Champion 187 DC opinions

Zebrathirteen · Post by **Zebrathirteen** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:39 pm

Gentlemen,

I am looking seriously at a 2006 Champion 187 DC with a 175hp Opti Max. I'm hoping somebody out there has some experience with this model, Champion, etc., and would give me their opinions, thoughts, concerns, whatever, on it. This would be my second boat...stepping up in size from my tin boat.

The one area of concern I have is the rod locker arrangement...it's kinda silly, but I could work around that. I haven't had it out on the water yet, but I keep hearing that Champions have a great ride. I've also heard that Champions don't provide the most stable fishing platform. I'd be pulling it with a V6 Tacoma, which is another concern.

Any advice you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Justin

BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER · Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:02 pm

Yer Yota will pull it, and stop it, just fine..... don't give that a second thought...... I pulled my Ranger 462, which is the same size and weight as the the Champ 187, for about 7 years w my V6 Yota without any issue's at all...........

buddy brown · Post by **buddy brown** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:05 pm

great boat. responsive and handles great, rides great. w/ the 175 optimax it hops on plane and is pretty fast, does not chine walk much at all. The Opti kicks @ss. Good on gas and oil. It is an easy boat to drive. Trailer is good and loads easily.

back storage is small but livewell is huge. the live well is bigger and deeper than all of the bigger 20 ft boats I've been in. the rod locker is not good and I wish it was a single console or removable one. Make sure that you get good electronics in the console, the flasher is kind of worthless to me. The main advantage of this boat is the high quality of the hull and the ride. From what I've heard it takes 90 more man hours to complete than the equivilent size stratos. If you look at how clean the wiring is and then look at other brands you will see that they took their time. Aside froma few things like the lack of a recessed troll pedal and weak rod locker and storage. There is not much really bad to say about it. Great tourney boat

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:08 pm

That boat is definitely stable, epecially since you are coming out of a tin boat. My buddy had that boat and it was really nice. You're correct about the ride. Pretty hard to beat! In regards to the rod lockers, it was never an issue. Congrats!