Hey guys and gals, Help me out with this. I went fishing a few times with buddies and caught the fishing bug. I looked around for about 1.5 yrs to find the right boat. I got a 1990 Champion with a 2004 honda 4 stroke. I am open to any suggestions about how to launch and load, and drive my new to me machine. Thanks for helping the new guy.

I would strongly suggest you take someone with experiance with you until you feel comfortable. Boating can be very dangerous, I'm the Chief of a Volunteer F.D. and have on more than one occasssion had to bad experiances with "rookie" boters, to include a drowning. There are alot of post here in regards to your questions. Just be safe.

watch or stumps in shallow water...great way o tear up a boat

This is how I launch by myself:

In the staging area I remove back straps, motor toter and PUT PLUG IN.

When its my turn on the ramp, I back into the water just far enough that my rope will reach a cleat on the dock. I tie the rope to the cleat then unhook the front of the boat. Then I back the boat in and stop quickly to "pop" the boat off the trailer. Be sure to observe how far your trailer is in the water when it comes off. (This will help you when you load it) Once your boat is clear of the trailer, park your vehicle and you're ready to go.

This is how I load by myself:

I tie the boat to the dock (obviously) and back the trailer into the water deep enough to get all the bunks wet. (<---This helps if you have to hand-crank it) I then pull up until I get to the usual spot on the trailer where my boat will slide on and up easily,all the way to the hook. This is where you need to remember how far your trailer was in the water when it came off. That point should be close enough to get the boat up on the trailer pretty much most of the way so if you have to crank it up at all, it wont be very much. Your boat will load easier if you line it up straight as possible when driving on the trailer. Once you hit the hook, trim your motor up, get out, hook it up and lock it down.

At that point, if there are others waiting, pull up the ramp slowly and out of the next guys way.......and while pulling up the ramp, watch your mirrors to make sure the boat is moving with you and is not sliding off the trailer. Once out of everyone's way, pull the plug, put the back straps on, secure the motor and off you go.

And one thing I never do is unhook the front of the boat before the back of the boat is in the water.

Forgot to add in the first reply.....WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

My very first pice of boating advice would be to WEAR YOUR LIFE-JACKET!!

As far as driving your new boat, most of that knowledge will come with time behind the wheel. All boats handle different so we really cant "tell" you how to drive it. There are a few things that may help though:

When getting up on plane, have your motor trimmed down. The lower the better, especially when loaded with people and fish (livewells full). Once on plane, start your trim slowly and let it tach up slowly.....then continue trimming until you hit the sweet spot. Be sure to watch your water pressure and tach as you are trimming up. If your water pressure drops below say 10, your prop is trimmed too high and is not getting proper pressure which can lead to overheating. Taching the motor over the recommended rpm will lead to engine damage also, so find out what WOT (wide open throttle) is for your motor and dont exceed it.

Hope this helps you some but my fingers are tired from typing.....have fun and be safe. And wear your life jacket!

Keep your Lanyard connected to yourself whenever your are driving untill your are comfortable. I am still in the habit of clipping it on all the time.  I know tons of people dont connect them too themselves but they  do save lives. Test it too from time to time to make sure it works.

What model Champion did you get?

In our state the DNR offers Boating Courses, a friend just took one and thought it was worth while.

GO Big RED

What model Champion did you get?

I got a 1990 Champion, model 184 dc. The gel coat is in very good shape, but does need new carpet. The engine is what got me, It is a 2004 Honda bf-150 4-stroke with tempest prop. It has 101 hours on it. It was brought in July of 04, so it is on 1.5 years in use. 65 pound thrust Motor guide trolling motor that is one year old. It does have Hummingbird fish finders front and console, I thind I will have to up grade to gps, yes? This at 10,500. What do Ya'll think? Thanks for the replys and help.

The 184 is one of the finest driving bassboats ever made.  

Go here and view this old Champion demo video.  Most of the boats in this are 184's.  It's been set to more contemporary music.  

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5689956774383453452&hl=en

Sounds like a great boat.  I definitely recommend taking a well experienced bass boater with you for your loading, unloading, driving, trimming, etc. lesson.  I learned most of this by myself.  I sure wish I would've taken someone with me on the first trip at least.  I never tore anything up, but I really don't understand how, other than being very lucky.  

As far as upgrades, I'd first worry about the tune of your motor, the water pump impeller, and condition of all batteries.  If you're going to start spending money, I'd start with a bigger trolling motor, but I'm from KS.  GPS is nice though, I can't argue with that.  Enjoy yourself, take all previous advice here, and don't be overly confident too quickly.  If you think you've got it all figured out... think again, you probably missed something.  Make sure you have all proper stickers/paperwork for your state, fees paid, insurance paid, good tires on trailer w/spare... no exceptions here.  Double, triple check everything.  It doesn't take much to ruin a day you planned to spend fishing.

Hey ever one. Thanks for the information. I had a mech. check everything out. I live right outside San Antonio Texas. The lakes I will be fishing Amistad, Falcon, Choke canyon. Pretty good size lakes, easy to get turned around in. I will probally upgrade to tm but I need beach bumper first. I will try to post pictures if I can figure out how to. Thanks for everything.

post up some pictures of your new boat  

Wear a vest .. you will not have time to put it on before wreck beside you may not be awake to put one on or near the boat.

i see your in Tx so Tx parks and wild life offer a coast guard class for new boaters.

Dont get into a hurry take your time and get it right the first time.

Set your parking brake durning launching and loading no need to fish your truck out of the water too.

just about ever rookie who get a new boat get over confident with their new boat and dam near kills them self and or who ever  is in the boat. learn how to read the water and do not get lazy with your surroundings all ways keep your eyes and head moving you never know what might be comming up behind you.