Man have I been out of the bass boat loop or is Champion Boats still around - and have the absolute worst web presence I've ever seen?

They are out of business

Champion is now Stratos built in Flippin, Ar on same property as Ranger & Triton, All owned by Platnum Equity

Only the Elite Series models are the later model Champion hulls.

I've heard this is the last year they will make stratos elites. I've been told platinum equity is phasing them out.

Beast from the East, talked to several dealers and they say you are wrong. Dont know if that is true but they say they have heard nonthing about the elites going away. Have heard the same about Tritons but I think that is false also.

Being a champion owner, I hope I am wrong.

Platinum has no loyalty good or bad to any brand they will sale what ever increase their investment into the boat industry. The only chance any of these brands will go away prior to Platinum getting there money back is if they fail to sale boats because their investment is better with the more brands as long as they make money.

The Elite series will continue to be made, I believe at this time there 2 left, the 202 and the 210. I also read somewhere that there is a dealer in Nevada that has an "IN' with the manufacturer, that for a small fee if you order a champion, it will be branded a champion, no stratos logo anywhere on it

For those who love champions, it's prolly the best thing that ever happened. Now you can get a champion at a budget price, they used to be the highest priced boat on the market. Simply put up with stratos written on it and viola you can buy one for 20k less.

Hammerhand, I'm not sure about buying a Elite Stratos cheaper than the original Champion. I bought a 08 210 Elite for 50 grand. Priced a new Stratos 210 Elite last week in Longview and rigged out the same it was 65 grand. There are things I like better on the Stratos 210's. I know the trailors are much better. Trailors are now made in Flippin and they are armor coated. They moved rod holders back which keep your reels out of your trolling motor when it is pulled up. Have been told that they are putting more foam in them. Also they changed their switches from push button to toggle style similar to what Ranger uses. Some Champion owners have had issues with the push button switches. I have not had issues yet. I would like to change my switches to the toggle style but not sure if I can or how much that would cost. I am on my 5th Champion boat and I love their ride. A dry and safe ride is whats important to me. Don't like getting wet. Once I get to a spot safely there are things I like about a Ranger better. Love Rangers fishability. All their bells and whistles. Love the way Rangers don't blow around in the wind when you get off the trolling motor. They seem to sit down in the water better. If speed was the most important to me I would look at Triton. I think they are awesome also. So I guess it depends whats important to you. I have always liked the looks of a Champion, but thats just me. I guess if someone made a boat that had the fishability of a Ranger, the ride of a Champion, and the speed of a Triton, I would buy it! However, it might be pretty expensive!

Budget Price?....maybe if your Bill Gates, this was ballpark in 2010.
Stratos------- mid 30's to mid 40's Depending on model and HP
Champion ---mid 40's to mid 50's Depending on model and HP
Ranger-------mid 50's to mid 60's Depending on model and HP

Todays Champions are closer to 57-60k with no upgrades, I'm just glad I bought mine when I did

I was going by the fact that champions were list priced for as much as rangers back when they were not owned by the conglomerates. That being said, a 520C ranger rigged out with poles and 8+ inch graphs, hydraulic plate, etc. would be listed for prolly 75+k right now, and I mean with a hammer or merc. (By the way that is sickning to think of that number). So I'm guessing that the stratos is cheaper

All of the quality boats are very expensive, wonder if the price will ever go down any.