I am trying to buy my first bass boat and I am looking at a dual console Champion 20' with a 200 mercury. Boat is very clean and has been in this guys garage. Hasn't ran it in a while. He's asking $4,500. Just wondering what ya'll think. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

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Ton

1990 model

THAT DOESN'T SOUND BAD, IF YOU DON'T DO DEAL PLEASE LET ME KNOW I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN LOOKING. TREAT IT JUST LIKE IT WAS A USED CAR- BE VERY SUSPICIOUS- GO FOR A RIDE , cHECK THE TRANSOME CARFULLY & IF POSSIBLE GET SOMEONE WHO KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT BOATS & ENGINES TO GO WITH YOU. BTW I FELL IN LOVE W/ A NEW CHAMPION AT THE BOAT SHOW, SHAME MY WIFE DIDN'T SEE IT THAT WAY.

Just check the compression. Make sure its still good, if its been sitting awhile. If the compression is good and it runs, sounds like a deal.

Shameless Plug: If you don'y buy it, I've got a Nitro 896 for a great price in the trading post.

I would take the boat to a dealer I trusted and have the mechanic go over the boat ... on larger boats this is called a "survey". He should be able to tell if the boat has had any damage to the hull, transom and deck, the engine - using a scope to look for unusual wear in the cylinders, how badly carboned the engine is, check out the prop shaft seals and lower unit and water pump impeller - they dry out bad when a boat sits up for long periods of time and then collapse from dry rot, and so on. Be sure to pull the trailer's wheel and inspect the bearings for wear. An ounce of prevention is worth a lot more than a pound of cure if you get stuck somewhere. What you want is that feeling of confidence and knowledge that everything is as worn as it is supposed to be and nothing is out of kilter.... well worth the couple hundred it could cost to have the job done right.
Ron

ton742, here's the way I'd go about it. Contact Rico Silva rico@nicholsmarine.com at Nichols Marine. He knows ChampioNs from WAY back. Now, he's in Tennessee, but tell him you're looking at a local TX boat and was wondering if their dealership in Longview would be capable of doing a pre purchase inspection for you. You need to tell him the year and model and about the motor. Be sure to get him to tell you what all they'll do and how much it'll cost you.

Main thing on the boat is the wood (transom). Second comes the rest of the structure. Is there any UV damage to the gelcote, upholstery carpet, etc. Livewell pumps and electrical stuff like that will probably have to be replaced if they've been setting a long time.

On the motor, it will need to be run before a compression check can be done. If it's sat for a long time with un-stabilized gas in it, you'll probably need to dump it and put some fresh in it. I'd add oil just in case the oiler doesn't work or has been disconnected. Also if it's sat a while, you may be in for some carb rebuilds. You also want to check the lower unit for water. Have them do a pressure and vacuum test to make sure the seals are good. The impeller will need to be changed, that's one thing I wouldn't even chance. Also if you do buy it, a de-carb would probably be in order.

Sounds to me it's a good buy if it's been taken care of. At that price, you can afford to put a couple of grand in it if you had to and get all your money back ... again if it's clean and has been taken care of.

I think the 201 was the only 20 footer available in 90. If that's what it is, it's one of the best riding Champs out there.

Good luck & e-mail me some pix!

TX Champ


[This message has been edited by TX Champ (edited 02-14-2003).]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I took the boat to Copeland's Marine in Mt. Pleasant yesterday. He is a certified Merq tech. He said the motor checks out great. I am going to have to replace the steering cables. He quoted $400. A new water pump and changing the foot oil and I may have a boat before you know it.

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Ton

Congrats on the new boat.

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David

Congratualtions on getting the new boat. I too, got a used 2000 20' Champion with a 200 Mercury, dual console last summer. I love my boat!!
Hope to see ya on the water!

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JC

[This message has been edited by JC (edited 02-19-2003).]