Furuvagen,

Welcome, I have a 90 Maxxum 281 also. I think it handles ruff water pretty well. I have had it out on Lake Michigan and the waves have to get over 5 feet before it really starts to "flop" hard at cruize. (40-42 MPH)

Where are you located?

i have a 2003 checkmate 300 with the notched transom. the boat is great in rough water and runs 82.

What do you have for power?

i have a procherged 496 ho in my checkmate. it's not the fastest boat out there but it is turn key.

Furuvagen , not to be rude and with your year of boat i would be concerend with the foam under the floors in the cockpit area for the pure fact that a friend of mine here in Mich has done a lot of repairs on Checks because of the foam which absorbs water like a sponge and creates rot to the floors and stringers and i think once you go to the Check site you will know what im talking about .

Had a 1990 281 Maxxum about 4 yrs ago. Had 2 small blocks w/ bravos .Engines were 320HP EFI's from the factory. Ran good , about 65 MPH. All red boat, and red interior! Hot in sun. But alot of fun!!!!Handled rough water pretty well for a 28 ft boat...........

I have a 1989 281 maxxum with a 7.4 mpi power runs 55 to 60 handles the waves great . Been in long island sound in 4 to 6 footers no problem. The hull is 7/16 thick 5300 lbs dry heavy boat but solid

Yea but you gotta be careful in 6 footers. That hull is a production hull just like Baja!! It will come apart eventually in the rough stuff. Its not a hand built hull. Just ask Howard!

Hi,
I live on Ockero, a small island off the west coast of Sweden.

Thanks to everyone for all the recent replies, by the way! It is always interesting to hear what people have to say that have been driving this model themselves!

Kreed: What is the big difference between a production hull and a hand built one? I was really pounding my -89 251 Convincor for quite a few years (high jumps - drive and all out of the water), and it never even gave away the least bit of rattle anywhere in the hull. It seemed totally indestructable (which I'm pretty sure it wasn't but still...)...

It also seems to me like a lot of newer boats (with aims at a high top speed) are a lot lighter (built with thinner hulls).
But then again I am far from an expert in this field. Anyone with more knowledge, please clear the confusion here!

Hey, I was just teasing Checkmate128. When we went to buy my Cigarette, the previous owner told us that the Checkmate hulls were not built very well and would never compare to a Cigarette. He told us its only a production hull, not a hand built hull like a Cigarette. Checkmate128 was about to kill this guy! He was actually very rude about it....small brain, big pockets !! Ive owned Checkmates and always had great luck with them! Great boat.....