Looking at buying a Champion

[wswylie]

I am looking at buying a bass boat for me and my 9 yr old to fish with. I have not seen many Champions in my area. A couple out of state look great but the back decks look small. Are the the back decks on Champions smaller than decks on a Ranger or Triton of the same size. I am looking at 18 to 20 foot 98/99 models. Thanks for any advice you can give me on this or Champions in general. Would these be a good first bass boat. If anyone has a nice late 90s Champion in NC/SC/GA/VA for sale let me know.

[KHolm]

The first time you and yer young one are ridin or fishin in rough water you will eternally grateful you chose a Champ!

[Jordi]

I fish with my 9 yrs old son in a 184DCR, 1991 and he enjoy every trip, the back deck is big enough to fish for him and becouse we have a deck xtension in the front he sometimes come to visit to me in the front, also in rough water he is not going to be scare , so go ahead with ChampioN, is the best option around.....


Modified by Jordi at 9:53 PM 4/24/2010

[ChampioNman]

How much you want to spend Warren? I know of a mint 203 with a 250 HPDI that may be for sale.

[wswylie]

Sent IM. Thanks for the help.

[wswylie]

Thanks for the Champion opinions. Any other boat or motor advice is appreciated.

[203]

You're welcome to run up here to High Rock Lake and spend some time in my 203. IM me if interested. I fish more during the week than on weekends, but can work with almost any schedule given enough notice.

[JohnM]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ChampioNman &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">How much you want to spend Warren? I know of a mint 203 with a 250 HPDI that may be for sale.</td></tr></table>

If you are talking of the boat I am thinking of that would be one he11 of a ride for a first boat.

My son grew up fishing out of everything from a 16' tin rig too 20' bass boats and everything in-between. Just make sure you are careful and keep them on some type of fish. It's all about time with you and not the boat anyway.

[wswylie]

I agree with all you say. Just looking for something that can handle the rough water we get around here on the weekends and that will feel stable and safe for everyone. Heck I hope I can keep me on the fish in addition to my son.

[ILRiverRat]

Well - most everyone here has more bass boat experience than me and my first 'bass boat' is a Champ but I absolutely love the boat and thank God that's what I ended up with.

When I ramped out the other day - an old hand come up and said "Boy you don't see many Champs around here but you got the best riding best quality boat that's been made. I had one just like yours a few years back and it's the driest ride you'll eve get. Them Rangers are good boats but they're slow, they're rough riding and you're gonna get wet"

Well hell - I used to get wet in my jon boat (still do) - but at least when I'm in my Champ - I'm not scared and it's super smooth. Even the wife was impressed on a particularly rough day when a bad storm came up. She was scared of the weather but not of the boat or my driving! ;)

good luck - but if you ride in a Champ I'm betting you'll buy a Champ... (assuming you've ridden the others too)

[wswylie]

Thanks to all. I have ridden in a Skeeter, Stratos, Javelin and Ranger. I have not been in a Champion or Triton yet but I hear they are both the best ride. Hope to try both and buy one soon.

[vicrentsit]

I recently purchased a 198 scx w/Mercury 225 PRO XS. Today I was transffering all my gear from the 1998 187 Elite w/175 EFI to the 198. I was shocked the 198 barely has more storage. I have ran my 187 for 12 years. It is a awsome boat. It has ample enough storage. I can store 15 rods in a rod locker including 7 foot rods. It has under seat storage, huge center tackle storage and storage on the back deck. I fish club tournaments and I have had rather large men fish very comfortably out of the back of the 187. I love that boat so much I decided not to sell it. IT IS THAT GREAT! If I were you that is the model I would look for. Besides the storage it handles and rides awesome.

[Lea]

Triton makes a fine boat, but they are prone to chine-walking, so be careful if you drive one. I think, once you drive a Champion, you will be sold...

[Blue203]

Call Jon Lilly at Boater's Marine in Monroe. I know he has some nice used champions. Including a 1999 221. 704-282-0967

Larry

[Royjulius]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by vicrentsit &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I recently purchased a 198 scx w/Mercury 225 PRO XS. Today I was transffering all my gear from the 1998 187 Elite w/175 EFI to the 198. I was shocked the 198 barely has more storage. I have ran my 187 for 12 years. It is a awsome boat. It has ample enough storage. I can store 15 rods in a rod locker including 7 foot rods. It has under seat storage, huge center tackle storage and storage on the back deck. I fish club tournaments and I have had rather large men fish very comfortably out of the back of the 187. I love that boat so much I decided not to sell it. IT IS THAT GREAT! If I were you that is the model I would look for. Besides the storage it handles and rides awesome.</td></tr></table>

Couldn't have said it better! If I ever go bigger I don't think I will sell this one.

[wswylie]

Thanks to everyone for the quality detailed feedback. Just the type of info I was wanting to know.

[Lea]

Definitely talk with Jon Lilley at Boater's Marine in Monroe. Tell him I said Hi!

[Champ203]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ChampioNman &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">How much you want to spend Warren? I know of a mint 203 with a 250 HPDI that may be for sale.</td></tr></table>

At this time its not for sale. Thanks for trying to help though.

Peace,
Don&lt;&gt;&lt;

[tjburdette]

Well I've ridden in basically all of the boats out there. I do think Ranger has a great ride. I personally feel like Ranger is just over priced. I owned a stratos 201 pro before I bought what I have now. I now own a champion 202 with merc 225efi. I love this boat. It does have less room than some of the others. I feel like it has more room than I'll ever need. I think it has the best ride that I've ever experienced in a bass boat. Just my 2 cents,

[wswylie]

Thanks for everyones help. I did go see Jon Lilley at Boaters Marine. He was extremely helpful and nice. He has his eyes out for a used rig when the right one comes along. If anyone else has one for sale in the southeast let me know.