Has anyone been in both boats. I have the 87 Baja 240 now its all redone and looks great.(Engine work, new bravo, custom windscreen, repainted with custom colors, Gafrig gauges and throttle, Candy color tubular swim platform, etc). But I have a chance to get a Checkmate with a new 502 F.I. crate engine, he has the receit for over $22,000 for the engine and drive. The checkmate is clean but dated looking. Its a 89 25 foot. It would need paint and interior to look modern( all though the boat is very-very clean). I can steal this boat, my friend just wants out. I did all the work (except the custom interior) including the paint on the baja so the labor would be free. So my question is which boat is a faster haul, which boat is better in the rough stuff. I really want a 28 Pantera project but my blue colar job would cut it. Thanks in advance.

Russ

I dont think its a big difference, and if you already have yours fixed up the way you like, I would keep it till you can do the 28 pantera. that would be a move worth making

Wait....

Lets see some pics. of your boat

I had a 1989 Baja 250 Sport with a 365 HP Mag and a buddy had a Checkmate 25 with the same power. I could walk away from his Checkmate every time. Dave

Why would you trade up from a 87 baja to an 89 checkmate for one foot and a few more ponies ?? Totally not worth it..

Dont really see enough of a difference to justify the change and added costs.. If you are happy with your boat as is, keep and save the money to put towards the Pantera.. Or, buy the Checkmate, freshen it up and resale if you can make a profit on it over the initial cost and cost to freshen it up.

the Check is a way faster hull, the 251 with a 502 should run 70+ no problem its a little narrower and alot lighter than the Baja.

Go with the Checkmate. The Baja looks like a shoebox.

I would love to wait for the Pantera! But with my walit I don't think that will ever happen.( whats the cheapest used bare 28 pantera haul that you guys saw for sale?) I like to customize things and bring them back from the dead. I do look at the overall value of the boat fixed up and wont spend more than that on the project. But of course my labor will be free. With the formal owner buying the engine, the biggest expence and me doing the paint and graphics the 2nd biggest expence I can make the Checkmate very trick for a resonable price. I dont mind the extra work and would like a new project but in the end it has to be a faster better handling boat. So the question now is is a tricked out old school Baja 240 better or worse than a tricked out old school 25 Checkmate?

Russ