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I'm looking for a pic of a 206 at rest int he water. Looking to see how far the ass end squats in the water. I went through the pics but it was taking FOREVER so here is a chance for the 206 owners to show off their stuff. Also if you have an interior shot too..that would be helpful!
Thanks! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif
Don't have a pic handy but I can tell you the 206 sits like every Champion, high in the front.
I liek the fact that the front sits a little higher BUT I don't was the ass squatting super low. Reason is I'm looking for an Erie boat and as we all know teh Champ is king when running in the rough stuff but when it's time to fish in 3-5 footers I don't want the back of the boat to get swamped.
Are the Champs foam filled like the Rangers?
I run a champ on erie all the time and have never had the back get swamped, had the front get swamped lol, that was my fault, it was hot that day anyways , as you know in rough water you have to pay attention to the water, I feel with this rig I can go anywhere I want and feel very safe, I have had 2 206's and love the boat, and of course the ride is the best http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif
Unless you are putting two drift socks on the transom hull lifting rings, http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/roll.gif you have absolutely nothing to worry about. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif
IMO the 206 sits the best in the water and floats very shallow. I think the longer boats in the champ line balance out the rear weight better.
The back end of my 1999 193 sits very low in the water. I can't comment on a 206 though.
Once it warms up a bit I'm going to work on a number of tweaks that may get my boat sitting a little higher in the back (less fuel, lighter batteries, stuffing the jackplate, re-sealing the transom, etc.) I do run a heavier 200 Optimax which adds weight too. I had a rough time on Erie back in August after taking a couple waves over the back of the boat, but the problem would not have been much of an issue if both bilge pumps were working properly at the time.
Having said that, I fish big water all the time (Lake Erie, Lake Simcoe) and my Champ handles the rough water just fine. I wouldn't say what happend on Erie that one time was a fluke, but a few things went wrong that didn't help the situation (poor bilge pumps, broken trolling motor strap).
joe, foam is not going to make a difference if you get swamped by Erie waves, ranger or champion, what is more important is having 3-4 working bilge pumps that can handle getting the water out if you get swamped. My 521 sat low to water as all rangers do. Champs handle rough water great but when it gets Erie nasty I dont care what boat you got, good luck with your boat search..
The cut up ad is a genius marketing tool, and the biggest lie ever in the boat business....
Fact is, fill that tub full of water without it being able to escape, and the ranger will sink to the gunnels. JUST like everything else. Pull the plug and the water will escape and it (and champ and everything else) will ride much higher in the water.
That is my #1 vote for most deceptive marketing ads EVER by anyone.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by pmgoffjr »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The cut up ad is a genius marketing tool, and the biggest lie ever in the boat business....
Fact is, fill that tub full of water without it being able to escape, and the ranger will sink to the gunnels. JUST like everything else. Pull the plug and the water will escape and it (and champ and everything else) will ride much higher in the water.
That is my #1 vote for most deceptive marketing ads EVER by anyone.
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Thanks Pat. I have always said the same thing but everyone think differntly. I always tell my friends that brag about there R boats, If you put enough full page ads in a magazine you can sell a turd. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif
To answer your question, yes Champs are foam filled. But like everyone else alluded to that just keeps them from going to the bottom. I guess the best way to describe the Champion is like this - if it's too rough for a Champion, it's too rough for any bass boat on the market.
she's a bit dirty in this pic as i had just towed her across the country in the butt crack of winter but a float
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/t...trider/165.jpg
Come on Joe - Do you really have to ask http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/doh.gif ?? Just ask your dad how much water came into my Champ out on Erie. Even at rest, not more than a couple of drops came over my back end. Only used my bilge once in three days - and that was for rain.
However I am really intrigued about how often you visit us here in the Champ forum. These guys here will (including myself) will have you drivin' a Champ in no time. So be careful. I'll tell the wife I held a gun to your head and you had to buy it or else http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/roll.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif And when you find one, I want to go on the road trip with ya to get it http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif
Thanks fellers!!! I'm at a fork in the road...Ranger 520 or Champ 206. Both priced about the same.
Reason for the foam filled is if the boat does get swamped I don't want to have to send a dive team to get it..don't want to see a Champ as structure on the bottom. So if a Champ got swamped it will still float.
I love the looks of the Champs and of course the ride, thank you Dave! Dave's boat ran and handled Erie great and this is why i'm over here! My old Ranger works perfect and does everything I ask it to do but I just got the new boat itch.
My only concern and this may be a sore spot BUT with Ranger I can call them up and get anythign I need for my 20 year old boat. What is the process with Champion. I AM NOT TRYING TO STIR THE POT just part of the buying decision.
Thanks everyone and erienightrider that champ looks GREAT!! Sits very nice int he water.
How bout a trip to C&O Joe ????
http://www.teamcandomarine.com...00633
I'll get directions from Craig http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif
I actually like this one better!!!
http://www.teamcandomarine.com...58165
I was showing the wife last night! Think he'll take the Ranger and a 94 Mustang GT in on a trade!!??
Don't know anything about the value of cars, or the value of your Ranger, but from what Craig has told me about C&O, is that they will wheel and deal to make a sale. Keep me informed http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif
Joe, the parts thing is a wait and see matter but since Champion/Stratos, Triton,Ranger are now all being build under 1 roof and owned by 1 company it would make sense from here out they would stock parts for all there models. I think a 520 and 206 are great boats and both would do fine but up on Erie, the Prop is just as important as flotation. On either boat i wouldnt have anything but a 4 blade and 5 blade on the really bad days. Both of these boats are heavy and need the right prop for the job. Having the torque when you need it is a must.
Joe...Champs will float just as well as Ranger...or any other. There is a standard which, by law, means all boats must have a certain amount of flotation. That should never be your deciding factor.
RIDE and DECIDE.....that is the ONLY way to chose a boat!!!
Lea,
He has driven one - he simply fell in love with the "Ride". I think I hooked him, just have to get him to the boat and land him http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif I'll keep reeling him in http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif