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  1. #1
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    79 champion worth putting any money into?

    Have had this boat for 6 years, got my money out of it for sure. runs great, needs some TLC, floor is week in couple spots, have glassed over the cracks before installing carpet couple years ago. the 115 rude runs very strong, wish it had a 150 on it, thats what its rated for. the transom is good with no issues, is it worth pulling top cap and fixing the floor and repainting the boat?

    some pics
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/48166144@N02/?saved=1

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    #2

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (79champ)

    <TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 79champ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Have had this boat for 6 years, got my money out of it for sure. runs great, needs some TLC, floor is week in couple spots, have glassed over the cracks before installing carpet couple years ago. the 115 rude runs very strong, wish it had a 150 on it, thats what its rated for. the transom is good with no issues, is it worth pulling top cap and fixing the floor and repainting the boat?

    some pics
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/48166144@N02/?saved=1</TD></TR></TABLE>

    79? or 89?

    I would fix that boat. If you do decide to pull the cap, go over every inch of the transom with a ice pic. poke around the motor bolts. If you find any soft parts at all, go ahead and put a transom in it. You don't want to pull this twice.

    Reseal all fittings and bolt holes. Replace the drains, hoses, ect. Thats a clean boat for its age, and NOT ready for the yard yet.


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    #3

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (SwatDawg)

    it is a 79. it doesnt look to bad, it is in need of new hoses and what not. have replaced all in the rear, but getting to front livewell hoses is impossible without removing the floor, or at least my arms are not flexable enought/long enough.

  4. Ohio Fishing Reports Moderator omcforever's Avatar
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    #4

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (79champ)

    <TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 79champ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it is a 79. it doesnt look to bad, it is in need of new hoses and what not. have replaced all in the rear, but getting to front livewell hoses is impossible without removing the floor, or at least my arms are not flexable enought/long enough.</TD></TR></TABLE>

    They make a drain/fitting 90 degree for the front live well that is reverse threaded(treads on the live well side) and just fish it in and trim the excess threads. Makes it easy,,,,,used em on my last 2 jobs.

    Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill !!

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    #5

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (omcforever)

    thanks for the suggestion, where did you locate those fittings,I havent seen them at Bass pro/Cabellas.


    Modified by 79champ at 7:28 PM 3/10/2010

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    #6

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (79champ)

    any further suggestions?

  7. #7

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (79champ)

    fix that boat and keep it. i wish my 79 hydra was that nice

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    #8

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (r0bert220)

    I was looking at pulling the top cap, but it looks that the top and lower sections are made together at least at the rear of the boat. looks like would have to cut fiber glass to remove upper section, is this correct?

  9. I fish there for i am Champ202's Avatar
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    #9

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (79champ)

    It will be a lot of work but well worth it in the end



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    #10

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (Champ202)

    i found a 1990 javelin with a 150 johnson fast strike for 1500.00 worth buying for the motor? would switch the 150 to my champion and the 115 to the javelin and resell it?

  11. Member 00Javelin's Avatar
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    #11

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (79champ)

    <TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 79champ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i found a 1990 javelin with a 150 johnson fast strike for 1500.00 worth buying for the motor? would switch the 150 to my champion and the 115 to the javelin and resell it?</TD></TR></TABLE>
    Sounds great if the motor checks out...The old Fasstrikes and Intruders are bulletproof and will run like a raped ape IMHO...BTW that old Champ is definately worth restoring, especially if you have the time and money
    If you think you have it bad...Look Around and BE THANKFUL because Someone Always Has it Worse!!

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  12. Member cart7's Avatar
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    #12

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (79champ)

    The cap/hull is bonded. Nice condition boat. Certainly worth looking into a resto.


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    #13

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (cart7)

    if the cap and hull are bonded how do I go about replacing the floor? its not that bad except for under passenger console. it was cracked, layered cloth and resin over the area couple years ago when i installed the carpet. its sturdy to walk on just springy in that spot only.

  14. Ohio Fishing Reports Moderator omcforever's Avatar
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    #14

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (79champ)

    <TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 79champ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks for the suggestion, where did you locate those fittings,I havent seen them at Bass pro/Cabellas.


    Modified by 79champ at 7:28 PM 3/10/2010</TD></TR></TABLE>

    Used to have them on http://www.iboats.com

    Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill !!

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    #15

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (omcforever)

    cool, thanks. any suggestions on removing the top cap? looks like it is fully bonded together. doesnt look like it will come apart?

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    #16

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (79champ)

    any further suggestions?
    took it out this past weekend and it ran and fished great.

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    #17

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (79champ)

    my boat was glassed together from the seats back. I took a chisel carefully pryed the cap apart a little stuck sawzall up in there vertically and carefully cut it apart didnt take to long.

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    #18

    Re: 79 champion worth putting any money into? (romofan24)

    still havent got around to fixing the floor, just used it all season again. even pulled it from Kansas to Wisconsin for some fishing.

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