203 comparison

[banditbasser]

I sold my 520vx Ranger in the spring and I am looking for another similar hull or possibly a Champion. I came across a 203 that looks like a nice boat. The things that most concern me are the draft and the stability. Can anyone that has had both or has experience in both compare the two for me? I see the 203 is 2.5" narrower than the 520vx and no idea on the difference in draft.

As a follow up, what year did Champion take the wood out of there transoms and boats altogether? I already know that encapsulated wood isn't a bad thing, just curious!

TIA.

[dukhntr]

Not sure about the wood thing. I am a die hard Champ lover, and with that said, if stability is a big issue, I would not look into a 203 if I were you, and coming from a Ranger 520. My tourny partner runs a 520 and I am not sure that there is a more stable boat out there. His boat is like fishing from a dock....amazing.

That said, my Champ is the wide beam model and fishes pretty darned good, but still not like the 520. Good luck to ya. PS- that 203 will outperfom that 520 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

[banditbasser]

Thanks for the reply. I have only fished off a few champs. The last one was a mid 90's 20 footer with a newer opti 225 on it. I don't know what model it was, 202 maybe, but it flat ran through a nasty chop better than any boat I have ridden in and seemed to fish ok. The one before that was a 191 with a 200 efi and it was a good running boat but I thought the console was horribly cramped and the space between the consoles seemed way too narrow to me. I also thought it was just a little too tippy as we fished around docks. I like the looks of the 203 and I live near bigger water now than I did then so the 203 seems appealing. I love to fish shallow though and dont really want to sacrifice fishability. Tough decision. ANy other opinions would be appreciated...

[champ223]

The shallow water is not a problem. It will go as shallow as the ranger. It will not be any where near as stable to fish off as the ranger not even close. All the ones you have been on are narrow beam boats. The newer wide body's are more comprable to the ranger. It will out perform the ranger as far as ride,speed and handling but not fishability.

[iron banks]

Fishability is over rated IMO. I would rather have the ride when it is rough. The little bit of tlting is no big deal and quickly adapted to. I had a 202 and went to a 198. Yes the 198 fished more stable but the 202 ate the chop up better. The 203 is close to the 202.

[06champ198]

If speed is a top priority then the 203 would be my first choice over the wide body Champion boats. The 203 rides well and is a fantastic boat. Not as stable to fish from as a wide body but is still a great boat to fish from. I guess it really depends on each person. I only made the switch to the 198 because when you have a big old boy in the boat with you and he decides to go from one side to the other the narrow body boats will really move to that side.

My 198 does not ride quite as well but if you want stability(IMO) while fishing then you cant go wrong with a wide body boat. Just depends on what you are looking for.

Take a ride in both and see which fits your style the best. They are all great boats with each of them doing some things better than the other.

Good luck.

[BCBaits]

I wouldnt want any other boat then my 203 for any kind of choppy water or big water. That thing slices through waves. I do however need my lean post if I'm fishing with any wakes around.

[H2O_Fowl]

All composite in 2000 I believe. Same as when "most" boat companies went ALL composite.

[Hillsreels]

No wood in my 203 after the narrow 84 inch beam in my old Champ,,, this 90 inch beam is
like fishing from a flatop.
Performance,,,especially the ride and quality far better than 520. :
signed 203 pimp

[courserd]

I have fished in 3 era'sof Rangers 390, 492, 520, I had the Ranger Fever, it's what they used on Bassmasters, and Forest Wood builds em ONE AT A TIME. I had a couple of Skeeters, on Hydrastream, one Stratos and now I own a 94 201 Champion. It is the best riding boat I ever drove. I was worried about the fishability thing when looking at it before I bought it but I love this boat It fishes good and the ride is fantastic

[banditbasser]

Great replies so far, thanks guys