Info on a 1989 Convincer/502 Volvo Penta

[Surf Bum]

Hi all, new to the board. I am looking at purchasing a 1989 25' Convincer. It has been repowered in 2000 with a Volvo Penta 8.2L 502 motor rated as 415hp at the prop. Boat also has an Aquamatic Duoprop drive. The engine and drive have 30 hours on them. Boat came from the factory with the OMC King Cobra. Boat also has Leveler 12"x16" trim tabs(w/ dual Cylinders per tab),IMCO 4" SS thru hull exhaust,new bilge pump,bilge blower,power steering, and is fresh water cooled by a heat exchanger. Boat has been kept in the water during the season and stored inside during the winter. I looked the value up in the NADA guide and it comes up @$14,500. for an avarage value. The owner is asking $21,500 because of the newer engine and driveline. The boat is very clean, except the paint on the deck fades quickly after it's been waxed(looks good for about 1 week). I have always been an outboard guy, but it is time to step up from the 17' Vector. Any help and advice as to what I should look for will be greatly appreciated. Also what pros and cons do you guys know about this particular model Checkmate or motor/drive. I am selling the Hydrostream because the wife is tired of getting bounced around. How does a boat of this size handle compared to my little crotch rocket? I have gotten tired of having to look for every boat wake so I won't fly the Vector or blow over(bad, bad, bad). I'm sure the Checkmate will be much more stable and I appreciate any and all advice you guys can send my way. As an afterthought, what kind of top speed should I see with the convincer(probably not 85 like the Vector). Thanks in advance for the help, I have been reading this board for awhile and you guys are the best. Thanks

[Bill]

Welcome to the board. If this is the I boat I think, stay away. Is this the guy who said Merc would not give him customer service? The deck could be fixed if buffed out PROPERLY. OMC, BAD NEWS!

2003 ZT 240 6.2litre/Bravo 320 H.P. 25P Mirage Plus

[Surf Bum]

The original motor was an OMC. The boat is now powered by a Volvo/Penta(or am I clueless and Volvo/Penta and OMC are 1 and the same)? I am new to inboards but the guy told me that he could not get parts for the OMC and therefore went with the Volvo after Merc. would not give him customer servive. I'm REALLY confused now!?! HELP!

[JW]

The Convincor is a great hull, the Volvo motor with dual prop drive is a great setup, but the two don't go together. Checkmate is a go-fast boat, best teamed with a Mercury/Bravo drive. The Volvo/dual prop is a cruiser drive. Not going to give you top speed compared to the same engine with Bravo drive. If you want to go fast, you'll probably be disappointed in that drive. Get a professional near you to look VERY carefully at that package and get a few estimates of what the boat is worth. Be very careful

1995 Pulsare 2100BR/1995 Mercury Promax 225 2.5 EFI/ 1.87:1 Torquemaster/ RapidJack Heavy-Duty manual 10.5" setback/ 23" Tempest worked for ski duty

[Bill]

Sorry, typed OMC by mistake, they used to work together, I used to work with them, I would not recommend going with that set-up, mainly for what JW said, but also, you learn what companies to not use in boats when you have to work with them. The drive is not for a high perf boat, only family runabouts and cruisers. Merc is the way to go even though they are a pain in the a** to work with, but that aspect should be up tp the dealer.

2003 ZT 240 6.2litre/Bravo 320 H.P. 25P Mirage Plus

[Surf Bum]

Thanks for the input, I think I'll avoid this one. Still looking.http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Bill]

Surf Bum, If you have not done this yet, check out www.checkmatepowerboats.net (http://www.checkmatepowerboats.net) there is a 1989 251 GTX for sale. It is in Michigan, but only about 8 hours away from you. It is in your price range too. It is listed on the bulliten board.

2003 ZT 240 6.2litre/Bravo 320 H.P. 25P Mirage Plus