Entry reliable speed boat?
 

Looking for something fun to run around with for a season or two and not break the bank. Thoughts on a 30 Checkmate Convincor? Has 377 small blocks in it for a total of 640hp. Not sure how fast that would be.

Thinking somewhere around 30', probably twins and looking for a killer deal, someone who desperately needs to sell, etc LOL

Found an 88 30 Checkmate asking 17500 with twin 502s.

Lots of 27 Fountains around but they are single engines.

Thoughts? Under 50k for sure

Also found a 1999 Avanti with new cabin floor and new transom with t/496s but asking mid 40s. Not sure an Avanti will fetch that much given the history of the boats.

https://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/16997

This looks like a lot of boat for the money.

Always check the listing dates on that website, they’re not good at deleting old ads.

That one is from 2012. 🙂

RR

Good eye RR, looks like it was a good deal ten years ago🤣

377s
496
502

In that order. SBC valve train lasts pretty much forever.

All options are good from a reliability standpoint though.

25-30 checkmate
25-30 Baja
28 pantara
28 cigarette
311 formula

Look at newer single eng boats to see if you like it. Older twins in your price range can add up quick.

29' Donzi or Fountains have twins

Save your money dont waist it on a boat......:lolhit:

Anything you look at 30' long with twins for under $50k will need another $50k put into it as soon as you get it in your garage. Your best bet imo would be a single engine outboard in the 24' - 27' range for a capable boat under $50k that isn't going to kill you with maintenance costs after the purchase.

Nah. There are some super clean lake/lift and barn boats around the Midwest that just need a buff and impellers. I’ve bought multiple. Focus on LOTO and MI boats.

All good suggestions. Thanks. The search continues and It's fun to look at all the options out there.

There are tons of clean, old, fresh water, single IO Checkmates, less 28’s but are out there, and newer 30’s.

Dont listen to the bay sayers either.
Huge bang for the bucket and near bullet proof.

Im on my 3rd, an ‘87!, and no structural issues w/any.

29' Formula on here classifieds

I have a clean 28 Pantera with a single if your interested

Easy to get greedy.
88 30 Checkmate with twins for 17k.
1991 21 Scarab with 383 and whipple for 17k.
2010 30 Checkmate for 27....I think it's too much with no trailer

I'm beginning to drive myself crazy!!

Buy as new as your budget will allow, older boats are hard to get insured

Oh god, lol

this

Superboat good choice also Y2K used?

I know someone who might be looking for a 28 do you have any more details and pictures and where are you from?

This was my boat up to last year. New owner is selling. It was a very reliable boat and good and fuel. Sorry I don't Facebook to post a link.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0dcea53908.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...809ec732f8.jpg

96scarab nice boat!! Wish you were closer.

pbalbs Can you share the details?

I'm looking on boat trader and marketplace and still haven't found the perfect deal yet .

Checkmates if interested
(2) Checkmate Community Forums (checkmate-boats.com)
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A good question to ask is what kind of boating are you going to be doing? If you’re talking Great Lakes, ocean or any of the really large and popular inland lakes, twins can be a nice “insurance policy” to get back to shore in the event that one suffers something that requires it be shut down….or or big enough it shuts itself down for you….usually with a lot of bad noises.

however, if most of your time is spent on smaller to mid-size inland lakes where you’d be able to get a friendly tow without too much trouble, I’d save the extra cost of repairs and maintenance on twins and opt for a single.

As for how “juiced up” you want the engine(s), that’s another consideration. Maintaining a Whipple
charged motor requires a bit more cost than your standard 454/502/496. So keep that in mind with your maintenance costs versus how fast do you really need to go.

i had a ‘94 Sunsation ‘32 with twin 7.4/330’s. Topped out around 70. Can count the number of times I had it up there on one hand. Most of the time was
spent cruising at 45-50mph both for gas and the fact that making a boat fly actually hurts! Lol. Not to take away from the speed demons in the least. If you can take the pounding rock on. Lol. Just depends on what you I tend to do with it.

Great Lakes towing insurance with TowBoatUS is only $50 a year. My 22' Donzi spends lots of time on lakes Huon, Erie, St. Clair and Michigan(twice). I have had to get towed in twice over the years though. Oh and it goes 85 and cruises at 70 if conditions permit...

hahaha