Looking at upgrading boat

[wheelieos]

Hey so I have a 1980 predictor and I just need more room now then the boat has to offer. So I'm looking at all models of checkmates for the last couple years and thought the 25ft convinsor would be the best one for me. I'm still trying to stay in budget of around 10-15K so I'm going to start my search sometime this summer or over this next winter. So with that being said is there anything I need to look for in the convinsors when I go look at them. Anything that always brakes or rots out. What are the ins and outs of this boat. What could I expect to find for 10-15K. Thanks everybody I'm sure I'll get some good advise here

 

[corey331]

I stole my 98 253 for $13,000. It doesn't have big power (310hp 454) but the interior is in excellent condition. I got it so cheap because it had some exterior flaws. Basically the previous owners were extremely lazy and never wanted to clean or buff the boat. Instead of buffing they wiped the boat down with some S#@t called Poli-Glo. Bad thing about it was, in their infinite laziness, they didn't even clean the boat before they did it. So dirt was sealed in underneath the stuff. But, with a few cans of Poli-Glo stripper and a couple weekends of elbow grease, I got it all off and buffed the boat back to a great shine. Now all I have to do is have a few imperfections in the gel repaired and she will look great again and I will still come in way under what I see other boats in good condition go for.

Now you might want to consider an older 251. Personally, I love the old school style of the boats and there are some really nice ones out there in your price range. I know Ross's old 251 is for sale for $15,995 I believe and its super nice, has a lot of nice parts on it and great power (zz502).

I don't think you will go wrong with either a 251 or 253. I just think for your price range, expect to have to put some time and work into a 253 like I did. But it is kind of rewarding to see peoples reaction who saw the boat when I got it and then see it now.

 

[merc245]

I don't know the ins or outs yet, but I'll tell you to be patient and stay at your hi end. You can find some nice buys in the 15-17 grand price range and you can also find a ton of crap out there for 10 grand. Why buy other peoples troubles when, if your patient you can solve someone's proplem (i.e. I need to sell this boat).
Use the blue book values as a guide, their prices are usually lower then then the sellers dream price, use that to your advantage. Information is power too, Heres my story; at the end of April I purchased a lightly used 2000 24 ZT 454 MPI 385 hp 148 hrs in near pristine condition for 16,500. List price was only 17,000 and I knew I was going to buy it. But I still threw 15,000 as my first offer.
All this happened while I was waiting for a 99 convincor with near a 400 hr 385 hp priced at 25,000 to be pulled out of storage. It blue booked at 19,500 so my offer would not of went over 20,000. But in the end someone overpaid and bought it for 23,000.

One other thing is keep an eye on and study: SCT"s LISTINGS THERAD! I was able to call on my boat 4 hrs after it was listed over on criegs list due to SCT's thread.

Here's one at a good starting price with very lower hours (properly a 330 hp)
Might be able to get for 15 or 16 grand

http://rochester.craigslist.org/boa/5040768392.html

I have agree with Corey, I think we're telling you both the same thing. The money I saved low balling the priced I invested in new rims for trailer, put a couple coats of wax on the trailer brought the color right back, waiting on some factory replacement stickers and it will look like a new boat and trailer going down the road soon'

 

[linn]

http://rmn.craigslist.org/boa/5043106723.html

 

[wheelieos]

What the difference between the 251 and the 253 convincers and thank you for all the info. Also how do they ride and do they have ok power.

 

[SCT]

Here's one close to you.

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/boa/5044746894.html

 

[wheelieos]

Wow thanks

 

[corey331]

What the difference between the 251 and the 253 convincers and thank you for all the info. Also how do they ride and do they have ok power.

The 251 has a narrower beam than the 253, so the 253 has a little more interior room. From what I hear the 251 is a little better in rough water, but the 253 will run a little faster with the same power especially if you find one with a notched transom.