Originally Posted by
rojoguio
Champions are about the worst for rot, I can't say a brand that would be the best. I think Champion - Story, made the best riding bass boat of the time. Best handling also. When I found mine the engine had fallen completely off tearing the outer skin of the transom. Seems numerous companies bought up used boat for resale reducing the supply of quality boats for restoration. Garage kept, solid boats that only need cosmetics bring a good price still. I picked up a Strada F-80 Skeeter for 2 tiller outboard motors from a friend recently and the boat was stored in a shed always. It took him a year of needing the outboards to agree to the swap. The run up of outboard prices helps tremendously. I hope you find one to restore. I will say, stay with the big name brands, seems the ones I cut open to repair has more glass. My little Blazers were, are very thin, lacking materials like you see in late 90's Champions. You can see the extra glass I put back in mine for very little weight gain.