The Dorris family’s many decades of experience and commitment building Chargers shines in boats such as the 210 Elite. This rig gives stable and predictable 70-plus mph performance with Mercury’s 250 Pro XS on the transom, spinning a 24-pitch Mercury Fury propeller at 6,000 rpm. The Merc was still in break-in mode; expect a few more miles per hour after it loosens up. The Charger hull, with its Champion lineage, provided tight, smooth and crisp handling, with excellent rough-water performance. It’s no lightweight flyer; at 1,800 pounds of bare hull weight, the 210 is constructed to last and provide a comfortable ride doing so. Our best mileage was achieved at an unusually high rate of speed. (Typically, best cruise is around 3,000 rpm.) We saw 3.6 mpg at a best cruise speed of nearly 46 mph at 4,500 rpm, showing the hull’s excellent efficiency. At that speed, the Charger has a 168-mile range for big-water competition.
Charger’s comfort-padded casting decks are wide and accommodating. Handy touches abound. Special bow designs allow for easy positioning of gimbal-mounted electronics, and a recessed trolling-motor pedal pocket reduces back strain. Tool holders at the console keep rulers, pliers and a knife at the ready.
An optional removable passenger console offers comfort for a teammate or more streamlined passage from bow to stern. It’s a mirror image of the driver’s unit and bolts in place in minutes.
The Charger is 100 percent hand-laid fiberglass, with a 4-inch-thick transom bonded to composite stringers. Charger’s deck lids fit flush, with no latches to hinder access; a locker bar bolts firmly in place to secure the compartments’ contents during storage. Heated seats are standard—a nice touch for colder fishing days.
While a 10-inch-offset manual jack plate and steering-column-mounted Pro Trim switch are standard, we’d go for the optional hydraulic jack plate and foot throttle for the ultimate in performance.
This 210 Elite redux is like updating a 1970s muscle car with 2022 technology where it counts: power, speed, handling and, of course, interior amenities, controls and electronics.
High Points
- One of the best adaptations of the legacy Champion hull on the market today.
- Composite hand-laid construction gives solid, rattle-free performance even in tough conditions.
- Independent power bus for electronics ensures clarity.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 250 Pro XS FourStroke 250 hp
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Fury 14 5/8″ x 24″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 52 gal. Crew Weight: 500 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $73,995 |
|---|---|
| LOA: | 20’10” |
| Beam: | 7’11” |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 1,800 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 6/900 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 52 gal. |
Charger Boats – Richland, Missouri; 573-765-3265; chargerboats.com
