Corvette vs Cadillac

[Champ196guy]

I took off early yeasterday afternoon with my dad to run some props.

He has a 1996 202 with a 200 pro v. What a rig. He has had it for 3 years now and I dont get a chance to drive it very often. I drove it yesterday....WOW. That rig is flat out FUN to drive (much like a corvette). The bow lifts like I have never seen, it is lightning fast out of the hole, it is nimble and responsive....I like it!

Mine is a 2003 196 with 200 Merc. It gets up and goes but it just aint the same as dad's 202. While the speed is about equal, mine just too stable (I kinda like to feel her dance little going over boat wakes). She just cruises along like a caddy.

I will say that we prefer to fish out mine but man, is that 202 FUN TO DRIVE!

Pat and mr. Odom...when is that "new" 202 splash going to be done? I want one!

[JohnM]

Now go drive a 200 (please don't take that as a bash folks!!!) but go drive one of the new real "wide bodies" and come back and tell us was the extra storage and a little more "stability" while fishing worth the grin factor you got in that old Champion????

This is why is was begging the folks in TN to bring back the rear tank Champs, I think people would have jumped all over them. Now we will never know.

[Champ196guy]

I think BCB has the right idea bringing in the Eyra....as being more on the performance side of things....I know I will take a hard look at them when it is time for new boat.

Or, I will talk dad out of his 202!

[H2O_Fowl]

Not sure but I think you would experience close to the same thing in a properly set up 198. I had a 196 and there is a night and day diff between a 196 and a 198 IMO. I felt the 196 was a little sluggish in handling and lacked the top end compared to the 198.

A well set up 198 is fun to drive.

[dukhntr]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by H2O_Fowl &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Not sure but I think you would experience close to the same thing in a properly set up 198. I had a 196 and there is a night and day diff between a 196 and a 198 IMO. I felt the 196 was a little sluggish in handling and lacked the top end compared to the 198.

A well set up 198 is fun to drive. </td></tr></table>

You look much better in a Champ then a Cat Jack!!!!

That said, Jack is right. My 198 loaded with 1 person will set out of the water and will run good, and get loose all at the same time. Prolly not like a 202, but it's no slouch!!!

[pmgoffjr]

If you've never driven a well setup 202, then you just don't know...

In six years of running 202's, I was passed *ONCE* and that was by an allison in slick calm water up in the river at Amistad. I know there are faster boats on calm slick days, but we never ever see calm slick days here.