Greetings. First post. Looks like a great forum.
I have owned boats of various types for over 35 years, and been boating my entire life. I am considering trading my existing boat (23 foot Rinker) for a 250 SFX (with 300HP Verado), and have many questions. Maybe someone here can help.
The boat that I have in mind is a 5 hour drive; seems to be no checkmate dealers closer to me. Though I have studied the 250 SFX on paper, I have never actually seen or set foot on one. Is there anyone on the forum in the mid atlantic (Washington DC/Annapolis) area that has one (or a Baja 250 sportfish)? If so.....might you be willing to let me take a look at it?
In any event, if there are any of you with firsthand knowledge of a 250SFX, could you answer a few questions?
1) There appears to be a locker in the bow; is this set up to be an anchor locker?
2) The head/dressing room area looks in the photos to be quite small and cramped. Is it comparable to other 25' center consoles?
3) Is the cockpit self bailing (overboard, not into the bilge)?
4) Are the rod holders long enough to accomodate 9" rods?
5) Is the in-floor storage large enough to accomodate skis?
6) The boat that I am looking at comes with a jack plate. Do you know if this is standard equipment, and is it needed on this model?
6) The boat that I am looking at comes with the large lenco tabs which make it impossible to use a conventional boarding ladder. The dealer says that the boat comes with a "side mounted" boarding ladder, but I can't see it in the photos. Is there a standard checkmate ladder that he could be referring to?
7) Had anyone installed a ski pylon on a 250 SFX?
We have a long way to go before I decide whether to pull the trigger on this, but the 200 miles makes it tough to go kick the tires, or to get an appraisal on my trade. I will run all of these questions by the dealer (and I will assume that he reads this forum), but I also wanted to get some input from other owners, if there are any. I welcome any general comments that other owners have regarding the 250 SFX.
I am quite familiar with Checkmate (and Baja) boats and history, and the latest asset purchase by GMP, etc. The 250 SFX is of interest because (I think, and I am confirming) that it is rated to safely carry 10-12 passengers (1600 pounds worth?), it is a center console but with some performance and comfort that other center consoles give up in exchange for fishing prowess. I don't need a serious fishing machine, but I do want performance in flat and rough water. And I need an OB.
Your comments are welcome.
I have owned boats of various types for over 35 years, and been boating my entire life. I am considering trading my existing boat (23 foot Rinker) for a 250 SFX (with 300HP Verado), and have many questions. Maybe someone here can help.
The boat that I have in mind is a 5 hour drive; seems to be no checkmate dealers closer to me. Though I have studied the 250 SFX on paper, I have never actually seen or set foot on one. Is there anyone on the forum in the mid atlantic (Washington DC/Annapolis) area that has one (or a Baja 250 sportfish)? If so.....might you be willing to let me take a look at it?
In any event, if there are any of you with firsthand knowledge of a 250SFX, could you answer a few questions?
1) There appears to be a locker in the bow; is this set up to be an anchor locker?
2) The head/dressing room area looks in the photos to be quite small and cramped. Is it comparable to other 25' center consoles?
3) Is the cockpit self bailing (overboard, not into the bilge)?
4) Are the rod holders long enough to accomodate 9" rods?
5) Is the in-floor storage large enough to accomodate skis?
6) The boat that I am looking at comes with a jack plate. Do you know if this is standard equipment, and is it needed on this model?
6) The boat that I am looking at comes with the large lenco tabs which make it impossible to use a conventional boarding ladder. The dealer says that the boat comes with a "side mounted" boarding ladder, but I can't see it in the photos. Is there a standard checkmate ladder that he could be referring to?
7) Had anyone installed a ski pylon on a 250 SFX?
We have a long way to go before I decide whether to pull the trigger on this, but the 200 miles makes it tough to go kick the tires, or to get an appraisal on my trade. I will run all of these questions by the dealer (and I will assume that he reads this forum), but I also wanted to get some input from other owners, if there are any. I welcome any general comments that other owners have regarding the 250 SFX.
I am quite familiar with Checkmate (and Baja) boats and history, and the latest asset purchase by GMP, etc. The 250 SFX is of interest because (I think, and I am confirming) that it is rated to safely carry 10-12 passengers (1600 pounds worth?), it is a center console but with some performance and comfort that other center consoles give up in exchange for fishing prowess. I don't need a serious fishing machine, but I do want performance in flat and rough water. And I need an OB.
Your comments are welcome.
