19/21/23 ft. Which one?

[Hot H2O]

Looking at Checkmates and there are several to choose from. I boat on Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas. ???What will be the difference in the length of the boats (other than feet)...Do the longer ones tend to ride smoother? I realize it takes more HP to run fast....but what else...also what about open bow vs closed bow? also, never having boated on Salt water.....if I find a good clean boat thats been used in salt water......will there be a problem with that boat in fresh water.......I want a Checkmate because they look good, and they are fast, and they are a good quality boat......also when I was just a boy of 14.I saw my 1st Checkmate and the guy that had it also had a beautiful, "blue-printed" blond with him...........I guess both the boat and the girl made a major impact on me..... I am ready to "boil the water" on Greers Ferry this summer.......Thanks for any help you can give me......

[Hot H2O]

Looking at Checkmates and there are several to choose from. I boat on Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas. ???What will be the difference in the length of the boats (other than feet)...Do the longer ones tend to ride smoother? I realize it takes more HP to run fast....but what else...also what about open bow vs closed bow? also, never having boated on Salt water.....if I find a good clean boat thats been used in salt water......will there be a problem with that boat in fresh water.......I want a Checkmate because they look good, and they are fast, and they are a good quality boat......also when I was just a boy of 14.I saw my 1st Checkmate and the guy that had it also had a beautiful, "blue-printed" blond with him...........I guess both the boat and the girl made a major impact on me..... I am ready to "boil the water" on Greers Ferry this summer.......Thanks for any help you can give me......

[Bill]

One, stay away from salt water boats, they are bad news for the most part. Bigger does not always mean a better ride, you need to look at the dead rise, overall weight and weight distribution. A 21ft Pulsare will ride better than a 21ft persuader. Although the persuader is heavier, the pulsare has better weight distribution. Closed bow boats are a little faster than open bow, but if you want an open bow, you can have a bow cover made to better the aerodynamics. A deeper heavier boat will be generally slower than the lighter outboards, but this depends on the horsepower. Generally, you won't come across two mates that are alike, so judge each one differently, not just by model. If you have some specific boats in mind, that is a better place to start than by going into each and every thing they make.

[Eriktheviking]

The longer the better!I don't know how big Greers Lake is.If its large I'd go with a 21'-24'. A 19' on smaller lakes is fun. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif If you have a lot of friends/family I'd go with a bowrider.Checkmates are a narrow boat so sometimes you need all the room you can get.I prefer the V8's but theres a lot of hot outboards out there.Stay away from the saltwater boats if possible.Dam salt eats everything. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Z06]

My personal choice; Pulsare Bow Rider with something like a 225 Opti or ProMax, 250XS. The bow is better for your entire family but if you want speed, you can always get a bow cover...

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifZ06http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifCheckmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Bill]

Longer is NOT always better, need to look at the dead rise and weight distribution also.

[CHECKMATE ZEUS]

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif GOOD POST UP THERE BILL. IF HE'S LOOKING FOR USED, HE WONT HAVE MUCH CHOICE ANYWAY. I SAY GO FOR THE BEST DEAL AND IF IT NOT RIGHT THEN SELL AND GET A DIFFERENT ONE!

I am the one who knows all!

[Z06]

Its a little harder then just saying selling it and getting another one. It takes more time then you'd think... If you get the boat you want if you take your time, its alot better!

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifZ06http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifCheckmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Bill]

Thanks Zues, Almost all Mates ride great! If you buy used and do a little work to the boat and sell it in a year, you just might make some money. Dont be dumb like me though, WHen I bought the Diplomat I had, I paid 4 grand for it, sunk another 10 grand or so in it, and traded it for........ It will make someone a good little girl!

[Z06]

Again, I agree, I like the way most 'Mates ride. I also like they way they sit in the water. Beautiful is 1 word I can use... I have hundreds more... http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifZ06http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifCheckmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Eriktheviking]

Weight distribution definitly is a concern.I previously owned an 18' Starfire with a 350 Cobra drive and the 19 1/2'Senator with a 454 Merc.Both boats were fast but didn't ride all that well because there was too much weight in the rear. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/jpshakehead.gifThe 24'Enforcer I have now has enough weight up front to compensate for that big piece of iron in the rear. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Bill]

Taht is one reason I am going with the 6.2 in my 240ZT now instead of the 496mag ho, beacuse of the weight issue. I sacrifice hp now, but next witer a procharger will liven the small block up a bit.