1984 Champion turns into a resto project

[Chupacabra]

Hello, as you can prob tell I'm new here. sadly I found you guys after I was knee deep in trouble. But thx to you guys I was able to get my Champ on the lake. so here goes.

I had seen this boat sitting collecting water and dirt for 9 years. I pass it every day. a few times when the fishing was great the owner would wash it and go to the lake. Then one day I saw him put a sign out and I jumped on it.

Well I got it for $3000.00. I tried to get it for $2500. but his wife got in the way . It needed carpet cleaning and love. The owner assured me everything worked great. I was too excited to think about what I was getting into.
It was perfect for me.. low cost and my 15ft red oxy to orange 81 skeeter needed a new home.


First things first.

1. replaced trolling motor and seats after winning some money while in vegas (stopped at the new Bass pro shops)
2. rewired the trailer and replaced all the lights.
3. after getting home my nephew stepped thru the floorboard. So I ripped out the floor carpet and bought a sheet of plywood and cheap carpet as a quick fix.
4. Motor ran fine at the owners house. (Hull and motor were my main concerns at the time)

Well now comes the fun part .. time to replace the carpet ( its the org and was peeling off by the wind).
so...
Repalce carpet
Fix floor
Sand and buff
New stickers
Steering wheel
Replace all carroted screws, hinges.
Repainted cowl.

Time for pics.

[Chupacabra]

Before motor



After motor

repacing floor



replaced floor


After shots






what do you think?

[alexus]

Looks good but can you resize the photos?

[Chupacabra]

was doing that as you posted

[Lea]

Great job!!!!!!!!

[Chupacabra]

Thx Lea...

Hey where can i find out the size of motor Im allowed to put on her. Title says 18'4" so 175hp?

[SwatDawg]

Good Job

[bassin98]

[TobyG.Mo]

had an 83 just like it and it was rated for a 175

[keefus]

Nice Work, Know you will enjoy it.
keefus

[MrPink9]

Great job on the boat.

I am doing my 85 Champ now. Your layout is almost identical. How did you put the aluminum carpet edging back on? Did you use rivets like original or screws? If screws, what size did you use and did you drill the holes larger first?
Thanks

[Chupacabra]

I used #8 (8x1) phillips oval stainless steel sheet metal screws and #8 stainless washers. Might wanna get 25ish 10x1 also cause if you need to replace any on railing, cleats , ect it will save you a trip.

I used a 1/8 drill bit .. and just drilled the rivets out.. they popped off easily and the shaft from the rivet would end up on the drill bit.

I got a box of 100 screws and washers from a local hardware store. Lowes and home depot were not very helpful here. they only had like 2-bags of 25 not stainless.

Dunno what shape your boat is in but mine was dirty dirty.. I took steel wool to the edging before putting it back on and it made a nice difference.

Also would like to thank you guys for the kind words. Im so glad I found your site.

oh, and thx Toby.. I thought it might be a 175.. Just wanna know incase I happen to run across a deal.

[MrPink9]

Thanks Chuppa.

Yea mines in bad shape. Sitting 6 years in the Arizona sun. It lost a lot of clear gel coat on the top cap that I am redoing. Carpet , deck extension, seats, windscreens the works. Wasn't sure how I was going to clean up the carpet trim, thanks for your suggestions.

[JonW]

Looks really nice!
The only part I would change are the decals.
Contact Iguana grafix or Crazy Elvis (both decal guys here on the board) to make you correct Champ and Merc. decals.

[Chupacabra]

bummer.. the stickers were my design. I wanted to be a lil diff.

I got excited about putting them on and put the Merc stickers in the wrong place. I was going to put them in the lower left corner and get a large "Chupacabra" where the merc stickers are no biggie.

I do appreciate the feedback tho

PS: what doesnt show up well on the pic is that the stickers are in a diamond plate design with swamp terror font. I got quite a few compliments at the lake

[PhilG]

Nice work.
I have an 83 and the layout looks exact. I was curious if you added the carpeted plywood or similar under the seats to be able to use commonly found replacement seats? I did contact deanstop.com and they have the original seats, but I was curious about it. Do you have any other urls with more details about your restore?
Great work.
Phil

[Chupacabra]

Thx.. yes I did make the wood frame for the seats.. It was a cheap easy fix.. at the time I didnt have any extra $$$$$$..

I just ordered these http://www.boatingseats.com/Bo...s.asp I was org going to go with grey carpet but went blue.. and the cheap seats dont feel right.

No extra urls. but I have done alot of work.. mostly wetsanding and using aquabuff. new gauges, toggles, livewell & bilge pumps and procontroll inc.. also now have the wood and mats for more storage. Installed a new lowrance X96 last night but something is wrong with the screen. I ran outta power again on my TM batts so I said screw it 2 new batts and a charging system inc.. I gotta wait a few months for the hyd steering now but thats cool.. fish are biting so it can wait.


Modified by Chupacabra at 10:09 PM 4/18/2008

[PhilG]

Again, nice work.
My seats are beyond repair. I bought some cheap replacements before I realized the others had the recess underneath them. As worn as the originals are, they are way more comfortable then the cheapies. I think I am going to get the replacements from DeanStop.com.
The other two issues with mine are 1) the driver's side hand rail was bent. I havent located another one. I am getting to like the look without the rails and I noticed they were removed from yours. Do you plan on going back with them?
2) I have a few blisters in the clear coat around the back area that have popped and i dont know how to handle them. Overall the finish is pretty decent . .it is tired but I think it will clean up. (once i learn the best way)
I am also considering building a add-on to the front deck for more flipping room. I have seen some Champs with our layout that have a carpeted board that is removable to put there, but I am thinking if redoing the entire from deck, making it bigger and getting rid of the gaps between some of the carpeted pieces. I guess this would entail new rod locker lid, and lid for the storage in front of the console.
Did yours have a windshield by chance?
Sorry for all the questions.
Phil

[Chupacabra]

No worries ask away. Im learning as I go so if I can help someone else thats great.

No windshield was on mine when I got it.. Im thinking of getting one eventually. not in any hurry cause its gonna get hot here soon and I wont need one til Jan although It was a cold drive this morning .

as for the deck Im gonna copy what arjone01 has done http://www.bbcboards.net...37362

He did a nice job on his.. I hope to get close to his craftsmanship.


As for the handrails go I hadnt put em back on yet due to the fact I was gonna rebuff and wax again, but last Fri i scared the crap outta dad flying across the lake, he is used to a lil alum Bass attacker with my old 70 Yamaha. Anyhow I putem back on last night.

Sorry Im not gonna be any help with blisters and cracks. My boat looks 10000 times better then when I drove away with it and right now Im just obsessed with getting it fishable and comfortable. So far Im not dissapointed.

what motor is on your 83?

DJ

[Lpolk]

A lot of work, but, what a beautiful job.