What is the difference between these 2 boats. The ZT has a 454 and the Convincor has a 502. Not sure what else is different. Please fill me in if you know. Looking to run on Lake Erie.

The ZT tapers towards the back of the boat and from top to bottom. It also has a very small step. The Convincor hull is a straighter hull that doesn't narrow down like the ZT.

Not a Checkmate guru but from what I've seen the ZT has a built in swim platform and the Convinsor has an add on making for a longer LOA....

the 283 will handle the rougher water of Lake Erie better. Will be a bit more stable @ higher speeds as well. Convincor is going to be worth more down the road too. If you plan on adding power down the road the 283 is the one you'll want to be in.

I have a ZT 260 that runs high 90s and handles rough water as good as any I've been with in same size range. So I don't think more power would be an issue in a 280.

Thanks for the replies. Just wondering on them as I'm new to the checkmates.

The 283/300 is a far better ride than the ZT. I've owned a 300 and had 2 friends with ZT's.

Check300 knows his hulls, go the convincor all the way

We had a 283 for a few years here on erie, single engine with around 500 hp.. Rode very nice in the rough

A ZT280 has an integrated swim platform so its really closer in comparison to the 253/259/270 Hull. I had a ZT280 and a 253 convincor. Everything about the zt was better IMO. Overall a much better ride, more stable, no bouncing, ran much more level and in my opinion better looking, but that's an opinion. Rough water ride was similar, zt was a little better. A 283 is a bigger boat than the zt280 so im sure its a better riding boat in the rough stuff. If I had to guess its at least 2 feet longer.