggested and check the 4Sale forum here on BBC!!!

202 is a great hull. That sounds pretty cheap, I would investigate it though.

I had a 2000 Mean 16 with a 90 Mercury on it. The boat ran great with the 90, however, I would not buy one with less HP. I kept the boat for one season and then sold it. The boat was too small for me and it was very hard to get out of the seats, as they were so low to the floor. I have also owned a 168, 176, and 181. The 181 was a really nice running boat with a 150 Mercury. The only thing I didn't like about that boat were the dual consoles. I like a single console boat myself, probably because I have never owned a boat larger than 18'.

I would pass on both of these boats and look for a nice 181.