Champion boat are now gone?

[clarker2000]

Did I see that correctly that Champion is now gone completely?  I believe its now Stratos/Champion and only a few models are available?  Or am I completely wrong?

[J.Davis]

You are correct.  The boating industry is really struggling right now.  Triton, Stratos, and Champion were struggling, but since they are such successful boats, Ranger bought them.  Now Ranger, Triton, and Stratos boats are all made under one (well technically a couple) of roofs in Flippin, Arkansas.  Personally I think it is a good thing.  I think it will put more out on the table that are very good, reliable boats.  Ranger will also now be a powerhouse.  When OMC when out of business a few years ago, someone (I think Ranger) bought Stratos and combined the Stratos and Javelin lines.  I am a proud owner of a '97 Javelin 400TE, but I think from around 2000-2006, Javelin lost everything they had going and Stratos took over completely when OMC collapsed. 

[clarker2000]

I knew they all combined but never heard until yesterday that Champion was gone.  I dont understand why they would get rid of champ vs stratos? I like the total move but to get rid of such an icon is pretty crazy.   OUt of all those models the ranger and champ are the best big water boats.  What a shame.  I love my champ.  Sad day. 

[loomisguy]

Actually Ranger didnt buy anyone, they are owned by the same parent co. as stratos and champion. (used to be genmar)  I believe its now plaitnum investments.  Stratos is going to keep and market 3 of the champ hulls , the 210, 202 and 183 and call them the stratos champion elite.

[coldfront]

I knew they all combined but never heard until yesterday that Champion was gone.  I dont understand why they would get rid of champ vs stratos? I like the total move but to get rid of such an icon is pretty crazy.   OUt of all those models the ranger and champ are the best big water boats.  What a shame.  I love my champ.  Sad day.

if you go to the stratos site...and go to bass boats...the 'Champs' are now the Stratos Elite...from what I can tell...

I'm looking hard at the 183 Elite...except it appears they have 6.5 foot rod boxes?  who puts only 6.5 rod boxes on bass boats anymore?

[J.Davis]

Actually Ranger didnt buy anyone, they are owned by the same parent co. as stratos and champion. (used to be genmar)  I believe its now plaitnum investments.  Stratos is going to keep and market 3 of the champ hulls , the 210, 202 and 183 and call them the stratos champion elite.

Loomis is right, that's what I was going for, but I knew it wasn't Genmar anymore, so I just said Ranger.  Ranger is the poster child of the company though. 

[pawpaw]

Actually Ranger didnt buy anyone, they are owned by the same parent co. as stratos and champion. (used to be genmar)  I believe its now plaitnum investments.  Stratos is going to keep and market 3 of the champ hulls , the 210, 202 and 183 and call them the stratos champion elite.

Thats what I read a while back, but I don't know If they own Triton or not.

[J.Davis]

Thats what I read a while back, but I don't know If they own Triton or not.

They do own Triton.  Here's a video on the topic:

http://www.wired2fish.com/WiredMedia.aspx?MediaID=909

[bass1cpr]

   I've seen the new 210 Elite. The first one delivered to the shop became the sales guys demo. It's kind of awkard seeing a champion sitting on a trailer that says Stratos Boats. I think they should rename them Chatratos. 
   Javelin was an Earl Bentz design, Stratos was an Earl Bentz design and who started Triton. Yep you guessed it. Earl's a savy old dog. Start em up then sell them.
   Yamaha bought Skeeter, Mercury bought Triton, but Evinrude wasn't rich enough to buy Ranger  so now they are BRP products.
   Ranger is still it's own brand and probably will be forever although they are owned by Platinum Group (who is the money) and bass boat holdings is the name that Ranger, Triton, Stratos, and formerly Champion are now bannered under and all going to be built in Flippin Ark.

   I don't see where the #1 and #2 selling bass boats in the country being built in the same place will be good for the brands. I do see that a couple of the new bass boat company's may have a better chance in the future market place from my view. But that's just my opinion.

[coldfront]

   I don't see where the #1 and #2 selling bass boats in the country being built in the same place will be good for the brands. I do see that a couple of the new bass boat company's may have a better chance in the future market place from my view. But that's just my opinion.

here's the problem:  you're thinking like a boat buyer..not a boat seller...

can't imagine with all the focus on SKU reduction, streamlining, etc that eventually companies 'in the same vicinity but not under one roof' won't actually merge down the road...

[bass1cpr]

   I've seen some things since the changing of the guard and have seen some quality control issues in some of the new products. I understand they are trying to use up left over materials and parts but it's still hard to agree with what they are doing. My Inital impression is not one of optimism. It's more like they are junkin it up a bit. Time will tell.
   You ay be wright about more merging but that's not always a good thing.

[Jared LeBlue]

My understanding of it was they were going to keep the Champion hull and redesign the interior. I don't know exactly what they changed but I read that they were going to change it up a bit.

[clarker2000]

I dont see how having these major players all under one roof is going be a good thing for bass boats but I do understand the economy slowing sales in general.  What boat manufacturers need to take a serious look at is the price.  Seriously, paying $50,000 $60,000 for a loaded bass boat is absurd.  In my opinion a 21ft Ranger with every option available, except top top end hds/gps units should be $40K or under.  Heck you can find one year old used boats loaded to the gills for $30K.   Its no wonder why these companies struggle.   They need to take a look at price points within the bass fishing community. 

On another note, I hope that they dont ruin the Champ hull.  Its one of the best. As far as the pictures on the new site, the one elite looks like a skeeter, almost.  Not the Champ I know.  Glad my Champ runs great and looks great. 

Wonder what Skeet Reese is going to do?  Is he now joining Stratos/Champ?   Would be suprised to see him in a Ranger.

[bassinbob 1]

Owning my 3rd. Champion is a slap in the face to now see it called Stratus. It should have been the opposite. I don't see the logic in taking a once boat industry standard on bass boat ride and scraping the name.  I'll look elsewhere for my next boat . And it won't be owned by Platinum.

[Jared LeBlue]

I dont see how having these major players all under one roof is going be a good thing for bass boats but I do understand the economy slowing sales in general.  What boat manufacturers need to take a serious look at is the price.  Seriously, paying $50,000 $60,000 for a loaded bass boat is absurd.  In my opinion a 21ft Ranger with every option available, except top top end hds/gps units should be $40K or under.  Heck you can find one year old used boats loaded to the gills for $30K.   Its no wonder why these companies struggle.   They need to take a look at price points within the bass fishing community. 

On another note, I hope that they dont ruin the Champ hull.  Its one of the best. As far as the pictures on the new site, the one elite looks like a skeeter, almost.  Not the Champ I know.  Glad my Champ runs great and looks great. 

Wonder what Skeet Reese is going to do?  Is he now joining Stratos/Champ?   Would be suprised to see him in a Ranger.

I agree with the price but you do have to realise that the motor is right at 20k, then add 1k for the trolling motor, $400 for the batteries, and another 1k for the graphs without upgrade and you already at $22,400. I think the cost of these motors is outrageous.

As for Skeet he has joined on with the Stratos team. They anounced that right before the annoucement came out about the merge between Stratos and Champion.

[coldfront]

talked to a statos rep...to clear up my mis-take...the Stratos 183 elite has 7 foot rod boxes...

still looks like a heck of a boat...

[J.Davis]

Wonder what Skeet Reese is going to do?  Is he now joining Stratos/Champ?   Would be suprised to see him in a Ranger.

I think he joined announced joining the Stratos team right around the postseason/end of summer and then.  I'm not sure of when, but he is definitely on the Stratos team now.

[clarker2000]

I agree, why would you take a main stay bassboat like Champion that is known for its great ride and put it under Stratos' name?  The other way would be more understandable.   No offense to the Stratos guys but its no Champion. 

If they make serious hull changes and it truly doesnt reflect the Champion name what else would you buy?  Legend?  Basscat?   

[J B]

why would you take a main stay bassboat like Champion that is known for its great ride and put it under Stratos' name? 

Answer,Because You now have P.E. as owners who knows nothing about Bass Boats, and they hire a company that knows nothing about Bass Boats to tell them what to do with there new holdings..Due to the fact that Champion went under we are lucky there are Champions being made under any name.

[SNAGGER51]

I priced out a moderately equipped 183 Elite at $35,000 on the road. Now I wonder... 7 ft rod boxes, using left over part...hmmm.

[cjr4497]

you can all thank randy hopper of ranger for destroying the champion name. he has been hell bent on it for years and now has finally accomplished his goal. he has been putting the squeeze on champ ever since genmar put him in control of most of their brands. when platinum equity bought champ, ranger, strat, and triton they put hopper in charge again, and he promptly convinced them so scrap the champ name and the majority of their hulls. champ has always been the biggest threat to ranger especially in the bay boat market. champ was killing them. there was no sane reason on earth to scrap the camp bay boat line and the name all together, much less put it under a much less prestigious name brand. it was and is all personal and highly calculated. other players out there even tried to buy champion from platinum equity for a pretty penny but hopper convinced them not to give it up. this hole deal has me heart broken. i can't stand to even look at a ranger.

[gdaddybassmaster]

Well stated!   
GD