velocity 260 vs. checkmate 270
03-16-2015, 12:08 PM
#21
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I have a Checkmate 253 and boat the Saginaw River/Bay every weekend. I live just south of Midland. You are more than welcome to stop by and see mine as well.
You give a Checkmate some extra power and they are a drivers boat in the good way that Saris spoke of. Mine is a pad bottom with a notched transom like the 270 would be. All of the low speed porpoise can be mitigated with tucked drive and/or some tab. The right prop also makes a huge difference with that. The porpoise is gone by 45 mph and is really only there right above planing speeds. Gel and build quality of a CM is excellent. Not too many better for the price.
You give a Checkmate some extra power and they are a drivers boat in the good way that Saris spoke of. Mine is a pad bottom with a notched transom like the 270 would be. All of the low speed porpoise can be mitigated with tucked drive and/or some tab. The right prop also makes a huge difference with that. The porpoise is gone by 45 mph and is really only there right above planing speeds. Gel and build quality of a CM is excellent. Not too many better for the price.
03-16-2015, 12:13 PM
#22
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I have a all freshwater use - 2000 year model Velocity 280 - completely OEM stock 454 HO MAG 385 hp this is a very reliable package and most shops will work on it plus have the parts to work on it.
It has extremely low hours - will have to check it to be exact as it has been properly stored now for over 2 years for a couple of reasons - one - our lakes here are half dried up ponds for the past 4 years and I am super busy all spring till mid Sept getting everyone elses boat ready for them.
My plan is maybe selling it - matching tandem trailer - aftermarket trim tabs - 4 blade S.S prop. Bravo Drive, thru hull exhaust only.
I have to put new tires all the way around and of course make it a turn key boat at my expense. price $ 28,500 if I could get close to it, will most likely sell. 25k or lower I am not selling, it will take more than that.
The 280 is a fun boat to drive. They are fast, nibble and turn on dime plus hold very well in turns. Will say, not a true wave crusher but fair to good in rough waters.
It has extremely low hours - will have to check it to be exact as it has been properly stored now for over 2 years for a couple of reasons - one - our lakes here are half dried up ponds for the past 4 years and I am super busy all spring till mid Sept getting everyone elses boat ready for them.
My plan is maybe selling it - matching tandem trailer - aftermarket trim tabs - 4 blade S.S prop. Bravo Drive, thru hull exhaust only.
I have to put new tires all the way around and of course make it a turn key boat at my expense. price $ 28,500 if I could get close to it, will most likely sell. 25k or lower I am not selling, it will take more than that.
The 280 is a fun boat to drive. They are fast, nibble and turn on dime plus hold very well in turns. Will say, not a true wave crusher but fair to good in rough waters.
I am not too far from you and have a Checkmate 253. Very similar to a Checkmate 270. You are more than welcome to come look at it if you want to see what the Checkmate is like. I will probably be out on Saginaw Bay on Memorial weekend with it also. I am not looking to sell. Just offering up a look or a ride to assist you in your research.
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03-16-2015, 01:44 PM
#26
No experience with the Velocity, but a buddy had a 253 Checkmate and it was extremely easy to drive. No porpoise, no chine walk, no quirks at all. After 2 minutes behind the wheel I was running mid 70s and pushed it to low 80s for a few seconds and the boat was very predictable. Also, I never touched the trim tabs, they were all the way up. This was on a smooth lake with less than 1' chop. But he never seemed to have an issue running in bigger water. My only complaint was the wind blasted your face.
03-16-2015, 02:18 PM
#27
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The Checkmate is a lot of boat for the money as compared to Better name Brand boats. I owned a 25 Convincer 525 HP years ago and loved it. Good size cabin and was a real 25' boat (no swim platform or beak measurements in the size) I throttled a 29 Velocity this year in a race and it handled great on the course. I just like the look of the Checkmates.
03-16-2015, 06:30 PM
#28
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That's just more that I'm looking to spend at this time. Sounds like a nice boat but once I factor in shipping it across the country I'll be over my budget. Appreciate it though, sounds like a nice boat.
Unfortunately just a little over my budget and I'm not sure it will fit in me 30' shop. Would probably be pretty tight even with the tongue pulled out of the trailer.
Thanks man appreciate it.
Unfortunately just a little over my budget and I'm not sure it will fit in me 30' shop. Would probably be pretty tight even with the tongue pulled out of the trailer.
Thanks man appreciate it.
03-16-2015, 07:50 PM
#29
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If anyone wants to talk about the 280 I have stored and yes it is stored inside with a cover on it - feel free and if needed I am just a call away. I can go over how I stored the boat and engine along what I need and will do to make it turn key plus all the checks including engine diagnostic scans and of course comp test to. Spark plugs out will change them to. Anyways I still need to get it ready to use also if no sale. Really need to see if I miss driving it enough to keep it or decide to sell but will not sell at a big reduced price.
Last edited by BUP; 03-16-2015 at 07:54 PM.
03-16-2015, 09:30 PM
#30
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Trying to get a safe, fast, reliable 25-30ft single engine performance boat for less than 25K is asking for trouble IMHO. BUP's deal with a referral seems appealing here. You may want to rethink the budget, you'll spend good money on a performance boat one way or another. Knowing your damage upfront is a calculated risk. Ask me how I know, damn!
