Have a buddy that is looking to purchase a boat First one is 1998 Checkmate 253 Convincor 496 under 300 hrs and second one is 1999 BAJA 252 with 454 under 200 hrs. Both in very good shape and the same price. Any pros or cons to either boat. I don't want this thread to get into a pi$$ing match. Speed is not the factor more is there any problems or anything he should be looking for? Thanks

I would take the one with less Hours,I would go with the baja

I have a 29' Baja Outlaw. I love the boat. We go offshore and feel very comfortable and confidant in the boat. We go to lakes and the boat is again just fine. We overnight on it too. It's a 99 with 350 hrs and is still very solid.

I'm sure that Checkmate and many others would do the same. IMO can't go wrong with Baja or others, just look for the ones that show pride of ownership.

The C-Mate must of been repowered if it has a 496. So, it might have more total hours, but how many hours on the engine? What about tabs, steering, GPS, trailer, etc.? Those thinks factor into the value of a boat.

Yes how did the Cmate get the 496?

The Checkmate will be a bigger boat, and ride better.
Some of the Convincer hulls though do require some tab input when easing along at cruise speeds which that Baja won't.

I'd go for the Checkmate even with the engine swap it has apparently had. Checkmates biggest dissapointment when Combs owned the Company was their rigging of electrical. As good as the Baja will be, but the gel and glass work deserve better rigging.

Assuming the boats are in the same condition. I would look at extras such as trim tabs, bolster seats, GPS included, stereo systems, trailer, and whats coming with the boat as far as required safety gear and dock lines and such as these things can easily run a grand or better to go buy it all.

Checkmate all the way. Fully end grain balsa cored hull and topdeck. Fantastic gelcoat and mold work. Classic style and better resale...and to top it off Doug Smith (the ex owner of Baja) now owns Checkmate!!

CM is a better built boat with better materials.

If possible i would suggest you drive each boat i had a Baja 252 for three summers and it rode great handled rough water very well and was very easy to handle. When i sold it i tested a Checkmate 270 BR with a 496HO very nice boat and seemed well built but at cruise speed it was almost impossible to keep it porposing it required a lot of tab to settle it down. Go the the Checkmate section and run a search on Porpsoing, there is also a Checkmate Owners forun just google it.

Thanks for all the replies