Considering a Champion

[Fisher of Men]

FOund a 2003 Champion 187 with a 2010 175HP Evinrude ETEC(with warranty until 2015).  Boat is in great shape.  Mercury 23 pitch Tempest plus prop,2 butt seats,3 bank on board charger,Humminbird 595c GPS on dash,hydraulic steering, Jensen stereo/cd player,  cover, disc brakes on trailer, motorguide 82 lb trolling motor(1 year old), Lowrance x 52 in the bow.  (Less than 100hrs on motor)

Without seeing the boat in person,  the pictures really look good(O yea, the boat is about 900 miles form where i live).  Single owner that was in the military and upgraded to a bigger Pheonix. They are asking $18,500 but will consider an offer.  Trailer is in pretty good shape with a couple dents in one of the fenders and one spot in the gel coating of the boat.  Wated to ask you guys opinions.  I really like Champion boats and have heard good things about them.  What do you think?

[Mike Cork]

Champion is a good boat, had a really good rough water ride. I'd be careful though, if there ever was an issue with components there's no help to get them fixed. Things like computer modules in the console to run livewells, aerators, lighting. These all run though one central unit, would suck to have that go out and not be able to get parts.

I'd talk to a few people in the know before I pulled the trigger on a champ. Not bad mouthing the boat at all, I just don't know what would happen if something on the boat went wrong?

[Fisher of Men]

Mike I really appreciate it.  That was information I was not aware of.  With as much as I will use the boat things will happen and with no one to work on them...  will definitely determine my decision.  Thanks for the help.  I want a 19-20 footer with a 175HP-200HP that has been very well taken care of and has the extras on it that an avid bass fisherman would add.  Im definitely willing to add some additional things.  Again, thanks for the help!!!

[gdaddybassmaster]

Finding parts not a problem! They will sell you most anything out of Flippn.  C&O Marine will pick up the rest (don't sweat it).  Re the boat: The 187 is a fine rig, excellent ride and fishes very well.  Rear storage is a Lil small but not bad. 

The price is a bit high to me but if you like grab it.   

[Fisher of Men]

Ive heard good things about them and great things about the ETECs.  My major concern is having questions and not being able to touch and see the boat...  Thats apart of long distance purchases i know but stll a little timid,  I just want this boat i buy to have everything i want because i plan to keep it quite a while.

*** Wife mentioned a baby the other day so i gotta pull the trigger or i wont b able to get one for a while!!!

[gdaddybassmaster]

I just want this boat i buy to have everything i want because i plan to keep it quite a while.

*** Wife mentioned a baby the other day so i gotta pull the trigger or i wont b able to get one for a while!!!

It will last you a lifetime: built solid, Champs are excellent boats, rough water tamers, classy rigs.

[gdaddybassmaster]

Dave Schlick was the designer of this boat your looking at.

"He was the most talented boat designer I've ever seen. 202, 187, 221 were all his boats."

(source Pat Goff)

In pat I trust!

[Mike Cork]

gdaddy, do you reckon that Stratos will stock parts for the older line for quite some time? it would make sense too I say Stratos but mean the parent company and then sell under stratos

[gdaddybassmaster]

Mike the boat of today is the same with badges  of S on the side. Therefore yes all items should be a easy buy.   One thing you should remember: wheather it's brand X,Y,or Z.

All components are sourced: rule, springfield, atlas,Faria ect....   A boat builder owns the mold, name and intellectual property all else is from suppliers.

Now if the suppliers went belly up that would effect us all brands X,Y,and Z.

Take gel coats as an example: The 187 in this post as well as my own 183 feature Valspar supplied coatings.  If you were to call say: Deanna @ Legend Valspar would be a common name. 
Valspar on my 5 year old champ:

[Mike Cork]

I hear ya gdaddy, but a lot of the computer modules, while the same, are programmed different. That would have been my major concern.

Legend uses ashland, as well as ranger, nitro and several brands. Between the two they probably handle it all. 

[sport188]

It will last you a lifetime: built solid, Champs are excellent boats, rough water tamers, classy rigs.

Don't worry about any parts that you may need they can be found and just enjoy the boat. I have had mine for four years and it is great.

[Shaneomac1]

Champion is a good boat, had a really good rough water ride. I'd be careful though, if there ever was an issue with components there's no help to get them fixed. Things like computer modules in the console to run livewells, aerators, lighting. These all run though one central unit, would suck to have that go out and not be able to get parts.

I'd talk to a few people in the know before I pulled the trigger on a champ. Not bad mouthing the boat at all, I just don't know what would happen if something on the boat went wrong?

i am having this very issue right now with my 2005 187.

[Shaneomac1]

got my other part today from carol( parts mom) at team c and o marine ran up on the porch like a little kid and got it. Ran to the basement plugged it up and........................nothing... So i called a friend and was talking about it for a minute, hung up and went back to looking around . In the back by the cranking battery was what appeared to be to plug ins mounted on the side so i thought what the heck check them out. Found two very corroded fuses, replaced them and im back in business.

so if you have this issue with your boat be sure to look all around for fuses.lol

[Lea]

Folks in Flippin are also standing up and honoring existing warranties.   I would not worry about replacement parts.