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Checkmate vs Nordic vs Advantage

Blue Mist '97

Blue Mist '97

Active member
Now that my Persuader is for sale, I am shopping around for a MCOB boat. I had located two Convincor 270 BR’s that I was considering. However, at this time, I don’t see either one of those deals working out. One was a fairly nice boat, but it appeared that the owner didn’t care enough about it to take care of it and the second, the owner doesn’t really seem ready to sell yet even though it’s listed for sale (I can’t really blame them because it looks to be a creampuff, at least from the few pics I have seen).

I really want to stay with a Checkmate, but I can’t find one like I would want. Therefore, I have resorted to looking at other some other boats. So far, my favored two brands are Nordic and Advantage. I found a 2000 27 ft. Nordic Heat MCOB and a 2003 Advantage Victory 27 MCOB that I really like. Haven’t seen either of them in person yet, but the pics show them to look pretty nice.

Is there anyone here who has any personal knowledge of these brands? Most of what I have read on the web says they are both very good boats. They seem to both be quality boats. I would really like to get some opinions from someone who has had experience with these two brands.

The fly in the ointment is price. Seems these two brands are priced awfully high when compared to the age of the boat. Have been seeing 2000 – 2004’s priced from around $30K (which is not bad) all the way up to $50 - $55K plus for same boat, engine package, hours, etc.

Both are built in Lake Havasu, AZ, but I just don’t see a 12 - 15 year old boat selling for that much money (the $50K plus boats). What am I missing? Are these prices in line or am I just out of touch with reality and the used boat market?:confused:
 
I have a buddy that has an advantage MCOB boat, I haven't been on it personally but I know he loves it. As far as Nordic goes, they are very nice boats. I was looking at them before I bought my Convincor. You might want to message akaluger on here. He has a really cool smaller Nordic that he brought to the owners rally last year. Its a really sharp boat. Also RCenters just bought a Nordic that looks really nice, but I haven't seen it in person yet.

Another MCOB option is Sunsation. I know they make one in the 32foot boat, but I'm also pretty sure they make one in a 28 as well. They are also very very nice boats.

As far as price goes, my guess is quite a few of those high priced boats are ones that the owner doesn't really want to sell, but figures if he does, he is going to make some money on it.
 
I have friends that have both Nordics and Sunsations. both are great boats I personally like the Sunsation better. but you cannot go wrong with either.
 
A buddy has a Nordic mcob my only beef with it is how it is open under the helm to the cabin. It just seems unfinished or I don't know just wierd to get used to. It's the same on the passenger side. I love sunsations there are a few running around mo and a 288 mcob stepped hull with a 425 hp 496 kept up with my convincor. They run in the 70s stock.
 
Here is a good thread about MCOBs over on OSO.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...e-some-real-world-facts-mid-cabin-owners.html

I believe Eliminator makes and Eagle v-hull model as a MCOB as well. I always like Eliminators, top notch quality and they run.

Most of those West coast builders offer them because they are popular out there.

Sunsation does make a great boat as well. I wouldn't count them out.

I think one issue you will run into is unless you go with a West coast builder that has been making them for the past decade, most of the Johnny-come-lately's into the market will still be higher in price because the models only began producing a few years ago.
 
fast94persuader said:
A buddy has a Nordic mcob my only beef with it is how it is open under the helm to the cabin. It just seems unfinished or I don't know just wierd to get used to. It's the same on the passenger side. I love sunsations there are a few running around mo and a 288 mcob stepped hull with a 425 hp 496 kept up with my convincor. They run in the 70s stock.
Click to expand...

I agree. I thought it was odd that the cabin was open, as well. Not very private or shady, but I thought there were other amenities that would offset and I would probably get used to it. Have seen several boats with this open cabin look.

Advantage makes a 28 ft. Victory that has an offset mid cabin entry (port side) that I really like. Entry is like a baby circular staircase (two steps down and to the right into the cabin). Cabin is laid out nice, with the cabinets, storage, sink, blender (always wanted a blender), etc. all located on the rear bulkhead which makes the cabin feel larger.

The downside, to me, is that this boat is kinda heavy and may need more power to wake it up. Most of them that I have seen have a 500 or 525 for power. Also, it has 22* deadrise, which I think would be ok for me, since I run freshwater only. Probably does not ride as good in rough water as my Persuader.

The only reason I haven't looked any harder at the 28 is because I'm wasn't really digging the cockpit seating. Don't know whether I would like the front bolsters connected together in the center of the boat. You can walk around both sides of the bolster. Throttles are on drivers left side which is totally different than I am used to. I would have to see and get in one to determine if I would like it.

Here is a example listing that shows a couple of good pics of the cabin entry and layout.

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/30297

Dangit!!! Now I really hate that I went back and looked at the 28 again. My initial reaction was "No way, would that work for me" and totally discounted the boat. Now that I looked at the cockpit configuration again, it's starting to grow on me. The more I see it, the more I am liking it.
 
Gimme Fuel said:
Here is a good thread about MCOBs over on OSO.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...e-some-real-world-facts-mid-cabin-owners.html

I believe Eliminator makes and Eagle v-hull model as a MCOB as well. I always like Eliminators, top notch quality and they run.

Most of those West coast builders offer them because they are popular out there.

Sunsation does make a great boat as well. I wouldn't count them out.

I think one issue you will run into is unless you go with a West coast builder that has been making them for the past decade, most of the Johnny-come-lately's into the market will still be higher in price because the models only began producing a few years ago.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I just read it. Have looked at the Eagle also. Nice boat.

You are probably right on the late entries. I think Nordic has been around for a long time. Not sure about Advantage.

Here are the two that I am looking at, so far. Nordic is stashed away until spring comes to Utah, per the owner and he has two other guys who say they are all in. I guess I am 3rd on the list. Second is a 27 Advantage in AZ.

http://www.performanceboats.com/boats-sale/250225-2000-nordic-28-heat.html

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/28659

Guess I need to go back and review most of the boats again.
 
That Advantage 28 looks like an all around much bigger boat than their 27. That built in blender has to be the best cabin amenity I have ever seen! Advantage builds a beautiful and decent performing boat but I have never cared for their looks. It is the roundness and the high windscreen and low front deck that kill it for me. Same reason I I don't care for Velocity's which run awesome but I feel are fugly.

I personally would pick the Nordic because it still retains some nice offshore styling looks.
 
It's been awhile since I worked with anyone at Advantage or Nordic.
I was in purchasing at Magic/Sleekcraft and we all would have things each other needed.
From my point of view, I don't see anything good looking from Advantage and most of the people i dealt with were asshats. They thought their boats were made out of gold. Not saying they aren't any good but I wouldn't consider any of their boats.
Nordic makes all their stuff in house. They are very proud of that. I don't care for their pedestal seats or open cuddy. They also don't seem to "weather" very well out here but then again it gets frickin hot.
Everyone brings up Sunsation and I had a 25 Sunsation before they sold the mold and it was an awesome boat.
I had the oppurtunity to be with Powerboat magazine testing the 28 sunsation with Bob Teague and i love that boat.
My Checkmate is a 1997 and i bought it new and I see new boats out here that don't have the quality as my Check or hold up as well.
I don't even have a single stress crack anywhere.
I guess that's why I haven't considered a new boat, mine is awesome.
 
fast94persuader said:
Here is a really nice 270 br I'm sure it's been on here before but nice colors and really nicely equipped with the 600 sci/ Xr drive and hydraulic steering.

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/20932

Personally, this boat is bad A$$
Click to expand...

I did see this boat, but not sure I want that much motor. It's a great looking boat, but I don't really care for the black/red combo, but that's just me. The ad is two years old so who knows if the guy still has it.

And yes, It is a bad A$$ boat. If I could find a Check like I want in that condition, I would jump all over it.
 
Budman said:
It's been awhile since I worked with anyone at Advantage or Nordic.
I was in purchasing at Magic/Sleekcraft and we all would have things each other needed.
From my point of view, I don't see anything good looking from Advantage and most of the people i dealt with were asshats. They thought their boats were made out of gold. Not saying they aren't any good but I wouldn't consider any of their boats.
Nordic makes all their stuff in house. They are very proud of that. I don't care for their pedestal seats or open cuddy. They also don't seem to "weather" very well out here but then again it gets frickin hot.
Everyone brings up Sunsation and I had a 25 Sunsation before they sold the mold and it was an awesome boat.
I had the oppurtunity to be with Powerboat magazine testing the 28 sunsation with Bob Teague and i love that boat.
My Checkmate is a 1997 and i bought it new and I see new boats out here that don't have the quality as my Check or hold up as well.
I don't even have a single stress crack anywhere.
I guess that's why I haven't considered a new boat, mine is awesome.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your first opinion here. Your second one, not so much, but then I did ask for opinions. Anyway, I digress. It does seem that if the people at Advantage think their boats are made of gold, so do many of their customers. Mostly the same with Nordic owners and several other brands.

Since you worked for Magic/Sleekcraft, do you have any opinions on the Wizard, Sceptor or Heritage?
 
Sorry about that. I was trying to be funny. I just never cared for the side by side bolsters. I should have left it at that.
Sleekcraft was around forever. Changed a few owners over the years. I didn't care for their plexi windshields. They would haze and crack over time and not very sturdy. I would have them made and shipped out at $600 a pop everyday.
My friend has a 32 heritage mcob with twin 500 efi's. Decent boat with a ton of room. To be honest, I think my 253 Convincor rides better.
The 34 magic was ruined by a certain owner many years ago. The hull was too thin. He didn't last long with the company.
The Sceptor in it's early days was heavy. They tried to lighten it up and i could see daylight through the top mold. They made so many changes in the first couple years, some good some bad. It was kind of trial and error and the customer ended up with the errors.
I will say their upholstery was well done. You could always tell sitting in any of their boats how firm their seats were. They had a very high density foam. Even after many years you didn't get that squishy feel from old foam.
Not sure what the owner was thinking and he was making boats by the dozen. All customers had to do was pick a motor. Problem was when you're spending $100k, people wanted their own color scheme.
So Magic went under and the bank took all the bare hulls. I think someone here in Havasu bought the molds. I kind of work for the owner again and he had talk of bringing the biz back to life.
 
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