Charger STV Pickle Fork

**David** · 07-09-2006, 07:46 PM

I did not know that Charger built the pickle fork STV hull. I saw one on Cooch on the long weekend, and then another in the boat trader.

I knew about the needle nose STV Chargers of course, 18' and 20'.

The boat trader one is a 1999, so its not from the original Charger.

Does anyone know much about these boats? Were the original Charger built hulls as good as the US built STVs? Which STV bottom did they have?

While I'm asking about Charger history, was their original 20' tunnel their own design? Was it any good?

thanks

**race#115** · 07-09-2006, 08:02 PM

Hi David
From what i know they are not the same as my procomp the tunnels are not as big as the pc is, i think they are the sprint bottom?so i was told.But the quality is not near as good as a real stv is, and i heard they are heavy and easy to blow over.That is what i was told when i was looking at buying a stv.

**Trikki1010** · 07-09-2006, 08:21 PM

The ORIGINAL molds for the "Sprint" bottom were sold to Charger when they became outdated by the new mold Summerford designed.

The center pod is a straight V-bottom that has no invert and does not have the xtra strakes on the sponsons that the Mod VP or Ski bottom have.

They are the same length as any STV but have a lower windshield than the PCS or River Rocket that supercedes it.

Best of my recollection

**DoktorC** · 07-09-2006, 08:27 PM

The quality is not even close to STV..it's a cool looking tempest....yikes!!!

None of the tunnels where an original design...I think the only originals where the old 16, 18, 20 DLs (and of course the SK version of the 18). As far as I know all of the tunnels where bought form STV once they were done with the design.

**David** · 07-10-2006, 07:09 PM

Before the STV tunnels, there was a 20 foot low profile needle nose tunnel. It sure doesn't look like an STV. I saw one at Cooch on Saturday.

Certainly the current Charger builders have a poor rep, but I think the pre-bankrupcy boats were good.

I take it that the sprint bottom is different from the drag bottom?

**DoktorC** · 07-10-2006, 08:43 PM

I guess the question is when they actually started building the pickle fork style STV's..

I know the "needlenose" boats where built well before the end of the original charger but I have no idea about the newer style. Murph has some excellent Charger knowledge...maybe he can chime in.

**RBT** · 07-11-2006, 08:33 AM

Quality Sucks
The TV 20' is a Charger original design.
The 19 pickleflork is a roark summerford mold, correct on the sprint bottom guess.
The 18 SK/DL ( originally they were the same ) was designed by George Linder, the DL deck came from the Challenger 21 that was cut down. Charger built the original Canadian Challengers.
The last of the good chargers was 89. They were better before that, but are getting old. The best were from the earily 80's. All balsa boats like the Challengers.

RUN from anything 95 or newer.

RT

**DoktorC** · 07-11-2006, 10:00 AM

I always thought the TV was an STV..I guess that's why its a TV (and not an "S"TV)...Goofy looking thing anyways.

**AnthonySS** · 07-11-2006, 11:29 AM

Here is the back of the brochure

**DoktorC** · 07-11-2006, 11:53 AM

That's awesome!!! I'd love to get my hands on some of those old Charger brouchures....I already get made fun of for my passion for Chargers..this should seal it lol.

**AnthonySS** · 07-11-2006, 12:13 PM

Not the best image...but here is the DL page

**Racemore** · 07-11-2006, 01:56 PM

The first Summerford's were tunnel V's and were called a STV for Summerford Tunnel V.He didn't change the name when he started building the low profile tunnels.Motion Marine started building the tunnelV model right after he changed over.Thinking somewhere around 84-85.

**JackedCharger** · 09-18-2014, 12:10 PM

Hey sorry for digging up an old post but I'm seriously thinking of having a Charger 19 STV pickle fork built for me by the guy that currently has the molds. The idea of having a brand new boat over something used sounds appealing. Looks like from what I've read is to stay away from them? I met the guy who builds them and said I can have any extra measure I wanted put into it i.e beefed up transom, more rigid, weight etc. Fully rigged, all gauges, interior and colour i want for 10k. I just need some more insight on the overall performance, quality and how the cockpit compares to an STV RR (4 seater) or even a Euro. I plan on running it with a 98 promax 225x. I'm just looking for some solid input. Because to me - seems like it could be a sweet rig all dialled in.

any help is appreciated...
James

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