After reading all the news about the co-randing I have to ask everyone whether I should consider one of the new Stratos/Champs? I won't be in the market for a boat for a while, but I am looking and was considering a Champ. Now that this big mess has happened I wonder if it's a good idea to support Stratos even though the boats might be good. I know there are lots of good boats out there, but I want this to be a long-term investment and make sure it's what I want.
I am serious. And don't call me Shirley.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by chefdlh1972 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">After reading all the news about the co-randing I have to ask everyone whether I should consider one of the new Stratos/Champs? I won't be in the market for a boat for a while, but I am looking and was considering a Champ. Now that this big mess has happened I wonder if it's a good idea to support Stratos even though the boats might be good. I know there are lots of good boats out there, but I want this to be a long-term investment and make sure it's what I want.</td></tr></table>
I think only you can make that decision. I'm sure the boats will be the same with the only difference being badging but its how it was handled is the reason there's absolutely no way I would buy one and I've bought 3 Champs in the past 10 years. Keep in mind this is my opinion only. After all the turmoil surrounding this and the corporate greed, I think a guy owes it to himself to look hard at a family owned company like Basscat. Again, just my opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose.
2019 Ranger Z520C DC / 250 Pro XS 4 Stroke
You are going to get a bias answer here in the Champ Form. In fact if you ask this question in each form you will get a different answer in each.
but here are the facts :
Champion was closed in Mountain Home and moved to Tennessee to share expenses with Stratos, so for the last several years if you purchased a Champion it was made at the stratos plant by stratos employees.
Now Champ and Stratos have been moved to Arkansas, they are being built by the same people that build Ranger Boats.
Warranty -this is the big worry when a company sells. Ranger is assuming all warranty for previously sold Champion / Stratos boats.
Parts - Ranger is now the supplier of parts for Champ / Stratos. There track record is pretty good since they have been supplying parts for rangers for 40 years.
Only you can determine if the peace of mind outweighs the downside.
Good Luck on your decision. . . .
"Success is never owned, it is rented, and the rent is due every day."
I think Stratos was made by Champion folks actually. You have it backwards.
Go by yourself a BassCat. Still family owned and they congratulate you on BBC for buying a 20 year old boat same as if you by a 20 minute old boat.
But I wouldn't be scared to by a Champtos at all. Even if they quit making them NADA stays the same on them. It's not like it's an investment. Boats are money pits. Get what you want and go fishing.
I'm going to be in the same boat (pun intended) as you in a year or two. If I buy a Strampion, it will be a 210, period. Before I do, I will take a tour of the plant and see them being built. I will also take one to the lake a run the crap out of it. Then, and only then, will I make my decision. While I don't necessarily agree with the direction they're going, I'm not afraid of it either. My first two boats were Champions, and I'd like to keep that tradition going. I love my Champions, but not for the name. If I can buy a Champion and peel the Stratos sticker off of it, then I will. I have nothing against Stratos or those that own and/or build them in any way, shape or form.
If I decide to go away from Champion, I will likely go towards BassCat or Legend.
If I were in the market I would certainly check them out. If it really is a champ with a stratos badge and there is no other hulls I prefer then I would buy one. After all, it is how the hull performs that really matters.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by H2O_Fowl »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> Get what you want and go fishing.</td></tr></table>
25th Anniversary Champion 187 SCX Elite
Mercury 175 EFI
Perception Pescador Pro 120 Kayak
Aquos 10ft Pontoon Boat
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by iron banks »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">If I were in the market I would certainly check them out. If it really is a champ with a stratos badge and there is no other hulls I prefer then I would buy one. After all, it is how the hull performs that really matters. </td></tr></table>
What's done is done. The loss of our company, and the jobs it provided, is extremely sad, but if the Elite boats are built well, we can still get the ChampioN ride!
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Lea »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
What's done is done. The loss of our company, and the jobs it provided, is extremely sad, but if the Elite boats are built well, we can still get the ChampioN ride!</td></tr></table>
This is one of the reasons I stick with Charger boats they are small and when I call you can talk to a real person that knows the boats history from day one.You can get original seats ,winshields,swithches,deckinserts etc, no matter the year.
Unlike some of the others you give them a vin number and it means nothing,charger can tell you everything about the boat.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by TOUCH OF CLASS »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
This is one of the reasons I stick with Charger boats they are small and when I call you can talk to a real person that knows the boats history from day one.You can get original seats ,winshields,swithches,deckinserts etc, no matter the year.
Unlike some of the others you give them a vin number and it means nothing,charger can tell you everything about the boat.
Yep, Have always able to do this with the Champions, too. We'll see....
yep thats what happen to omc when they went under I called one day and the guy that answered my phone call after waiting ,said he dont know this is a new company and we dont know to much about the older omcs.I got rid of that motor in a hurry
Lea you guys could trade those old models on some new ones like this
and that is a 300
I know I will get bashed for this but I have been reading these post all day about the Champion/Statos situation and I keep thinking the same thing, so I will just go ahead and say it. You Champion guys talk about how great of a boat a Champion is, but you would never buy the same boat with a Stratos badge on it. Makes no sense to me. Sounds like the real reason you have Champion is some kind of status symbol. If the real reason you have a Champion is the ride, storage, fishablity, ect. all those thing will still be there. Another thing, if they are so great, why can't they sell enough to keep the product line alive.
Thanks for your opinion. We all have them...and all are valid to a point. This is a sad time for a company we love. That's all ....
Many great brands out there. This is really not the time to start jumping in and promoting them. Let's wait and see what the future holds..and then, those in the market for a new boat, can make their decisions...
TOC, you have an IM...
Consumer's can't control management , Any product will get in to trouble with poor management running it.............
08 Champion 198
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by TOUCH OF CLASS »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
and that is a 300
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Is that what it takes to get that thing to run? :wink
2019 Ranger Z520C DC / 250 Pro XS 4 Stroke
It helps ,but I dont know how much, we shut her down at 85
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by TOUCH OF CLASS »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">It helps ,but I dont know how much, we shut her down at 85
hmmm...you don't happen to have a screen shot of the gps at that speed do ya
2019 Ranger Z520C DC / 250 Pro XS 4 Stroke
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by 08 198 Champ »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
hmmm...you don't happen to have a screen shot of the gps at that speed do ya
I've got a shot of my screen on my old Pantera II at 78 MPH. Not sure if that was on the highway or what.
I bet that Charger will roll. Not sure about 85 though. Sharp looking boat though. I really like the looks of them.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by onemorecast »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I know I will get bashed for this but I have been reading these post all day about the Champion/Statos situation and I keep thinking the same thing, so I will just go ahead and say it. You Champion guys talk about how great of a boat a Champion is, but you would never buy the same boat with a Stratos badge on it. Makes no sense to me. Sounds like the real reason you have Champion is some kind of status symbol. If the real reason you have a Champion is the ride, storage, fishablity, ect. all those thing will still be there. Another thing, if they are so great, why can't they sell enough to keep the product line alive.</td></tr></table>
Remove certain management failures from the current situation and I may think about a strampion.
Larry Eby, 2004 ChampioN 188 Elite/2003 200 Hp Vmax OX66
"Romans 10:9"
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