We are looking to upgrade our 1988 253 Convincor with a 2000 25 Outlaw. I can't image a better riding 25 ft boat then the 253. Does anyone have hands on experience with both boats? How does the ride in each compare? We will have it at LOTO so it will be used in some pretty rough water. Also, how would you compare fit and finish between the two? What speeds will we see out of the 25 Outlaw with a 502 Mag? Any other info is appreciated.

i have driven and repowered both boats, i cant say that there is much of a difference other than the baja is a little more appealing than the checkmate. i can say this baja seems to have planted the drive in the basement back then and a lil earlier , so at speeds they do become a drivers boat.

I had a 2001 25 with a 496ho and it ran 68mph all day long

So this boat should run 67 all day long, right? It has ten less hp than the 496HO.

I think it would because a friend of mine had the same 502 and before he installed a pro charger he was running about that.

What does that mean?

I have run with a local guy here who has a 27' Baja. While he only has a stock 502, he is no match for my 540. BUT, my 259 Checkmate handles the water better than his Baja at any speed.

The 272 handles much differently than the 25 OL. The 25 OL has a much deeper V- handles the rough stuff better.

The hulls are almost IDENTICAL on the bottom,both have 24 degree deadrise,the 272/275 does have a slight pad on rear,the 25 is a few hundred pounds heavier.You might be thinking of the h2x. I don't know much about the checkmate but the baja's also RIVET the upper deck to the lower hull until you get into the 29 ft.The drop in hull liners on bajas tend to flex and move around under hard conditions, smaller baja's look flashy but they are NOT a true offshore boat by any means either,Smitty

What year is your boat? An 88 or 98 if it's an 88 it's a 251 if it's a 98 it's a 253 they are entirely different boats.The 253 didn't come out until 92 or 93.