CHARGER BOATS CLOSES AFTER 50 YEARS!!! (WHAT HAPPENED?)

[@codyhooser3333]

Dang Guys, wasn't expecting this. Going to my garage and giving my "Touch of Class" a big Hug. Shout Out to Kelly for always giving 💯

[@mikeolson7188]

Sad News Andy,i was a Charger/playcraft dealer for many years.Made alota trips from Southern illinois over to Richland,Mo to bring boats back to the shop when Jim or Dorris would let us know we had boats ready to pick up.They gave me a tour of the buildings when i picked up my first batch of boats(12 total)an every person in their organization were super freindly and very knowledgeable with the Boats.Long Live Charger,i hope someone buys the Place and keeps producing Boats.

[@kirkreusch5704]

Buy the 210 mold Andy! 🤞🏻👍🏻

[@tonyschultz557]

At what point do we start calling it the Champion Curse?😂 another awesome video andy!

[@jiggn158]

Watch out Bass Cat

[@bobsmith1841]

Time for the "team marine 210" boat offering 😊

[@anthonyray773]

Going out on a limb here. What if Rick Pierce bought Charger boats. He likes the Champion hull.

[@TeamMarineService]

Now that would be interesting

[@jaysonsetzer2287]

He already builds a Champion hull for the Cougar

[@michaeldspain4401]

Rick said on BBC that he was not interested in purchasing Charger.

[@mikethetoolman8776]

he already builds one 203

[@reg3343]

Rick isn't interested in it.

[@clarence1149]

Those OG charger hulls were the softest riding boat I ever rode in. A lot of guides at lake of the ozarks ran them back in the day. The designs were a little behind the times compared to most modern boats, narrow bow etc. But the quality and ride were impressive

[@mattkolstad9036]

I've done tournaments on Lake Mead in a 171 and 196 Champion. The 198 and 210 are even better and I can tell you. When the winds pickup, NOTHING RIDES LIKE A CHAMPION/CHARGER!!!!!

[@timross7046]

Great info . Where is BRP standing now with Alumicraft ? I'm waiting for warranty parts for months now ?

[@rogercastle2434]

The cost of bass boats are so high that they're out of reach for lots of folks. I saw one the other day for 150K

[@stevehenderson2571]

The cost of bass boats is priced like full size crew cab trucks. Pick a brand.

[@bobfishnut]

Wow!' This really sucks! I was saving up for one too.

[@stevehenderson2571]

All the best in your business adventure you mentioned going fwd.

[@moose6666]

Sad. I've read that Charger made great boats, especially the Champion hull boats

[@mikebeezley8522]

Living in the ozarks, I have a lot of memories of charger. Kelly is the man and hopefully the come back soon.

[@texasvet7241]

Their Pro Air system was awesome. I ran a 296 for 14 years. Just sold it last year. Great great boat.

[@codyhooser3333]

Unbelievable 😢

[@geejustfishing916]

their 203 looks amazing man.

[@hunter5858]

Bass Cat should get the 210 mold make a Lynx hybrid 😮

[@paulstuartwilson485]

Damn, this is an awesome idea!! C'mon, Basscat, DO IT!! 👍🇺🇸

[@HardmanOutdoors]

Andy you should buy it and build them

[@codyhooser3333]

I'm so shocked, I sent the dam text twice on Accident!!!

[@danlaur7973]

Have we gotten to the place in time where we can no longer afford $100k Bass boats?

[@mattkolstad9036]

Very sad news. Started tournament fishing on a Champion, then Stratos came in, eh. But Charger did it right. Kelly has always been a class act and hopefully there's some things being done to continue the line. I've fished on 171, 196, 198. Haven't had the privilege to fish off a 210, but that is my dream boat. Obviously, there is the used market, but, 4 years on the Southern California and west coast tournament waters and all the other times. Nothing like a Champion/Charger. Hopefully Kelly and others can get it figured out and keep the line going. As for pricing, Charger actually was a good value compared to many other brands. Fingers crossed!!!!

[@reg3343]

Champion was built in the same plant, right next to Stratos from 2001-2009. When Champion closed, the 183, 200 & 210 got Stratos decals. The 200 became the 202. Same boat different name.

[@MrMynameisozzy]

I bought my 210 from an Illinois and had it shipped to La Crescenta,Ca. I know I’m very fortunate. My 3rd Champion now.

[@stevemolina8801]

I am a So Cal fisherman and started off on a 164 SCR Champion and had it for 12 years. For me it was a great boat fished it all over Calif, then went to a Cat when Champion closed down Had two PIIs Closest thing to a Champ I could find out west.

[@fr8cture]

I've never heard of charger before this video but man they are sharp looking. Were they high quality?

[@mattkolstad9036]

Very high quality.

[@donwright8048]

Best rough water boat

[@rodneygreen9968]

That's a shame for the family.

[@thomaspretto9905]

Discussing the closing of some of these factories. What happened to the factory and tooling at the Evenrude factory. Any word on this.

[@501Bassin_SWarb]

Who’s gonna jump on those champ molds they have I wonder?

[@johnhelems721]

No one can afford 80,000 to 150,000 boats. Make boats great again 21’ 4 graphs hydraulic plate, power poles. For 65,000

[@daltonpechon7335]

Blazer was selling a 625 pro elite for like 65k

[@chevyon37s]

That’s just it, with inflation they cant. Cost of materials is up, over head is up, cost of GOOD labor is through the roof. They really can’t offer a high quality product for $65k any more and still profit enough to run.

[@joshfeister6566]

Even 65k is overpriced , soon as that boat hits water it’s 40k value and year later worth 30k and downhill faster after that

[@daltonpechon7335]

@joshfeister6566 i mean i don't buy a boat with the intent to make money on it lol a vehicle is the same way

[@HuffFishing]

Prices are going to have to drop to pre pandemic levels or close to it to see the industry rebound. Glass rigs start at $50k well equipped and thats a 17fter. Tournament aluminum rigs starting at $40k well equipped, also a 17fter. Its just crazy. I'll buy a used 20ft Ranger for $20k and run it before I buy a new boat today.

[@fish4kbcf]

I expected it. Had a friend of mine order a boat from them. Delay after delay. At a certain point he couldn’t hold out any longer and sought to get his deposit back. He went with Caymas instead. Really crummy as those Chargers are super nice rigs.

[@robertferguson3517]

Please don't sell charger to white river ,those molds will be chain sawed up !

[@mattkolstad9036]

Let's all bow our heads in prayer.

[@kevinaltman2810]

He chopped them up once. Everything Charger has they made new off the old boats.

[@kwd1253]

Time for Andy to buy the champion and gambler molds.

[@TeamMarineService]

Hey I like the way you think!

[@limegreenfishingmachine3332]

I want a Gambler love the cockpit style good for wife to let me go fast lol.

[@DatGuy960]

​@@TeamMarineServiceI'd buy one you built!

[@travisbarr5367]

​@TeamMarineService the owner of Pro Gator is wanting to sell

[@lancecarter334]

Buy them and make it champion!

[@DatGuy960]

Want a new boat but just can't afford what they charge for a boat that will come with built in problems. Therefore, I'm in search of somebody I can trust to do work on my old Ranger that has served me well(and still is). Do you have info on any shops, or can recommend any, in the N. Florida area? I'd drive up there to you with it if you guys would.

[@ChrisJohnson-uw3ul]

Andy buy the company Suzuki powered charger birds ultrex !!!

[@JeromeCooley-us8zl]

Basically 5 nationwide boat brands. All the others don't matter.

[@aaronwhittle5023]

I have a 2005 198 champion and only boat i would really like to have would be the 210 guess i missed out . Maybe champion come back 🤞

[@mattkolstad9036]

Agreed!!!!

[@joebobbrown3835]

There is still a new one for sell somewhere for $77K.

[@timhafley5177]

I'am sorry for Charger Boats.

[@codyhooser3333]

LET'S GO!!

[@allencasal]

It’s just the start, when it all plays out White River/Mercury. Yamaha/skeeter, Group and probably the Bass cat group and that’s more because of Sea Ark sells a good amount of boats. Will be left. They just don’t get it.

[@PHATBASSASSASSIN]

Is triton actually going away or is this just a rumor ? Also if I am going to buy a boat and money is not a problem what boat? Motor manufacturer? Would you run ?

[@DLPfishing]

Bring back Champions & Legends

[@reg3343]

Andy, think that Jim's wife is Joe's step mom. Another interesting twist

[@mattwebb6437]

Buy the molds, bring back Champion. Call it Campione

[@Basscater81]

Wasn’t the biggest part of their business building pontoons?

[@kzdoezit7410]

Apparently she was asking 2 million for the company I was told……. Now who is going to make 198, 203 and 210?!?!?!?

[@paulstuartwilson485]

Andy, if you don't buy those molds and start making them, then you ain't got a man in your family! DO IT!! Yamaha powered and your particular spin on em. 👍🇺🇸

[@2417icelandgoblin]

Get your affairs in order early, leave your stuff to someone to continue your dream!

[@donwright8048]

Still running my19'FOX FIRE BOUGHT 1989

[@clumpkin1012]

I'm not sure I would buy one of those 1st production boats if someone buys them.

[@rosschappell7014]

It’s time to recognize and admit time has passed the Champion boat. So many efforts to keep it alive in some shape or form and it just always ends up snake bit or people just aren’t buying them. Stratos had them and even though they were 100% a Champion (just with a different label) they did not sell. Basscat’s hybrid 203 is only built by request and they are not inundated with orders for those. And now this RIP Champion

[@acebud01]

I’d like to know how many boats each company makes, how many 19, 20, 21 footers

[@Lray4x4]

Hard to stay in business when you don't make many boats or put yourself out there. In the past 10 years I have seen maybe one, I forgot they even existed.

[@larryastle8813]

Maybe BRP will buy them.

[@MrMynameisozzy]

Idiot

[@rdbenion6660]

WTF first my 250 HO ETEC now my 596!! Not long before its a 1 boat 1 motor world.

[@dnv323]

He should of given the company to his son not the wife.

[@stephenbecker5682]

Skeeter seems to be having their share of quality control issues these days…

[@Bassing2023]

I have a 2023 Skeeter FXR20. So far no problems

[@reb5166]

Just the beginning, more big names are going to flop!

[@limegreenfishingmachine3332]

This is sad that business was good what if kid buys it from mom. I hate to see this when it is not failing. Guess all big companys will control fishing.

[@mikz86ta1]

Their website down now? Damn Warratries wont be going for long. When the writing is on the wall at the facility and they hakt production, people are gonna leave for their new job. Theres no job at Charger anymore really. You as an employee have to look out for you and your family. Can't just say, oh ok I'm going to hold out till they lock the doors. They would be there for maybe a year and BAM, bye

[@thehedgeknightnc3681]

Not related to this topic, but Kinda. Every man who has his family in mind needs to thoroughly evaluate your decisions in your Final Will and Testament. This isn't anti woman, but many wives view their husband as just a resource. Once that resource is gone it all about self. In this case, the wife may not have the business sense to know the business. I've seen it happen many times. Word to the wise.

[@waynewalters5813]

Charger owners just took a hit on resale.

[@gpwhite9963]

Charger owners don't sale their boats. I have a 1996 195 and a 2020 198.

[@chevyon37s]

Other way around, they just gained value since you can no longer get a new one. They’re great boats and people want them. Now if they were a Nitro or similar build and not so sought after, then yeah they would take a hit. But not in this case.

[@codyhooser3333]

Dang Guys, wasn't expecting this. Going to my garage and giving my "Touch of Class" a big Hug. Shout Out to Kelly for always giving 💯