older champion questions

[catfishjn69]

i am planning on looking at a 85 201 f/s this weekend what should I look for in the boat was there any "defects" known with this hull it has a 235hp on it i know what to look for there just didn't know anything about the boat itself
thanks
catfish

[Lea]

No known defects associated with the hull. You will need to check transom, just as you would on any model of any brand. If all mounting holes drilled in transom were properly sealed, it's unlikely to have any issues.

You say 235 hp motor? Not 225?

[pmgoffjr]

Just check the transom for any soft spots if it wasn't rigged right, then your normal used boat checkovers.

Nothing as far as an issue with the hull, it's a aircraft carrier ride.

[catfishjn69]

yeah evinrude xp 235

[ChampioNman]

That was a hot motor in it's day. If you plan on T fishing make sure it has dual rear livewells as the front/rear wells leave something to be desired. Just to let you know the XP 235 does really like the fuel. Check the forward seats for rotting wood.

[Lea]

wow! Keep us posted!!!

[catfishjn69]

took it out today for a while just to run the boat seemed solid had a little issue with the motor. it does have the front and rear livewell that kinda sux they seem small. it wanted to porpoise a little but i think that was because it didnt have tm batterys in it and I am a big guy so it listed to my side alot
here is hull number can someone decode it for me

tsb05828d484

I an get the boat for $3500 how does that sound?

catfish

[Lea]

TSB=Mountain Home, AR factory
05 = their code to the model
828=number of boats built for that model year (model year begins in July, so they would have been building for 10 months...)
D= built in April
4= year built
84=model year

This indicates that it is a 1984 boat built in April of 1984. Maybe the owner does not realize it was built in early 84. My boat was built late in 04, but is an 05 model, so those numbers would differ instead of being the same. The last numbers on my boat are J405. It was built in Oct of 04 and is an 05 model.

Sounds reasonable to me, but others who know will be along to help...