I'm looking to purchase a boat soon. Came across a 86 Charger 17' bass boat. Anyone familiar with Chargers? Pro's / Con's of this line of boats? Thanks...

Not a bad boat by any means. They were fast with the right engine. Being that it is an 86 model, I would (using the handle of a screwdriver) knock around the transum. If it is solid, it will ring, if not, you will heard a dead thump. Dead thump, walk away.

I used to be a dealer for them as well as Champion and a couple other top brands. Chargers were always heavier and a couple mph slower than the rest. That said, they were IMO the best boats we sold. Very few problems and manufacturer was very good and fair to deal with. They did have alot of wood in them back then. If it's been well taken care of you won't be disappointed.

were then and now one of the best rides around . not fast but a very stable and smooth rough water ride ,still independently owned , first to have the offset transom , yes even before ranger, it was 4 inches thick on most models, easy to access all the pumps and such under the back hatch, they have a simular design to champion , as a matter a fact champion once sued them over the design and lost , charger produced pics of there design that preceded champion,just a little history,i used to rig them and never saw a bad one come through our shop, what is the model you have 170 t or v

Thanks for the info. Do appreciate it.

Good boats very durable a bit on the heavy side.

Good, well made boat. Take it to North Texas Fiberglass and get them to check it out.

They ride great plus they are fish catching machines

Thanks for the info. Boat was in Conroe. Just couldn't get free to make that drive down southeast.
Just picked up an 87 Hydrasport Bass boat with Johnson 120HP today. So I'm ready to get back on the water. Paid $25 last Saturday for boat shop to check out compression on another boat that I was looking at. That boat didn't work out.
So I bought a compression gauge to check out the 87 Hydrasport. I should have bought that gauge several boats back.

Hate to say this now but you should have made the time. Hydrosports were not the best boats. If you are fishing smaller lake they are OK. That Charger will handle 2-3 times the water that a Hydrosport will. Hydrosports are at their best up on plane and running not plowing through waves.

Thanks for the info Stump Jumper. My fishing has been limited in the past to small lakes only. So I will probably keep doing the same.