Champion VS Javelin 2000 Models

[slinkeey]

How do the newer Javelins compare to Champions? I hear that they are lower end Stratos in that era..

Are they worth looking at?

Jeff

[pmgoffjr]

Pssst, hey bud....
You are in the champ room, guess what response THAT question will get?
The exact opposite will happen in the Javelina room...

Go ride in both ( I have) and report your findings, opinions found here will be completely biased.

[slinkeey]

I know it will be biased, but this specific brand forum seams to be the most open minded or well rounded. For example, I have actually had people in the other brand rooms tell me to get ahold of Pat to ask the question.

Thans for being honest with me though...

I just know that Stratos was Genmars Value line and Rager was their premium line. Supposedly thoug, because then I have know idea what they considered Champion..

But if Javelin is a cheapened Stratos, that worries me..

I have ridden in a Champion, Winner, Ranger, Chechmate (not bass), Switzer Craft (not bass).. I thought that they were all decent boats.. Then again, I am not an expert..

[ChampioNman]

Javelin guys are as about as passionate as Champ owners. Both Stratos and Javelin were built side by side in M'boro. Matter of fact when the plant was still open and the Javelin's were long gone their banner was still up on the wall. My impression, Javelin rides almost as good as a Stratos, not so many bells and whistles. Not really a poor man's Stratos. Both were part of OMC boat group, when OMC went belly up Genmar came in and bought Stratos and kicked Javelin to the curb. Either one is good hull some like the 389's and 400's are pretty quick boats. But nothing is a Champ.

[pmgoffjr]

Here's what I know...

Champ absolutely rides better, and handles quicker. Period, no debate there.

Javelina will have *one* quicker hull the 400 w/225. And that's a sorta, it won't outrun a 202/225, but it will take a 191/200.

They aren't *junk* by any means, but they were not built to the same level as any champ either.

[jbabin76]

I had an 18' javelin before I got my former champion 193. Really no comparison with ride and quality.

However, that's apples and oranges. The javelin was not a bad boat, mostly an budget friendly stratos. It served it's purpose and I caught a lot of fish out of that boat. Truth is, if it was a 20 (19.5) footer I'd probably had kept it. The biggest problem with most javelins you see for sale is the ficht motor. Not saying all the ficht motors were/are bad, but a lot were and no one really wants one on a used boat.

Some of the stratos/javelin hulls seemed to be idendical, which would make sense logically. Same hull, change name, leave off some accessories, keep the price down... But I believe stratos had more models and hulls.

[Calibama1]

You right about the hulls looking similar.Around '91 Stinson began designing the hulls for OMC boat group.The same hull design was used on Hydasports and Javelins in Murphysboro and on the Stratos built,at that time,on Old Hickory Blvd.They put different top on the boats.I had an old 396.It took a long to get it riding and running good but when I did it rode real good.Not as good as a Champion.I haven't ridden in anything Stinson designed,they say they have a dry ride and are fairly quick.Not the quality.Not bad quality just not the attention to detail you have in a Champion. Russell

[Travis D]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slinkeey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How do the newer Javelins compare to Champions? I hear that they are lower end Stratos in that era..

Are they worth looking at?

Jeff</TD></TR></TABLE>

Seriously?

[slinkeey]

Well here is why I ask...


http://chicago.craigslist.org/....html

Looks like a good deal.....

[ep72]

Nothing wrong with either boat. Jav's are good riding solid boats, as are Champs.
It all comes down to what you like.

The Jav looks to be a Renegade 19 hull with a different cap. Those Johnson 150's are great motors.

[slinkeey]

It is a Renegade 19 Fish N Ski According to the owner, so you are right.. Maybe this post should be moved to the general section...