Need input from the Checkmate owners
 

I said my next boat would be a 24 Pantera or Superboat, but a 1995 Convicor 253 has caught my eye. But I don't know much about the boats. So let the questions begin! :D

I have never thought of Checks to be a rough water boat but I have read on the forums that they are good in rough water. How good? What are they comparable to? I am assuming 24* deadrise? True V or does it have a pad? Beam? Weight? Speed with a 502 Mag MPI? I run Lake Michigan and I want something that can run HARD in the rough which is why I was looking at the Pantera and SB.

Any other helpful info would be great!

Re: Need input from the Checkmate owners
 

Can't speak directly on the 253 but I had a 251. The 251 has a narrow beam. It is 89" The 253 is the same boat with a full 8'4" beam. The 253 has a full liner and snap in carpet. In my 251 I had an HP500. It ran 77 GPS. 75 all day everyday. I had an XZ upper and sportmaster lower. The 251 was extremly good in rough water. The boat was light 3750 pounds dry weight. They both have a 75 gallon tank. I had a 1999 convincor251. Good luck with the boat hunt. The boats are Balsa cored. I toured the plant in Ohio. The boats are handlaid and the graphics are in the gel coat. Can't beat the boats. If you really want a response and want lots of info. Go to the Checkmate forum website. WWW.checkmate-boats.com

I sold my 251 this summer, I bought a cigarette mistress.

Re: Need input from the Checkmate owners
 

if you plan to run hard, make sure the motors are mounted on l-angles at least. i don't know when checkmate stopped lagging the mounts to the stringers, but they have a reputation for wiggling loose when simply screwed to the top of the stringers.

Re: Need input from the Checkmate owners
 

Dont know about a 25 but a 28 handles the ruff excellent. I have an 88 that I run on lake michigan that I love. My neighbor just listed his 97 28 convinsor with a 502 MPI in the indiana auto and rv for 40K. That is a beautiful boat with no cracks. I think his price is a little low myself. Good luck

Re: Need input from the Checkmate owners
 

We have a 2000 259 with a 454MAG. The boat will run 65mph GPS. I think it is fair to say a 253 will handle rough water just as well as any other 25 out there. Our 259 is a true V, no pad, 24 deadrise, approximate weight 4000lbs, beam 103", and fuel capacity is 75 gallons. Hopefully this helps. Checkmate has been around since 1969, they know how to build a 25 V.

Re: Need input from the Checkmate owners
 

I had a 1991 25 and loved the boat . It had a nice cabin and a carb 502 that went 800 hrs , I mean 800 hard hrs before the valve train let go. I had to run a mach 4 blade and had spinnille tweek it to get it right . it has been one of the most fun boats that I owned. As for super boat I can not comment.

Re: Need input from the Checkmate owners
 

a 253 is 8' wide not 8'6" like the 259 I had a 1993 with a roller 502 it ran high 60's and loved it rough!!best 25 for the money IMHO.

Re: Need input from the Checkmate owners
 

I had a 93 281 with twin 454 mags and Whipple's. I would take it out when the bigger and so called badder boats wouldn't leave the dock. I miss the boat, it was a hot rod on water.

Re: Need input from the Checkmate owners
 

I loved my 242, best bang for your buck.