Was hoping to get some insight on Champion's? I have the opportunity to get a 2006 Champion 187CX with a 150 Optimax that only has 16.7 hours. I would be giving up a 2004 Ranger 185VS. Would like to know if anyone has one(had one) or knows how they take rough water, handle, speed, fish and ...... I have heard that they lean some(more than Rangers) when on one side of the front deck? Can you still buy factory cover and/or deck extensions? Any help and/or other comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks- Brian

On a positive note you will be able to get rid of your Chiropractor. Best riding boat out there. The leaning as you move on the deck is way over dramatized. I'd trade it for the ride any day.

awesome boats. take rough water and handle awesome. speed isn't the best but better than rangers. you can buy deck extensions. check out bbc.

The Champion is a great boat, but then again, the Ranger you have is a great boat. They will be different, but I am not sure if the Champion will be significantly better in any of the categories you mentioned. Like I said, different but maybe not that much better.

I have a 201 Champion. Best riding boat I have ever been in and thats why I own it. Not the fastest but the smoothest. Yes they do tip side to side a little more than other glass boats but not every boat is perfect. You will never find the perfect bass boat.

Only other boat I would consider would be a Legend.

Guys- I appreciate all the comments and the ones to come.

Thanks-

Brian

With any boat your going to" lose some and gain some" the champion is a great rough water boat but does lean more than other but fishes really well, I think you will not be disappointed with your champion

+1 on the Champion. I have a 191 with 200 Merc EFI and absolutely love it. I don't get the lean at all. Chines a bit once over seventy, but I rarely push it that much. Great riding boat and handles rough water very well. Fishes very well too, large deck and I have the single console which gives me plenty of room to move around. Great boat!

I owned one for 5 years. As mentioned above, the best rough water boat made. I know the new legends are great, but you really cant beat a champ for comfort and ride.
The hull is tough, and its a great cornering boat, especially under high power.

Now for the downside... deckroom is very limited, not a great boat for the co-angler because of space, very unstable fishing platform, and very heavy (not real fast).

I've got an 04 187 dual console with an XR6 150 carb. motor. It is the most dependable motor I've ever owned. The boat is a bit tight in the console area. I guess mine tips or leans as much as any other 187 but it never bothers me. I'm not trying to fish off of an aircraft carrier. This boat is real nimble. It is a well made, good riding boat. The one your looking at should be rated for a 175 so take that for what it's worth. I think you'll like it.

I have a 193 and as everyone says, you buy a champion for the ride. My dislikes on the boat are that it can be alittle tight up front when you have 6-7 rods on the deck and you are using the trolling motor in rough weather. One thing that my buddy doesn't like about my boat (but doesn't bother me) is that it sits very high in the water in the front. If you look at pictures, the do not sit very level in the water.

I have a 171 DC, it is an awesome smaller bass boat. My only complaint is that I'd like a bigger one. For the size it handles really well, just an overall solid boat. I also know a guy who has a 191 Dc, he loves his too.

You should drive the new 210 Elite. Best ride and loaded with gear it will run 72-74. Might not be the fast boat on the water but I will bet anyone on here that in a year like this with all the wind you be there faster in a 210 than in a Bullet!! and you will feel like fishing when you get there>

Thanks Guys!!

I know champions are a well built boat, so is that Ranger you have. One rides better and I bet one fishes better.

I have a '94 190DC, only complaints are the above mentioned about the nose sitting high up, when trolling on rough water the motor tends to come out fairly often on the wake. The other is the deck space, if you end up with 6-8 rods on the deck just watch where your stepping is all. All in all great boat, solid hull, handles well, and you stay dry.

got a 187DC with 150 VMax love the boat and the ride. you can trim the motor halfway up and still get on plane before most boats with trim down. the boat is built for rough water. Had 19ft basscat and the champ is hands down a better boat.

They r pretty much the same class and year so unless it's pretty much a even trade I wouldn't do it. Just me +/- in every boat

+1 I don't see where you will gain a whole lot.

I've owned a 181 and 193, both great boats. I wish I owned a 203 now.

LOL, I own a Champion 203, and don't really care that ANYBODY else manufacturers bass boats.

203 here too. I don't plan on getting a new one any time soon.

Originally Posted By: Bassenmyer
They r pretty much the same class and year so unless it's pretty much a even trade I wouldn't do it. Just me +/- in every boat

My 2004 Ranger has a Merc 150 EFI w/ 133 hours and the 2006 Champion has a 150 Optimax with 16 hours. Thought that would be a huge upgrade?

Thanks-Brian

I would wonder why a 2006 boat only has 16 hours. If it were never broke in properly........just sayin.

If you feel it's a good upgrade then go for it. A champion is a fine boat. I went from a 18.5 to a newer 18.5 once and regretted it almost immediately.

Champion is an awsome boat.

I have a 203 also and it's a great boat.

The Champion will ride better and keep you dryer in rough water. The only time I noticed them being "tippy" is when I was on one side of the boat up front and my partner moved from the opposite side in the back to the same side I was on. They do sit high in the front and low in the back but it was never a problem for me.

Take it for a ride and see for yourself.

The Champion will ride better and keep you dryer in rough water. The only time I noticed my 191 being "tippy" is when I was on one side of the boat up front and my partner moved from the opposite side in the back to the same side I was on. They do sit high in the front and low in the back but it was never a problem for me.

Take it for a ride and see for yourself. I had a 1994 191 with a 200 EFI on it and it was pretty quick.

The EFI is a solid and dependable motor. An Optimax out of warranty will be quite more expensive to fix.

You really should try to spend a couple of hours in the champ on the water and decide if the trade's going to make you happy in the long run.

I recently bought a 2007 183. I doubt there is a better 18.5' boat out there for running rough water. My hull is rated for 150 H.P. Max, and with a light load i can run 60-61 on the GPS, which is plenty fast for me.

I've found my Champion to be a great boat to fish open water on windy days, If you have a good 24v trolling motor, you'll be able to hold your spots easily.

I usually have 8-10 rods on the boat,and space is a little cramped for storing all of those, but I feel like there is more than enough space for other gear, nets, tools, etc. The boat you are looking at was made by Genmar in the same plant as ranger and stratos, and parts are still available through stratos, people warned that customer service can be below average, but i've found them to be helpful with questions or concerns I had.

Get a Champion and keep it forever! thats my plan.

I have run a Champion 191 since 96 and it has never left me wanting anything more out of a boat other than a little more rear storage, but that's not a big deal to me. The Champ will ride better than the Ranger, but the Ranger will sit more level and be a little less tippy than the Champ. The tippy thing that people talk about is not really noticable unless you have a BIG guy walk from one side to the other on the back deck. The Optimax is gonna get way better gas mileage than the EFI. That's one thing I do wish I had instead of my 200 EFI, but then again that EFI has been rock solid for years. It just likes the gas.

I really appreciate the responses. I have to agree that the storage on the back deck is limited, but I was hoping to buy a deck extension with a storage compartment. Is there a deck extension available for this model?

Thanks-Brian

Stratos Champ is great also - ridden a lot in a 210 amd it was drier than most boats

Try http://www.bassboatcentral.com/champion.htm. if there is anything you want for your Champion they are the authority in my opinion.

One major thing wrong with Champions. "They don't wear out". No justification to buy anyhting different. GREAT boat. Had mine for 25 years and it is still ticking. You take care of them and they last forever. Boats in this caliber all have +/-s.

I have a 94 190 DC and it's the driest ride I have ever been in.. Rides and fishes great no speed demon but fast enough for me..
Only thing not crazy about is it does tilt side to side when on front deck.. All in all great safe boat...

We have a 206, it is a dream boat. We love it!

Thanks for all of the responses!

I have a friend that has a 1989 201 with a 175 Johnson. That thing is slow out of the hole, and will top out at around 57 mph. He also has a ZX 195 Skeeter with a Yamaha 150. The bug will run circles around the Champ, but on a windy day you can bet your last dollar the Champ will be the one on the water. His saying is the Bug is pretty and made for pretty water. The Champ is a beast and made for rough water. Also, the champ was a guide boat on Fork for 11 years. It has seen it's share of stumps and rough water, but still handles the water like nothing I've ever rode in.

thanks-

I had a 2000 Champion 223 with a 300 pro max and the ride was unbelievable. I wish Legend would make a 22' or 23'even better. And I wish Mercury would put out a 300 pro xs with 5 years warranty.

Hey Ranger....You won't be sorry with the Champ.! Since I am in my 3rd one right now I would know something about them. Would be glad to discuss anything about them with you . PM me or call me @ 903 six four six 2672 DV

I have a 1996 191 and it aint leaving! When my 9 y/o gets old enough it'll be his and I'll get a newer one.

i didnt read the post but im a fan of champion boats, not the dryest ride out there for the weekend warrior but if you know how to drive perfomance type hulls they are insane.

I'm currently looking at a CLEAN 1992 Champion 18.4 Fish/ski with a 200 yamaha pro v. New hydraulic steering, new trolling motor, good electronics and everything in GREAT condition.

anything that anyone can tell me about this boat (ie. speed, handling, ride)??

Anyone who wants to know a little about the history, of well just about every boat out there especially Champion, should take the time to read this.

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=366410