Checkmate 281 Maxxum
 

Hello everyone!
I need some help with information about my new boat, a 1990 Checkmate 281 Maxxum (single 454 carb w/ Bravo 1). These are the things I don't know, which are hard to find information on:

How well does it handle rough waters compared to other, similar 28-footers?

How has the hull been altered throughout the years?
(It looks like Checkmate still runs the same hull, with slight modifications, calling it the Convincor 300...?)

I saw a thread here with a picture of a Convincor 300 from 2002 with a notched transom, which supposedly produced another 5 mph. Does anyone know if that feature is still in production?
Did they mount the drive higher up than earlier (non-notched transoms) to compensate for this?

What can be done to a 1990 Maxxum 281 to improve its performance? (Other than simply hot tuning the engine?)

Does anyone have experience from racing this hull, or driving it in rough conditions?

Thanking you in advance!

We had a 94 with about 500 HP, topped out at about 65mph. It handled Lake Erie very well for a 28' boat, just point and shoot.

Thanks Checkmate zt!
This is the speed I was hoping for, which means next summer is going to be great for me! (My boat has about the same power.)

One of the reasons I wondered about the handling is the latest test of this hull in Powerboat Magazine: They said something like "it handled OK on the lake but they wouldn't go offshore with it, since it wasn't too soft in the ride". I guess it was about the same hull. (The Convincor 300, only difference being the stepped transom.)

My experience from the 251 Convincor (with the modified pad keel) was that it was the greatest rough water boat I'd driven in that size, so I just took for granted the 281 from the same time would be as good, (or better because of its size).

Thanks again for your input!

they made them with twins also. you dont see very many for sale. good looking boats.

Yes, and people change the SBs for BBs (The newer Convincor 300 has this as an option.) It should definitely have a soft ride with twin BBs, considering the extra weight and that narrow hull. (It is less than 6' wide across the hull down where the V begins!)

With two big blocks you better have baby hands to work on ANYTHING.!

Check out www.checkmate-boats.com they are a couple of people their that have one

Thanks, I will!

hey, i have a 91 281 maxxum w/twin merc outboards. ive been in the ocean off the coast of nj, the bay and chesapeake. i have not found water yet that has been to big for the boat. i have never owned a bigger boat though. i have found though you will have to find its sweet spot. i know with mine anything under 35 it starts to flop over waves. i went out on the chesapeake a couple of weeks ago and it was ruff. i ran 45 to 50 the hole way passing boats that were 22 to 25 ft the hole time. 1 tried to hang but he was getting pounded. i love mine

Thanks! This sounds promising! Pardon an amateur question, but what exactly do you mean by "sweep spot" and "flop over waves"? I guess that the sum of this is that I have to make sure to find the speed relative to the wave size where it rides "on top" of things, without taking a dive in between the peaks of the waves, but since English is not my native tongue I sometimes have as hard a time following specific terminology as that 25-footer had following you in the rough stuff...

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!:evilb:

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.....

OK, I get it! Thanks for the explanation! My question about hand built hulls remain though. My own guess would be that the reason some hulls are hand built is simply that they come from small scale productions, where the low output doesn't justify an automated production. Whether this is good or bad I don't know, but I'm sure that the hulls built more by hand should be at least as good as the productions hulls. (Just guessing here...)

And Kreed: Thanks again for the explanation! I would have taken the opportunity too!

No problem. Just havin fun with Nick. Nice boat you have there. Any pics??

Checkmates have never been "chopper gun" boats. They are hand layed up and rolled out by hand. I have a 283 with no stress cracks and I like it, but I mostly run it on inland lakes and rivers, so my big water experience in it is limited.

I have lots of pictures, but I think my type of limited membership status doesn't allow me to post them here on OSO. Sorry!