Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

10 for the 24 BRX.

Not that I would ever do 10.

The 21' is rated for 9.

Beam is 8' 3" or 8' 6". My Scarab is an 8' beam.

Weight is 2500 to 2800 depending on equipment.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

So you can only get a Merc on it?

 

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

You can have any engine you want, as long as it's a Merc. Rated for unlimited HP.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

You can have any engine you want, as long as it's a Merc.

Is that a dealer thing? The only reason I ask is that if you take a look a the Checkmate website...the main picture on the 2400 BRX page has an Evinrude on it. Of course they only list Mercury's in the engine options list. Maybe the picture was from before a deal was made with Mercury or something.

Regarding fit/finish...I'm glad you couldn't find major faults. I sort of had a sense that the boat I saw early this year was an early production boat that had been making the rounds at boat shows. However, I figured the boat had been on the market long enough that they had probably worked through all the details of starting production. I was really surprised how many things seemed sort of cobbled on it. If you couldn't find any significant things, I would guess things have improved.

 

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

I am NOT a buyer's fever kind of person. I am a skeptic, critic and it takes a lot to impress me. The fit and finish are exceptional. Gel coat is all you can see. Rigging is as clean as it can come.

Here are the engine options; maybe the 'rude is the base motor, but only Mercs are the optional engines:

Engine Options
? Mercury 250 Pro XS Optimax
(includes hydraulic steering)
? Mercury 300 XS Optimax
(includes hydraulic steering)
? Mercury 300 Verado
(includes hydraulic steering)

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

Well just don't get too upset when you get smoked by the 425HP+ Nordic running by you. The checkmate does look a little better in your pics than it did in the stock photos.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

Weight is 2500 to 2800 depending on equipment.

Seems awfully light for a 24', that must be W/O the OB?

My stingray is around that range and it is all over the place.

Are you really set on the OB? I think for that category and what is available in my area I'd be looking for a 24' Formula Sun Sport or a Baja Islander 24.

 

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

Well just don't get too upset when you get smoked by the 425HP+ Nordic running by you. The checkmate does look a little better in your pics than it did in the stock photos.

As long as you can crack 72-74 MPH, which is the top speed specs on the 300XS. The Verado 300 runs 68-ish.

Hey, I had to look at it to figure out what their deeper V bow rider looks like, and how roomy it is. Still on the fence. This is why I start thinking about boats now... 'cause it'll take months to sort it all out in my head.

 

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

Seems awfully light for a 24', that must be W/O the OB?

My stingray is around that range and it is all over the place.

Are you really set on the OB? I think for that category and what is available in my area I'd be looking for a 24' Formula Sun Sport or a Baja Islander 24.

Those weight numbers are with engines. The lowest number is 2300 for smallest/lightest engine and the highest two are for the XS and the heavier Verado engine is the 2800 lber.

 

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

Well just don't get too upset when you get smoked by the 425HP+ Nordic running by you. The checkmate does look a little better in your pics than it did in the stock photos.

Oh... one more thing -- haha -- is that I had the Scarab tuned to run 68-70, but it was much more fussy. Higher idle, richer at start up, just generally more fussy.... so she's actually tuned down a bit now to somewhere between 425 (a base HO 502) and the 475 HP dyno number with all-out aggressive EFI settings.

If I cruise in the lower 50's... no one passes me. To execute a good pass in my waters, you have to cross a wake and punch it, so it's fairly aggressive and you need a 65 MPH boat... but then I could bust your chops and lean on it and if I am running at 65, and you want to pass me, you need a 70-75 boat, some room and some nerves.

I'm not a racer, though. I like to have it on hand, but I really like a high cruising speed. I don't like to be bothered by hot rodders. My boat makes me happy because it's turn-key. She is 100% high-end parts, balanced and blue printed with EFI tuning custom, just for her, for the very conditions in this area, by EFI certified guys. That's where the power comes from, not from any aggressive cams or fat headers. Don't need it.

Trust me... I am more of an iboats guy than a speedwake or other high-performance forum guy. I like having a cool boat, but I've got a wife and four kids. We've got a 17' Alumacraft with 40 HP Merc for fishing and crabbing. I like a high cruising speed, lunch on the water and watching my kids swim and tube. I need to see my wife on the open bow now.

The Scarab running: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpvM3c3dNa8

 

[QC]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

As long as you can crack 72-74 MPH, which is the top speed specs on the 300XS. The Verado 300 runs 68-ish.

I would not believe either of those numbers until I saw it on GPS myself, while actually in the boat. I don't believe the weight numbers either. Specsheet data is notoriously bogus in the marine pleasurecraft world.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

I was worried about the rough-water capabilities myself. But... She has 24 degree of deadrise and is a fairly deep V. She's not the classic lake skimmer Checkmate bottom. I mean, I am not sure of what she can do, but I intend to find out.

FYI, the Checkmate web site at http://www.checkmatepowerboats.net/Checkmate-Power-Boats-Pulsare-2400brx.html shows 22 degrees of deadrise; a significant difference from 24 degrees and a harder ride (but faster).

 

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

I would not believe either of those numbers until I saw it on GPS myself, while actually in the boat. I don't believe the weight numbers either. Specsheet data is notoriously bogus in the marine pleasurecraft world.

Ok, I will skip the videos then!

 

[Sprky]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

I would not believe either of those numbers until I saw it on GPS myself, while actually in the boat. I don't believe the weight numbers either. Specsheet data is notoriously bogus in the marine pleasurecraft world.

I would believe those numbers before I would believe some 425hp nordic will drive around that boat.

You car motor guys get your feelings hurt so easily!

 

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

QC either cares about me (Don't want Phil missing his I/O) or he takes offense that someone would bail on the I/O crowd.

He could scrape out 70 with his ride, 'cause it checks in at a wee 3900 lbs. I kid! I kid! We don't know what it weighs because we never weighed it... in person.

Again, I kid, I kid! Guy good that QA is. Love and peace to all mods.

 

[QC]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

1) I'm not a car guy
2) I'm a heavy-duty diesel guy, none of this wussy arse Dodge Cummins carp
3) I didn't comment on the 425
4) I do care about ole Phil
5) Horsepower is horsepower unless they write the number down wrong
6) 20 ft. Bass boats run those speeds, but usually not 24 ft. 22 degree bowriders.
7) I LOVE OBs, but I/Os are better family boats IMHO
8) I do care about young Phil
9) His "solid feel" comments tell me he likes a heavier, low CG boat
10) I like when Sprky messes with me
11) I like when Phil messes with me
12) Phil will miss the sound of thru transom V8 power
13) I want the 2400 BRX too
14) My wife would hate it

 

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

I am having fun with this thread. Heck, it's gonna be 40 tonight and my boat just got winterized! Talking boats is all good right now.

QC, I know you want to be on board for the test to believe it, but take this! From Powerboat mag... just the intro paragraphs.

 

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

And this:





I am not totally off the I/O kick. Still debating all options.

 

[QC]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

Very impressive, and the math seems to stack up with a 1.75 gear ratio. Anywhere that confirms which gear they ran?

 

[sasto]

Re: Talk me out of... err, umm... or into this boat purchase...?

This transaction of buying is cool.......but.....consider this!

Black Thunder with 502 Bulldogs. 74mph tops. My partner and I were a rep and had one on our hands to sell.....couldn't sell it, the banker took.....nevermind!