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On BassFan, this was one of the better articles I've seen lately that summarizes in plain English the Ranger/Stratos/Champion situation.  Real curious to see where Champion lands and with whom.  That is such a quality brand, hope it can stabilize and move forward as a premium boat. 

Ranger, Stratos, Champion? 2/7/2010
There'll no doubt be some shuffling in the bass brands that were recently sold as part of the Genmar bankruptcy auction. Remember that investment firm Platinum Equity purchased the Ranger, Stratos and Champion boat brands at auction. Ranger represents one of the most powerful brands in the sport and was certainly the prize purchase in terms of bass boats, but remember that Champion is a premium brand as well. Stratos, on the other hand, largely represents the value brand among the group.

Over the past several years, Champion has seemed in limbo. Its former senior managers and marketers left Genmar to form the new Phoenix boat company, and there was the feeling among many that Champion marketing was placed on the backburner in order to focus on Ranger.

Now that the bankruptcy sale has closed, Champion seems even more in limbo. Ranger president Randy Hopper recently told the Baxter Bulletin – a local Arkansas newspaper – that Stratos production will probably move from Murfressboro, Tenn. to the Ranger plant in Flippin, Ark. That news was confirmed by Anglers Marine owner Rick Grover, who wrote to BassFan and said: "The Champion line is at this time 'on hold' until the Tennessee factory can be shut down and the Stratos tooling moved to Flippin. When that's complete they'll address Champion. All past and future warrantees will be honored. Platinum management has been contacting the Champion dealers getting feedback on how to go forward with that brand in the future."

With Stratos in Flippin, that would provide the Ranger plant with value-, mid- and premium-priced products. Champion would perceivably add another premium product to the mix that would compete directly with Ranger.

Several sources close to the bankrupcty sale told BassFan they believe Irwin Jacobs is on track to purchase the Champion brand from back Platinum Equity. Such a deal would thus give Jacobs the FinCraft super-value brand and the Champion premium brand.

Interestingly, many of those same sources share the belief that Platinum Equity will also sell the Ranger brand quite sooner than expected – perhaps this year. Suitors are believed to be employees of the current Ranger company along with family members of Ranger founder Forrest Wood.