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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Champion owners?
#4804591
05/01/10 04:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 487
Scott McCormick
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 487 |
I was at Fork a couple of years ago and was talking to this guy he had an older champion I think it was a 98. He was telling me the older champions are built better than the newer ones. He said at some point they changed the design and it was not as good. Has anyone heard that, if it is true what year did they change it? Have they changed it back?
Thanks
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: Scott McCormick]
#4804801
05/01/10 06:13 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 19,200
ToadSnatcher14
Team Slot Fish
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Team Slot Fish
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 19,200 |
Not a Champ owner but you know they don't make them anymore or atleast for the time being.
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: ToadSnatcher14]
#4804876
05/01/10 06:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 157
Moose K
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 157 |
I've got a 2000 model. It's hands down the smoothest riding boat I've had. Had two Skeeters previously and my buddy has a Ranger. None of them keep you dry and not impotent like the Champ. To answer the question: From what I understand, Stratos bought Champion about 5 or 6 years ago and started using some of their technology on the hulls. A buddy of mine has a newer model and he got stress cracks in the hull, real bad deal. 
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: Moose K]
#4804964
05/01/10 07:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 239
Bassin Ritz
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 239 |
I have a 98 18ft model and besides the small rear storage it is the best riding boat in rough water I have had. I previously owned a Stratos and a Ranger. 
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: Moose K]
#4805127
05/01/10 08:29 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 806
Zach412
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 806 |
I've got a 2000 model. It's hands down the smoothest riding boat I've had. Had two Skeeters previously and my buddy has a Ranger. None of them keep you dry and not impotent like the Champ.
To answer the question:
From what I understand, Stratos bought Champion about 5 or 6 years ago and started using some of their technology on the hulls. A buddy of mine has a newer model and he got stress cracks in the hull, real bad deal. Never gotten wet in my Ranger but, champs are smooooth
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: Zach412]
#4805235
05/01/10 09:09 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 224
gotee
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 224 |
got a 171c and it rides like a 19 footer Hands down best riding boat out there.Next best thing that ive been in is a Basscat!
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: gotee]
#4805413
05/01/10 10:13 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 415
blazeplatt
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 415 |
From what Ive heard the older boats are built alot solider than the newer models something about more glass making it heavier and gas tank placement. I have a 1999 202 and it is a battleship compared to another 2003 203 which compared to the even newer models is a tank.
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: blazeplatt]
#4805488
05/01/10 10:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 164
fishbug
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 164 |
I have had ranger, skeeter, stratos, and triton. the champion is the best ride compared to those and of course ranger being the worse. with that said the ranger fishes better than most but will beat the hell out of you. Like I have always said ranger runs like a crankbait nose down.
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: Moose K]
#4805575
05/01/10 11:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,095
Texan4Liberty
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,095 |
I've got a 2000 model. It's hands down the smoothest riding boat I've had. Had two Skeeters previously and my buddy has a Ranger. None of them keep you dry and not impotent like the Champ. To answer the question: From what I understand, Stratos bought Champion about 5 or 6 years ago and started using some of their technology on the hulls. A buddy of mine has a newer model and he got stress cracks in the hull, real bad deal. Nice looking ride!
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know when to go fishing.
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: Texan4Liberty]
#4806185
05/02/10 02:11 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 443
Cruton
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 443 |
I have a 98 190, rides awesome, dry. Have been out at Amistad in some rough stuff, and exceeded my expectations. 
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: Cruton]
#4806252
05/02/10 02:22 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 732
StrikeWorks Tackle Co.
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 732 |
Kinda like cars, they dont make them as good as they used to! I had a 93 Champ 204 and it is still the best handling boat I have been in. I own a skeeter now and it does not compare on ride!
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: StrikeWorks Tackle Co.]
#4806295
05/02/10 02:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,648
FDR80
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,648 |
I've owned a Mt. Home built Champ. and a Genmar, Tenn. built one. My 04 198 is a better ride than my old 181. I know its bigger, but the quality is there. I like the newer wider body, the boat dosen't list like the older rear tank models did. Now if Equity Capital would start making them again that would be nice. I wouldn't be scared of a Genmar made Champion at all!
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: FDR80]
#4806374
05/02/10 02:48 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 487
Scott McCormick
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 487 |
FDR80 what would be the best year to buy a champion 223.
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: Moose K]
#4806468
05/02/10 03:05 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 529
Eric Reeves
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 529 |
I've got a 2000 model. It's hands down the smoothest riding boat I've had. Had two Skeeters previously and my buddy has a Ranger. None of them keep you dry and not impotent like the Champ. To answer the question: From what I understand, Stratos bought Champion about 5 or 6 years ago and started using some of their technology on the hulls. A buddy of mine has a newer model and he got stress cracks in the hull, real bad deal. My dad has a '98 202 dual console with that exact color scheme. She sure is fast and smoooth.
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Re: Champion owners?
[Re: Eric Reeves]
#4806486
05/02/10 03:08 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 391
Iclass2472
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 391 |
I have a 2009 210 elite and i will put it up against anything i have owned skeeters and nitros and this is the best handling boat i have owned.
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