Well I guess I got the oldest one of the group but I still love it!

1992 201 model!

OK I read this whole thread and here is my A.H. ... errrrr ... opinion. With the improvement in materials and computer design and with the benefit of years of boat building experience I don't see a boat manufacturer building a worse product unless they let quality control slip. The newer Champs are all composite (no wood) so they should last forever. Have not heard of stress crack issues an Champs but seems that around 2000 or 2001 they had issues with a few boats having hull issues (splitting keels?).


Design changes due to market demand has made some performance changes ... wider boats don't ride as well (water displacement) and moving the gas tanks to under the seats makes for a rougher ride also (more weight forward). Champs best 2 boats were the 184 and 202 with the 203 a hair behind (performance speaking).

Do y'all realize Champ was making a 20' boat in the mid 80's?


I currently run a 2005 196 Champ/200EFI Merc and have had no gelcoat issues and am well satisfied with performance. Would probabaly buy no other boat but a Basscat. Champ makes a great boat and I'm pretty sure production is restarted since
Genmar filed bankruptcy (Stratos never owned Champion as someone posted earlier .... Stratos, Champ, Ranger, Hydrosport, and several other boat lines were owned by Genmar).


I do think many of the Champion guys went to Tenn. when the Champs were built there.


Pat Goff is a pretty good resource if you can find him!


No boat is perfect but Champion is a great boat with many strengths.

I have a 1994 204 and it is a great riding boat. I will repower and redo the interior when the time is right. I just don't think I can find a better hull.

1997 221 Elite 225 Merc EFI, that 221 you cant beat it

Yep a old 1992 19' champ. Plenty of cracks in top cap. 200 yamaha. Boat runs and rides fine for me.

Hey JCB you aint got the oldest here...mines a 1986 and I LOVE IT!!

nice ride

Pat Goff is wealth of knowledge and I think he now lives in the Kerrville area.

Ever been to Falcon Lake when the wind is whipping about 20-30 mph???? Nuff said Champion all the way. I'm on my 2nd one. First was a 99 206 with a 225 Evinrude...now a 2008 210 with a 250 Mercury. Both smooth riding even on the Falcon ocean waves!!! Never considered any other brand after the 1st Champion I owned! Don't believe anyone else would either after owning a Champion.

I've got a 92 champ and love it so far, only had it about 2 months, but love it. It is narrow on the fishing deck but the ride and handling are great.

scm,

I have a 2000 223 with a 300 Mercury on it. I am considering parting with the boat. I have attached pictures. Let me know if you are interested and maybe we could work something out.
It is the 25th Anniversary Edition. It has been garage kept and is in mint condition. Annual service has been done at Rockwall Marine. I don't know how many hours but I will check. We only take it out 5-6 times a year.

I have a '98 red Champ 185, w/175 Merc. (had some hull repair(never took a drop of h2O though) this year for the first time, not bad for all the Ray Bob trees, stumps and whatever that have gone underneath since I bought it in "99 from a guy who went from this to a Harley for the speed thrill, still has lots of tree scratches and in need of new carpet around the front seat post but still the best I've ever had (I've had 2 other brands) for all around performance, small enough to get in the tighter spaces, 65mph top speed, it gets me there fast and dry as long as the wind doesn't blow the side spray on me, now if it would just help me catch more fish. I've said that ever since I got it though.
Al Grab (AKA Propman) <*)}}}><

I bought a 186DC from Jeff in 1995. I have fished out of this boat about 150 to 200 days a year. It has been the best boat I have ever owned. I can't decide if I should get a new one or just have the carpet and seats recovered and keep on fishing. As far as I'm concerned no better boat OR dealer!

I've got a 2005 206 Elite, w 250 HPDI, and I can truthfully say it rides better than any boat I ever had, (trust me the list is long) I don't like to bash other boat companies so we will leave it at that. Runs faster than I want to, 67-68 loaded, 71-72 empty,the most safest,driest,most stable boat IMO on the market, just wished I hadn't waited so long to get one. Now with the PE thing may never get another one

Well I just purchased a 1999 203. Took it out last night and played around some very nice. Just need some more time behind the wheel. I know this wet across a ton of boat wakes and crusier wakes as good or better than any boat I have owned. I only took it up to 67 mph by gps and it did not feel like it at all.