Still trying to find a line on a replacement for my INCA FO3620 fuel tank? INCA will not cross ref. the size to fit current models made, anyone have a suggestion? Having a replacement made of alum is around $500 plus shipment. Thanks Tom
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INCA Fuel Tank
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New Owner of Champion Bass Boat
Hello everyone
I am the first time owner![:p]( "Stick Out Tongue :p")
arty0045: of my own bassboat, so am in need of much help and have many questions. I have had a jon boat and was in the Navy:cheers: so I know how to steer ect, but my new boat is intimidating with all of its features that mostly are new to me.
All I know so far is that it is a 1984 Champion:first: and that it is 16.8 feet according to the title, and it has a 135 Hp Johnson Motor. I dont know the Model of the boat![:confused:]( "Confused :confused:")
as it is not listed anywhere on the title.
So my first question would be how do I find the Model (name or number) and are there owners' manuals for this old a boat anywhere around.
Gotta tell ya at 59 years old I am very very excited about finally having my own REAL BASS BOAT:Banane45:
Thanks for letting me be a part![:D]( "Big Grin :D")
,
Robert
I am the first time owner
arty0045: of my own bassboat, so am in need of much help and have many questions. I have had a jon boat and was in the Navy:cheers: so I know how to steer ect, but my new boat is intimidating with all of its features that mostly are new to me.All I know so far is that it is a 1984 Champion:first: and that it is 16.8 feet according to the title, and it has a 135 Hp Johnson Motor. I dont know the Model of the boat
as it is not listed anywhere on the title.So my first question would be how do I find the Model (name or number) and are there owners' manuals for this old a boat anywhere around.
Gotta tell ya at 59 years old I am very very excited about finally having my own REAL BASS BOAT:Banane45:
Thanks for letting me be a part
,Robert
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Another new Champion owner
Hi everyone!
I'm new to the forum, and new to real bass boats. Today, I just made a deal on my first, a sweet '89 Champion 184 DCB.![:p]( "Stick Out Tongue :p")
arty0045:
She's got a newer 115 Johnson 2 stroke, and appears to be immaculately kept. Sparkle blue on top, silver on the hull. Stainless prop.
I test drove it on the local waters here, and even though top speed is only about 50 mph, that is more than fast enough for me.![:eek:]( "Eek! :eek:")
Can't wait to get her out and put her to work. I live in central WA State, and am surrounded by quality bass and walleye water. I'm a teacher, so I have 3 months in the summer to fish my a** off.:cheers:
Probably won't sleep well tonight - I may have to go out to the garage and sleep on the front casting deck!
I'm new to the forum, and new to real bass boats. Today, I just made a deal on my first, a sweet '89 Champion 184 DCB.
arty0045:She's got a newer 115 Johnson 2 stroke, and appears to be immaculately kept. Sparkle blue on top, silver on the hull. Stainless prop.
I test drove it on the local waters here, and even though top speed is only about 50 mph, that is more than fast enough for me.
Can't wait to get her out and put her to work. I live in central WA State, and am surrounded by quality bass and walleye water. I'm a teacher, so I have 3 months in the summer to fish my a** off.:cheers:
Probably won't sleep well tonight - I may have to go out to the garage and sleep on the front casting deck!
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Been working on mine
Nothing major really. Just minor stuff that needed doing and I'm not done yet.
Fixed my livewell drain valve. Sounds easy and the valve itself is a very simple design. Getting it out took a little time. This was important because they are going super crazy about AIS crap here in MN and livewell has to be empty before leaving launch area. My pumpout doesn't completely empty the livewell. Anyway, problem solved.
Added new Rod Savers to strap my rods down.
Bought a couple new HDS 7 units and installed/networked those. New FL-10 indash flasher is on the way while I try to decide between FL-8 or FL-18 for the bow. Most of my depth reading will be done via flasher and the HDS units will mainly be for plotter functions. I am done trying to depend on graphs for precise boat control on structure. I got on some deep mifoil on a point Saturday and the HDS units are next to worthless for reading THROUGH this stuff.:wallbash:
New Carlisle tires went on the trailer last weekend. They were well past due for replacement and I figured my luck was going to run out if I kept pushing those old Goodyears.![;)]( "Wink ;)")
I did the wheel bearings before I slapped on the new tires.
Previous owner had installed a stereo system on this boat. I removed it today including ALL wiring. I also pulled out all the old (unused) power and transducer cables previous owner had left in. Wiring under drivers console was just a pigsty mess.![:eek:]( "Eek! :eek:")
That was just plain being lazy on his part and it has bugged me since I bought this boat almost 2 yrs ago. Between all the wiring/cables and stereo I've removed a good chunk of useless weight.![:D]( "Big Grin :D")
Those 2 speakers were heavy! The under console wiring will clean up nicely now. I spent 3 1/2 hours pulling useless wires and stereo!
My speedometer doesn't work. I think it did before the engine went in for service a month ago?? I will fix that now too, just not sure yet exactly what it will take. Had JP mounting bolts resealed while engine was being fixed (electronic HP fuel pump was leaking and replaced)
I'm converting my pedestal bases to king pin. I finally got my bow pedestal loose (which was a PITA) and ordered new Sprinfield king pin pedestals. Have had too many problems with Swivel-eze so trying a different brand. Since the newer swivel eze pedestals use a larger diameter post than my bases are designed for, it makes little sense not to convert. Guys talk about sanding these newer posts to fit but it's a LOT of (time consuming) work. I'm not going to have every new post machined for future replacements to fit the stock holes so machining a adapter bushing to convert is my answer. These will be done as soon as I get the new pedestals for measurements.
I've got some bilge work ahead of me also. Nothing really pressing at the moment but there will be some cleaning and pump replacements eventually.
I love the way this boat rides! Everybody that rides in it braces for impact when they see big wakes ahead but this hull just cuts them like a knife. It's funny to see their jaw dropping expression after we float through. So, this makes all my work (and money spent :wallbash![:)]( "Smile :)")
worth it. Champs rule!!:first:
Fixed my livewell drain valve. Sounds easy and the valve itself is a very simple design. Getting it out took a little time. This was important because they are going super crazy about AIS crap here in MN and livewell has to be empty before leaving launch area. My pumpout doesn't completely empty the livewell. Anyway, problem solved.
Added new Rod Savers to strap my rods down.
Bought a couple new HDS 7 units and installed/networked those. New FL-10 indash flasher is on the way while I try to decide between FL-8 or FL-18 for the bow. Most of my depth reading will be done via flasher and the HDS units will mainly be for plotter functions. I am done trying to depend on graphs for precise boat control on structure. I got on some deep mifoil on a point Saturday and the HDS units are next to worthless for reading THROUGH this stuff.:wallbash:
New Carlisle tires went on the trailer last weekend. They were well past due for replacement and I figured my luck was going to run out if I kept pushing those old Goodyears.
I did the wheel bearings before I slapped on the new tires.Previous owner had installed a stereo system on this boat. I removed it today including ALL wiring. I also pulled out all the old (unused) power and transducer cables previous owner had left in. Wiring under drivers console was just a pigsty mess.
That was just plain being lazy on his part and it has bugged me since I bought this boat almost 2 yrs ago. Between all the wiring/cables and stereo I've removed a good chunk of useless weight. Those 2 speakers were heavy! The under console wiring will clean up nicely now. I spent 3 1/2 hours pulling useless wires and stereo!My speedometer doesn't work. I think it did before the engine went in for service a month ago?? I will fix that now too, just not sure yet exactly what it will take. Had JP mounting bolts resealed while engine was being fixed (electronic HP fuel pump was leaking and replaced)
I'm converting my pedestal bases to king pin. I finally got my bow pedestal loose (which was a PITA) and ordered new Sprinfield king pin pedestals. Have had too many problems with Swivel-eze so trying a different brand. Since the newer swivel eze pedestals use a larger diameter post than my bases are designed for, it makes little sense not to convert. Guys talk about sanding these newer posts to fit but it's a LOT of (time consuming) work. I'm not going to have every new post machined for future replacements to fit the stock holes so machining a adapter bushing to convert is my answer. These will be done as soon as I get the new pedestals for measurements.
I've got some bilge work ahead of me also. Nothing really pressing at the moment but there will be some cleaning and pump replacements eventually.
I love the way this boat rides! Everybody that rides in it braces for impact when they see big wakes ahead but this hull just cuts them like a knife. It's funny to see their jaw dropping expression after we float through. So, this makes all my work (and money spent :wallbash
worth it. Champs rule!!:first:
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My sled with a little bling
Sorry if some recognize as a retread from another board. I'll try and take some new pics and post them when the rig is cleaner.
![[IMG]]()
Sorry couldn't get them to download. Will update on the home computer
![[IMG]](http://emob254.photobucket.com/albums/hh99/haulinbass_photos/DSC01317.jpg)
Sorry couldn't get them to download. Will update on the home computer
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1990 18.5' Champ
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/3329419221.html
Does this look to be 18 1/2 ft long? I'm thinking it's longer, because it looks like it has more front deck than my 191. BUT, it's only got a 150 on it. Considering that B.A.S.S. still had their 150 hp limit in place in 1990 this might be the reason for the 150. Boat just looks longer than 18 1/2 ft to me. Can anybody tell which model this is, for sure?
1990 18.5' Champ
Does this look to be 18 1/2 ft long? I'm thinking it's longer, because it looks like it has more front deck than my 191. BUT, it's only got a 150 on it. Considering that B.A.S.S. still had their 150 hp limit in place in 1990 this might be the reason for the 150. Boat just looks longer than 18 1/2 ft to me. Can anybody tell which model this is, for sure?
1990 18.5' Champ
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Wow 90s Champion
Well after a long search and many hours on the computer and craigslist I found the boat I wanted. It is the cleanest used boat I have ever seen and the motor only has 80 hours on it. When I say it looks like it just came off the showroom floor. I mean just that!!! The livewells have never even been used. I have had a few people ask me where I bought it cause they thought it was new ![[IMG]]()
The colors on this boat are just awesome!
It is a 96 Champion 181dc. Its got a 150 EFI Merc, upgraded to Hydraulic steering New 75lb 24volt wireless trolling motor, Humminbird 588 HD DI GPS, Lakemaster chip, New Batteries, New Cover, New trailer tires, and the list just goes on. The guy I bought it from was just a great guy who really took care of his boat!!!
Here are a few pics!......Not Kipp's Boat...just posting it...love it....80 hrs on motor....wow
Drew
Attached Images![[IMG]]()
![[IMG]]()
![[IMG]]()
![[IMG]](http://74.55.204.178/images/smilies/smile.gif)
The colors on this boat are just awesome!It is a 96 Champion 181dc. Its got a 150 EFI Merc, upgraded to Hydraulic steering New 75lb 24volt wireless trolling motor, Humminbird 588 HD DI GPS, Lakemaster chip, New Batteries, New Cover, New trailer tires, and the list just goes on. The guy I bought it from was just a great guy who really took care of his boat!!!
Here are a few pics!......Not Kipp's Boat...just posting it...love it....80 hrs on motor....wow
Drew
Attached Images
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Champ 203 dcx livewell stuff
Got a 203 DCX 1998 Champ. Thing's got some livewell problems particularly with intake leaking water from intake to tank. Champs are well built and wondering if I'll have to pull the cap to take care of something like this or not. Also got problems with recirc. Is there any diagrams or something like that out there so I can try myself to fix before I turn it over to somebody to replace all of it?
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New Champion Owner
A couple of weekends ago I picked this bad boy up. Its a '85 18ft Champion fish and ski boat and I instantly fell in love. Not sure what it is with these old school Champions but its a timeless design. We have had people already come up to us and be like "nice boat". Yeah not bad for an '85 ![:D]( "Big Grin :D")
Anyway it only had a 90 horse on it but I can get it up to 40mph with two people and full tank of gas. There are no leaks but the boat does need a little TLC. So far I have been going through the wiring and getting rid of wires no longer used etc. Also the previous owner said the Bilge pump worked here and there. Since I have had the boat the bilge pump has never worked so I just replaced that tonight.
This is my first bass boat and I can't wait for the years to come spent fishing in this bad boy!
![[IMG]]()
![[IMG]]()
![[IMG]]()
![[IMG]]()
![[IMG]]()
![[IMG]]()
And the video I took of the bilge pump no working
Aldo got a short video of my wife driving the boat. Silly women they don't want to just gun it!
New Champion Owner
Anyway it only had a 90 horse on it but I can get it up to 40mph with two people and full tank of gas. There are no leaks but the boat does need a little TLC. So far I have been going through the wiring and getting rid of wires no longer used etc. Also the previous owner said the Bilge pump worked here and there. Since I have had the boat the bilge pump has never worked so I just replaced that tonight.
This is my first bass boat and I can't wait for the years to come spent fishing in this bad boy!
![[IMG]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7102/7211531376_e0e5aa5bf7_b.jpg)
![[IMG]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7211530946_6132de0c35_b.jpg)
![[IMG]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7211531668_a857b1a934_b.jpg)
![[IMG]](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7211532006_0456c45d4b_b.jpg)
![[IMG]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/7211531804_ac4242bae7_b.jpg)
![[IMG]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/7211531454_6543e0dbeb_b.jpg)
And the video I took of the bilge pump no working
Aldo got a short video of my wife driving the boat. Silly women they don't want to just gun it!
New Champion Owner
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Looking at 1996 champ-18'- need feedback
Hi!
Looking at a 1996 18' Champion, dual console, with 1996 Merc 150 EFI. It seems to be in very good condition, well cared for... well built.
Anything I should know, worry about, concerning this vintage of Champ and Merc?
Does a dual console get in the way?
Appreciate any thoughts from the group. Thanks! Dan
Looking at a 1996 18' Champion, dual console, with 1996 Merc 150 EFI. It seems to be in very good condition, well cared for... well built.
Anything I should know, worry about, concerning this vintage of Champ and Merc?
Does a dual console get in the way?
Appreciate any thoughts from the group. Thanks! Dan
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Proud to own my first champion! 1988 18 ft
Just got my first champion it's an 18 ft with a 92 175 fast strike. Nothing wrong with a thing and I'm runnin low 60s with a 26 raker. Question is my bran new tach is saying 5000 at wot. It's got to be more than that if I'm runnin 64mph on GPS right? Tach is set at 6p. Any info about my new champion will be greatly appreciated! Thanks
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New cover coming
While my original cover (1998) is still useable, it is losing some of it's waterproof coating. My boat sits outside all summer so I need that waterproof capability.
I contacted Deans Top and Canvas about a new replacement and found they are absolutely great to deal with. They are adding to the original pattern so it covers my 52" Minn Kota Maxxum properly at no additional cost. I get a new engine cover too, apparently. Spendy cover at $645 plus shipping but I'm confident it will fit right and last as long as my original has.
I contacted Deans Top and Canvas about a new replacement and found they are absolutely great to deal with. They are adding to the original pattern so it covers my 52" Minn Kota Maxxum properly at no additional cost. I get a new engine cover too, apparently. Spendy cover at $645 plus shipping but I'm confident it will fit right and last as long as my original has.
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Champion Transom Repair
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The furture Of ChampioN?
Well we lasted about 3 years since the take over and now P&E dumped the Elite series and no longer makes the ChampioN hulls. What's next? Hopefully someone makes a desent splash of one.
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Tube and ski on my Champion 202?
I just bought an old (1982) Champion 202 and want to be able to pull my kids on skis or a tube. Any suggestions for the type of setup I would need to keep the rope out of the water? My boat used to have a swim ladder installed and I would like to find the same one that was made for this boat. Any info on where I can find one? Hopefully I won't get to much grief for using my bass boat for tubing, but having two boats isn't something that I want to deal with. Thanks for any info.
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?
Is it possible to remove the aux gas tank on a 1991 sc champion and where is the switch between the tanks?
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Old School Champion Demo Ride
This video was taken from a couple of Old School Champion Demo Rides tapes and "retroed" into 8 minutes of ChampioN coolness. Credit MUST be given to a BBC member (member name Uberchamp) that
re-created this video around 2007.
**This is not being posted to cause a site war or being vindictive to BBC (as I am a member there and enjoy that site as well). I'm sharing this for my love of ChampioN boat history.**
I warn you that it can't be watched just once! The sharp "u turn" is commonly know as a breach stop. For those wondering NO not all bass boats can do that.
http://video.google.com/videop...hl=en
Enjoy!
Old School Champion Demo Ride
re-created this video around 2007.
**This is not being posted to cause a site war or being vindictive to BBC (as I am a member there and enjoy that site as well). I'm sharing this for my love of ChampioN boat history.**
I warn you that it can't be watched just once! The sharp "u turn" is commonly know as a breach stop. For those wondering NO not all bass boats can do that.
http://video.google.com/videop...hl=en
Enjoy!
Old School Champion Demo Ride
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Champion Boat History (revised)
Ok per a mods request I will try and recall what history I can remember from Champion. Some is first hand knowledge and others is hear say. I was very lucky and literally grew up with Champion. My father, grandfather (mothers father), 3 uncles, aunt and mother worked for Champion at one time or another until around 1985 (when my father was fired and we moved).
Champion Boats was founded by John Storie in 1975. It was located in Mt. Home Arkansas. He began making tri-hull boats in a small shop just outside of Mt Home on Hwy 5 North. Around 1976 he wanted a bigger/faster/better boat in a v-hull style so he sent my grandfather (a salesman) to a Skeeter dealer in Texas and had him buy a plain old gel coat Skeeter Wrangler. They brought it back, ripped it apart, splashed it adding some of this and that and Storie had himself a V-hull. Apparently it was changed so much that while it was related to Skeeter you could hardly tell in terms of performance and ride. They widened it, made the pad a V style rather than concave, pointed the rounded nose, moved the console from the middle to farther back in the boat, wedged the hull, added/subtracted some turn chines and lifting streaks and added the Champion arrow on the side. Storie wanted a rig that was fast, smooth ride and a DRY ride hense the Champion arrow and flaring of the upper hull (this kept you from getting sprayed) This was the beginning of the 86 inch beam Super V's most notably the 16'8. The 16'8 took off like wildfire and that rig sold very well for years. I was told that they wedged the rear of the hull to save weight but soon realized what it did in terms of performance and kept it. Think the 16'8 as the flagship for Champion. The 16'8's were 150 rated and just ran like hell fire. I was told this was around the time when Mercury went from inline 150s to V6 150's. This was back when 65-70 mph was just screaming. My father had a early 1976 16'8 (4th out of the mold) that was orange, Gramps had one that was banana yellow and black, Storie's was black and I think Bill Pace had a blue metal flake one. It was a real sight for a little fella to see all those boats banked at the Champion BBQs at Cranfield.
Champion grew and moved to the old building off of 210, where it stayed until it was moved to Tenn.
The next boat made was the 20'01 which was the first 20ft bass boat on the market. While and excellent boat it really didn't take off until the 200 and 225 came out to reach its full performance potential. It's still known as one of the smoothest 20 foot bass boats ever made.
Next was the 18'4 (175 rated) which sold very well when BASS put the 150 hp limit on tournys. Arguably the best performing hull Champion ever designed.
Then the 17'6 (150 rated). Great beginners rig. It was my first boat and still miss it sometimes. Would love to have it back with a 200 on it.
Around 1980 Storie wanted a smaller boat so they built the Mean 15. It was a 15 ft Super V. I believe rated for 115. Storie had a black one with a 150 on it. It had to have screamed. I remember having a ride or two in it.
A little later the 14ft Super V came out. Rated for a 75 (if I recall what pops told me). I asked my father why the hell Storie would wanna build a 14 fter. His reply "Because he's a moron." I thought that was funny. I've only seen a few of these used over the years and it just looked dinky. Pops said a dealer in Texas had one with a in line 150 on it! Wow!
Round that same time the tunnel hull came out (see Konna pics). It was 18ft and rated for a 175. Not many were made and I've been told anywhere from 5-20 left the plant. I'm excited to see how Konna's Champion Tunnel hull does once its done. I've seen since 3 since I left Mnt Home in 1985.
The 16'8 Swift ski boat came out round 80-81 ish. Still a few of them around. just a 16'8 with a solid top cap and rear bucket seating. Heck of a little speed boat.
The 16'8 Sprint ski boat. Same as the Swift except open seating up front and no top cap.
The Champion Python which was just a Super V without a top cap. Pops said it had the bare minimum. No Rod lockers, live well, no carpet.
In 1981 Champion burned (see previous post). Storie was ruined. He had no insurance and couldn't pay his debt. He needed a start up stash and no banks in the area would give him any $$. My father who was general manager at the time took Storie to see my grandfather (Dads father) who lived several states away and a business owner himself. Storie asked my grandfather for a loan. My grandfather met with his lawyers and was advised NOT to give Storie the loan as it was to risky and investment. But for the love of my father gramps instead loaned the money to my father who intern loaned the money to Storie for his debt. Storie got back on his feet again with this loan and got Champion back on track. I was told once he got back on his feet Storie promptly paid the loan back. In the mean time he had only a few workers. He wasn't able to pay my father for about a month with the promise that he would give Pops, Bill Pace (salesman) and Bruce Benton (mold maker) a % of Champion stock which all three did. Champion got back into building boats and Storie got back on his feet thanks to my grandfather. Without that loan Champion may never have been.
I'm not sure what year but belive aound 82 Storie sold Champion to Bill Pace and Matt Grabinski. This didnt last long and Champion went Bankrupt for the first time. Storie got Champion back and went on punching out 86 inch beam Champions until he sold Champ to Porthouse.
Around 1984 Storie tried producing a Off Shore sea rig. It was a disaster from the get go. It started as an I/O then an twin outboard and just went down hill from there. I believe only 2 were made. Why he did this just baffles me as Mnt. Home is about 16 hours from the nearest ocean.
In 1985 dad was fired from Champion and we moved shortly there after.
Champion Boats was founded by John Storie in 1975. It was located in Mt. Home Arkansas. He began making tri-hull boats in a small shop just outside of Mt Home on Hwy 5 North. Around 1976 he wanted a bigger/faster/better boat in a v-hull style so he sent my grandfather (a salesman) to a Skeeter dealer in Texas and had him buy a plain old gel coat Skeeter Wrangler. They brought it back, ripped it apart, splashed it adding some of this and that and Storie had himself a V-hull. Apparently it was changed so much that while it was related to Skeeter you could hardly tell in terms of performance and ride. They widened it, made the pad a V style rather than concave, pointed the rounded nose, moved the console from the middle to farther back in the boat, wedged the hull, added/subtracted some turn chines and lifting streaks and added the Champion arrow on the side. Storie wanted a rig that was fast, smooth ride and a DRY ride hense the Champion arrow and flaring of the upper hull (this kept you from getting sprayed) This was the beginning of the 86 inch beam Super V's most notably the 16'8. The 16'8 took off like wildfire and that rig sold very well for years. I was told that they wedged the rear of the hull to save weight but soon realized what it did in terms of performance and kept it. Think the 16'8 as the flagship for Champion. The 16'8's were 150 rated and just ran like hell fire. I was told this was around the time when Mercury went from inline 150s to V6 150's. This was back when 65-70 mph was just screaming. My father had a early 1976 16'8 (4th out of the mold) that was orange, Gramps had one that was banana yellow and black, Storie's was black and I think Bill Pace had a blue metal flake one. It was a real sight for a little fella to see all those boats banked at the Champion BBQs at Cranfield.
Champion grew and moved to the old building off of 210, where it stayed until it was moved to Tenn.
The next boat made was the 20'01 which was the first 20ft bass boat on the market. While and excellent boat it really didn't take off until the 200 and 225 came out to reach its full performance potential. It's still known as one of the smoothest 20 foot bass boats ever made.
Next was the 18'4 (175 rated) which sold very well when BASS put the 150 hp limit on tournys. Arguably the best performing hull Champion ever designed.
Then the 17'6 (150 rated). Great beginners rig. It was my first boat and still miss it sometimes. Would love to have it back with a 200 on it.
Around 1980 Storie wanted a smaller boat so they built the Mean 15. It was a 15 ft Super V. I believe rated for 115. Storie had a black one with a 150 on it. It had to have screamed. I remember having a ride or two in it.
A little later the 14ft Super V came out. Rated for a 75 (if I recall what pops told me). I asked my father why the hell Storie would wanna build a 14 fter. His reply "Because he's a moron." I thought that was funny. I've only seen a few of these used over the years and it just looked dinky. Pops said a dealer in Texas had one with a in line 150 on it! Wow!
Round that same time the tunnel hull came out (see Konna pics). It was 18ft and rated for a 175. Not many were made and I've been told anywhere from 5-20 left the plant. I'm excited to see how Konna's Champion Tunnel hull does once its done. I've seen since 3 since I left Mnt Home in 1985.
The 16'8 Swift ski boat came out round 80-81 ish. Still a few of them around. just a 16'8 with a solid top cap and rear bucket seating. Heck of a little speed boat.
The 16'8 Sprint ski boat. Same as the Swift except open seating up front and no top cap.
The Champion Python which was just a Super V without a top cap. Pops said it had the bare minimum. No Rod lockers, live well, no carpet.
In 1981 Champion burned (see previous post). Storie was ruined. He had no insurance and couldn't pay his debt. He needed a start up stash and no banks in the area would give him any $$. My father who was general manager at the time took Storie to see my grandfather (Dads father) who lived several states away and a business owner himself. Storie asked my grandfather for a loan. My grandfather met with his lawyers and was advised NOT to give Storie the loan as it was to risky and investment. But for the love of my father gramps instead loaned the money to my father who intern loaned the money to Storie for his debt. Storie got back on his feet again with this loan and got Champion back on track. I was told once he got back on his feet Storie promptly paid the loan back. In the mean time he had only a few workers. He wasn't able to pay my father for about a month with the promise that he would give Pops, Bill Pace (salesman) and Bruce Benton (mold maker) a % of Champion stock which all three did. Champion got back into building boats and Storie got back on his feet thanks to my grandfather. Without that loan Champion may never have been.
I'm not sure what year but belive aound 82 Storie sold Champion to Bill Pace and Matt Grabinski. This didnt last long and Champion went Bankrupt for the first time. Storie got Champion back and went on punching out 86 inch beam Champions until he sold Champ to Porthouse.
Around 1984 Storie tried producing a Off Shore sea rig. It was a disaster from the get go. It started as an I/O then an twin outboard and just went down hill from there. I believe only 2 were made. Why he did this just baffles me as Mnt. Home is about 16 hours from the nearest ocean.
In 1985 dad was fired from Champion and we moved shortly there after.
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1 yr in my Champ!
I just finished my 1st season in my 98 Champion 191 DCX Elite.
I love this friggin' boat! I really enjoyed fishing from it this summer and can't wait to get it home in the spring to really start making it mine. It's going into storage this weekend for the winter and I am so gonna miss it!
The ride/handling is confidence inspiring. It is not fast but it's fast enough for me, for now. But the ride in the rough is just, well...it lives up to the Champion reputation and it's just phenomenal.![:p]( "Stick Out Tongue :p")
arty0045: At times, I'd brace for impact and it would just slice through. I got over expecting the "thumps" in a hurry. This is not my first boat so I know a little about driving in the rough, but damn, I tell ya...so much better than I expected! If there is something better out there, I don't need it![;)]( "Wink ;)")
It is a little less stable at rest than some others I've been in, but it's no big deal at all. Have a little trouble getting 7' rods in the box and that can be a little irritating but it gets done. Plenty of tackle storage, more than I really need but it got filled up. Some have griped about lack of storage in rear deck with their Champs, mine is fine. I can get everything stored away that I want.
Loads and unloads really nice but it does sit heavy on the bunks. If water is not at top of fenders, she ain't coming off that trailer easy. Once on the trailer, don't have to worry about it sliding off, even if it ain't hooked.
I would buy another Champ in a heartbeat. In fact, I'm already thinking I'd like to have a 171 for when I'm older and fishing alone on the small lakes I like to fish. This one I have now, I would be happy to fish from until the day I die and hope to have it that long.
I have some work to do in the bilge next spring, new pumps, clean up etc. Engine is going to get a little work done to it. Would like to get some new electronics but not priority. New(er) style seats would be nice too but mine are still in near perfect shape.
I love this friggin' boat! I really enjoyed fishing from it this summer and can't wait to get it home in the spring to really start making it mine. It's going into storage this weekend for the winter and I am so gonna miss it!
The ride/handling is confidence inspiring. It is not fast but it's fast enough for me, for now. But the ride in the rough is just, well...it lives up to the Champion reputation and it's just phenomenal.
arty0045: At times, I'd brace for impact and it would just slice through. I got over expecting the "thumps" in a hurry. This is not my first boat so I know a little about driving in the rough, but damn, I tell ya...so much better than I expected! If there is something better out there, I don't need itIt is a little less stable at rest than some others I've been in, but it's no big deal at all. Have a little trouble getting 7' rods in the box and that can be a little irritating but it gets done. Plenty of tackle storage, more than I really need but it got filled up. Some have griped about lack of storage in rear deck with their Champs, mine is fine. I can get everything stored away that I want.
Loads and unloads really nice but it does sit heavy on the bunks. If water is not at top of fenders, she ain't coming off that trailer easy. Once on the trailer, don't have to worry about it sliding off, even if it ain't hooked.
I would buy another Champ in a heartbeat. In fact, I'm already thinking I'd like to have a 171 for when I'm older and fishing alone on the small lakes I like to fish. This one I have now, I would be happy to fish from until the day I die and hope to have it that long.
I have some work to do in the bilge next spring, new pumps, clean up etc. Engine is going to get a little work done to it. Would like to get some new electronics but not priority. New(er) style seats would be nice too but mine are still in near perfect shape.
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Champion Owners Tournament 2015
Spread the word. Come on out Champ owners.
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