Got my first ChampioN

[DrCFishing]

I bought a 1998 181 today. Needs some TLC but I am ready to put a little work in. I need a couple of things, where can I get parts? Ignition switch works but the kill switch does not work. I need new carpet. I have read that the 24 oz is the way to go. anyone put that carpet in a champioN? any problems with the lids closing? Also need seats eventually. Are they available or just get them recovered??? the main power does not work meaning none of the other things work, bilge, live wells, lights etc, any suggestions? All of the dash gauges work. I will look at power switch and circuit breakers???I am sure I will have lots of other questions. Thanks for any help.

Oh, my trailer is rusted pretty bad, any ideas where to get a used one in decent shape? can't afford a new one..........

[Gitzit1179]

Welcome to the family. If you've not owned a ChampioN before you will absolutely fall in love with them. Take a look at the top of this forum, there is a list of OEM suppliers for Champions. For carpet, there are several on-line suppliers of premium carpet such as boatcarpetcentral.com etc. Depending on the month/year of your 98 181, the seats were made by either LLebroc or Dean's. Both are quality products. Give LLebroc a call and have your VIN number handy...they can tell you whether it was there seats or not. A used trailer is tricky, your best bet is probably a local source.

There are a bunch of guys here who can help, so ask away. Someone else will be along shortly to help.

[Lea]

Welcome to the family!!!

Your seats were made by Dean's in AR. All they will need is your HIN and they can duplicate them, colors, etc. They are a sponsor here on BBC!

I believe carpet is generally 20 oz. BassCat sells some very fine carpet.

As said, lots of info in the OEM thread pinned at or near the top of this forum. And lots of knowledgeable folks here can help!

[foxman623]

Welcome to the Champ Family Don. I just got my first Champ and LOVE IT. theres some good folks on here.

[Lpolk]

Welcome aboard, keep posting and let's go a little slower and you will get more answers as you start on your project. Some of us have done what you are doing and can help you at every step. We are all glad to help. Let us know where you are going to start. Also pictures would help.

[DrCFishing]

Ok, over the last couple of days I have basically done a first level cleaning. The boat had been parked outside without a cover. Tons of leaves in every compartment and just overall dirty. While cleaning out the rear compartment I removed all the batteries oil tank and the little trays that hold that stuff. While in there I saw a wire that was broken and it was the one to fix the main power. It has a w20 amp circuit breaker in line. repair wire and now the master power works, also horn, lights, not sure about the live wells yet. I will get the pictures started soon. Thanks for the input guys. I will take the advice and go slow with current problems that Iam working on for questions. My son has decided he likews the boat so we will be selling our old one if anyone is looking for a great starter boat. Most likely will sell to one of his college fishing buddies.

Here is what I am trying to figure out at this point. Can't get the rear pole seat out. It looks like the previous owner put wsome serious tools on it to try and get it out. Won't budge. I think that they unscrew not pull out correct? Any advice on how to get that dude to budge?

I am going to follow the instructions I found in the restoration forum and wet sand buff and polish the top cap. I practiced on my older boat so feelconfident that I can do this with great success,

thanks guys and I look forward to adding some knowledge and helping others who are going thru the same thing.

List of things to do:
Polish
Kill switch does not work
Live Wells
Carpet
Seat recover/replace
travel

pictures coming

[Lpolk]

On my first Champ, I bought me a strap wrench, twisted it back and forth while someone else pulled up. I don't think it is threaded , rather just sitting in the base. this is a common thing on Champions. You will need a buddy to help you. When you get it out, that shaft or that hole needs to be sanded or whatever it takes to allow it to free up, so that you can remove it effortless. Everybody has their own way of doing that. I personally had my shaft turned at a machine shop on both of my boats.

[Sports1]

Congrats on the purchase. What type of engine do you have on it?

[DrCFishing]

The motor is a Johnson 150 faststrike. Cleaned it up today looks good. Found the fuel filter so I will change that ASAP also along with plugs.

[jerzia]

And before you run anymore gas through it, change the fuel line as well as the primer bulb to ethanol resistant!

[Tx Champ]

So what part of Austin are you in? My wife's sisters & mom live in S Austim & Manchaca and we make several trips a year. I may have to come check out this diamond in the rough ...

PS -- I have a single axle Champ trailer that belongs to another BBCer. I bet he might sell. I'll get info off of it when I get back to Abilene and you can compare with yours. The year is going to be close and it was for a 203 if I'm not mistaken. Oh, and it's red.

[champ1264]

Negative on the threaded seat post!!! Soak it with thread loosener, let it sit, get the push pin to move, if not use a feeler guage next to the seat latch and the base in the floor, and slide it up, kind of like a slim jim. Once that's set put two rubber strap wrenches on it (one to torque one way, one the other), jar it back and forth. Once you have it moving, put your back on the seat bottom, wrench it back and forth, push up with your back.

If all that doesn't work, you'll need to do the same thing with a bottle jack under your seat.

ONE FINAL word!! I have seen 1, ONE seat in the rear that had a clevis pin in the base, like the ski poles are installed through the livewells (there is a hole for those so the ski pole won't pop out). MAKE SURE THERE IS NO CLEVIS INSTALLED AND STUCK!!, those are exposed to livewell humidity!! You will be dead of a heart attack, or likely a busted head vessel if that is the case. Make sure it is not there!!

Best of luck!

Paul

[DrCFishing]

I am in south austin very close to manchaca. Let me know if he wants sell that trailer if it is reasonable shape, that would be great. Going to Conroe for the Texas Toyota Bass Clasiec this weekend, but any other time come on by.

Thanks for the headsup

[DrCFishing]

Not sure what you are refering to as the push pin?? They don't just lift out? There is a pin to push first?

[champ188]

Pics?

[DrCFishing]

I looked in the OEM section and did not see a place to get toggle switches, that match the originals. Any suggestions? The old owner added a chrome on/off switch and I want to replace it wwith one that matches the others. The rusted chrome just does not do it for me LOL

[electric fish]

Pretty close to you as well. Do you fish in a club? I am at Stassney and Manchaca.
I have a 184 dual console that is also a work in progress.

[Lea]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by austinbassin &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Not sure what you are refering to as the push pin?? They don't just lift out? There is a pin to push first?</td></tr></table>

The 98s came with snap-lock pedestals and there should be a button down near the bottom of the pedestal. Push that button in in order to twist the pedestal and and pull up....

I take my seats out after every trip, and have never had a problem, but there are a ton of threads here in the forum about this very issue.

[DrCFishing]

I fish with the Austin Bass Club. My son fishes the flw college events.

[electric fish]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by austinbassin &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I fish with the Austin Bass Club. My son fishes the flw college events.</td></tr></table>

Neat about your son fishing FLW. My wifes uncle, Ronnie Scott, is a long time member of the Austin Bass Club. I fish the South Austin Bass Club.
Good Luck