velocity 260 vs. checkmate 270
 

So been looking at these two boats. Not sure if I'll pull the trigger this year or next but I'm bored at work so I thought I'd start a thread. Anyone own both? I've read about the porpoising issues on the checks.

Boat in the Saginaw Bay or inland lakes usually but would like to venture into the great lakes. May do some overnights on it in traverse. Plus and minus of each boat?

If I end up locating a nice Tantrum I'll end up with that but for now these are the two I'm looking at.

All 3 are great boats buy whichever one comes along at the most bang for the buck!

I will speak as a previous Velocity owner.... I absolulty loved my 260. Very fast with stock power, unique look. Not many in Michigan. They handle big water pretty good, but do take some getting used to. They are considered a "drivers" boat as the pad bottom is a bit different of a feel. Their fit and finish I would say is going to be much better than that of a checkmate. Dollar for dollar a better buy. A lot has to do with name recognition...... I got my Velocity really cheap, but when it was time to sell I watched older less equipped Bajas sell for more, simply because the name. A lot of people have never heard of velocity. So just keep that in mind. If/when you go to sell and have time to wait for the right buyer, that won't be an issue. I was selling over the winter so I took what I could get. Don't get me wrong, I didn't give it away... It will just be tuffet to sell when the time comes, unless you have the right buyer. It's a boat where a guy looking for a Velocity knows what he wants opposed to a guy looking to get into offshore knows the name Baja....,. I would buy another Velocity in a heart beat if I went back to a true offshore boat again.

I purchased a 2000 259 Convincor new in 2002. The boat did have a mid range porpoise that was interesting but overall the boat was great. FYI get longer performance tabs and set the drive and tabs to neutral at mid range and the porpoising is gone. I've also heard squaring the transom edge eliminates the porpoise as well. After owning it for 7 years and upgrading the tabs, steering and power the boat really turned out to be sweet. I'll never forget running back to the condo after a shootout at LOTO w/ passengers in the rough. The boat flew steady and straight. The most exciting ride of my life. I will say HP tabs, full hydraulic steering and power make this boat a lot better than most are sold from the factory. I think Velocity makes a great boat as well but I've never personally driven one. Good luck with the purchase!

Thanks guys. Finding either is a problem. There's a velocity in Ohio but he doesn't seem interested in selling it. Has the worst ad ever, won't take any decent pics, and returns emails with one word answers. Wish he'd be more motivated I'd probably snag it up.

Go to Velocity forum and give a shout out that you are looking for a 260 or a 280. Also you should contact kenny at Letstalk boats.com and have him keep an eye out.

Velocitys are great. I had a 280 for 15 years and now have a 29 VR 1.

Padraig

I love a Velocity. It's a drivers boat in the best way.

There is one velocity that runs in the bay already. It looks like it may be a 32 ish. Taking off from boaters beach, it seems to take our unique wave sets as good as any.

I posted up that I'd like to check one out. Coming from a Donzi classic 18 so it'll be a big change. I'd like to check out both boats without wasting a sellers time. I promised myself I'd go boatless this summer, probably not working out that way lol.

Where are you located?

Padraig

Mid-Michigan

If looking at the checkmate go for a 300 (newer 283) with a single. Better yet get a 300 with the fully notched transom (it has a notch that runs the full width of the transom). The 283 or 300 will have more cockpit and cabin space then the 270 and will ride a little better in the rough.

Second wind is right, look for one with upgraded tabs, steering and engine and you will have a blast. There is more than a few of these that run well over 100 with big power. A very well built boat.

I don't have enough room to store that (I have 30' so even the other two are going to be tight) and trying to stay at 25k or under.

Mainly looking for stock power, should net me around 67-68mph. Hopefully I can find one to go out on before I make a decision. Curious to see how I will like it. I loved the Classic 18 but really want to be able to over night. Both will be faster in stock form than any other boat I've owned.

I love my Velocity. Handles fantastic. Quality parts and workmanship. At first it takes a little practice to learn how to drive it. Once you figure it out you won't want to drive anything else. I would rather have the 280 but it wouldn't fit in my garage. Try to take a ride in one if you can.

Here is a nice Velocity 280 in So Cal.
http://eliminatorboat.com/pre-owned/...percharged-502

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.

I am in Western NY. A little far for a ride in a VR 1.

Padraig

There you go. Nice boat and with Bup as the owner you know you are getting a sound boat, motor and drive train. Price seems very reasonable.

Padraig

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.

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.

I actually live in Hemlock. I probably know you lol.

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.

I'm inviting myself so I can take that ride on the VR1 - the yellow one.

02Red your welcome no problem.

The Tantrum sounds good to me. But give the other two, I'd choose Velocity over Checkmate.

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.

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.

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!

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.

I'll be more than happy with a stock 496 boat. Plenty fast enough for me which should be me pretty close to my price range in a 260 or 253/270 CM. We'll see what I find, I'll probably wait until next fall when people are looking to unload so they don't have to store them.

I looked at all the popular models of boats in the 24-26ft range that were for sale in the Chicagoland area when I was shopping for my first boat a few years ago. Ended up with a Velocity 260. It was, in my opinion, the best value for the options I had. 100% happy with the boat other than wishing it were 10 feet longer and had 1000 more horsepower. but don't we all? Bought it from Grand Sport Center and they were a pleasure to deal with. They frequently have Velocity in stock. Seems like they really do a lot of business in the 24-35' range of performance boats.

$25k is plenty reasonable of a budget.

Bup, better make sure you are at the Buffalo poker run. Maybe Friday?

Padraig

I believe you will be able to find what you are looking for in your price range without a problem.

That's not true.. I sold my 2003 Velocity 260 w/496 mag ran solid high 60s with an occasional run into the 70s (gps) I sold it for $22k. Mine had brand new interior (carbon fiber pattern), and was very clean. Deals are out there

a 30' checkmate just poped up on powerboat listing
454s with bravos for 15,000
little larger boat than u want but if in descent condition
good ride and more room,,,,and 10,000 left over in ur budget for fuel

BUP

if you can and 02Red doesn't mind. Can you post a pic of that Velocity? I have a bud in the market for a 25 Baja but he is blind to the world of powerboats outside of "Baja or Cigar boat" but he is trying to learn. I think this would be a great boat for him.

Fair point, just not my experience. The current economy is good for generating deals, that's for sure.

I was in lake George and then St. Laurence seaway and saw some very clean checkmates. Fresh water is the only way to go if you are buying an older boat IMO. Many factors but short boating season, fresh water and low UV sun on gel coat means older boats look new compared to a 5 year old salt water boat. I saw 15 year old boats that were in GREAT shape. I believe you can get a clean older boat for 20K you would be proud to own.

Why can't you have this for sale now?!?! :mad:

You know I don't mind bud. I have to be nice because some day when I talk you into coming up for Boyne Thunder I'll expect a ride lol.

It is a bucket list run for me, i got room for ya anytime bud. Be it near you or if you happen to be down here.

Anyway you can make it to LOTO this year?