Need a brief history lesson on these boats please...

[tps reports]

There was an article on Bass Resource that talked about The Cobra boat line...(attached below.) From what I can gather the hull was a blend of the Ranger 482 and some flavor from Champion's boats.

1. Does this sound accurate?

I'm looking at a used 2001 Cobra 21'.

2. Does anyone have experience with this model?
Good../..Bad../..Otherwise..??
Things to be weary off.....transom, floors, etc....

Thanks all,
Ben.


Courtesy of Pat Goff, a longtime Champion boat employee and very knowledgeable on the history of Champion, John Storie, the designer of the first V hull Champion along with Stories other boat companies.


Quote:
Legend/Hawk/Cobra/Viper, they all run together.
Here's the scoop, and anything else you hear is just B.S.

John Storie was wanting to start another boat company, but he was locked down in a very strict non compete contract with Champion. He could build a boat, but couldn't build a deep V Wedge hull boat.

So, what he did was splash a Ranger 482, added a turning chine, and increased the lifting strakes, and he had him a boat mold. That was the beginning of the Cobra/Viper boats, and they did the Fisher glass boats there also, same hull.

Storie got runnoft from Cobra, they went flaming down, and he and Bruce Benton started the Hawk boat, same basic mold, same basic boat. '01 came and they didn't have the legs to stay in the race, so that died. The molds were bought and brought to Texas where they started building the legends, then bought again and moved to Midway Ark.

[Backlash Ar]

Benjamin...I have some information that I'm sure you would appreciate but it's long and I will need to send it to you via eMail but you have your eMail address hidden in your profile. Please advise! Thanks...

[AlanW]

As far as I know, the history lesson is what I've anyways heard. I do believe the Viper Boat Company had some good years after John Storie left before things went south....

Why did John Storie leave Champion way back before starting Viper?

[Backlash Ar]

Alan...You'd have to ask Pat Goff why John left Champion because I don't know. As for your other comment, yes, Viper Boats, Inc had some good years after John Storie left before things started to go South. What started it all was the law suit filed against Neste Corporation because of all the bad gel coat Viper Boats, Inc. received and the case lingered in the court system for a long time...almost 3 years. In the end Viper Boats, Inc. won their law suit but much of the money went to pay for the lawyers (surprise, surprise) and most of the rest went to pay their vendors/suppliers. During that time the company tried to do the right thing by replacing the boats affected with the bad gel coat, as they couldn't be repaired. The boats either had the gel coat bubble up or turn yellow and the only fix was to relace them. That meant their was little money coming in and a lot being expended that Viper was hoping to re-coop from the law suit which they never did. That in itself wasn't the only reason however that the company started to go downhill. After the company was sold two more times it never came close to regaining the status it once had...mainly because of poor business practices and the fact that the new owner(s) didn't really have the necessary capital to weather the storm until the company could get back on it's feet...which was estimated to be 3-4 years. Maybe Kathy can add some additional information.

[AlanW]

Yeah, the 2000 model I have is one that was affected by the bubbling. It has may be 7-8 places about the size of a quarter below the rub rail where the white gel bubbled up and left little bitty holes. You won't notice them unless you're waxing the hull and get close to them. I've dabbed white gel coat liquid in a few areas to fill up the little holes, then sanded, buffed , and polished- turns out pretty good.

There is some "story" to John Storie leaving Champion and the guy he was partnered with there, but I can't remember, but the guy kind of had a pattern...

[DickD]

I have a 2001 216 with a 225 Opti, I absolutely love the boat but would like to swap the engine for a 250 Pro XS as it is underpowered as is in my opinion. The only boat I have been in that I would consider trading for would be the 21' Legend.

I bought this boat new and remain impressed with the quality and workmanship. You can't go too far wrong with one assuming the price is right.

[Cleveland]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tps reports &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So, what he did was splash a Ranger 482, added a turning chine, and increased the lifting strakes, and he had him a boat mold. That was the beginning of the Cobra/Viper boats, and they did the Fisher glass boats there also, same hull.</TD></TR></TABLE>

They (we) did not build the Fisher glass boats there. I have never heard the true reason why John Storie left Champion and started Viper Boats. It was called Viper Boats first, then went to Cobra Boats, then went to Venom Boats.

I can't think of anything other than what Backlash has mentioned to be weary of with the boats. The integrity of the boats is as solid as a rock. We were a family at Cobra Boats and we built every one of them with the pride of knowing that the end user was buying a QUALITY built boat.

[Tx Champ]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cleveland &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They (we) did not build the Fisher glass boats there. I have never heard the true reason why John Storie left Champion and started Viper Boats. It was called Viper Boats first, then went to Cobra Boats, then went to Venom Boats.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree Kathy, I don't think John did anything for Fisher or The Marine Group as it was back then until after he left Cobra. I remember a lawsuit being filed and I thought it was Cobra filing against John for work on Fisher. As for John leaving Champion, he sold out to the Porthouses, but as Pat said, was tied to a tough non-compete, so there was a period of time between the two.

IMHO, there is more of a design relation between the Cobra, Fisher and Hawk (Storie's last boat venture) than there is between Champion and Cobra. The early Champs were a Hydrostream splash. John was damn good at improving others' hulls ...

There's a compilation of Pat Goff's posts on the Champs pinned at near the top over on the Champ board.

[Bryan]

All i know is i love my Coral 202...solid as a rock and very clean lines...

[AlanW]

yeah, the curved hump on the top cap towards the rear gives it some sweet lines..its the Corvette of fish & skis

[Bryan]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlanW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah, the curved hump on the top cap towards the rear gives it some sweet lines..its the Corvette of fish & skis </TD></TR></TABLE>

Now that you say that it kinda resembles the line of the Corvette i sold...

[NixaMan]

Talk about good conversation. I met Bob Storie at Top Gun Marine in Nixa, Mo. yesterday and got a earful about Luna. When Bob returned from California after looking for Dealers out that way he found Luna in and office. He asked John what gives and was told he was going to do great things for Cobra. That is when Bob walked out. He later sued Luna and won getting all his money back. Really nice guy to talk to.

[waterjunkie]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bryan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">All i know is i love my Coral 202...solid as a rock and very clean lines...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Same here. Kathy and Larry both confirmed that my 2004 Coral 202 is the last one ever made... and was actually used in some advertising. It's an absolutely gorgeous red and black 202. I may have to let it go because it's not being used due to my wifes stroke. The thought sickens me but the boat deserves to be on the water and not in storage.

[bigfish216]

Good lookin boat, hope your wife gets better

[waterjunkie]

Thanks bigfish...

[Collin C.]

You and you family will be in my prayers.
Great looking boat!!