Whos running 25' Checkmates?
 

This is a call to all those out there running 25' Checkmates. Since thats what I have I wondered what kind of speeds everyone was getting. Also, what mods have you done?

GameOver, I have a 89 251. Last season I ran a stock and very worn out HP500. Best speed was 75.2 on GPS@5150 with a labbed Hydromotive 4blade 26 pitch.

This season I"ll have a fresh new HP500. Im hoping for 78-80 this year.

Eric

98 251 with 310 mpi running 60-62 on gps .Working on new power 500 to 530 hp range .I will let you no how it runs ?
Dave

1997 253 convincor-525sc mercruiser-76 on g.p.s.
82 on factory quicksilver speedo.

'97 253 468 (575hp). ran 79.9 on GPS last summer.....this was on two different occasions/two different GPS's....just can't break that 80 mark :( . i just sent my Prop out to Bronson Hill to lab - 26 4 blade hydro. Hopefully i'll break 80 this season.

Dave, I have an almost identical setup
'96 251 w/7.4 pushing 310/330 hp @ 65 speedo so I'm assuming 60-ish

to top it of I'm in the midst upgraded to 500 hp also! keep me informed on how she runs.

oh, and what kind of prop are you going to be using Dave?

99 259 7.4 385HP 67 ON GPS 74 ON SPEEDO 3 BLADE MIRAGE PLUS 23P I THINK THE 251 AND 253 ARE NARROWER THAN 259??? ANY ONE TELL ME TYHE DIFFERENCES IN THESE BOATS. SEEMS TO ME THE 251 ARE THE FASTEST HULLS WITH HP BEING EQUAL??

I have a 98Convincor 253 came stock with 310hp & ran 60-61. with 21 mirage.Upgrade to 502 crate motor & 22 Hydromtive only got me to 65@ 5000rpm.Now added 226/234 duratiion 590/608 lift cam,Canfield alum heads & Team G intake and run 75.3 on GPS with a 26 hydromotive.With 26 bravo prop I can barely run 70.Hydromtive is definately the way to go with this hull!!:)

Game over ,
Im using a 14 .125 By 23 Turbo that I kept from the last boat I had .The boat came with A 21 Mirage witch worked ok but the turbo had better top end.
Dave

Had a '97 253. Boat ran 105 gps with about 1100hp. Always ran a hydromotive 4 blade 28 with 1.36 gears. Boat handled very well with the 4 blade. The 251 is narrower than 253/259/270.

I had a 23 Mirage on my 229 and went to a 24 Hydromotive at the end of the season. It really changed the attitude of the boat. It's much more stable at top end and upper mid range. The Mirage was probably a couple mph faster but didn't feel lie much more than the delta pad was in the water. Chine walking was scary. I can run wide open now and remain in control.

I have a '99 259 with a 454 magnum, stock except for Gil Exhaust. Runs 67 on g.p.s. , 73 on speedo. I am turning a 4 blade Bravo 24 pitch wheel. I am real happy with the ride for now, I am not looking to do anything else at least untill the warranty expires.

We are running a 251 with a stock 454. We see 60 on gps. I think I am going to do some more prop testing in the Spring and try to get one or two more. Currnently, we are running a 23 Mirage+. What are you thoughts on a Hydromotive Turbo. Do you think I should try a 24 first and see what happens? Also, what are your thoughts on a 24 Bravo 1? I am pleased with the handling right now but would like to see 61 or 62. Thanks.

mpally,

What kind of R's are you turning with that prop?? Is that a Mag motor or a 330??

Seems to me if you go up in pitch you may loose R's and loose mph. May need to pitch down.

It is the 330 454, not a mag. Currently, we see about 4200 and about 60 on gps. Does Hydro or Bravo make a 22 4 blade? I now CM's love the turbo, but I have not tried one yet.

Mpally,
I have not tryed a hydromotive 4 blade yet but I have tryed 21 merc revolution 4blade=Good rideLots of bow lift@wot58mph 4600rpm,21mirage 3 blade 59-60 @4800 bouncing of the rev limiter,23mirageplus 59@4500Seamed to vibrate at low rpm,s,23turbo vector 14.500 3-blade 61mph@around 4500rpm and a 23turbo 14.250 62mph @4600+- .I thought the turbo props have a better ride in the 3-blades.All speeds were on GPS on different days with 98 251 with a 310 hp efi
Hpe this helps
Dave

Mpally, I would try a 22 pitch Hydromotive Q-IV on your boat. As I said before my boat really loves the Q-IV. 89 251 Convincor.

Eric

Eric, did you see any increase in mph with the hydro? I am very satisfied with the handling with the 23 Mirage+, but I would like a mph or more. Thanks.

Mpally, I did'nt even try a top speed run with the 3 blade Mirage because it had so much blow out on planning and turning. And best I could get from a 26p(stock) Bravo 4blade prop was 72.3mph@5050. I switched to a labbed 26p Hydromotive and got 75.2mph@5150. All on GPS. Also, the Hydro handled better and had no chine walk. The 26 Bravo prop had major chine walk. The 26 Bravo did plane well and turn well at cruise speeds. But that's it.

Eric

I would try the hydro 22 four blade....They tend to be faster than the bravo.

I used to run an 88 251. Kept adding parts till I was up to 690hp at 6000rpm.. I made my best pass at 90mph.... on a speedo that was consistent with the radar gun.. but it would run 88-89 on flat water all trimmed up.. On the big lake it would run 85 with no trouble.
I always ran a 25" Mirage.. It worked best for that hull..

Dick