Ing

Good question. Marine Surveyors are trained and accredited independent inspectors that will examine a boat and provide a report on the physical condition (not performance). They will look for repaired or unreported damage, rot, water intrusion things like that. I'm sure some are better than others. Your profile is in MI. I did a 10 second Google search and found a site like this with a list of surveyors.
http://www.marinesurvey.org/us-regions/michigan.html
You pay a fee, probably in the $500 range for the report but that $500 could be well spent money if you find a boat that you want and turns out it has issues like a wet transom etc. Just a suggestion but when you're spending hard earned cash, whether 15k or 250k it seems worth it IMO.

Baldie

That is my buddies boat, he will be out with me this weekend! It is a awesome boat!!

jakekue3

Thank you for explaining that to me. It will definently be something i look into further.

RNGRDVE

If your looking at the checkmate 251 you may also consider the 253. Beam is about a foot wider giving it a little larger cabin. They are out there in your price range. Ed at Lake Ozarks Marine has a clean looking 98 253 with a new transom for sale. I was very interested in it but found a different 253 closer to home before the transom replacement was complete.

88242LS

Formula 242's did come with bolsters, they are out there, or consider a 271 SR1 both hold up to lake erie well, ive had both, Checkmate will be faster, but not ride as nice, or find a nice 240 Baja but check the wood real good, as any boat that is older,

motoracerx

Search no more - http://columbus.craigslist.org/boa/4681386775.html

http://lexington.craigslist.org/boa/4625963918.html

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/4640519887.html

http://chillicothe.craigslist.org/boa/4663962873.html

http://lexington.craigslist.org/bod/4660284643.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/boa/4635517799.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/boa/4593562804.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/bod/4625150347.html

88242LS

https://loz.craigslist.org/boa/4671093114.html

88242LS

http://toledo.craigslist.org/boa/4628684580.html

koolkats

Not sure how far you want to drive but this one meets what you are looking for, single 24-27ft, 24 degrees, more cabin space then what you have, price, well you might have to work on that, but its close. Looks nice. http://omaha.craigslist.org/boa/4668254795.html

thirdchildhood

iTrader: (6)

I run on Western Lake Erie quite a bit in a 22' Donzi. I've stuffed it twice at low speed and I've had to idle over crazy, mixed up 6-8s. On days like that even the big boats stay in the harbor. On bad days you have options, like running up the Detroit River. You'll be OK in a 24 if I can do it in a 22! Listen to the weather radio and talk to other boaters before heading across the lake. Vest up and have a ditch bag ready if it kicks up.