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remington
August 30th, 2010, 05:56 PM
Time Line 1980(ish):

The Champion 17'6 was introduced in the early 80's to complete the 86 inch beam boats (totaling 4). Rated for 150 it was and is truely the real deal for a 17ft bass boat. Shortly there after the 16'8 went from 150 rating to a 140 so it helped the sales of the 17'6. Fast with a 150 and real fast with anything bigger. (Saw one recently on LOZ with a 225, I should asked the guy for a ride!). It sold well along with the 18'4 when BASS had the HP restrictions. Productions stopped in the mid 90's with the intros of the shorter 18ft. 150 rated Champ belive the 18'1. A true dimond in the rough for a smaller boat.

My first Champ was a 17'6 with a 115 Black engine. It was my starter boat. While not real fast it was perfect for the small lakes I was fishing up north while in college. I would have loved to have put a 200 on her but sold for an upgrade when I came back home and began fishing the Ozarks Lakes again.

b4youleap
December 31st, 2010, 01:31 AM
I'm new to all this but I just picked up an '87 17'6 with a 115. Had a shop go thru the motor and haven't had her out on the water yet. It's a restoration and not a repair. Been sitting in Arizona storage for 7 years under a cover that about turned to dust but it was still on. Paint is OK but bubbling in a few spots. Bought a bunch of compound, glaze and wax to use over the weekend.

It's a Fish and Ski from what anyone can make of it. I'm anxious to see if the damn thing floats!

From everything I've seen on this forum and others it looks as though I have a special boat. Can't friggin' wait to get this puppy out on the lake Monday - I'm fortunate to live in Arizona where the weather's kinda nice right about now!