Interesting Read - 203

[Lpolk]

[Lpolk]

I wonder why any of us even entertain or respond to, things that are so biased, by another person. It is obvious what their intentions are. You don't here us continuing to compare boats, that's because I think their is no need to. I already know what benefits Champion offers, their personal relations and the product that I now have. I feel that I don't have to convince a single person, just enjoy my boat......

[H2O_Fowl]

Well I'm just glad that BCB updated their styling finalllly. Their consoles were fuuugly and soooo outdated for many years. Whatever year they finally updated them it was about time. I'm sure they are great boats but I think we need to line Gunny up in his Sabre and someone in a 184 Champ and have a little show down!

[FEARTHETURTLE210]

I too would like to hear about this Molinari hull, but needless to say, i dont think you can go buy a boat that has never had an issue,they all do, it comes down to how you get treated by the company when it comes to honoring there warranty or taking care of there customers. The one thing BCB does well is take care of there customers, my friend just bought a new Puma last year and when he was looking i asked what he was looking for and he only looked at BCB, i asked why and he said that his old 94 Cat he bought second hand that any time he ever called to get parts or needed help with his boat BCB always treated him as if he was there only customer and bought a $50k rig, so in the end BCB got his business when he bought his first brand new boat. I bought my first Champion last year and Champion has treated me good Robbie Dodd responded to my every need and then some and I feel good about my purchase. Still doesnt mean a Sabre would outride a 203. I still dont understand the comments made by BCB about Champion...

[Bassin Bob71]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FEARTHETURTLE210 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I still dont understand the comments made by BCB about Champion...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Me either....

[pmgoffjr]

Rick Pierce knows more details and history than I ever will, so if that's the name of the original Hydro Stream designer, than who am I to argue?

[Gunnar]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pmgoffjr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Rick Pierce knows more details and history than I ever will, so if that's the name of the original Hydro Stream designer, than who am I to argue?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Noted Pat... Just never heard of that part of Champ's history.... Found this interesting post (apparently also made by someone at BCB) in another forum. It is in response to the question "What's the best Bass Boat of the Century?":

No doubt, It has to have been the old Allison's that became popular in the early 1970's bass versions. They were not the first in this style of hull, though Paul Allison brought the pad hull to bass fishing from our knowledge.

Skeeter also had a version of this tri step pad hull in the mid to early 70's.

There are other variations of different hulls like the Molinari that Hydro Stream and then Skeeter and others brought in in mid 1970's, eventually copied by Champion in 1976MY, and a few others.

No contest and we lived that era! Eventually building our own version of that hull in 1974 model year. Eventually you either had that type of hull, or you were no longer in business.

As for innovative or best bass boats, that is a matter of opinion and we have had our share of innovations at BCB.

Here's the original link to the thread: http://texasfishingforum.com/f...ntury

Look what I found on another search for "Molinari Bass Boat"... Could this be the origin of the original ChampioN hull design?
http://www.antiqueboatamerica....27610








Modified by Gunnar at 8:19 AM 5/28/2009


Modified by Gunnar at 8:25 AM 5/28/2009

[JohnM]

I had one of the Wrangler knockoffs back then, a 1977 Hurst out of Florida. It was 17' and rated for then new 175 V-6 Evinrude. What a ride that little boat was! My fist 181 Champion was ordered in the same exact colors and looked VERY simular.

[HaulinBass]

I'm having a difficult time seeing the resemblance between that tunnel and any early bass boats other than the strakes. Remember seeing a tunnel hull BB back in the day (70's) in a boat show at the Battlefield Mall. Same show had the Hydrasport upside down so that you could take potshots of it with a sledge.

[Allsup]

The rear tank 203s are the best rough water bass boat I've ever been in.
My 2 cents

[BRETT]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Allsup &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The rear tank 203s are the best rough water bass boat I've ever been in.
My 2 cents</TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed

[JohnM]

I assume you've never been in the rough in a 223 then?

[Blue Steel]

John...wonder if a 223 would ride better than Gunnys Rig?

[Bassin Bob71]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Blue Steel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">John...wonder if a 223 would ride better than Gunnys Rig? </TD></TR></TABLE>

[JohnM]

Being I have a Sabre and I spent a year fishing a trail from a 223 I think I can answer that one.

The Sabre is a fantastic boat, it's surprised more than one person including me over the past year. It's still in the 18' class.

Lea nailed it when she said you gain nothing by running down another brand.

[Blue Steel]

John..not running any brand down as i have owned both a Basscat and a ChampioN...might be running down the Clown that made the initial statement

[JohnM]

I understood

I spent a relaxing day fishing out of a new 18 foot Stratos Tuesday. Some of us are just boat sluts.

[mcherry]

Mike don't forget I have a Sabre too, neighbor .
Lea and other Champ owners, that story about the history of the hulls sounds like it was when I was just starting to pee in the big toilet(long ago). If any one knows the history of hull designs it's the Pierce family. One thing for sure doesn't matter to me as long as I can fish and go fast so the wind can blow my bald head .

[FEARTHETURTLE210]

Lets face it, most people have owned multiple brands and different models,in my experience there really isnt a huge difference in the most popular brand boats when it comes to construction,components,and overall bass boat appeal, if there was i think every guy would buy the best for there money, whats nice is that there are enough brands to go around for every angler to pick what suits there style and needs, the driver has alot to do with how a boat rides in rough water and how bad it rides even in a Champ..took a few nuts busters on the Upper bay this weekend(i zigged when i should have zagged),,But i will still say that a rear tank 203 rides better than a Sabre in rough water..

[Lea]

Your bald head should be very happy in that quick rascal, Mike...

I don't think anyone is running down the Sabre or any Cat for that matter. Just the particular guy who made the nasty posts. Totally uncalled for. I am obviously partial to Champion, but I have utmost respect for BCB.

As I said above, a BC would be on my short list. I have no patience with anyone who would bash another's rig. To me, that is the epitome of bad manners and attitude. It simply proves a lack of decency. And it proves nothing else!!!