ZT 280 owners
 

I am purchasing a ZT 280 with a 500 efi. I am looking for prop and speed combinations. The boat has a 24 pitch bravo 1 on it now. I have always heard the Checks love Hydromotive props. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Magic

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

My Convincor liked the Hydro over the Bravo beacuse it gave stern lift, but that was not a stepped hull. Your ZT is stepped and may already have the needed lift. My buddy has a procharged 28 ZT and runs a 30p Bravo. Not sure if he ever tried a Hydro.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Thanks for the replies. Do the boats run better with regular or lab finished props?

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

depends where your rpm range is now with your current prop. If your prop has you running right in your max RPM range, you won't gain too much from labbing. All they will do is "True up" all the blades so they are exactly the same. This gives a true balance to the prop. But if you are low or high in the range, labbing will be a benefit.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

I purchased a ZT 280 in October. Procharged 540 spinning a 32p Bravo. Only ran it about an hour so don't have much experience to add.
Did not even get to see what it will run :cool: .
Looking forward to the season, have fun with your new rig !

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Welcome to the board and goodluck the with your check. This one will be my second.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Thanks for the welcome. This is my second checkmate also. Similar trend to others....my first was a 251. Loved that boat. Hope the ZT handles the rough as well as the 251 hull. The ZT I purchased was the one listed for sale on this board for quite some time from WV.
Just got a GPS Speedo from Livorsi. Has anyone mounted the antenna on top of dash behind the windshield ? Am curious if that will be ok for signal reception or if I need to be on deck in front of winshield for clear view to satelites ?

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

before you mount the antenna on the deck, first try laying it in the compartment behind the dash (under the deck). You'll be surprised how many of the antenna's work perfectly under the dash. Some do, some don't.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

That boat sounded familiar, that should be a fast ride. I started out with a 242 Convincor, then a 28 Nordic Heat and now a ZT 280. Let me know how you make out with the GPS speedo antenna location, that is on my short list as well.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Some pics of the boat. Will get some of the dash and cabin to show the upgrades so far.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Hey Kelly,
I see the pictures worked. Now how about getting the temperatures to warm up. We need to be out on Cayuga

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Kelly

That ZT is sweet! I really like the graphics and better yet whats under the hood.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

A couple more shots per Magic Medicine's request.

Cigrocket, best I could do for temps on short notice was mid 60's. Hope that helps. Time to get that cover off and roll up the sleeves ! :cool: :blaster:

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Thanks for the pics! Are those lightening headers?

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Yes, I believe those are lightning headers. Just received some CMI Sound Elimination mufflers from Trick Marine to quiet the set-up down a bit.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Darn noise laws. I recieved the steering today. Looks great!

Thanks

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Kelly o are the lightning headers real loud? They sure do look real nice.I was thinking of a set for my 496 HO. How fast is your boat with the setup you have.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Checkmate229,

Hey I used to be Check Freak on the boat, I changed my name when I got ride of my 242 Convincor. How do you like your ZT 280? I just got my ZT 280 a couple days ago and have yet to splash it. There are a couple of pics in one of the threads. By the way, where have you been? Doesn't seem like you have spent much time on the board lately.

Andy Magic Medicine

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

229, On this set-up I thought (and was told by others) that it was on the loud side. Not in the boat due to the exit below the molded swim platform, but definitely off rear of boat at idle and then underway you could tell it was loud as it built boost.
Am going for the sleeper effect so needed to quiet down some.
CMI's are clamp-on, so will slide them off for events when I want to hear it.
As for speed, it cruises 68 to 70 before having to open the four barrels. Top speed is said to be mid-90's. I just ran it once so can not confirm but I do not believe claims were at all untrue.
The headers do look sharp, powdercoated to match all the other accessories.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Andy i really like my 280 it runs about 67-68 mph. Looking at some headers to get a little more out of it.I like the loud exhaust but most people around here don't . Have you tried yours yet. I think the 500 EFI should run in the mid to low 70 mph range. Just started thinking about the boating season , the snow is just about gone but the weather is still cold. Andy Its nice hearing from you again can you post some pictures of your new ride. I will try to stay in touch this time.
Kelly o that is a very nice ride you have,Looks fast standing still and you should surprise a lot of people with that kind of power.So the lightning headers are a little on the loud side. Kelly o thanks for the info. Lets see some more pictures

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

229,

It has been cold here for a while too. Half way nice one day and cold the next. I just had a little boy Tuesday, so I have had my hands full to say the least. He is awesome. I hope that the boat runs the numbers you posted. I glad to be in another Checkmate. Last summer I was in a 99 28' Nordic Heat. Very nice boat, i just wanted something faster! :evilb: Here are some pics of the boat and one of my son!

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

The little guy, better know as the boss. J.J. weight 8lbs 6 oz and was 20" long at birth!

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Andy congratulations on your new baby. I'am sure that you will enjoy your new son as well as your 280 this summer.I'am sure that you will see speeds in the low to mid 70 mph range.I almost bought a 28 nordic heat before i ordered my checkmate.What is it you didn't like about the nordic?

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

I really liked the Nordic. It was a sweet boat. I wanted something faster without having to invest $ I would not see back again. The cabin on the Nordic was great, mine had a wrap around couch. The new Check has shore power, a carry on AC unit and a transome shower. Some nice features for a little one. I wish it had a sink like the Nordic. Here is a pic of the Nordic. Why did you go with the Check over a Nordic?

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

When i called on the nordic it was sold.My first checkmate,i had really good luck with and the only way i could get the colors i wanted was to order it.I really like the red and black so a Friend who was looking on upgrading his boat wanted to order a checkmate in certain colors also.We ordered the two boats together to get a better price.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Cool! How about posting a pic of the new boat.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Andy here is a couple of pictures, i will see if i can find some better pictures of the of our boats.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Mine
Ron's

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

I like your boat. The red is really sharp! What are your overall impressions of the ZT? What should I expect? I really wish Checkmate would go back to the old school logo. I really do not care for the new one!

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Andy i like the 280, it handles well, rides nice,looks great.I think checkmate puts out a nice well build boat.Your right about the logo i like the older logo better.Let me know what you think of your 280.Here are some pictures. Robin

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Nice Pics the boat is really sharp!

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Congratulations, we just had our first boy a few months ago.

Re: ZT 280 owners
 

Thanks what a great experience! Congrats :drink: :drink: