Thanks Ben- that tour was awesome to see! The Boat EFX guys/gals really got a great operation going. I think they will continue to be very successful and will outgrow their current shop fairly soon. Thanks for sharing this and bringing all of us along.👍🏻
Thanks so much Bob! Yes the guys and gals over at BoatEFX are the real deal too, they care about their product and the customers and delivering value. Its always cool to see the face and values behind the companies who’s products we trust
@@brnowak_fishing I would agree that’s what makes the experience even better than you might have expected. I believe adding these product upgrades will be great additions to your Champ!😊
Great upload brother. My best upgrade was a dual/tandem axle trailer. I also added LED Lights, additional reflective tape and a dual wheel trailer jack/stand, in addition to the factory one.
Thank you Ralph! I looked at doing a dual trailer too, but this older Champ is actually a hub-style trailer, so I'll just maintain it well and looking at refinishing it early this spring to make it look much nicer again :-) That Tandem axle is the way to go though...I'm a bit jealous
Congrats on getting some much needed upgrades Ben. Just a question though on why not keeping all Garmin units as the integration is super seamless and you can then run the mapping at the trolling motor along with Livescope and then also control the trolling motor from the helm? I know you can use the remote for the trolling motor but it is a sweep feature with thr Echomap touch screens where you can control the trolling motor anywhere on your boat. Anyway hummingbird has a great product too so can't wait to see the finished set up!
Hey Peter - The biggest thing for me was cost and Lakemaster mapping on the Humminbird. I considered getting a 10" Garmin to put at the console so I could network with the unit I already had up front, but the more I thought about it, I wanted Lakemaster mapping on the boat which is the king for maps up here in Michigan. Now, I'll have all 3 map chips at the console - CMAP, LakeMaster and Garmin (on my phone) + I got a pretty good deal on the Humminbird from my friend
@@brnowak_fishing I figured that as when ever you get the friends and family hook up you can't pass it up. HAHA I use the Lakeview Map chip in my helm Garmin unit which has been pretty good but I have heard the Hummingbird with LakeMaster is really good too. Have a awesome season for 2024 and it is finally getting warmer here in Stouffville, Ontario so itching to get my boat out of storage maybe by end of March/early April if Spring really comes early.
Ben! I also got a champion 187 last month. When I saw this video and saw the marine mat, I have to say I love the setup. Where did you get it customized from?
Thank you so much!!! I got mine from www.MarineMat.net It was a pretty easy process to get it installed (once you remove all of the other carpet and adhesive)
Yeah. marine mat was what I was thinking since they are the biggest close cell foam seller. I hope you recorded the carpet removal, cleanup and application process it would be really good content. How much did it cost you for the whole boat if you don’t mind me asking.
@@brnowak_fishing i love my 202 but my brothers 198 is the most fishable boat I've ever been in. Nothing rides like a champ. And, I have been in a few of them.
I was literally the face of Garmin for a while. I’ve had FFS since 2015, but also I think it’s gotten out of control. It is a tool, it helps catch fish, but how guys are using it is no fun to watch
@@trapin68 I think if nothing else, there needs to be limitations. Most guys have over $30k+ invested in electronics. That’s too ridiculous. It takes a lot of the skill out of it
Thanks Ben- that tour was awesome to see! The Boat EFX guys/gals really got a great operation going. I think they will continue to be very successful and will outgrow their current shop fairly soon. Thanks for sharing this and bringing all of us along.👍🏻
Thanks so much Bob! Yes the guys and gals over at BoatEFX are the real deal too, they care about their product and the customers and delivering value. Its always cool to see the face and values behind the companies who’s products we trust
@@brnowak_fishing
I would agree that’s what makes the experience even better than you might have expected. I believe adding these product upgrades will be great additions to your Champ!😊
Great upload brother. My best upgrade was a dual/tandem axle trailer. I also added LED Lights, additional reflective tape and a dual wheel trailer jack/stand, in addition to the factory one.
Thank you Ralph! I looked at doing a dual trailer too, but this older Champ is actually a hub-style trailer, so I'll just maintain it well and looking at refinishing it early this spring to make it look much nicer again :-)
That Tandem axle is the way to go though...I'm a bit jealous
The fishing season is back buddy!!!🥳🥳🥳
I CAN'T CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT
Champ gonna be lookin good bro!! Awesome products.
Thanks brotha man!
Congrats on getting some much needed upgrades Ben. Just a question though on why not keeping all Garmin units as the integration is super seamless and you can then run the mapping at the trolling motor along with Livescope and then also control the trolling motor from the helm? I know you can use the remote for the trolling motor but it is a sweep feature with thr Echomap touch screens where you can control the trolling motor anywhere on your boat. Anyway hummingbird has a great product too so can't wait to see the finished set up!
Hey Peter - The biggest thing for me was cost and Lakemaster mapping on the Humminbird. I considered getting a 10" Garmin to put at the console so I could network with the unit I already had up front, but the more I thought about it, I wanted Lakemaster mapping on the boat which is the king for maps up here in Michigan. Now, I'll have all 3 map chips at the console - CMAP, LakeMaster and Garmin (on my phone) + I got a pretty good deal on the Humminbird from my friend
@@brnowak_fishing I figured that as when ever you get the friends and family hook up you can't pass it up. HAHA I use the Lakeview Map chip in my helm Garmin unit which has been pretty good but I have heard the Hummingbird with LakeMaster is really good too. Have a awesome season for 2024 and it is finally getting warmer here in Stouffville, Ontario so itching to get my boat out of storage maybe by end of March/early April if Spring really comes early.
Ben! I also got a champion 187 last month. When I saw this video and saw the marine mat, I have to say I love the setup. Where did you get it customized from?
Thank you so much!!! I got mine from www.MarineMat.net
It was a pretty easy process to get it installed (once you remove all of the other carpet and adhesive)
Yeah. marine mat was what I was thinking since they are the biggest close cell foam seller. I hope you recorded the carpet removal, cleanup and application process it would be really good content. How much did it cost you for the whole boat if you don’t mind me asking.
Champion is the best. I have a 202
I passed up on a mint 206, and I’m often wondering if that was the right call lol
@@brnowak_fishing i love my 202 but my brothers 198 is the most fishable boat I've ever been in. Nothing rides like a champ. And, I have been in a few of them.
Dude, I broke my most favorite rod on a front cleat last summer!
It’ll make you frustrated in a hurry! I broke one and immediately ordered folding cleats
They got EVERY angle covered for graph protection. Lock for the lock's lock. Thats another level to piece of mind.
Hahah exactly. Locking at every point...at the graphs, at the connection to the bow mount, at the floor :-)
👀👀👀👍👍🔥🔥🔥
If you add FFS I’m unsubscribing.
I was literally the face of Garmin for a while. I’ve had FFS since 2015, but also I think it’s gotten out of control. It is a tool, it helps catch fish, but how guys are using it is no fun to watch
I was messin with ya. I won’t ever have it but I don’t begrudge weekend warriors who need it. I just think it has no place in tournaments.
@@trapin68 I think if nothing else, there needs to be limitations. Most guys have over $30k+ invested in electronics. That’s too ridiculous. It takes a lot of the skill out of it