Thoughts
 

CHECKMATE 300 CONVINCER 0r 28'.

How would it compare to a Pantera/Fountain/Formula when the waves kick up? Right boat for the Gulf of Mexico?

Had a 26 Wellcraft Nova ST. 23*deadrise.

The Checkmate is a fully end grain balsa cored top deck and hull. They are solid boats and run well. The bottom is a V-pad bottom based upon a 24 degree deadrise. It won't be as soft as a true V bottom like the Pantera but will give you a good ride and are relatively fast. The Fountain also rides on a pad V bottom with most models having "steps" in the hull. They will be more fuel efficient and faster on top..but the Fountain "beak" and swim platform are in the OAL measurment; the actual running surface is smaller than the overall length.. The Pantera is a traditional 24 degree deadrise V bottom with no steps...great in rough water but not as fast as the Fountain or Velocity hulls..The Formula is very well built and the newer hulls also have steps...they are very heavy and will give a good ride in rough seas but not has fast as the other hulls mentioned..

My 283 has no pad.

pantara and sutphen would be best big water boat. id take my mate over a formula and a fountain, i love my mate for the size boat.

pantera can handle anything in the gulf