Any advice greatly appreciated????

[BASSMASTER4476]

I have a small window of buying my tournament season boat. ITS MY FIRST PERSONAL SOLO BASS BOAT. I HAVE THE OPTION OF A 82 RANGER 350 V WITH A EVINRUDE OR A 79 CHAMPION W 115 JOHNSON BOTH ARE 3-4K RANGE AND HAVE ELECTRONICS AND TROLLING MOTORS . IM CHANGIUNG ELEC AND TROLLING REGARDLESS. WHICH IS BETTER BOAT ? OH 15 FT CHAMPIONM MONDAY IM PULLINBG TRIGGER ON ONE OF THEM

[99R93S]

Honestly for me in that situation it would come down to condition and reliability. I’d buy the boat that checks out better. How’s the trailer condition, engine, how well cared for, maintenance done etc etc. I don’t see a major advantage one way or another fish ability wise, so I’m gonna take the one that’s gonna keep me fishing, not fixing it.

[BASSMASTER4476]

THAT MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY BUT THE NEWER PRETTIOER BOAT HAS ME SECOND GUESSING ...BUYERS REMORSE AND HAVENT BOUGHT.LOL
THE CHAMPION I HAVED HIM AT 3200 AND THE RANGER IS AT 3800 . THE RANGER HAS NEW LOWER UNIT AND NOT SURE ON CHAMPION . THEY HAVE BOTH BEEN MAINTAINED AND GARGE KEPT. THE CHAMPION IS 15FT ISNT THERE THE 16 FT RULE ? I HAVE SEEN THAT IN THE FINE PRINT RULES A FEW TIMES BUT NOT IN USA BASSIN SERIES IM GOING TO LOCALLY FISH BEFORE I PAY MY BIG BUCK ENTRY S FOR BASS AND FLW . APPRECIATE THE INPUT NEED REASSURANCE DEPENDABILITY IS REALLY THE ONLY NECESSITY .THX LEROY

[yupitsme]

Flip a coin... Heads=Ranger Tails=Champion. You're asking for assurances that no one can realistically give you. Both boats have obviously made it this long and are still going. Either one could go another 40-50 years or... go belly up tomorrow. Buy one or the other. Hook it up n' go fishing! Good luck on your first solo tournament season - enjoy it!

Owning a boat cost money - usually way more than you anticipated. Considering the boats/engines you're looking at the first thing I'd expect to fail would be parts/pieces of the charging/electrical system. Stator, regulator, power packs.... Always carry a change of spark plugs with engines of that vintage.

Also... might ask the owners if they're still using the oil injection pump or are they pre-mixing oil/fuel. I'd be stunned if either were still using the oil injection pump.

[pabasshawk]

First stop YELLING.

[Whoopedoo]

Coming from a 1995 Cajun 160 to a 2021 Nitro Z20. I'd go with the Ranger based off the pictures provided. Fishability will be about the same. The Ranger will feel more secure while on plane/running with its lower seats. You're sitting down in the boat vs sitting on top. Good luck on your decision.

[barbarian]

Whichever one you get the best vibe on the motor. The motor will be the key. starting and running every tournament. Keeping the initial $3-4k from becoming $10k.

[drainplug]

What is the HP of the Evinrude on the Ranger? Did you check serial numbers on both engines for the year? That Johnson looks like it is a newer version than the year of the boat.

[barbarian]

Whichever one you get the best vibe on the motor. The motor will be the key. starting and running every tournament. Keeping the initial $3-4k from becoming $10k.

[DewRonInc]

Motors are almost identical and that vintage taken care of, runs forever, keep good water pump, fuel and lower unit oil changed, both are clean, ranger has more rear deck space. That would be my choice

[DewRonInc]

Lower looks new on everude, remember from old bass cartoons

[DewRonInc]

After looking close at pics, ranger has had more love for sure

[Mechanic Bob]

Motors are almost identical and that vintage taken care of, runs forever, keep good water pump, fuel and lower unit oil changed, both are clean, ranger has more rear deck space. That would be my choice

^This

[Bill Reynolds]

Motors are almost identical and that vintage taken care of, runs forever, keep good water pump, fuel and lower unit oil changed, both are clean, ranger has more rear deck space. That would be my choice

The fact that there is a whale tail on the Champion motor makes me think they are having trouble with porposing. It could be a result of the wide beam and short length. If the motors are equal my pick would be the Ranger, really good hull design there.

[Bass Cat Boats]

We want to see you stay in bass fishing for some time, so we are going to make a recommendation based on the best selection for that. It is not preferenced to any brand. We have nothing to gain or lose in this thread. But we’ve been doing this a very long time and we are armchair quarterbacking here.

1. First we would do more research and realize you will spend an automatic 25% to 50% more, at this price level, with any rig you buy. As your affordable limit gets reached, that percentage goes down. It also goes down as you spend more. The more you spend, the less you upgrade.

2. Our suggestion is that you look for better platforms either for that engine size, or in variation. If you don’t find one refer to that below.

3. If your locked in on these two boats, then we are going to suggest the Ranger as it’s a more stable production platform. It’s less prone to long term internal hidden damages, which will cost you drastically. It is underpowered, it will be a wetter and harder ride. Though it will be a good platform to start with. The 15’ Champion platform is not one we would start with, that is unless it weee absolutely a garage Queen and never saw much daylight.

4. Please review this link on buying a used boat suggestions.
https://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=590067

BCB

I have a small window of buying my tournament season boat. ITS MY FIRST PERSONAL SOLO BASS BOAT. I HAVE THE OPTION OF A 82 RANGER 350 V WITH A EVINRUDE OR A 79 CHAMPION W 115 JOHNSON BOTH ARE 3-4K RANGE AND HAVE ELECTRONICS AND TROLLING MOTORS . IM CHANGIUNG ELEC AND TROLLING REGARDLESS. WHICH IS BETTER BOAT ? OH 15 FT CHAMPIONM MONDAY IM PULLINBG TRIGGER ON ONE OF THEM

[Sylvanboat]

Buddy of mine has a Champion. Easily 20 years old. I fish with him regularly and that is a great boat. Handles like a dream.

[DewRonInc]

THAT MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY BUT THE NEWER PRETTIOER BOAT HAS ME SECOND GUESSING ...BUYERS REMORSE AND HAVENT BOUGHT.LOL
THE CHAMPION I HAVED HIM AT 3200 AND THE RANGER IS AT 3800 . THE RANGER HAS NEW LOWER UNIT AND NOT SURE ON CHAMPION . THEY HAVE BOTH BEEN MAINTAINED AND GARGE KEPT. THE CHAMPION IS 15FT ISNT THERE THE 16 FT RULE ? I HAVE SEEN THAT IN THE FINE PRINT RULES A FEW TIMES BUT NOT IN USA BASSIN SERIES IM GOING TO LOCALLY FISH BEFORE I PAY MY BIG BUCK ENTRY S FOR BASS AND FLW . APPRECIATE THE INPUT NEED REASSURANCE DEPENDABILITY IS REALLY THE ONLY NECESSITY .THX LEROY

most just can’t have stick steering, about it

[mactlman]

We want to see you stay in bass fishing for some time, so we are going to make a recommendation based on the best selection for that. It is not preferenced to any brand. We have nothing to gain or lose in this thread. But we’ve been doing this a very long time and we are armchair quarterbacking here.

1. First we would do more research and realize you will spend an automatic 25% to 50% more, at this price level, with any rig you buy. As your affordable limit gets reached, that percentage goes down. It also goes down as you spend more. The more you spend, the less you upgrade.

2. Our suggestion is that you look for better platforms either for that engine size, or in variation. If you don’t find one refer to that below.

3. If your locked in on these two boats, then we are going to suggest the Ranger as it’s a more stable production platform. It’s less prone to long term internal hidden damages, which will cost you drastically. It is underpowered, it will be a wetter and harder ride. Though it will be a good platform to start with. The 15’ Champion platform is not one we would start with, that is unless it weee absolutely a garage Queen and never saw much daylight.

4. Please review this link on buying a used boat suggestions.
https://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=590067

BCB

what this says!! try to find something newer for just a little more might save you a ton later

[86 inches]

All things equal, you'll be glad to have a bigger boat. 15' is really tough to fish out of... even harder to store rods.

[sabbott1958]

In that price range you would want the bigger hull. Also in that age and price range you will buy issues and problems with either.