Its me again with yet another question. As you already know I'm in the market for a new boat. I currently have a 1990 201 Champion with a 200 Merc.

Out here in CA my local lake gets very windy during the spring and fall, 3-5 footers are very common. the ole Champion handles it pretty good and I would like to find a newer boat that would do well.

I've been talking to fellow Californians and am hearing that the Tritons are not all that smooth in rough water. I'm not looking for the fastest boat out there but it would be nice to have a quick boat. I would like at least a 20 footer. Also, I will not spend $50,000.00 plus for a new boat, besides the fact that I feel that is way too much the wife would kill me!

Anyhow, which brand would you suggest?

Thanks

bassnman mike

I would get the Champion 210 if I were trading my old 206 off.

I own a Skeeter and I'm here to tell you that that 210 champion is good in the rought water. Biggest thing though is the operator. Nothing makes up for experience in a driver. They are all good and bad depending on who's behind the wheel and at the throttle.

A new 20 footer than handles rough water well and is fairly fast but you don't want to spend $50K?

Good luck.

You might be able to get into an 07 Champ 210 for around $45-47k.  A 20 foot basscat will push past 50k easy.

Better think about used.  

"Better think about used."

Dude, lthats what I said in my post

"I would like to find a newer boat"

I've looked at the new ones and the wife would kill me if I spent that much, HA! I've got permission to buy something up to the $35,000.00 range

Nitro Z-9

"Better think about used."

Dude, lthats what I said in my post

"I would like to find a newer boat"

I've looked at the new ones and the wife would kill me if I spent that much, HA! I've got permission to buy something up to the $35,000.00 range

As you already know I'm in the market for a new boat.

Anyway,  you could easily get into a Champ 203 in that range, much less actually or the 206.  The 203's are built on the older 92" beam hulls, even better in rough water than the wider 96" newer boats but you do sacrifice some storage space.  Another boat worth considering are the 198 Champions.  Very popular model.  

Thanks guys!

I have a friend that recently went from a Champion to a Nitro Z-9. He said so far he likes it but has not had it on rough water yet so he cant comment on that. He also said it's "different" than driving his Champion.

Another local I talked to said that Bass Cats are pretty smooth but he never had a Champion so like he said, he couldnt compare the 2

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate all the help

bassnman mike

The 2 driest rides I have ever been in is Triton and Champion.  I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Kelley

Don't forget to look at a Ranger

Don't forget to look at a Ranger

Very wet ride in rough water.  Buy a good Gortex rainsuit if you get a Ranger.

Kelley

The 2 driest rides I have ever been in is Triton and Champion. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Kelley

How is the fishability out of a Triton vs a Champion? Is it as stable or more so?  

I have only had one ride anywhere close to the Champion ride and that was in a Bass Cat.  But they don't have the fishability of a Champion.  I have only been in one Triton and was not impressed with that one.

Mine has a ton of storage and a very stable fishing platform.  I am pleased with mine.  Got to dealers and request a test run.

Kelley

If you are going to look at Triton's look at an X2 hull, 20 X2 or 21 X2. The X2 is the Triton hull that is designed to ride the best in rough water. Its not as fast as some of the other Triton hulls, but what you lose in speed you gain in ride.

Thanks for all the replies. The wife "Granted" me more money so I decided to stick with Champion. See my post titled;

Found my new to me boat. Wooooo Hoooooooo