Final Year of Champions 2001?

[Cullbynoon]

I have a Elite 187 2001. I have heard rumors and stories that the plant employees new that the doors would be closing and that quality and craftsmanship of this year of boat could be suspect. Has anyone seen or heard of this? Was the production of Champion models in 2001 limited due to the closing or did they produce a normal volume of boats?

[Steve 187]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Cullbynoon &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> I have heard rumors and stories </td></tr></table>

That is the answer not the question...........................

[FEARTHETURTLE210]

I have 2 club members who also bought 2001 model years and have expressed the same concern. I know the one guy with a 206 had stresscracks all over his boat and by the time he tried warranty the doors were closing. That would be hard to call..Only the ex-plant workers could answer this question to validate any truth...

[Royjulius]

I would think that this late in the game you should have had problems by now if anything was substandard. Have you had any? Mine's a 2000 and it is in amazingly good shape. Looks great and performs even better. Very few gel cracks, no transom issues, nothing but an awesome boat.

[Dennis H.]

My 206 was built in April - May of 2001. I've had no issues, not a single crack...

[Cullbynoon]

The boat I bought was was basically brand new when I bought in 2007. Long story but it was only in the water 2 times before me. Not registered or anything it was in storage for 4 plus years. Motor was older, the guy just updated he boat. I have noticed some little things. Carpet is loose in some spots, a couple small gelcoat cracks. Nothing major. Just curious. I just don't see as many 01's around. I do/did have some issues with trailer tire wear, hopefully I have fixed that. Otherwise so far a solid boat.

[Lea]

No idea of the numbers produced that year, but I seriously doubt you will have worries!!!!

Good looking boat, BTW!!!!!

[WaYoop]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Royjulius &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I would think that this late in the game you should have had problems by now if anything was substandard. Have you had any? Mine's a 2000 and it is in amazingly good shape. Looks great and performs even better. Very few gel cracks, no transom issues, nothing but an awesome boat. </td></tr></table>

Agree with Roy. I have a 2001, and it is solid as a rock, everything works as designed, and I suspect it was run hard before I purchased it several years back.

[SCOTT196]

I have an 01 196, no problems.

[BassinBarrister]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Dennis H. &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">My 206 was built in April - May of 2001. I've had no issues, not a single crack...

</td></tr></table>

Mine, too!

[Royjulius]

That is a great looking boat! I love red with a white arrow.......does it have silver pinstripes in the arrow? Nice!!!

[BRETT]

2001-203, Still solid and runs like a raped ape...





What she looks like during the winter.....

[Skip]

I had a 2001 187, one of the last produced at the Ark. plant and I loved that boat. Nothing wrong with it. Traded it for an 05 188 from C&O. Love that boat to.

[06champ198]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by BRETT &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">2001-203, Still solid and runs like a raped ape...





What she looks like during the winter.....



</td></tr></table>

Those were taken prior to us going to Lake Fork right!!!! What a trip. We need to post our pics. Great boat Brett..

[bled1]

Love my Champ but living on Lake Fork makes it look much older than it is. Oh well, unlike some mine is a fishing boat!!!

[slinkeey]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Cullbynoon &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The boat I bought was was basically brand new when I bought in 2007. Long story but it was only in the water 2 times before me. Carpet is loose in some spots, a couple small gelcoat cracks. Nothing major. </td></tr></table>

What did he do with that boat to get loose carpet and cracked gel-coat without ever using it. Looks like a beautiful boat, but 2 times on the water? Common! I am sure the last owner had it out more than two times.


Modified by slinkeey at 10:06 PM 3/26/2011

[slinkeey]

On another note..

The 2001 Champions are just fine.. I don't think management would allow a a shoddy product to be produced while trying to sell the company. I have been on this forum lurking for and researching for awhile and have not seen any complaints about 2001 model year boats.

If you are selling your business to Gemnar, I would think that you would want to get the largest check from them that is possible. Creating junk is not going to make them want to invest much in your business.

[mixermarkb]

They didn't sell their product to genmar. Someone who was in charge had personal problems and screwed over a lot of good people, his employees and the fans of champion boats all over, when he bankrupted the company.

It wasn't a boat quality thing.

It was a spoiled brat quality thing, from what I know.

Now some of us would like it if you just went and used your champ and enjoyed it for what it is, and quit talking about poor workmanship and design, on a boat built by people who worked really hard, with a lot of pride, to make something special.


Sorry Lea, remove this if its too much, I'm kind of in a bad mood.

[slinkeey]

Did you even read my Post? I said that the 2001s are just fine..

Sorry if I am wrong about selling the Company part.. I though Gemnar bought Champion so I was stating that it would *not* have been in their interest to produce a shoddy product if they were planning on keeping the company alive by having assets up for sale.

Lea, I am not sorry that mixermarkb has a problem with me saying that the 2001 Champions are just fine. I am in a good mood.


Modified by slinkeey at 10:23 PM 3/26/2011

[mixermarkb]

Genmar bought the assets of the company in a bankruptcy auction, after the doors had been locked and a whole lot of people put out of work.

It wasn't a good day for the city of Mountain Home.