What Year Did They Take Over Champion?

[Panama]

If a guy wanted to look at used Champions manufactured BEFORE they were taken over a few years ago -- when they were built in Arkansas -- a real original Champion --- when would that be? What was the last good year before they changed ownership? Thanks.

[ssbassman]

2003 and older

[Lea]

Mtn Home Champs were 2002 and prior. However, the TN Champs were/are also great. I had 2 Mtn Home Champs...wonderful!!

However, I also now own a TN Champ!! It is incredibly good!!! Do NOT hesitate to get one...

[Panama]

I actually owned a ChampioN at one time Sold it in about 2000 and bought the Ranger I have now. I am thinking of getting another boat and am not obsessed with it being brand new...I don't care if it is new or not. So I am starting to study a little. I actually don't want or don't want to spend the money for a NEW boat anyway.

I am just thinking about one of the older ChampioNs...

I am pretty handy in the shop and if it needed a little something here or there it would be no big deal.

Anyway ---- Thanks.

[MMosher]

This should get you started:

http://boat.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/...mpion

[champ223]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Lea &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Mtn Home Champs were 2002 and prior. However, the TN Champs were/are also great. I had 2 Mtn Home Champs...wonderful!!

However, I also now own a TN Champ!! It is incredibly good!!! Do NOT hesitate to get one...</td></tr></table>

Lea I thought they didn't make 2002 model?? Wasn't 01' the last year for Mt Home?

[WaYoop]

Mine was built in April of '01 in Arkansas

[Lea]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by champ223 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Lea I thought they didn't make 2002 model?? Wasn't 01' the last year for Mt Home?</td></tr></table>

Have a friend with an '02 206...They did build some '02s in Mtn Home before the financial melt-down, but no brochures. '03 was the first year for the TN Champs.

[Tx Champ]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Lea &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Have a friend with an '02 206...They did build some '02s in Mtn Home before the financial melt-down, but no brochures. '03 was the first year for the TN Champs.</td></tr></table>

Correctamundo ...

[steve1206]

Just an FYI (not a bash, I owned a 196)....I have 2 friends that owned 2003 196s...They both seemed to have have serious quality control issues when compared to older models or 2004 and newer...

I actually owned a 2003 196 that I bought from a buddy in Nov. 2004. When it was less than 6 months old the hull, near the passenger side underneath, collapsed in about a 2 foot circle. The boat was sent back and replaced with 2004 components (hull, steering wheel, dash, consoles, etc....Pretty much everything but the seats and decks, etc. It was amazing at how much better mine held up than by buddies' that had a pure 2003 from winter/early spring production. Jut my $.02.