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Need some expert advices alpha's vs. single bravo

I

imoutdoorsy

New member
I need some help quick. I found a boat that is truly beautiful inside and out. I am unable to fault it. 88 Checkmate Convincor 251 with 454 with Gill headers. It is a bit hopped up, but no too much to be unreliable. resealed drive that looks like new. The other boat is a twin 350's with alpha drives (not thrilled) like the idea of twins and it is a 1987 four winns liberator. I like them both, but am leaning toward the checkmate. My dilemma is that I want to go fast and get some what good mileage. i was told the checkmate will run mid 60's. pretty sure the twin engine would too. They are both about 10k and I want to do something before the weekend. I really like the checkmate, but I think i want twins. What's the better call and forget that we are on a checkmate forum (he he). The water at the Lake of the ozarks vary. rough channel to glass Mile markers.

Thanks in advance.
 
Well, the convincor has 24* deadrise and the 4 winns has 22*, from what I've read... I've heard that LOTO is extremely rough on the weekends, so the mate gets my vote. :thumb:

I think twins sound cool and are great for certian situations- docking- but the maintnence x2 certianally doesn't appeal to me... I really don't think you could go wrong with the single/ bravo setup... I'd venture to say it would be more fuel efficent too.
 
thats a tough call. twins are my choice. but the check will be faster with little work. the liberators are heavy boats. i dont know what i would do. post pics.
 
you want the 'mate for sure.... given the choices.


ive always wanted a boat with twins and probably always will, but i dont think i would want the headaces of 2 engines, 2 drives...etc and im sure the fuel bill wouldn't be any better.. i bet with twins that four winns is pretty heavy, as said earlier
 
if (WHEN) you decide whichever one you buy needs to go faster, the single bravo check will be cheaper and easier to step up to big power. the drives in the libby are marginal (I like alpha drives, but in a heavy boat with much of any power, they're a consumable - I have a light boat with one and keep at least one spare).

to really upgrade the libby, you're talking two complete bravo installs, 2 exhaust systems, etc... and if you want bigblocks instead of smallblocks you're looking at major dollars for that.

On the other hand, the convincor is already set up with a strong drive and a big block. You can step way up for a good bit cheaper and less refitting than on the other boat...

Of course, i never leave anything alone - always can do better, go faster, etc... it's like a disease, but one I enjoy having.

I would make sure that neither has any structural issues, etc... and would probably have them both surveyed if i was waffling on the decision. just an opinion, probably worth what you paid for it...
 
I would go with a single engine in anything under 30 foot. Twin small blocks are a joke and a waste of time and money when 1 good BB can clean their clock.
 
I share the same sentiments with all of you. I like the idea of maintenance but the bravo and big block is what I am leaning toward. in fact that should probably mean more then the hull design. I appreciate the comments and I am thinking bravo for building on. Thanks
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my father had a 88 liberator when i was growing up, bought it off the neighbor when he moved. it was a 241 w/ twin omc 350;s. Big heavy boat...really wasnt great in the rough though and only ran about 58mph...cool boat for its day....kinda a turd these days....A single BB will be faster,way better fuel economy and less maintence.....i have a single BB boat and the fuel economy is amazing...40mph at 2800-2900 rpm on gps....it is nice having a extra engine when your far away from home though......
 
well I had/have both, bought a new liberator in 86 was a good boat, they are wider than the the 251 which I have now, handling, speed, overall performance the checkmate wins hands down, room, overnighting etc the lib wins, but I like the sinle big block set-up...service on the twins can be a pain...Rob
 
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