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Best 25' performance boat

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Old 09-30-2014 | 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by greenmonster383
Hey guys new to the performance boating scene. I have grown up on fishing boats my entire life. 50 mph top speed was the fastest I had ever seen! I buddy took me for a ride in his 19' action with a 200hp and we did 80mph by far the funnest ride I have had and since then I have wanted a performance machine. My goal is something big enough to do a poker run in, small enough to not require twins engines, and I want to build the power plant, so not outboards for me. After a little research the local poker runs in the Miami area all show a minim 25' length and a cruise speed of 60 mph i believe. I am trying to find a fixer up was thinking late 80's early 90 and maybe very early 2000's. I don't know all of the hulls and designs but if you guys could just chime in with a hull design and year range for each model that would be awesome! I have been throwing around the idea of building a twin turbo efi lsx based power plant somewhere around 1000hp, any comments or suggestions would be extremely helpful. I am looking for the knowledge that you cant read in a book but only in trial and error. Also last idea is does anyone have the cons to running an arson surface drive style drive over a convectional bravo drive. I will be running in the Florida bay and the upper keys. I would like to be able to make trips to bimini and back also. If you guys need any more info please feel free to ask and i will provide as much as I can!

thanks again guys and I look forward to your advice and experiences!
1000 hp in that size boat is a lot, do a search on Bravo failures to get your answer on which drive will work best. Also that is very small to cross the Gulf Stream and running a fast boat in seas is a lot different than what you may have experienced before, find a buddy to show you how to throttle.
Good luck and remember you will spend more on performance boats than you ever thought!
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Old 10-01-2014 | 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Checkmate283
30 Activator...no single engine boat would compare. Fastest, best rough water boat that has run with the big dogs in the NYC poker run.
The problem with a larger hull than a 25 or 26' is that then i would need a new tow rig and its more than just a one man show...
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Old 10-01-2014 | 12:38 AM
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From: Okanagan Falls BC. Canada
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Pretty much all the 25 footers mentioned will cruise 60 in poker runs with the right power. Crossing to Bimini has been done many times in 24'+ boats with deep V hulls in decent water. There are times when 30'+ boats will need a lot of tab and slower speeds to get through. I've been in pretty rough conditions at times with my 257 [ 25'7"] alongside bigger boats and the only ones got through with relative ease were the like of 42 Outerlimits and Skaters.So ,you just have to deal with conditions and drive accordingly. My boat has twins [ I prefer the peace of mind not relying on Sea Tow and others ] , 6.2 MPI's with a 75 mp top speed, reliability and good fuel economy. Had twin 383's before with superchargers getting the boat into the 80's with 3/4 throttle but was a handfull without external steering and K-tabs.My boat with a single would do 80's with huge power [700HP+] handling better with balanced CG. Twins make the stern a bit heavy and landing not level that most prefer when running hard . I have Marine Machine dual external steering, 280 K-tabs, The boat handles well, super sharp entry and 24* deadrise that's a must running in rough water.
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Old 10-01-2014 | 01:08 AM
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I dont plan to be running hard in a rough seas.
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Old 10-01-2014 | 05:04 AM
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Originally Posted by greenmonster383
I dont plan to be running hard in a rough seas.
You Wait.....Once you've Launched it a time or two then the Bug will have fully Bitten you...Then you'll be sayin, "I need a Ballast Tank in the front so it will fly level"
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Old 10-01-2014 | 05:25 AM
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thats probably a very true statement
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Old 10-01-2014 | 06:22 AM
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If you are looking for late 80's early 90's a Checkmate 251 would be a great choice, 90+ mph with 750hp
After those years any of the checkmates 253, 259, 270, 242 ect are good fast boats.
Cons to bravo style drives are anything over 600 hp you are on borrowed time.
Some advise i would give is, respect the power and speed, 80+ mph in a 25 ft v-hull is nothing to take lightly
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Old 10-01-2014 | 07:39 AM
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Originally Posted by sabo
If you are looking for late 80's early 90's a Checkmate 251 would be a great choice, 90+ mph with 750hp
After those years any of the checkmates 253, 259, 270, 242 ect are good fast boats.
Cons to bravo style drives are anything over 600 hp you are on borrowed time.
Some advise i would give is, respect the power and speed, 80+ mph in a 25 ft v-hull is nothing to take lightly
Is that your current rig a late 80's 251 checkmate? How much power and which drive are you running? And what is your top speed?
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Old 10-01-2014 | 08:10 AM
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If your main concern is speed I would take a good hard look at Velocity. I do not care for the looks of them myself but they can be very fast boats with modest power. I know a few members on here that have been in the low to mid 90's with around 750 hp.
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Old 10-01-2014 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by greenmonster383
add was removed but if you could reference the hull and model year that would be awesome!
Add was for a '99 Checkmate 259 27' with no power sitting in a field for $1500.00
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