Why Champion?

[dchance]

May test the water and trade in on a more current boat. Considering Nitro, Skeeter, Ranger, Champion, and Bass Cat. Why should I go with a Champ?

[dchance]

can't be bigger than 19 ft and some change

[dlewis10]

The guys here love their Champs. If you don't believe me - read some of the posts that deal with "quality" or how good a "ride" the Champs are. However, I'm sure if you go on the other brand forums you'll get the same thing for their brand of boat. Best thing to do it take a bunch of different models out and drive them yourself. I bought my first bass boat (an older 190 Champ) and simply love it. Great boat to drive, gets up on plane quicker than most boats, ride is smooth and dry. Their hulls are great for rough water. And from what I hear, Champion will stand behind their boats. Many people here praise their customer satisfaction and will tell you that is is no better company to deal with if you have problems or issues -they will do you right. I'm sure you will get a whole lot of "quality" remarks here on this forum from the fine folks that are proud Champ owners.

[GregA]

How much change? IMO the 2009 202 Elite is the best 20'er on the market.

Check it out.

[champ186dc]

You will have plenty here tell you to ride and decide. That is what I did and I am probably forever a Champ owner. I have owned 2 previous boats from another manufacturer. I have two cousins who both have 202's. After riding with them that is all I needed to make the switch. I found a great deal on a 186 that I couldn't pass up. I was a little reluctant to go from a 20 foot boat to an 18'6". But to tell you the truth the only thing I sacrificed was a little speed. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[SCOTT196]

Nitro, poor resale. Skeeter rough riding. Ranger, Champion and BassCat are all good. I have had 4 Champions. My friend just sold a Z20 Ranger & bought a 210 Champion due to the ride. BassCats are nice boats. Drive all before you buy and get what you like !!!!!!!!!

[buzzzzbait88]

Because they are the best.

Seriously though they are an awesome fishing platform. Many people will say they draft to much water, but I've had mine in water less than a foot and believe that under the right conditions an 18ft champ can get on plane in a foot of water. I took my 76yr old grandpa out there other day and he was a bad back, bed leg, can't swim and basically can't manuever around very well anymore. He never had 1 problem in my boat. He always felt safe even in 2-3ft chop and never once did he get off balanced and nearly fell out. He just had nothing but praise to say about my champ compared to my uncles triton.

[mikemac10]

probably the best thing you can do is get in each of them and see which you like best, they are all good in their own respects, Ive ridden/fished in all you mentioned except basscat and they were all a bit different, to me I'd say the ranger was more rough riding than the skeeter, thats comparing a 518 to a tzx200, both 19' w/ 200's. Champs ride very well and are very forgiving also. Another thing I noticed about skeeters is the seats tend to tear easily, ive seen this on a couple skeets only a few yrs old. Dont forget about the huge rod boxes that you can climb into if you need to.

[melbass]

Just bought our 2nd Champion...you ask why....take it out in rough water....you will know the reason...I'm the "rider wife fishing partner" and I will tell you...nothing else rides like a Champion....I'm a mom and a new grandma...I know I'm coming back to shore safe in my Champion...trust me!

[BassinBarrister]

I just bought my first bass boat last fall, a 2001 Champ 206 Elite, so I'm not knowledgeable about the other brands of bass boats although I've had 7 or 8 boats over the last 25 years, including several Cobalts, a Bennington pontoon, and an Alumacraft. While I love the ride, storage, and functionality of the Champ, that's not what counts. My wife, who was a little sceptical about the purchase and who is not a fisherman but an experienced boater, now loves to go out with me and ride in the boat and even fish. She constantly remarks to our kids how much she likes the ride.....that's enough for me.

Try the others then try a Champ but, most importantly, get what YOU like.

[H2O_Fowl]

I would take the Nitro out and throw Charger into the mix. All the boats you have mentioned are quality. You just need to go ride and fish in all of them and see which one fits you the best. Champ and Charger will have the best ride of all.

Don't let someone "sell" you on their brand. What fits them may not be good for you. The only one who can make that decision is you. Its your money you spend it how you think is best for you. Not what others think is best for you. Do your research and test ride/fish each one and decide for yourself

[BamaChamp198]

I bought CX198 last year and love it, i too have owned the others and this is my second Champ.I know that there is no better ride than the champ period and is a top knotch boat just ask anyone thats owned one,what u need to do is demo one and the others i think when u compare everything and price u will see whats going to be the top dog(CHAMPION)the name says it all!!

[Tx Champ]

Derek, drive them all and fish them all, check out all the features, amount of storage, amount of fishing area. You are the one that has to be happy with your purchase. You'll get the same answers here that you will on the Nitro, Ranger, Skeeter and Bass Cat boards. They all have a loyal following on their boards here on BBC. All Champion asks is to Ride n Decide ... I think that will make the decision pretty easy.

[dewey]

The best point i could make about Champion is that the quality is above the rest.

Take my Champion it is 25 years old and in great shape. The transom is solid, the orginal wireing is still good, and after all those years I am going to replace the carpet this fall even though it could go another year or two.

Mine has been covered since the day it was bought brand new. I am going to do some light restoration this fall other then that it looks and rides like it did the day it was built.

[iron banks]

The number 1 thing about a champion is they don't slap into the waves, the boat lays down into them. This has something to do with the design of the hull and the weight distribution. Every champ I have ever been on does this from the mean 16 to my 24 bay champ. I also have a 198 that is a heck of a nice boat. The one down side to champion is there trailers. I do believe they could do better. word is they are offering a c channel trailer now that should last longer. IMO they all should use aluminum and forget the painter trailers.

[FJSPROFISH]

Because there is nothing else like a Champion Boat!

[pmgoffjr]

Get your butt in each one and find what works best for you. Take owners talk as total B.S. (all brands) and do your homework.

Everyone has different taste, what you might think is important, I wouldn't care at all about. Thank goodness we all have choices, and today there are few wrong choices, but only one *best* for you.

[FEARTHETURTLE210]

I agree with Pat, get your butt in the boats and find out for yourself, your not going to learn a thing on forums from owners talk, as Champion says and it applies to everyone
Ride and Decide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gunnar]

Watch the ChamP video pinned at the top to get a feel for what the ChampioN ride is all about and then 'Ride & Decide'

[BassnMan Mike]

Way back I used to fish as a non boater in draw tournaments and I rode in all different makes of boats in alot of different conditions and IMHO the Champions were the smoothest riding boats. I know alot of it depends on who is driving but overall the Champions seemed to handle the big water better than any others so it only made sense to me to buy a Champion.

My first one lasted me forever and is still running strong. I'm on my second one now and when and if I get another new boat in the future it will be a Champion.

Bassnamen Mike