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1997 Charger Foxfire 395TF - 1997 200 HP Johnson Venom

I've never had a boat like this, recently I've been wanting a boat to take the wife and 2 kids out on (9 and 7 years old) and my 7 year old son is wanting to fish.

I had a couple of bass boats when I was younger, smaller 16'-17' Bass Cats and some of my most vivid and special memories are from fishing and playing on the lakes with my family and friends.

So even though the economy sucks, and my job unstable, and as much as it doesn't make sense to buy this boat, buy it I did as of last night assuming everything works out well in the deal and the boat runs well when I pick it up Saturday.

My uncle fishes Charger boats, loves 'em, this is a 19.5" boat, big, takes rough water easy - by far the nicest boat I've ever owned. I paid $7500 for it, this economy makes it a nice buyers market, the condition and all I thought that was a nice price.

Thought ? :D I'm tickled to death !

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only been in one charger my whole life, seemed like a pretty well made rig, they seem to be most popular in the midwest, saw a bunch fishing around LOZ, pomme de tarre, and truman, i think they were built in Missouri.. anyway they seem like a solid rig and should give you years of service;)

as far as the timing of the purchase, boat prices are down fuel prices probably being the biggest hit against boats, but we will put in at a ramp close to where we want to fish and i may burn 20-30 in the boat a trip;), i always catch more with the big motor off;)...

as for the enjoyment versus expense factor, i see people buy boats, cars, scooters or whatever and hardly ever use them, in my book that makes them expensive you paid a bunch for something you rarely use$$$$$$$, take it out get some use out of it, i love my time on the water although lately it has been very limited due to other obligations that have to be met[:@], at least i can see a dim light in the end of the tunnel[&:];):D

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Nice ride Duane. That baby will blast across the water real nice. Great price for a full sized bass boat. Bring her up to Champlain for some brown bass fishing. Soon they will be bulking up for winter.

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you mean smallmouth? we talking about those 6lb- 7lb beauties in the Great Lakes ?

DEAL !

This boat will handle the big water- its not designed for speed - maybe in the low 60's fast - but they're suppose to handle rough water great !

Charger Owners Invitational is on Lake of the Ozarks - my uncles home water, he has a house/dock there - Nov 1st and 2nd YEAH !

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Sorry but our smallies don't seem to get to be the 6 pounders like on the great lakes. I really don't know why because our lake is just loaded with 4 to 5 pounders. When the B.A.S.S. or FLW tour comes to Champlain they always catch a limit of nice fish. Many of the touring pros call Champlain their favorite place to fish.
Middle daughter with a nice but common 4 pounder caught in the spring about 100 feet in front of my dock.




Good luck with that one. November is hunting season for me and i'll probably be on the way back from Colorado about that time. the boat will be all put to bed for the year and the ice fishing gear will be ready for my opening (when there is ice) which is usually about Dec 10.:D

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Pretty schweeeet there big D.

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Nice fish there too CI. I wish we could grow them like that regular around here. I catch maybe one or two like that the whole year.

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I actually had in mind the bigger waters I've fished when I looked for a boat. I've fished Superior, Lake of the Ozarks MO ..... Mille Lacs and a rough water 19 1/2 boat is MUCH preferred over an 18' or even the 17' boat that I tried to launch on Mille Lacs :eek:yeah that didn't work real well !

I should be able to fish anywhere with this boat - short of shallow water, log jammed small water [:-]

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Nice. One thing about it is if you don't fish good, you'll sure look good, and thats very important. :D

Bobby

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I can see it all now. Blasting across the lake at warp speed in his shiney new ride with his golden locks waving to the admiring crowds. :D

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I must admit I like your boat as well Duane, but it wouldn't do me alot of good with all the deaheads and rockpiles we have up here!
I hope you have a blast with that out on your next fishing trip.. Show us some pics after you had it out.. we want to see a few fish pics..

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Duane...Nice ride, my best friend has a 19 foot Charger and we have taken it up to the Detroit River and St. Claire, they are made for rough water BUT when a 30 mph wind kicks up on St. Claire or the river, you better put your rain gear on, have about 4 straps on your trolling motor (not joking) and lock all of your boxes...we found out the hard way :) But your right about the speed, my friend has a 200 Merc and he hits the low 60's, not made for speed, pretty heavy boat. Have fun with it!!!

The economy does suck, that's why I am selling my boat. 1999 Cobra with a Mercury 200 EFI 18'6" for what I owe the bank which is like 6900.00

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got the boat this morning - damn that 200 hp is a big motor !

overall boat condition is 9 IMO ... for an 11 year old boat. the only thing is the sterring is tight/stiff - but its not hydraulic and thats a big motor .... will grease the zerks and see if it won't slick up a bit.

I'm happy with it, its all my non 4x4 Toyota Sequoia (V8) wants to be pulling !!

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Very nice big D.
Need that big chevy 454 you had,pulling it up big hills?

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Knightia The Sequoia "felt" it most defintely but its okay, I'll not long trip much anyways with this boat (45 miles is about the max distance I'll have to drive to waters)


- that truck was a 8.2 Vortec, equivlalent of a 498 I believe :)

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Sorry to dissapoint, but greasing the zerks won't change it, my friends who is the same year and size motor has the same issue, which is NOT having hydo. steering.

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Congratulations, old friend.

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I agree with solo. 11 years is about right for many of the steering systems to go bad. My experience is it will get harder and harder to steer and then you will replace the steering unit. They can be easily ordered and sometimes aren't difficult to change. My bass boat is a bit smaller and the way the steering was required the motor to be lifted off the boat to install the replacement steering. I took it to the boat yard and for a couple of hundred dollars it steers better than it did in years. I wish I had dealt with earlier instead of putting up with it. In my case I suddenly couldn’t turn it anymore. Sooner or later they will seize up and that isn’t good if you are on the water.

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Its dual steering cabled. I called Charger and talked to them and they said usually people don't replace the steering cables until they break.

I lubed the rods that the motor turn on - that helped a LOT as they were pretty "dry". The Charger man said to use a bit of diesel fuel, and to turn that motor side to side to side, trying to get a bit of that into the areas that might be a bit gummed.

That said, its a whole lot better already.



VC - open invitation to come down anytime you want. Greer's Ferry is home to the world record walleye, and world record hybrid bass - and immediately below that dam is world record German Brown trout waters. I've got an old river boat too. Helluva good time, Arkansas style !

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I had the same situation and once they go south the lube will only give short term relief. When I changed mine I could turn the wheel with one finger. Good luck with it Duane. even if you have to change it out you are way ahead on a great deal.

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very nice