Re: ZT280 questions
 

Robin

The Check is not in the same league as the AT when it comes to rough water. I can't describe it but it is bad to the bone. My summer has been all right, I put about 30 hours on the boat. I really like it, I have had a few interested in buying it, I have been entertaining the idea of selling. I would love to upgrade to a Cig Cafe Racer. I would be happy with either boat. I would love to put a Whipple on the Check. Who knows only time will tell. How was your summer?

Andy

Re: ZT280 questions
 

Andy My summer was ok about 25 hours on the boat.June was all rain july was good and august was cool and rain not the best of summers. Like you i would like to up grade to a fountain or cigarette.I checked with a dealer about trading for a fountain but the numbers were too low .Maybe i may try to sell in the spring.If i keep the boat i will whipple or procharge.I need more speed.The 496 ho doesn't have forged pistons so i don't know how safe it would be.Talked with a checkmate dealer about the procharger he said the 3.5 kit would be ok. Robin

Re: ZT280 questions
 

I haven't heard many good things about people supercharging 496's. I don't understand why Merc went with cheap interals on these motors? Eventually, bad gas or something will cause the motor to go blow. The next upgrade for both of us is going to be a big jump. Good luck in your boat search, that is almost as fun as boating.

Re: ZT280 questions
 

I don't understand either.The 496 was a poor engine choice on my part.There isn't much you can do without spending 7 to ten grand to get the power.Andy didn't you have a convincor at one time.People tell me that the convincors had a better ride in choppy conditions then the ZT's hull.The ZT's have a pad bottom that they ride on much like a velocity.

Re: ZT280 questions
 

I had a 97 242 Convincor. I think my ZT rides better than the Convincor. Wild Willy has a 270 Convincor and his buddies have Z 280's and he says the ZT's ride better. A buddy of mines has .97 283 Convincor and I think it rides better than mine but he is really slow. He runs 58 with a 24 bravo 1. I take the extra speed, the improved ride is not that much better. You can only tell the difference when it really ruff

Re: ZT280 questions
 

So the convincors don't really ride much better. Well i guess i will look into getting some more hp. I really like the looks of the Zt's. Andy your in the low 70 s with your 500 efi. I think your at 470 hp. Do you know anyone that has put cmi sport tube headers on a 496 HO. They say its worth 55 hp.Thats about 4 MPH.

Re: ZT280 questions
 

Yep gained nothing on for MPH. Sounds better accelerates faster and has better mid range punch. With 470 hp the best I have seen is 71 on my gps speedo.

Re: ZT280 questions
 

Andy what boat were they installed and did they try different
props?You should have some gain even if it's only 1 to 3 MPH.
We have one more nice warm day befor it cools down.Looks like our boating season almost done around here.

Re: ZT280 questions
 

I would rather not say what type of boat the headers were installed on. I don't want to start any poop on the board. Lets just say the boat is similar size to our and I really like it. Pm me if you want to know the boat. Boating is probably done here in the midwest, just in time for the gas prices to start droping significantly. :mad: :mad: Oh well I am glad that they are going down. I guess know is the time to save some cash before I dust of the snowmobile.