Thinking of buying my first bass boat - 2001 Champion 203

[bab33face]

What do you guys think of these specs compared to the asking price of $17,500?

2001 Champion 203
Length - 20'
Weight - 1550
Beam - 7'5"
Outboard - Yamaha 225
Trolling Motor - 36 volt Tour Edition trolling motor
Bow electronics - X85
Dash electronics - Lowrance 480 GPS
Charger - Champion 3 bank
Trailer - Dual Axle

[PlanoCooter]

You'll only get one answer here. Buy it!! You can't go wrong with a Champ.

Best boats on the water. May not be as fast as some, but drier and smoother than the rest. And great workmanship and quality.

[brandonb]

For a first bass boat you are picking a damn good one. If it is clean and well taken care of and the motor checks out I don't think that price is bad at all. If you do buy it you won't regret it, the 203 is one fine boat IMO. Got any pics of the boat?

[JohnM]

Did you say FIRST bass boat and 203 in the same sentence?

[vols203]

My first boat was/is a 2000 203....i paid more than that for it and i wouldn't trade it for any new boat on the market. Post some pics and make sure the motor is good to go.

[jkainoa]

Man I really dig those 203's. I have a 2000 DC191 with a 200 VMAX YAMI that I bought brand new and it has been a ROCK SOLID boat.

I think I've seen the boat that your talking about. Is it in Graham, Washington? I live about 10 minutes from Graham. Look like I nice boat!

Nixon's Marine has one on their web-site as well that looks to be identical except for the electronics. Their asking just under 20K but I know you could get it for less. They use to have it over at their Spanaway location (Angler's Marine). I saw that boat when it was there. They look so similar that I was wondering if the seller had it on consignment and maybe they are one in the same.

The VMAX is an excellent choice although there's probably a couple of things that need to be replaced by now.

You can't go wrong with a Champion. As was said earlier, they are not the fastest but they ARE the best boat on the market. I would'nt own anything else and I've fished out of a couple of Tritons and a Ranger.


Good Luck!

[203]

Oh I don't know. You might want to steer away from it. It's long, narrow, and probably faster than you might want to go.

I enjoy getting wet every time I go out in other brands of boats...

I really like the bone jarring ride of a jon boat, and my sentiments are reflected by my dentist and my physical therapist.

If you have a deck that large you might forget that it does have limits and step off sometime, hurting yourself and possibly breaking tackle.

Those straps on the rod lockers are such an annoyance. I'd much rather have my feet burned by the metal handles on other boats in the sun.

You will more than likely have to take out a loan to fill the tackle storage on that boat, and we all know how hard it is to get a loan right now.

The dual axle trailer is a real pain. It's exciting to know that your single axle assemblies are running out on the very limits of their endurance. Especially at 70 MPH.

A 36 volt motor will probably throw you off the boat someday. I think I would opt for a 12 volt motor to get smoother acceleration.

Handling is a big issue. Since it will turn 180 degrees in two boatlengths at 50 mph with a plumber driving it, you might want to second guess your interest in being able to avoid debris and other boats in an emergency.

It's probably ugly too. Those pins and arrows stand out so much I have noticed even the R boats stop and stare. Nobody wants that much attention.

If you need any other reasons to steer clear of this boat, please IM me.

[Royjulius]

awesome. pure poetry.

[Lea]

Talk about reverse psychology!!! Richard, you are a nut!!!!

bab33face....if the motor checks out...get it!!!! The 203 is one of the finest ever built!!!

[Wind Talker]

Richard... Solid Gold my man!!

bab33? Just get it. You'll NEVER regret your choice. At ChampioN, we don't have "Buyer's Remorse."

[medicineman]

My first glass boat is 2003 203. I love it, period.

[Royjulius]

What's the beam width on a 2003? Still a skinny Champ?

[WaYoop]

Sounds like the one in Graham, WA. Talked to the guy, it has like 6 hours on a rebuild, not sure if that is good or bad. One of his ads he said he was laid off and needed cash

Sharp boat, but won't fit in my garage...

Rob

[Bassin Bob71]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Royjulius &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What's the beam width on a 2003? Still a skinny Champ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

90"

[Phil Carver]

I have a 2004 model 203 and I can't say enough good things about it. See if you can have the motor checked out at a local dealer. They should be able to hook it up to a computer and tell you its history.

Sinc e there sem to be so many people on this board with 203's now , what kind of top speeds are you getting and with what prop? I run a 225 EFI with a 25 tempest. I run around 70 - 70.3 GPS with a tourny load, full live well and half tank of fuel.

[pcmc19057]

I have a 2000 203 with a 1999 200 ficht and a 24 Raker that runs 63 gps.
I love my Champ.
Paul

[Phil Carver]

I thought that more folks would chime in on this one. I would definatly like to see what numbers everyone is getting.

[brandonb]

2000 203- Merc 225 Opti- 25 Tempest Plus worked by Mark-70.3 GPS. Full tourny load two people and full tank, I usually run anywhere from 67 to 69 depending on conditions.

[Champ203]

Not to high jack the thread - but to satisfy Phil...

A45 Tempest 27P stock prop, 79.4 mph light load.

75-76 everyday all day with heavy load.

Hydraulic plate is a must to get the last few MPH out of the ole girl, someday if gas prices stay low and I win the lottery I'll get one of my Tempests worked and see if I can get an ole 203 over 80.

Peace,
Don&lt;&gt;&lt;

[U.S. eh Champ!]

Trophy Plus 26 Worked By Mark = 72 best to date light. 68 with full tournament load and 2 full tanks of gas with passenger.