Checkmate Vs. Baja question

[linn]

Here is how I've always explain Baja, they are the Mustang of the boating world. For the most part they look good, they sound good but, they're always slower HP vs HP with any other performance boat and EVERYONE HAS ONE.

To me they are the 03-04 Cobra of the boating world.

 

[Brianh]

Here is how I've always explain Baja, they are the Mustang of the boating world. For the most part they look good, they sound good but, they're always slower HP vs HP with any other performance boat and EVERYONE HAS ONE.

To me they are the 03-04 Cobra of the boating world.

That makes no sense at all comparing to an 03-04 cobra. They had crazy horsepower and were very very fast. Those cars were completely awesome and still are. Maybe compare it to a mustang fox body.

 

[linn]

That makes no sense at all comparing to an 03-04 cobra. They had crazy horsepower and were very very fast. Those cars were completely awesome and still are. Maybe compare it to a mustang fox body.

Makes perfect sense, an 03/04 Cobra needs to make 100 more HP than any other car to run next to it.

 

[RNGRDVE]

Maybe a better comparison would be comparing Baja to 03-04 Mustang GT and Checkmate to 03-04 Cobra. both are similar in style, appearance and handling but one does exceed the other in all categories.

 

[fast94persuader]

All I can say is spring better get here quick. In the mean time

 

[karzrus]

Doug Smith created Baha, enough said.

 

[cooperider]

Doug Smith created Baha, enough said.

Actually he bought it from the original founders, but then I'm just nit picking.

 

[Kurtster]

A persons boat can be as nice as you want/can make it.

Ya I sometimes get a little caught up with the anti Baja talk in the forum, but only because it's kinda fun banter between a couple of competing performance boat groups.
However the {opinion alert} comparison between the two boats shouldn't really include if you like the CEO's of the companies or not, --- it should be more about the boat itself.

Hey, I'm not a big fan of the current CEO of GM but I sure would like to have a new Corvette.

OK, back to Checkmate vs Baja...
I think comparing these two performance boats and trying to come to an absolute determination as to one being definitively better than the other is really unfair.
Liking one of these boats over the other is much different than determining which is a better vessel.
To me it's more about taste for these two manufacturers.... it's kinda like being at a classic car show and looking at '67 Camaros and '66 GT Stangs and '69 Cudas ---- The nicest ones at the show are the one cared for and displayed best by the owners.
As far a brand new --- it's still a matter of taste, Baja does actually build a fun and decent affordable performance boat, and if you personally like the colors and shapes and rigging of the Baja then that FOR YOU is a better boat.
Being faster does not always equate to better {unless your a pro racer}.
Look, one of my very close friends {and he happens to be one of the best boat mechanics in Mass} owns a Baja 24 sport with a slightly built 454 mag, actually a very nice looking boat with red graphics over yellow gel.
We have run against each other quite a few times and yes he does have a faster boat than my 350 mag Checkmate --- his boat handles better and is faster than mine --- HOWEVER, every time we pull into dock at the same time {I repeat --everytime}, people always show much more interest in my Checkmate than his Baja, even after he tells everyone his boat is faster.
He never tells me his Baja is a better boat than my Checkmate, he simply says he likes his Baja more than my Checkmate, and I respect that.
Moral of the story {not that my moral compass points in the right direction all the time}, but the moral is.....
Your boat is as nice as you want it to be "for you" ---- but ya gotta respect other peoples taste.
Well that's my rant for the day
Time to go out in my workshop and do some drive work

 

[Jetmate]

Brian's boat, is now built by Checkmate, hand made. Probably a lot lighter, stronger, and faster. That's the difference.

 

[jln]

here is some info from a few years back. http://checkmate-boats.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7800&page=2 post 16 and 17 say it all from the guys that know . I do like and have always liked the Outlaw series the 33 ft is a great boat

 

[karzrus]

Brian's boat, is now built by Checkmate, hand made. Probably a lot lighter, stronger, and faster. That's the difference.

However the {opinion alert} comparison between the two boats shouldn't really include if you like the CEO's of the companies or not, --- it should be more about the boat itself.

Actually he bought it from the original founders, but then I'm just nit picking.

He had every opportunity along the way to improve the quality of Baha's build and rigging, but chose to keep it cheap.
Look what Joe is doing with Checkmates wiring as an example, it was not up to his standards, so changes are made for the better. I don't have more info but I bet there have been some other improvements and maybe more to come under the current ownership.

I'm having fun with this and my first comment was partly in fun and maybe kicking him while he is down?( I'll let my comments stand and you can decide if I'm a jerk) but the boat is a reflection of owner of the company especially with how long Doug was involved at Baha.

 

[cooperider]

A persons boat can be as nice as you want/can make it.

Ya I sometimes get a little caught up with the anti Baja talk in the forum, but only because it's kinda fun banter between a couple of competing performance boat groups.
However the {opinion alert} comparison between the two boats shouldn't really include if you like the CEO's of the companies or not, --- it should be more about the boat itself.

Hey, I'm not a big fan of the current CEO of GM but I sure would like to have a new Corvette.

OK, back to Checkmate vs Baja...
I think comparing these two performance boats and trying to come to an absolute determination as to one being definitively better than the other is really unfair.
Liking one of these boats over the other is much different than determining which is a better vessel.
To me it's more about taste for these two manufacturers.... it's kinda like being at a classic car show and looking at '67 Camaros and '66 GT Stangs and '69 Cudas ---- The nicest ones at the show are the one cared for and displayed best by the owners.
As far a brand new --- it's still a matter of taste, Baja does actually build a fun and decent affordable performance boat, and if you personally like the colors and shapes and rigging of the Baja then that FOR YOU is a better boat.
Being faster does not always equate to better {unless your a pro racer}.
Look, one of my very close friends {and he happens to be one of the best boat mechanics in Mass} owns a Baja 24 sport with a slightly built 454 mag, actually a very nice looking boat with red graphics over yellow gel.
We have run against each other quite a few times and yes he does have a faster boat than my 350 mag Checkmate --- his boat handles better and is faster than mine --- HOWEVER, every time we pull into dock at the same time {I repeat --everytime}, people always show much more interest in my Checkmate than his Baja, even after he tells everyone his boat is faster.
He never tells me his Baja is a better boat than my Checkmate, he simply says he likes his Baja more than my Checkmate, and I respect that.
Moral of the story {not that my moral compass points in the right direction all the time}, but the moral is.....
Your boat is as nice as you want it to be "for you" ---- but ya gotta respect other peoples taste.
Well that's my rant for the day
Time to go out in my workshop and do some drive work

Those Baja 24 Sports were decent boats, and very popular used. I know where one with an outboard bracket is that I might like to snag sometime. The guy owns a glass shop and its custom painted. And its cheap, real cheap.

 

[Brianh]

Brian's boat, is now built by Checkmate, hand made. Probably a lot lighter, stronger, and faster. That's the difference.

It's gonna be a little faster this season, I do know that.

 

[SCT]

This Checkmate owner knows how to give the Baja salute (2nd picture)! BOTM?

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/4361389560.html

 

[fast94persuader]

Baha sucks. How bout that

 

[cooperider]

You do know that Baha is a completely different company than Baja right? Doug had nothing to do with Baha.

Sorry guys, nit picking again. I'll go back to bed now, the dogs want in anyway.

 

[Kurtster]

This Checkmate owner knows how to give the Baja salute (2nd picture)! BOTM?

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/4361389560.html

Up here in NewEngland that's what we call the "Welcome to Massachusetts" wave

 

[cooperider]

Up here in NewEngland that's what we call the "Welcome to Massachusetts" wave

I get that wave a lot when I'm up there on the Turnpike, or I-495.

 

[karzrus]

You do know that Baha is a completely different company than Baja right? Doug had nothing to do with Baha.

Sorry guys, nit picking again. I'll go back to bed now, the dogs want in anyway.

I spell Baja as Baha on purpose because I think their stuff is a joke and I like the play on words. We don't talk Bayliner on here much or I'd be mis-spelling that one too. Chopper gun boats make me ill.

 

[keith4216]