Looking at Champs 1993-1996 - Your Advice is most appreciated.

[bobbyb]

Like to say Hello to all Champ Board Members. This is my maiden post and I'm in need of some advice.
*I'm looking for a 93-96 Champion - 18 to 19' that will handle potential 3 + foot waves.
*A DC style - deal I had to make with my wife.....lol
My questions are: If you were looking, what model would you consider and what Motor make(s) and hp.
*Any major Hull/Transom differences between those model years I should know about.
So many ads I've looked at had various motor manufacturers and Hpower seemed to be in some cases underpowered for the 19 footers (?).
Stability is important due to the lake I will be fishing on so wider would be better - I assume (??).
To be honest, I was considering a Ranger, but I decided not to go that route for various reasons (price was 1)
Gosh, being a newbie to Bass Boats, there is sooo much to learn; but after the ride I had in a Champ on the Detriot River I'm sold!!
Thanks for takin the time,
bobby

[MMosher]

18'4 will fit your needs.

[Lea]

Welcome, bobby! Glad you joined us. I hope you join the Champion family!!!

[ilovesmallies]

i have a 96 186 dc with a 175 mercury optimax xs and love it. 3 ft or bigger waves wont be a smooth ride but would be the smoothest in a champion. i would go with at least a 150. optimax get the best mpg.

[bobbyb]

Thank you Lea for the welcome. I've read a lot of your posts!
And thank you to ilovesmallies, and MMosher. It's a great site and I'm happy to be a part of it.
bobby

[dlewis10]

Don't know how far your willing to drive, but a 1993 is going up for sale here soon. See the post: http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=598609

You won't find a better 18 year old boat than that.

Some of Champs finest were built during the years you speak of. My 19 footer (1993 190) handles rough water well. It's a narrow hull though, and sits a little higher in the water at rest. But it cut waves when running like a hot knife through butter. The 184 Champ is arguabley the best "sportscar" bass boat of its time.

I would highly recommend any Champion if it was cared for.

Good luck and welcome to the boards. Get in one and take a ride. It practically sells itself !

[H2O_Fowl]

If your running true 3 plus footers then you need 19 foot boat. 3ft wave is big.

[bobbyb]

3 footers are not uncommon here - Lake Simcoe. It can be calm one minute and treacherous the next.
bobby

[Gitzit1179]

If you're running 3 footers commonly, then a 19-20 footer will work just fine. I fish in the NE and lakes like Winnipesaukee and Champlain get nasty even on beuatiful summer days. a 19 ft boat will span the waves nicely but you'll need a motor than cah keep you on top...probably a 175 hp or greater.

[pmgoffjr]

In that time frame, the only champs you do NOT want to look at would be a 180 or 204. Other than that, good to go.

[bobbyb]

Thanks Gitzit and Pat = the input is most appreciated - a real raw rookie here,,,,!!

Spending a lot of time sifting thru all the back posts and startin to get a feel (not a tingle yet.......lol). What I have come across is the enormous amount of help you seldom see on other boards.
Thanks again guys,
bobby

[bobbyb]

Ooop's fogot to ask:
Pat can you shed a bit of light on the 2 models I should avoid - the 180 and the 204.

bobby

[RudeBuoy]

Hey bobby,
Though over 19 foot, I run an older 201 on Simcoe all the time... and haven't needed the Advil yet. Not even after the 6-8 footers last fall in the Simcoe open.

[pmgoffjr]

Simple answer...180 and 204 are flea bags in a kennel full of champions. I can't make either one run as well as any other model, which means...they are about like everything else, but no where near what the other hulls are or were at the time.

176, 184, 190, 201 would all be very good choices.

[No hot foot]

Is there any difference in the 190 and 191 hulls?

[Muz]

Hey Bobby


My buddy has a 99 187 up here in Kenora, Ontario. No motor on it, but it has 2 graphs and a trolling motor. Sweet boat, and would save you the hassle of the border.

Send me an IM if interested

Muz

[bobbyb]

RudeBuoy
So right. I live just off Mara Point.
As you know 1 minute all is calm, then the next and your dealing - in some instances -with your life....yikes.

[bobbyb]

Pat
Your Hull knowledge is most appreciated (!!).
Thanks Pat,
bobby

[gmart0826]

bobbyb:

I am a fairly new to being a Champion owner (June 2010). I purchased the Champion 190 Fishhunter which is Champion's version of a multi-species boat. I believe the freeboards are a little taller and the V may be a little deeper although I am not positive about that. It is a very heavy boat with a 200 hp Mercury EFI.

I have run this boat on Saginaw Bay and Burt Lake in Michigan and have been in some pretty rough stuff and have always felt very secure in the boat. Even more telling is that my wife was never uncomfortable when we were in rough water. By the way - she is usually a fair weather boater. I am also not one to push my luck and never felt any concern. The boat really handles the waves nicely. While I can not speak personally about the other Champion models, I will certainly vouch for the Fishhunter 190.

There are not a lot of these models for sale at any given time but they occassionally do show up.

Whichever Champion boat you end with, the search is always a lot of fun and then tweaking the boat for your own needs is what I also enjoy. Good luck and keep us informed as to what you end up with.

[bobbyb]

gmart0826

Thank you for the words of encouragement. Been beating every bush and tumbleweed in North America looking - however what I have found is a lot are way overpriced (no offense to someone selling) with little or no electr"s or seats/floor needs replacing.
I have seen Pics of your boat - Nice - that would handle my lake and for that matter Lake Michigan easy. Have seen only 1 for sale so far - and sold quickly.
I'll just keep looking,
bobby
Going to be spending a few days up in your neck of the woods (Christmas) - Saginaw for Outlet Shopping and Frankemuth for Christmas - should be fun.