Finally part of the Champion Family

[Rough Stuff Rider]

I hit the road at 1 am last night and just got back at 1:15, so 24 hours on the road. Last night I went to bed at 8:30 pm, woke up four hours later. Then hit the road for a thousand mile round trip. Boy was it worth it. Picked up my 1998 Champion 203 in central Ohio and headed back. When i saw the boat in the showroom, i thought it was the wrong boat cuz I didnt expect it to be that spotless. Turned out to be near mint condition which I didnt quite expect. The boat only did around 63-64 on the test drive with me and the seller. We are both over 200 pounds and there was 15 gallons of fuel in the tank. The hole shot was blistering but I thought it would do closer to 67-68 with us both. That 225 vindicator runs smooth tho so Im happy. Also it didnt turn more then about 5k rpm's with me trimming it way up. Has the original 3 blade raker 26p on it in good shape too. I guess I'll play with the jackplate and some props. Also didnt help that half of the gas in it was 2 years old and the rest he put in it on the way to the lake!!! I'll drain it all out this week before I run it and fill back up with ethanol free gas. Overall very happy with the boat and looking forward to making it just right to suit my needs, powerpole, graphs, new prop, etc....Feels good to finally have what I want










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Modified by Rough Stuff Rider at 5:30 AM 5/16/2011


Modified by Rough Stuff Rider at 5:38 AM 5/16/2011

[Steve 187]

Congrats on the new boat.

This thread is worthless without pics!

[Collin C.]

Great, ive watched ya from the begining, posting boats you would find.
Glad you finally got one you wanted, post some pice for us.

[FEARTHETURTLE210]

Look out Potomac!! Congrats on the 203..Your going to love that boat for sure. It will do 70..just need to figure out the right set up. you picked the right hull for your back..You'll have to slap the smile off your face the first ride back in 3fters on the Potomac. Post some pics if you get a chance..

[bigfish1259]

Congratulations and welcome to the family...

[MMosher]

Good fer you. Post those pics!

[BILLY]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Cheatham200 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Great, ive watched ya from the begining, posting boats you would find.
Glad you finally got one you wanted, post some pice for us. </td></tr></table>
+1

[Rough Stuff Rider]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Steve 187 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Congrats on the new boat.

This thread is worthless without pics!</td></tr></table>

I agree but i was ready for bed when i posted this, gettin some pics uploaded now

[RudeBuoy]

Nice! Here's to the new rig.

[Hillsreels]

Congrats,,,,,you've come a long way
Welcome to the Champion Family,,,,you will love the 203 as much as I love mine,,,Heck I still haven't posted pictures of mine,,,I have eleven new lab puppies I am helping my Molly get off to a good start.
Congrats

[Rough Stuff Rider]

oh I also wanna add, the folks at Knox Marine were great especially the owner Steve. he knows everything bout Champs having been a dealer for many years and setting them up. he went over the transom with me and explained what to look for. And educated me about the 203 hull and how it differs from the 202. They greased all the bearings for me before we left and replaced the batteries and he even checked the spare tire which had no air as it turned out and filled it up for me. I will say tho, Ohio roads are the worst roads in the country i have driven on. Beat the crap out of me, my truck and my boat. Pennsylvania countryside on the other hand was breathtaking so i had to take pics with my iphone even tho I was driving.

[Luke]

congrats on the boat....get with Fred (ChampioNman) on that rude he can tell ya all you need to know about it as well as some things that can be done to make it more reliable.
i would think with the 225 Vind id try a 25 tempest and see what it does the 26 might be a little much for it. them Vindicators run strong had one on my first boat and its a good motor...should be easy to set up to get it in the 70s

[sarmst100]

Beautiful Boat!!! Enjoy!!!

[bassin butch]

Welcome to the Family! Of all the boat you posted (that one ) was my favorite. Very happy you found something.


Enjoy

[FEARTHETURTLE210]

look like you got a beauty..will keep an eye out for it on the Potomac/Upper Bay. I am sure you cant wait for the first windy day to give it a test run. Now the fun starts..making it yours. The shine off the picture looks like shes in good shape on the gelcoat. Congrats!!

[Wags]

Nice boat Steve. thanks for keeping me updated on everything, great talking with you

[Rough Stuff Rider]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Luke &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">congrats on the boat....get with Fred (ChampioNman) on that rude he can tell ya all you need to know about it as well as some things that can be done to make it more reliable.
i would think with the 225 Vind id try a 25 tempest and see what it does the 26 might be a little much for it. them Vindicators run strong had one on my first boat and its a good motor...should be easy to set up to get it in the 70s </td></tr></table>

I have exchanged a few im's with him over the last week. he is a great resource to have and another reason this forum is so great. Also special thanks and praise to Champit, Wags186(too much advice to even mention!), Billy, Feartheturtle210, Lea, Paulpus( for looking the boat over in person for me last week) Wildkat7(for looking at a 221 for me) and the Virginia guys:
BlueSteel(helped me over the last 2 years with buying boats and advice)VAtreefarmer, signmanbasser for being supportive and Tyler Crawford aka Thundercat for being a superb friend, supporter and just heck of a guy all around even if he did play basketball for the hoyas(booo) Go Terps!!!The world is a better place with guys like Tyler around.

Oh and my best friend since I was 4 years old Floyd Alvarez for making the trip with me and driving about 3-4 hours and listening to me flap my gums which Im good at doing mY fiancee stayed up from 1 am till 1 am 24 hours straight also keeping in touch with me and worrying her sweet lil tush off. She is the best woman in the world, sorry fellas

It was a long crappy drive thru crappy ohio roads, heavy rains, heavy heavy fog doing 30mph on the highway at 3 am, stupid double tolls for pulling a dual axle trailer rude people, idiot drivers with no consideration for guys pulling boats and my aching back and neck. All worth it in the end, cannot wait to take the rig out and watch Tylers boat blow by at 80mph and maybe even catch a few fish too

[PolarKraft195]

VERY NICE BOAT!

Yep! Ohio roads/highways are the worst

[Lea]

That boat is gorgeous, Steve! I couldn't even imagine covering it with a wrap!

Welcome to the ChampioN family!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rough Stuff Rider]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Lea &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">That boat is gorgeous, Steve! I couldn't even imagine covering it with a wrap!

Welcome to the ChampioN family!!!!!!!!!!! </td></tr></table>

once i found wraps cost 3 grand i forgot all about the idea plus I really dig the colors now in person. I'm gonna get my leaf blower out and dry the carpet out, wipe everything down and then put the Aurora cover on it till Tyler, VAtreefarmer or Signmanbasser can help me get the fuel out and replace the fuel filter and plugs. I dont wanna start something Im not sure i can finish since i have never worked on boats except installing a trolling motor and batteries