Going from a '98 186 to a 04 198 Elite?

[NHchamp]

Looking for some advice here. Love my 186 but wish it were a bit bigger. I fish bigger water and it gets rough as hell up here in the Northeast. The 186 is ok when it gets bad but would like something better. Also fish 3 out of my boat a lot and could use the space. I was originally thinking about going all the way into the 200 models but this 198 is really nice. Do you guys think it is enough of a size upgrade to see real big water improvements? I really love my 186 and just finished top to bottom restoration so I don't want to leave it unless it is a significant upgrade. Thanks for the assist.

[SJSharky00]

From what I understand the 198 can handle big water no problem. I have never been in one but I have read and heard good things about them. I see them on the CA delta a lot and Clear lake.
Is the 186 a wide body? I have been considering a smaller Champ for my CA location and take the 210 to my house on Lake Guntersville. I just don't want to give up bass fishing in either state for a while.

[NHchamp]

The 186 is a 90 inch wide hull. I think mine is going to be for sale if I pull the trigger on the 198. I just made an offer. Mine has a 2019 150 Pro XS 4 stroke on it if you are interested.

[Lea]

The 186 is not a wide body, nor is it beam forward, but it is a fine model!

I went from a 187 to a 198. For comparison, the 187 is very close to the 186. Absolutely no regrets. I fish primarily small tidal rivers, but also fish larger lakes from time to time. The 198 is a perfect blend, imho. It can sneak into shallower spots or run bigger water….no problems!

[SCOTT196]

You will wish you had gone to 198 sooner!

[NHchamp]

Thanks folks. I bought the 198. Super excited to see what she can do. Going to be selling the 186.

[Lea]

Congratulations!

[n_gong]

[Champ2005]

I fish on Lake Michigan mostly, but travel to St. Clair and Erie and my 198 has been great on the big water. Glad to hear you purchased the boat. Now go and enjoy!

[rid 05 198]

Night and day difference.. Trim the bow up and go slow and ride them. You would not believe what I went through at times.... Pics????

[bass-o-maticjm]

Congrats, and lets see pics of the new sled!!!!!

[Mizzou211]

I did a very similar upgrade...went from a 186 to a 196. Fish 3 quite a bit and it's much easier in the 196 for sure. Love my 196.

[oscardog]

I did a very similar upgrade...went from a 186 to a 196. Fish 3 quite a bit and it's much easier in the 196 for sure. Love my 196.

I have an '06 196. One of my favorite models. Love it!

[06champ198]

I went from a 2000 186 to a 2006 198 just for this reason you mentioned. Needed more room and fishing some pretty rough water at Lake Of the Ozarks in Missouri. Fishes great. Rides good and I can get in between docks. Not to big and not too small. Does exactly what I need it too and has been a great boat since new. Don't regret ever making the move. Good luck.

[Ed R]

Okay, I'll be the odd guy here. I went from a narrow '97 186 to a wide body 2006 198. There is a learning curve from narrow to wide. Without a doubt, my 97 186 rode/rides softer than my 198. Space/room wise there is no comparison, goes to 198. After 10 years in a narrow 186, I was disappointed with the performance of the wide 198. But, after 15 years in the 198, just cursing at 60mph does have an appeal to it these days. As a pure fishing platform, 198 all the way.

IIRC, my 97 186 was an 87" beam, the 06 198 is a 95" beam forward.