No offense, but I think the 253 (wide) is one of the worst hulls ever made for anything over 1 ft waves. I owned one, and I have a friend that now has one. It's like a bathtub compared to the 251

The 24x7 boats are hard to beat in that price range. A hull that is 30 years old, yet still raced today. Simply amazing for anything but hanging out in the cockpit

A lot of good deals on older 24 Baja Outlaws or 25 Checkmates out there. Good luck.

I would go for a checkmate over Baja. My advise is find a few models and brands that you like and buy the nicest boat you can afford. It will be cheaper in the long run.

lol they arent the best, but for the price range hes looking at they are good IMO.

That Lightning has spoiled you, lol

Lol. They are roomy tho! My checkmate still holds my personal record for how high in the air I have been in a boat, eye to eye with the guy on the fly bridge driving the cruiser that made the 6 ft wall of water in front of me :)

Not my boat but ran across this one.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/boa/4557953321.html

And the GAS.....

B Break
O out
A another
T Thou$and

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm going to start looking a little more in to Checkmates. I fully understand expensive hobbies. I already have a couple. I really like that 30 ft Scarab.

I cannot confirm nor deny how good these boats take off and land when driven with some "sense"...:whistle:

But you could ask dad and the 16 people that were on top of his Gibson when it took place. Some noobs were like "we could see your propeller!" LOL

My gf was with me, I hit the first wave right off the back of the boat at 45...that sure got her attention.

After that, I dont think you couldve stuck a sewing needle up her bunghole if you used a sledgehammer.