1995 235 persuader test drive....wtf. :(

[soldsoul4foos]

Ok, I must report. I tried out the 95 235 persuader today. It ran great, it sounded great, it looked great, but boy it was a scarry freakin' ride. Two things maybe contributing to this, but still. No trim tabs, and it had a 5 blad prop on it. It just did not feel safe. Seemed like it wanted to walk all over the water and felt like the steering was loose.

Now, my experience with bigger faster boats is VERY limitted, that's why i brought my friend who's a mechanic and has a 33' scarab with twin 7.4's for reassurance. His words were....'this is scarriest boat i've been in over 60mph'. That said, I did not make the purchase.

Can anyone shed any light on why it felt so weird possibly? I just didn't want to purchase somehting and then try and make it feel like i wanted it too. Who knows, maybe that wasn't possible. would love some opinions. Thanks.

 

[Chris E]

did you guys check the gimble ring? sounds like it was loose - that boat should behave itself over 60 i haven't driven a checkmate yet that didn't

 

[soldsoul4foos]

gimble ring.

No. Can that be easily checked?

 

[onthehammer]

Easiest way to check it is to grab the outdrive and move it back and forth. If there is a lot of play it may just need tightening or possibly replaced. Most people tend to overtrim checkmates which is hard on the gimble among other things. If that is the problem with the boat I would have the people selling it fix it and retest the boat. By the way, which 5 blade is on that boat????

 

[mate229]

The gimble ring has to much play in it. With it being loose, it will make the boat feel scary. When slowing down, does the boat pitch or turn to one side sharply??

My 229 is stable up to 65-68, after that it would start to chine a little, but you could drive through it.I'm running a worked 23 Mirage plus. It's really never felt unsafe. You just need to be aware of the water conditions your in.

With any boat, you need to respect the speed.

 

[soldsoul4foos]

gimble...

"With it being loose, it will make the boat feel scary. When slowing down, does the boat pitch or turn to one side sharply??"

Yes. That would probably be a very good description of how we felt. I'll pass it on to the owner and let him do what he'd like.

Thanks fellas, you've probably hit the nail on the head.

Regards,
Bill w.

 

[JUPITER PULSARE]

First of all, your buddy with the 33 Scarab would have no bearing to judge from. His boat, from it's pure length and weight, will feel alot more stable at speed and more controlled in rough water. The 5 blade prop, probably a Merc Hi-five, is not a top end prop. It built for pulling skis, tubes, wakeboards, etc. Lots of bottom end grunt but could cause handling issues at higher speeds. You just may not be comfortable with a boat that small. Retest the boat with a Tempest plus or Trophy prop and go with someone who has experience driving 20-23' performance boats. You may be surprised. Also, if the boat was trimmed up for top end speed, it will dance a bit. Tuck the drive down, settle the bow down and try again.

 

[persuader22]

the gimble ring can be pretty expensive, i ran into that this summer. every time i hit any wake or wave the boat would vere off where ever it wanted to go. after a closer look, we figured out i had about 10 inchs of play on the outdrive before the steering wheel would move. im talkin a very scary ride indeed. any way i work at a tool and die shop... so i took the gimble ring in and machined the square pocket back to sqaure again, then welded the steel square bushing, and ground that to fit tight back in the ring. it was like getting a whole new boat for me. it handles like a dream now, BUT THOSE HULLS HANDLE KIND OF BAD NO MATTER WHAT.

 

[SCT]

SS4Foos,
I think the boat you test drove must have had rigging problems like other guys have posted. I've been in a 235' (compliments of Kunkels) that ran high 90s. The ride was like sitting on your living room couch. The P235' are solid boats.

 

[soldsoul4foos]

yup. i agree with most here on this subject

Ok,

First, I wasn't try to imply my buddy is qualified because he owns a big scarab. I had confidence in his opinion because he has owned a number of high speed boats from 19' to his now 33'.

I'm pretty sure the problem probably is the gimble ring from what everyone has described.

And about the Hull a bit odd from persuader22. I talked to a 'local legend' around here who builds and races boats. He pretty much said the same thing about that checkmate. Poor hull design in general.

Anyway, I'm going to pass on this one and keep looking. My impression from the owner was that he was motivated to sell it, but I don't think he had any interest in doing anything about it. He'll probably find someone who maybe won't test drive it or won't notice anything strange and just sell it to them.

One other thing that bothered me about the owner. When we took off, I don't think he was aware that keeping the trim completely up while motoring out of the marina IS NOT A GOOD THING. So I really don't know what to think about how he may of taken care of it or if he knows anything about it what so ever.

anyway, I truely appreciate everyone's input. I used message boards alot for my various hobbies and I must say they are the best thing about the internet hands down.

Happy Boating everyone!
Bill W. -- Maine

 

[onthehammer]

Bill,

If you are looking to steal a boat I have a 240ZT that I will sell CHEAP! PM me if you are interested.

 

[Craig]

Ok,

First, I wasn't try to imply my buddy is qualified because he owns a big scarab. I had confidence in his opinion because he has owned a number of high speed boats from 19' to his now 33'.

I'm pretty sure the problem probably is the gimble ring from what everyone has described.

And about the Hull a bit odd from persuader22. I talked to a 'local legend' around here who builds and races boats. He pretty much said the same thing about that checkmate. Poor hull design in general.

Anyway, I'm going to pass on this one and keep looking. My impression from the owner was that he was motivated to sell it, but I don't think he had any interest in doing anything about it. He'll probably find someone who maybe won't test drive it or won't notice anything strange and just sell it to them.

One other thing that bothered me about the owner. When we took off, I don't think he was aware that keeping the trim completely up while motoring out of the marina IS NOT A GOOD THING. So I really don't know what to think about how he may of taken care of it or if he knows anything about it what so ever.

anyway, I truely appreciate everyone's input. I used message boards alot for my various hobbies and I must say they are the best thing about the internet hands down.

Happy Boating everyone!
Bill W. -- Maine

What, not a good hull design? Then I would not trust your “Local Legend”. Like SCT said, that hull is solid and fast. It is very easy to drive at high speed and can handle a lot of horsepower. It just isn’t a true statement to say the 235 is a bad hull design. Not knowing a whole lot about the new ZT230’s, I’d go as far as to say that the P235 is one of Checkmate’s best hulls in that range of length.

-Craig

 

[johnz85]

bad hull i dont agree

the persader232 is similiar in hull design as my old senator with a pad that runs damn near the length of the hull.If u trim to the moon its going to feel a little unstable cause your riding on12in by 3ft ski/pad at 70.It could also be gimbel .Take it out again but run it with a 23pitch 3 blade or 24p 4blade that should help.good luck

 

[Sugarray]

235 Persuader

Hey Craig,From what i've been reading on this thread,I'm assuming you are familiar with Checkmates.I posted a thread earlier this evening and need some info/feedback.Took the boat out on the Sacramento River,yesterday and was impressed with the ride and quick plane.454/Bravo1 w/24'-4blade prop. Thanks....Buy the way, i thought I was on Offshore Only's website,so excuse me with the assumption part!!!!! Help me out,BRO!!!!!!!!!