Looking at 2006 198 (is this a good boat?)

[Javelin387]

Hey guys,

I found a 2006 Champion 198 with a 225 Pro XS. It is in great shape, what would be a good price for this boat and what would the ride be like. To be honest I was looking at Bass Cat and Ranger when I came across this one. I am nervous about buying a Champ because there is no Hull warranty anymore, should this be a concern and was there any issues in 2006 witht the Champion boats out there (stress cracking, transom, etc.)? Appreciate the help and maybe I can get this one done.

[James.Harner]

Really great boat. I would not hesitate if the price is in your budget. Great ride,great fishing platform, and a 70+mph boat. I would say that it would be in the low to mid $20's depending on hrs on motor and condition

[Charlie206]

Ranger has agreed to honor the warranty, so unless something has happened that I have not heard about that hull is warranted. The 198 is a fantastic boat with a ride about as good as it gets.

[BILLY]

My buddy runs a 04 198. Great boat to fish out of.

[Javelin387]

Thanks guys. I was wondering what you all thought on the storage. I can't find many pics on the net that show the rear deck with the compartments open. I am going to see the boat tomorrow and may have to put a down payment on it. Does the lifetime Hull Warranty apply to all owners or just the first?

[Luke]

ran an 06 198 for 3 years...great boat...front storage is very good you can carry a ton of stuff...trust me i did now as far as the rear compartments...they do lack a little in space but not to bad depends on what all you carry...i put some of the not so used tackle back there in 3600 series boxes and rain gear on the other side.
far as speed goes...mine had a 225 HPDI turning a 25 T1...top speed with just me all my gear full gas and half tank of livewell water...i could get mine to 74 and some change...could run 2 guys loaded down at 72 all day long but you had to drive it...wasnt a point and shoot deal ya got to drive it....some of the guys like RJ that are running the Pro XS are getting around the same speeds but most spin a taller prop them guys will be along in a bit to give you info on them...far as hull warrenty pretty sure thats jsut to the 1st owner but really i dont think you will have any problem with it
all in all its a great boat ride is fantastic and has good speed and fishability as well

[bassin butch]

Per my owners manual: The warranty can be transfered 1 additional time.

IE: original gets it and so does the second.

[06champ198]

I have a 2006 with a Merc 225 PRO XS. Solid performer. Great all around boat. You can store a tackle shop in front. The back has plenty of storage for what I carry and the hull is weight sensitive. I put all my heavy stuff in the back. No issues to date with boat. I have a worked 26 Tempest prop by Marc Croxton. You will see between 68 and 69 fully tourney loaded. I have past a many of 70 plus MPH boats. The boat responds well to the trollling motor and with the wide beam is a very stable platform to fish from. I have not had any quality issues at all. I would jump on the deal if the price is right and the boat has been taken care of. Make sure you get the motor checked out. I am at the dealer right not getting a water pump put in along with lower unit seals. My motor has 130 hours. Not sure what they are asking but if I had mine for sale which I dont I would not take less than 27,000 since it it loaded to the gills. That just me. You could probably get it for 24 to 26 realistically. Good luck. You wont be sorry if you buy a Champ.

[dukhntr]

I love my boat. 74.7 is my top speed. 69-71 loaded down. Ride is awesome, fishability is great, but not quite as stable as a ranger. Storage is good, quality good...I love the boat. When I bought mine in 2008, I had about 33K to spend and I could have bought any USED boat I wanted. I got the 198 and havent' had any regrets....If you need some pics of the storage layout, send me an IM and I'll get some pics for you.

[Javelin387]

Ok, I went and looked at the boat, it was in great shape and I think I am going to make an offer. I only have 1 question, there was 2 lines in the clear coat at the rear of the boat on the topcap, 1 on each corner, they looked like a stress crack in the clear coat but were very uniform and straight, you could feel them with your finger nail but could just barely see them and it was only in the clear. Is this from the factory and on most Champs? It almost looked like where the clear was taped off or something. Can you please look at your and let me know if you have the same marks, i just want to make sure there was no work done to the transom before I buy it.

[bassin butch]

Based on the following I would say stress cracks:

Your location and it's proximity to lake erie.

Age of 2006 boat would likely indicate a few trips on the bid pond.

Best smallmouth fishing in the world!

Photos of what you witnessed would have been helpful.

Alarming? No

Normal on any brand of boat that seen some real use ,not a waxed down garage trophey? Yes

[JohnM]

The hull warranty is going to depend on in service date. From what I recall you have five years from in service to transfer it and then you'll get five more years. To be honest if the hull checks out that would be the least of my worries. You are describing gel coat stress cracks, very common especially noticeable on a white hull.

Gel is about as thick as your thumb nail that's why you can feel those cracks. I think a PE dealer is going to have to check the hull to transfer the warranty anyway?

I for sure would want ANY used motor checked out. Have them pull the serial number to see if it has a newer powerhead or not and any warranty work that was done . A computer print out on that powerhead won't tell you that info.

IMO the 198 was the best of the "wide bodies" outside of maybe the 210. Great ride and they fish great.

[rid 05 198]

Go for it!!!!

[weedhopper]

This is a 20' class boat that rides like a 22' and has the speed of a 19 ft rig. Have a glass x-pert in the area check out the cracks, they are normally cosmetic on the cap.

Run a ChampioN and you'll throw rocks at the others!!!!!!!!!

[kmed2]

i did not know that the warranty was only good to transfer once...

[Javelin387]

I think I figured out what they are, and i will have an expert look at them before I buy, but, these lines were so straight and looked like they were there from the factory, after knockking it around in my head for awhile, this boat was wrapped. The lines I think are where the wrap guy used a knife or blade to cut the wrap overlapp so that it would be the same. I will make a diagram to show you where they are.

[JohnM]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by kmed2 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">i did not know that the warranty was only good to transfer once...</td></tr></table>

It's been that way since I bought one in the 90's. When I sold my last one Todd Morgan was still at C&O and they had done all the work on it so he did all the paperwork for me and the buyer who I assume still lurks here. All he had to do was pay the fee. If it had been over five years old then I couldn't have transferred it at all. Read the fine print on the "lifetime hull warranty".

That being said I had some small gel cracks on my first, and broke the battery boxes doing demo rides on my second. Both fixed without a question and the battery boxes were way out of thier one year warranty.

I spent a few days in both of Duane Harpers 198's they were good uns.

[Lea]

Now that makes sense. And it may simply be where the pieces of wrap butted against one another. If the motor checks out, go for it!!!

[Javelin387]

What is the storage length with a swing away and a Mercury? I am looking at building a garage and need to know.

[bassin butch]

24 ft even.