Does any one know why the company that bought the Genmar boat group decided to the Stratos thing to Champion boats? I'm not a Champion owner but always thought very highly of their boats.They kept all the other brands names intact why in the world change the name of the pick of the litter? Sorry if this has been hashed and re hashed before but I've wondered about their reasoning or more like the lack of it.
I was told that the new owners (PE) felt they could financially market better under the Stratos banner.Neither the Champion family, nor the Stratos owners were too pleased with this decision.
Stratos has more name recognition as Lea says. They were #1 is sales when Earl owned them that is why the #1 was in the star for so many years. As long as the hulls remain that is what matters.
They hired an outside consultant to determine the new companys direction.
See ignorance daily
Man, I just wish a somewhat smaller company would have come along and bought up Champion. I do believe there is a strong market out there for the Champion hulls. When I look at the market today, I really admire Basscat, Phoenix and Allison. They produce quality boats and market their product to a smaller crowd. They only make as many boats as they need per year rather than mass producing and hoping they all sell. Once sold, they back it up with customer service. Talk to anybody that owns one of those three brands. Very few negative comments if any from their customers. I really think Champion would have fit very nicely in that market. Just my 2 cents.
1993 Champion 190
1991 Evinrude Intruder 150
Several great folks wanted Champion, but PE would not sell....
PE probably wouldn't sell because they knew they would be creating a stiff competitor for their other brands.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Mark Tr. »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">PE probably wouldn't sell because they knew they would be creating a stiff competitor for their other brands.</td></tr></table>
Exactly.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by dlewis10 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Man, I just wish a somewhat smaller company would have come along and bought up Champion. I do believe there is a strong market out there for the Champion hulls. When I look at the market today, I really admire Basscat, Phoenix and Allison. They produce quality boats and market their product to a smaller crowd. They only make as many boats as they need per year rather than mass producing and hoping they all sell. Once sold, they back it up with customer service. Talk to anybody that owns one of those three brands. Very few negative comments if any from their customers. I really think Champion would have fit very nicely in that market. Just my 2 cents.</td></tr></table>
That is how they started out Dave. They started out as a regional builder, then developed a dealer market through the area sales reps. Some areas prospered and some didn't. Champ built them one at a time not a mass produced hull. I got introduced to the brand in 1985 by a guy I used to work with whose brother was on the Regional Champion team. All of them ran Champs so I went for a few rides and fished a few T's with them. Closest dealer was 120 miles away but I decided to plop the $20K down and buy my 1989 201 with a GT150. Back in the day the 150 was all BASS would let you run. Come 1991 you could run a 200~No matter my 201 is rated V-6 and it's getting pushed by a Johnson 225 HO.
Question , since Champion Boats has been discontinued, can a company revive the Brand, splashing the original hulls and etc. I know there would be a patent problem but. I just have a difficult time digesting the original stripeing, the hull, the ride and , PE lying to the public by putting another name on the side. Even they call a duck a duck if it quacks and walk like one. Dumb question, already know the answer. Maybe I need to seek psychological help.
IBEW
Hulls may could be splashed, but the ChampioN name belongs to PE. There were also patents on the pad and "turning rudders" on the Mtn Home Champs that may also be viable that went with the company. So it would probably take some research to determine if a 100% splash could be done.
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