Charger Boats

Curious as to what people think of them. You don't see them mentioned on here too often.

I tried to buy one a couple of years back when they came out with the new model. I couldn't find a dealer near me that wanted to deal. Not very many dealers. I bought another Phoenix for a lot less.

The 797 or whatever the model is, is a nice boat.

The 210 is awesome, but as stated not many dealers in Texas

J & J marine, at Lake Fork, is a dealer. They are on 515.

Their dealer network is growing substantially with 2 new boat models in the last 2 years splashed from the Champion line. There are at least 3 dealers now in Texas. The one mentioned above and 1 in Corsicana and 1 in Beaumont. I've had 2 Chargers - 1998-19.5' (195) and currently a 2014-496 (20.5'). The company has great customer service and builds a high quality boat with a very high customer loyalty and retention. Here is a picture of my 496

I thought I was going to be buying one of their new 198 rigs coming out soon, until I saw the price.

I bought a 2014 181 a couple months ago. It's awesome. I would love to have gotten a bigger boat but that's all that would fit in my boat house.

They've always been a good solid boat, but IMHO the old Chargers had that funky bow-down look that kept a lot of buyers away. Can tell from Barbarian's 496 above that the new models (Champion) look much better. Good looking boat.

Great riding boats. One of the top In the rough stuff for sure.

Been running Chargers since 1993, have had a 195, 396 and now I have a 596. Great rough water and dry boat, I wouldn't own anything else. The 396 had a different hull, it was more of a speed boat, not as smooth riding. Here is a pic of my 2013 596

I am pretty sure J&J quit selling Chargers a few years back. I am not sure why I thinking they struggled getting people around fork to buy them.

J&J may have quit a little soon I think the 210 at a good price would have sold around fork.

nice looking boat congrats

That 496 & 596 are both pretty dang sharp! We don’t see many Chargers down here, mostly Skeeters.

I've always liked the Charger line since the first time I saw one way back when at Jordan Marine

Super clean boat bud

I will never forget flyin around Fork with Hollice Joiner in his old charger back in the 90's. he had his "own" lanes through all the old standing timber. fun times...

Nice looking boat..

I was considering taking one of their shorter than 20 ft models for a test ride a few years ago, we have a dealer close but honestly the sales guy kinda talked me out of it, he was pushing the 20 ft models hard and I did not want a boat that big. I am starting to see more of them on the water around here.

What city is this in? Hill county is a big area...

From what I was priced you can buy the 210 out of state cheaper than the forthcoming 198.

I have a feeling the price will come down once they actually finish production on a few. It’s kind of like that next years vehicle that demand is higher than possible production. They will have 2 - 19’rs. 1 traditional charger (#195) which is 19’3” rated for 200 and the champion 198 (19’8”) splash coming very soon and rated for 225. Both different but both are great boat designs. I would expect the 197 to settle in a price range right between the 195 and the 210/496.

That's not a Champion hull joebass. That's a straight Charger hull. The splashed Champion hulls still have the classic Champion stripe on it melded into the Charger 3 little rectangles. The hull is all Champion. Charger has done some interior modifications and the Charger guy at The Classic said they did "something" to the hull but I probably wouldn't be able to notice it. Looked like every other 210 Champion I ever saw. The quality looked much better than the Stratos Champions.

Charger Elite 210 (Champ hull) :

From my readings, which were a lot, Charger changed just enough of the top cap to keep from having a patent infringement.

Current dealers are Sartin marine on Fork, Blakes Boats in Corsicana, South East Tx Sports in Lumberton Texas, Texas Boats in Willis Texas near Conroe.

Very few hulls have ever had a patent over the years. Allison having most of them. They just straight up splashed the 210 and when ever the topic comes up people in the know get tight lipped on the subject and you hear crickets. A splash is just changing the hull a certain percentage and they call it their own. Been done many times over the years with a bunch of different brands (Skeeter, Champion, Charger, Viper, Hawk, Legend, Cajun, ect ect ect). Is it a 100% splash? Good question, no one in the know is talking much on it when the topic comes up and we all know rumors and speculation float around everywhere. According to them its a "true Champion hull". Smart move on Chargers part, it's a nice rig and Chargers building them right an appear to be selling well.

My blue charger pictured is a model #496 which is a traditional Charger model.

Yes, and a sweet rig at that. One of my favorite color combos.

I think if Billy is now selling the 210 Charger at Sartin Marine this is going to be good for Charger. Billy is good people and has a great service department.

When I saw this thread, I was wondering if you'd post your boat. I don't have a lot of firsthand knowledge about Chargers but the first time I saw a pix of your boat a few years ago, that immediately became my favorite charger and got me a lot more interested in those boats!

Ive been looking at the Charger line myself and have an eye on the 296 or 396 model, because my garage is only 22'0" deep and for storage purposes these models would fit. 296 is 21'4" and the 396 is 21'10"

I was wondering if anyone knew if the middle seat comes out and you can put a "Glove Box" there?
Also wondering what the storage length on the 210 is?

In the process of buying a used 2005 496tf.. Drove her around the lake all day. So far it is one of the smoothest riding boats I have ever driven. I can only imagine they have improved over the years.

Thanks, I ordered it special and had to go to Missouri to pick it up. It's been more than I'd hoped for. The pic was taken at the Charger convention back in late 2012.

Heck, I had to drive to Missouri to get mine and it wasn’t a special order - it was used.

I drove to missouri this past summer to get my 186 :-) I'm a huge fan.

Hey guys, sorry I missed this thread until now. We've done very well with the new 210's this past year and have 3 being built currently along with 2 198's. Most people have argued that the price is a bit high on the 198, but what new boat isn't?
I've done some number crunching on the 198 lately and have been pleased with the selling numbers. It's just really hard to price a new boat and then factor in all the upgrades most of you guys want and still keep it in a range that you would be comfortable with.
Charger is a fantastic boat, and we are proud to be the #1 dealer in Texas for them. Give us a shout if anyone wants to talk about it, kick tires, or whatever.

Nice boat???? What about that garage!!!!????!!!!

Are there any pictures of this 198 elite anywhere?

None of a completed 198. I have a all white with dark silver pins and no other accents on order, and a dark gray (almost black) with orange pins and silver inserts as my second one. Basically it will look just like the 210 only a bit shorter. I've seen the prototype, but it's really tough to make out what it's going to look like with color.

took a test drive in one last year in Houston at the classic.
blew me away!
I currently have a 2002 ranger205

I looked at the 210 elite at Tulsa boat show this week it was a very good looking boat priced pretty good also.

Chargers world just got a whole lot bigger.
J&J hasn't sold any in a couple years and is no longer a dealer. Sartin Marine has now added Charger to their line to have options for people looking for a 18-19' fiberglass boat as well as the wide former Champion series 210 and soon the 198.
Charger is a family run company that has been building boats for over 40 years. They are a custom builder as you can pretty much pick all of the options, colors etc that you want. The standard boat does not have as many frills as a Legend and the standard pricing will reflect it.
Legend is still building the V-20s and have plans to continue at a minimum through 2019, the Charger line at Sartins is not to replace Legend but will add options for customers.
The biggest problem in the boating industry right now is apparently no one can keep up with the production demands, and not only boats but engines as well. Yamahas and Mercurys are getting hard to get and even some jack plates are 4+ weeks lead time.
I feel like once Charger gets caught up and Billy gets a few on his lot, you will see an explosion of Chargers in Texas.

Good write up and I totally agree Billy will defiantly sell boats.

A few pics of the 210 Elite. They are pretty sweet and have a few unique features like infrared camera for night vision that displays through your Lowrance at the console and heated seats.

I'll have 1 on our lot next week, then 2 more in the coming weeks, and 2 198's when they are complete.

Through January or December 2019?

The way I understood it was their business plan that goes out 2 years so I think it's out through the end of 19.

Those are some nice looking boats

Billy has never been defiant with me Guy??

you definitely got me on that one. LOL

Good looking boats...especially the Charger/Champ line. Does anyone know why they don't have a true "pro team" pushing the brand? Just curious...

Company philosophy has always seemed to not want to spend much money on marketing. They also build some high end pontoons and they probably consider themselves a custom bass boat builder with a special niche in the market. I think they only average about 50-75 bass boats a year and might not be able or want to handle much more than that. At those quantity levels, you couldn't cover your marketing expense or get a decent ROI without raising prices considerably.

Makes sense and smart business model on their part.

don't think most folk care about what pros are running a boat line its not like they can fish like kvd if they buy a nitro.

Well they must be doing something right. I think the are now the oldest family owned bass boat company left, now that BC sold. The 210 Elite look good.

I agree with this 100%. I do think they bring the brands up for people to look at tho. I am not sure how much that really sales boats. I think people buy boats more because that is the boat their dad,brother ,or friend owns that they have rode in or fished out of.

You have to admire a company for sticking to its roots and being successful. Bullet operates much the same way. Very conservatively. The new 210 Elite is the first Charger that has ever caught my eye.

I've seen a few of them around but was never a fan. Larry Barnes used to run one back 25 years ago on Fork. You could tell it was a solid well-made craft just not appealing to me.

They do have a guy on the FLW tour running a charger but he is not a househould name. Its probably just not in their business plan the way they run things, pro gator is another brand you don't see much marketing about but they have been around for a long time too.

Buddy of mine is on his second Charger. Well built and very solid boats. For many years Charger focused more on pontoons. They are made local in the Ozarks but not real popular on LOZ. By numbers I would say on LOZ 1. Ranger 2. Bass Cat 3. Phoenix. 4. Triton We have a few Legends, Skeeters and Chargers.

Sneak peek of my next 210 for anyone that might be interested!

WoW, looks like Bullet isn't the only one who can pull off a green boat and make it look good.

Does the boat come with the rigger in the picture?

that boat is sick looking

Not a fan the black boats with green highlights but I see plenty of kids with flat brims in skeeters that color

That would be my color, black and lime green is bad to the bone.

My 921 is black, lime green and silver.

Don't worry, you don't have to wear a flat brim hat to run a lime green boat or be young.

Cannot wait until I see the finished product....wish I was in position to get a new one. I'm thinking # 1 pick for me would be 210 Elite. Hopefully, tomorrow will come.

Is your belly jelly?

May be why that guy is throwing up in it, lol.

I will get to see that in person very soon. I will be on my way to pick it up and deliver to Blake's Boats. Can't wait to see it in person.

That is a nice looking boat for sure. I have always like those colors. I am just not a dark interior person for the Texas summers. HOT HOT HOT

If I had a choice what boat to be in when a storm blew up on any lake, it would be a Champion or Charger. Both are fine boats.