Champion 203Dx.....need Feedback Please

[gulfcaptain]

Okay, think I'm gonna bite the bullet and get a 2000 Champion 203DX w/ Merc 225 4 stroke.  Would like to imput and reviews from people who have a Champion or had.. I'm going to go test run it tomorrow and have read a few things about them and I do know that when I fished tournaments way back in the early 90's they were a great handling and riding boat to have second honestly to the Basscat's Panterra II. Have a great deal on it, haven't signed the papers.  Any feedback on this size Champion would be appriciated.

[Jig Man]

I'm running a 2001 Champion 206.  I've had it since it was new.  It has been a great boat and is still going strong.

[gulfcaptain]

I'm running a 2001 Champion 206.  I've had it since it was new.  It has been a great boat and is still going strong.

I do like the layout and it's solid other then well minor work.  But from a base to start with, I can make it a great fishing platform well under what some used newer boats are going for and have all the upgraded bells and whistles.  We shall see how she runs first today.  The update will be coming this evening.

[Al Wolbach]

I have a 98 203 DCX with a 225 Yamaha Vmax that I ordered new. I still have it and it is a great driving/riding boat. It is narrow by todays standards, but this aids the drivability. If you ever run any narrow rivers or trails like on Okeechobee you will love the way it drives. The fishability suffers a little because of the narrow hull. When fishing wakes from other boats will rock it somewhat more than wider boats. That being said, rough water ride is the best I have encountered, but have never ridden in a bass cat. A friend recently traded his 206 in on a Ranger 521 and regrets not keeping the 206 because of ride.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.....Al

[Al Wolbach]

I'm curious how this boat performed with a Merc 4 stroke engine. The 203, I've been told, does not perform well with less than 225hp and I was told in the days of 2 stroke only bass boat engines. The person that told me was the owner of the dealership where I bought mine. Looking forward to your feedback.

[gulfcaptain]

I'm curious how this boat performed with a Merc 4 stroke engine. The 203, I've been told, does not perform well with less than 225hp and I was told in the days of 2 stroke only bass boat engines. The person that told me was the owner of the dealership where I bought mine. Looking forward to your feedback.

So did the test run and lake check.  Always best I think to see how the boat feels on the water as opposed to the trailer.  Big motor turned over right away.  Trolling motor has plenty of power and quiet.  So hole shot is right at 4 seconds before it's on pad and running....not bad, top speed with little less the 1/2 tank and 3 persons (approx 650-675lbs) with about 80% trim was 61mph.  Cornered and held great at 45.  Boat is running a 4 blade 25 pitch prop which may be a little much as it would only turn up 5000rpms but then may have not quite found that sweet spot on the trim as we never cavitated.  Figure 2 guys and gear looking at probably 65-70.  May test it later next month when I come back from work with a 4 blade 24 on it just to see how it responds as well as having them clean up the edges that are on there.  So needless to say, headed back tomorrow to work out the details and have all the extras put on (2 7" units and a 12' Talon).  And I didn't find the boat that tippy as some have discribed, but then I've worked on boats for years and been in some tippy boats and with 2 people up front, one in the back, it really wasn't that bad moving around honestly.  So next year looks like I'll have something other then just my car to take me fishing along with my two boys.  My 10yr old already wants to know when he gets to drive it.....lol

[A-Jay]

Any Pics ?

 

A-Jay

[gulfcaptain]

Any Pics ?

 

A-Jay

I don't, when I go tomorrow I'll take a few, then when all the goodies are added, and then depending how I feel (not a big fan of the wrap that's on it but may keep it for now until I'm motivated to restore and buff out the gelcoat...lol) the before wrap and after removal.  But may do that next year when I redue the carpet.  Don't have time for all that work when I want to take it fishing.

[fishnkamp]

I am sure you will love the Champion, they ride and fish very well.  Also the deck height is not as high off the water as other boats,  Makes pitchin under docks easie,r at least that was what I saw on my buddies 191. Enjoy your  new toy!

[Al Wolbach]

I am sure you will love the Champion, they ride and fish very well.  Also the deck height is not as high off the water as other boats,  Makes pitchin under docks easie,r at least that was what I saw on my buddies 191. Enjoy your  new toy!

The 203 deck height is actually pretty high up front and this is what probably makes it a little tippy. The rear deck is very low however which is where you were probably fishing. The front deck is high enough to make lipping a fish somewhat difficult to reach. The high front deck helps with the great rough water ride.

Gulfcaptain...I think you will find the cursing speed of 45-50 will be the most comfortable. The boat seems to like that speed, ride and handles great without any steering input at all. Top speed on mine with a full tournament load is about 65 full of fuel. I run a 27 pitch three blade Tempest Plus. When I fished tournaments I dropped to the same prop in a 26 pitch in the hot summer months. My Yamaha will spin very near 6000 rpm with the 27 pitch and cool air/water. Big difference in hole shot using the 26 pitch, noticeably quicker but top end suffers. I tried a 25 pitch and did not like it at all, don't remember details. Never tried a four blade. I'm not sure why but when my boat was delivered it had a 27 pitch Tempest Plus, which as you know is a Mercury prop, which had a Champion logo on the prop. And that's with a 225 Yamaha. It may have been factory supplied, not sure. At that time Champion worked very closely with their dealers. My boat came from the factory with a 10 in Rite Hite jack plate but was factory recalled to install a 10 in Dewiler jack plate. Not sure why. Good luck with your new ride.....Al

[gulfcaptain]

The 203 deck height is actually pretty high up front and this is what probably makes it a little tippy. The rear deck is very low however which is where you were probably fishing. The front deck is high enough to make lipping a fish somewhat difficult to reach. The high front deck helps with the great rough water ride

 

I take it you've never fished off a Gambler.  This one is a bit narrower, think it's about a foot narrower then the Rangers if you're comparing platforms to them then maybe, but still really was stable moving around.  I didn't feel like we were going to fall over when moving around or once I turned the trolling motor to high after testing it to see how it would react..  We actuallly tried to see how much effort it would take to make it tippy.  We really had to try.  General moving around wasn't bad.  His Gambler was a lot more tippy then this boat was and his 84lb trolling motor on high would jerk that boat and if you weren't ready for it possibly cause you to loose your balance.  I was pretty impressed.  It does sit a little bow high, but I'd rather have it a little high in the bow, and if you get two people up there, it's not bad at all.  Has a huge front platform to fish from.  I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time up there once spring and summer get here where I can take it out with my oldest quite a bit.

[gulfcaptain]

Any Pics ?

 

A-Jay

 

Not a fan of the wrap he put on, think I'm going to have them remove it and buff the gelcoat out.  Next set of pics will be when I pick it up next month after everything is installed.  Dash is gettig a Lowrance HDS 5m 5" GPS unit where the old Eagle fishfinder was, a HDS 7 mounted next to the console, a Lowrance Point-1 GPS antenna, and on the bow, a Lowrance Elite-7 CHIRP fish/chart all networked together.  And then the 12' Talon on the stern with the laydown bracket.  

[WRB]

Very good hull and performing bass boat. The only down side is Champion is out of business, the family bank rupt it, so resale could be a issue in a few years.

Tom

[A-Jay]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not a fan of the wrap he put on, think I'm going to have them remove it and buff the gelcoat out.  Next set of pics will be when I pick it up next month after everything is installed.  Dash is gettig a Lowrance HDS 5m 5" GPS unit where the old Eagle fishfinder was, a HDS 7 mounted next to the console, a Lowrance Point-1 GPS antenna, and on the bow, a Lowrance Elite-7 CHIRP fish/chart all networked together.  And then the 12' Talon on the stern with the laydown bracket.  

 

 

SWEET ~

 

Thank you for the pics.  I don't totally hate that wrap but I'd probably go a different direction as well.

 

Nice Looking Trailer too.

 

Best of Luck To You and your New Rig.

 

A-Jay

[gulfcaptain]

5 hours ago, WRB said:

Very good hull and performing bass boat. The only down side is Champion is out of business, the family bank rupt it, so resale could be a issue in a few years.
Tom

From my understanding, Ranger aquired Champion and well pretty much killed the line.  As far as selling, not looking to swap it out in a few years for a newer boat, been looking for a Champion for a few years.  Also found that the serial # on mine is prior to them being bought out by Ranger and making them a little well not as nice from what I got from conversations with the staff (owner of Anglers Marine is married to daughter of original Champion owner).  So going to fix it, put it back in original form and keep her.  Boat and motor is solid, so it's a great base to build on.  But it is a nice riding boat for sure.  

[fishnkamp]

Champion was originally bought by Stratos and was sold under their "Elite"  series boats. Once Stratos brought out the VLO series they discontinued them.  Big mistake!  I met John Story once when he was producing Viper boats.  That was after he and his partner sold Champion and he was getting back into bass boats.  He was an amazing guy to meet, too bad he could not produce a boat with out tinkering with it constantly, that makes it hard to build up a new boat company's reputation.  He then started Hawk boats I believe.  I do not think either company lasted too long after that.

Enjoy your Champion. 

[Jig Man]

Actually guys, Genmar owned Champion along with Ranger and several other boat companies including Lund.  It was run by Irwin Jacobs who owns the Fred's stores.  When Genmar collapsed Champion which was being built in the Strasto/Javelin plant in TN was sold off.  I believe that same company bought Ranger.  That company combined the Champion and Stratos lines into a whole different boat.  Now it is all owned by John L Morris the founder of Bass Pro.

[gulfcaptain]

 

4 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Actually guys, Genmar owned Champion along with Ranger and several other boat companies including Lund.  It was run by Irwin Jacobs who owns the Fred's stores.  When Genmar collapsed Champion which was being built in the Strasto/Javelin plant in TN was sold off.  I believe that same company bought Ranger.  That company combined the Champion and Stratos lines into a whole different boat.  Now it is all owned by John L Morris the founder of Bass Pro.

That was it....lol.  Couldn't remember all the facts as it was a quick run through when they told me.   

[WRB]

Rick Glover, owner of Anglers Marine, is very knowledgible regarding Champion and Ranger boats, he been a dealer for decades. Any questions you have about the Champion you are buying, ask Rick and he will give you the honest answers, good dealership to work with...plus Rick and his son Kyle are very good tournament anglers that know how to set up bass boats correctly.

Tom

PS, Rick is a salesman so negotiate, he is also the owner who wants to move that boat before the years end....a few upgrades would help sweeten the deal!

[Catt]

Alan Stinson designed 

Skeeter Starfire series

Stratos XL series 

Stratos SS Extreme series

Champions

Owned Nitro which he sold to Bass Pro Shops

[Brent Christian]

I cant see the pics?

 

[gulfcaptain]

[gulfcaptain]

I guess when he updated the site it kicked the pics off of here.

[gulfcaptain]

5 hours ago, WRB said:

 

PS, Rick is a salesman so negotiate, he is also the owner who wants to move that boat before the years end....a few upgrades would help sweeten the deal!

Yes, they gave me a good price, the 5" unit going in the dash was a freebie as well as the cost for all three units to be installed as well as the Talon, put in a new kill switch in the throttle, and also looking to see if they can refurb my prop for me as well plus store the boat until I get back next month from work.  They didn't make much on the front end of the deal, but the add ons on the back they did.  So I can't really complain about the service.  

[WRB]

If the prop has some issues, Phil's Prop shop in Shasta is the best around,have Rick send to him.

Tom