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Random Quote: Only two times I'll fish, if I'm alone or with somebody.....
I test drove a new 21 CC back in 2000 or 2001. Deep V (by my standards). Had an OptiMax on back, but i don't remember the HP. It was fast (50+) and smooth. Rocked a bit when sitting or idling, but flew like heck at speed. I was very impressed. The only reason I did not buy was because we had just bought a house and felt the additional debt was too much at that time. Sweet boats.
I have owned the 18, 20.6, the 215 and the 25 Challengers I loved everyone of them, safe, no frills, ride is amazing! I had all three engine mans. from Merc, OMC and Yamaha....These boats are often overlooked with all the choices out there, but it is truly a boat you can own for a lifetime and be satisfied with the results. Enjoy....Jake1250
Well built, tough boats. 98' 206C Biggest drawback is fuel / motor combo on my Dad's (Mako15) 90 galllons w/ a carbed Johnson 175.
__________________ "Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." - Benjamin Franklin
make sure it has tabs, they dont run too well in the slop with out em.
they will get ya wet, they have a lot of spray they throw out, if its a crosswind it can be a lot of water being blown back on ya.
but like other said, solid boats
i have owned a 206 for 8 years now. it has been a good boat, very seaworthy and ride is pretty good if you have tabs. i disagree with above, it is the driest boat i have ever ridden on escpecially when tabs are used correctly. fit and finish are good, nothing fancy but mine is a 97 and has held up very well.
the one ive been on didnt have tabs... and the hull is prone to shoot water out (far) ive seen a few running and been in one on more then one occasion... we got wet when running in crosswinds (its the nature of it)
Great boats! I have a '03 215 that is tough as nails! I know the 215 has to have TT, the boat with a bracket is not balanced (a lot of boats are this way). I added weight to my bow and improved the balance of the boat. Actually I think it is drier than most boats in this size range. As with any boat, dryness is relative to seastate, wind and ones ability to correctly run a boat. The fit and finish are good for what it is...a fishing machine! Durability...I don't think you'll bust one open. Look at the listed weights and compare to other boats in the size range you are looking at. The factory has a good reputation for customer service. Lots of room in the 215 and 235.
The guy's who were with me this past Monday were very impressed by the boat. We were heading in from offshore ~20 miles into a stiff NW coliding with a E swell. The seas out there were 3'-4' and confused. We did get some water over the sides but nothing to warrant wearing foul weather gear.
I love mine. As stated above I do wish I had more fuel capacity. 90 gallons with a 200 hp evinrude, ill burn through that very quickly running offshore. Morehead City to Big Rock, troll all day, and back I will burn most of my fuel depending on seas. It is however a heavy boat that I would put up against prolly any 23. I love mine and I think if you could find one with an E-tec or something with a little better mileage it would be unbelievable. I have been through some fairly nasty stuff in it with no problem. I would not hesitate to buy another, in fact I was drooling over the 235 in the classifieds the other day.
__________________ 215CC KenCraft Challenger 200 Evinrude Ocean Pro
I had a 235 with twin 225hp Opti's. A great boat, but it needs curtains and trim tabs. Mine had both and was fantastic. I think they are highly overlooked and underated. They are a 3 piece hull which makes for tons of room.
__________________ Hydra Sports 2900 cc with F250's
I added weight to the front of my 215 as well. A change in prop pitch helped me more than anything though. Mine is extremely heavy in the rear with a 250 Suzuki. I think overall the boat would run best with a lighter 2 stroke. No one has been on my boat that has not been impressed with the room and the ride. I love the high sides and all the room aft of the livewell. This is the largest 21' boat you can find. I would like to move up to the 230 someday soon.
1.7-2.1 MPG w/ 225 OX66. The 1.7 came when it was very nasty and I constantly worked the throttle running offshore about 30 mi. I'm going to get a fuel management system so I can tune the performance some. The boat with 3 ppl and full tank will hit 47MPH with no problem, a little less with full gear...ice, bait, coolers... I like cruising around 28 MPH.
If anyone is interested there is one in the classifieds of THT. Look for JE. I'll bump him up.
I had a '97 206...good solid fishing machine. No frills---no gelcoat on the underside of the hatches and inside the storage compartments, but well constructed where it counted. You could buy better, but you also could spend more on a boat that wasn't as good.
I own an '88 250 with a 200 Ocean pro, boat is not a speed demon by any stretch of imagination but as everyone here has mentioned... tough boats, handles rough water well.. mine does not have tabs.. sometimes I wish it did.. I love mine.. best cc in her class for the money IMHO.
Come on down and take a ride on my 235. Pick a nasty day and see how ya like it in the rough stuff. Its huge for a 23. I don't see how they get away with calling it that for SKA purposes. I have to pay for 28 feet at the marina where I stack it. Nice high sides for safety if you got kids, very sturdy, well made, tons of storage, not quite as efficient a hull as a contender and not quite the ride of a Contender 25 (pretty close in size) but a whole lot cheaper. In short its an excellent value.
I got a 2002 235 with twin 200opti's... Yes you need trim tabs and yes you need curtains.. For its size it has done everything it needs to do the last 5yrs.. I would love to sell and get something longer but then I see the prices and how often I go and the 235 makes me smile ... No compaints
Owned a 215 CC for 10 years. Very nice boat. When I bought it I thought it was the most bang for the buck out there. Well built, good ride, big boats for the size they list them at.
__________________ Fishing the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic O.C. in my bad a$$ Maritime Skiff 20D.
Kencraft Challenger Boats? 
