1986 Champion - need info on boat I'm considering

[eyra_kid]

Lea or anyone else,

I'm a fairly new member to the BBC, first post in the Champion forum. Usually I'm over on the KS bass club forum. I need some info/advice from you Champion experts.

I'm looking to replace aluminum jon boat with my first bass boat. I'm looking at a 1986 Champion, and I was hoping I could get some additional info on this model. Lea, I saw a post that you might have Champion brochures from 1986, so that's why I directed this post at you. The owner says it is an 18'6" Elite. I'm not sure if this is correct. From reading other posts on here, I gathered that there was only an 18'4" offered that year. And on the NADA website, the only model listed was a Super V. The boat has a 1994 Mercury 150hp Black Max. I'm going to try to attach a pic of the boat. I was looking at mostly late 90's models, but this one is a gem. I have about 35 photos and it's immaculate. Very well cared for.

I would like to identify for sure what model it is, and also the beam width and weight. I had been looking at Basscat Sabres also because they are fairly light. I am trailering with a Toyota Tacoma V6, so I don't need a lead sled. :)

Also, would welcome anybody's experience/knowledge with this model. Anything that would help me make my decision.

Thanks in advance,
Casey

[203]

That's a pretty boat!

When you decide to pull it aroud, make sure and pump up the tires. I can tell from the pix that the tires are no where near the correct pressure, and it'll feel like a sled even though it should tow fine....

Good luck

[86champ]

I owned an '86 186 Super V for about 6 years. I ran a Suzuki DT150SS and loved the combination. I ran mid-60's (GPS) all day long. Boat handled and fished great. I only sold it to buy a bigger boat (Champ 202). I don't know what kind of deal you're looking at getting on this boat, but if it is half the boat mine was you'll be more than pleased.

[Champion88]

Motor looks like an '86 to me, make sure you verify the s/n is a '94.

[eyra_kid]

@203: Nice catch on the tires. I'll be sure to check them.

[Lea]

Hi Casey....shoot me an IM this evening. My brochures are home, and I'm on my way to the dentist. The boat will be 18'4" in that year. Beam will be 86". They did not build an 18'6" for several more years... And I do believe in 86 it was a Super V. I will double check this eve for ya. Nice looking boat!!! You won't have a towing problem, tho I am not sure if the brochures from that era listed weight...

[eyra_kid]

@86Champ: Appreciate you sharing your experiences with your 86. How did yours fish? Was it stable? How was the storage?

As you can pretty much tell from the photo, this boat is very clean. And as you can tell by the low tires, hasn't been out much in the last few years. The owner's asking $6500, but might work out a partial trade for 16' SeaArk aluminum. NADA Book value is less than that, but the boat is well above average condition. NADA even has a note that says "mint" boats may be worth considerably more.

My concerns are: Should I hold out for a 10 to 12 year newer boat with more modern layout. The deals are out there in my $5-$7 price range. I know the trolling motor and graphs will need updated also.

Will doublecheck the outboard serial number to make sure of the year.

Appreciate the input, guys.

[Blue198]

I had a 1986 Champion 176 Super V with a Johnson 150 for quite a few years.
Was a very stable platform and storage was OK if you don't carry a ton of gear.Ride and performance were fantastic as they are in any ChampioN.It would run right around 60mph no problem.I towed it all over the place with an S10 Blazer.
Only thing I can think of I didn't like was the front livewell..........it was useless IMHO! Not sure if the 184 is laid out the same as the 176 was but I imagine so.

My old 176 is still going strong today,the guy I sold it to in 2002 just sold it this past fall,still in fantastic condition.

[iron banks]

Check the transom and make sure there are no soft spots. Another thing to consider with that vintage is how ethanol in the gas will effect the lines, tank and engine components. I am not saying that there is a problem with the rig but any boat/motor combo that old needs to be looked at very closely. Champions hold up better than most so that is a start. The engine would be my primary concern. best of luck I hope it works out so you can join the champ family

[dlewis10]

$ 6,500 sounds a tad high for a boat that is 24 years old. I paid that same price for a 1993 190 model a year and a half ago. So I guess I'm not much different from you. Other than older electronics, my rig was kept extremely clean with little to no flaws (transom, top cap, carpet, seats etc..) From your picture, this one looks in "mint" condition as well. I was in the same situation as you. Guy wanted $7,000 and I offered $6,500. I look at it this way, a boat is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If you like it, as it sounds like you do, go for it. Just remember, BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand . It does take money on a yearly basis to keep these things runnin' - especially with an older rig like mine and this one that your looking at. It's a buyers market right now - you might be able to get him down somewhat. Good luck - let us know how things work out !

[eyra_kid]

Thanks again for the feedback, guys. I'm still thinking about this one and keeping my eye out for others. My first choices are a Basscat or a Champion, and I was hoping for a mid- to late- 90s model. But this one was so clean that I have to consider it. Plus from reading on here, those older Champion hulls seem to ride and handle really well.
So far, I've only seen the 35 photos that the owner sent of it. The boat's about 4 hours away. I'll wait until it warms up a bit before I go to look at it. Luckily, I have a couple boat mechanics in the family. My dad or my uncle in Arkansas will probably meet me to look it over.
The matter of price is a tough one. The boat books for around $3300 if I'm doing the NADA guide right. That's allowing $1700 for the boat, $1385 for the outboard (if it is a 1994), and 230 for the trailer. But that is only average retail, and this boat is clearly well above that for a boat of that age. Possibly in better shape than some boats that are 10-15 years newer. How do you put a value on that? I seriously doubt that he will take $3300 for it, but he may be negotiable.

[tmbullet]

That boat is a 184 superv 1986 model. I had one and that motor does not look like a 94 can you tell me what color are the stripes on the hood of the motor. I had a 1986 black max 150 XR2 and it looked like that one, except it said XR2 on it. Mercury made two motors that year that are 150's one is the XR2 and one is the regular 150 black max. The difference is the regular 150 rpm range was 5000 to 5500, The XR2 rpm range was 5500 to 6000. If you could tell me what color stripes are on that boat I would have a better Idea if they are red and silver it could be a 94. YOU should be able to tell by Id # on the motor itself. Write down the #s and call you local merc dealer and they can tell you . Looks like a real nice and clean boat should be worth around $3,500.00 as long it is clean. I sold mine in 2007 for $3,000.00 and the motor was same year as the boat , it had new seats and a new trolling motor. Go from there and good luck!!!!!!!!!!! Also that hull weighs 1450 without motor


Modified by tmbullet at 3:53 PM 1/12/2010

[Artie]

That is definitely not a 2.5 cowl. I know where a there is a 1990 model that's in excellent condition for sale. It's a similar color, single console, and it has the best interior layout of any 184. It also has a 1990 model 175 Merc. He's asking about the same amount.

Artie

[H2O_Fowl]

Thats an awsome looking boat. I'd say the motor is not a 94 though by the looks of the cowling. My dad had an 86 184 Super V and the cowling was the same color.

There weren't elites in that year. The Super V is what the elite are these days.

He's asking too much for it though IMO. Although, one thing to consider is you may get a newer boat for the same price but, this boat may be way more mechanically sound than the newer one. Newer doesn't always mean better.

[Lea]

The folks here have given you all the info the brochures contain....

Original Champ logo/saying was Ride and Decide. This still holds true. You have to please you!!!

[pmgoffjr]

not a '94 motor, not even an '86, that motor is older than '83.

[eyra_kid]

Here is a pic of the back of the motor. I'll have to contact the guy to get the sn#.

[mixermarkb]

Clean rig, but wayyy overpriced. What electronics does it have? What trolling motor? Maybe a $4000 boat, but that's top top top dollar for an 86 184. I should know, I have an 87 with a 94 200efi for sale and prolly won't get $4k out of it. Looks like a 2.0 150, def not a 94. 184's of that vintage are great, even classic hulls, but this one is a good bit overpriced IMHO

[gen]

Looks like it was welll taken care of.I have a 1985 super vee 176 ,runs smooth and is pretty stable. Take it out for a spin,see for yourself its hard to beat a champion old or new. good luck.

[tmbullet]

That motor is actually an 1982 I have the brochure for that model with the brown stripe and it shows that it was an 82 with 150 power head horsepower not prop shaft. So to the prop shaft it has approximately 135 hp. If you decide on this boat make sure to check compression on it should be around 110 psi per cylinder they can differ 10 psi with no problem any more than that beware, check that motor out completely and take it for a test run. Correct operating range on that motor is from 5000 to 5500 rpm. Food for thought.....