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ZT240 Ocean Worthiness?

O

Off Road Warrior

New member
I looked at a ZT240 at the Boston boat show Sunday. What intrigued me was its 24 degree deadrise and bolster seating in a boat that appeared to be very portable. I was wondering if anyone could give some input on how it would handle the common 3-4 ft seas I encounter? Larger seas? Could K-planes be an option? Should I consider the larger ZT260 (which is actually 24’ where the 240 is 22’ minus the swim platform)?

Should also mention that I am not looking for the ability to keep up with offshore race boats but merely expand the area I can travel within. Presently I have a 17’ Boston Whaler, very seaworthy but capped at 25-30mph in 3’ seas and slowed to a crawl in 5-6’. I’d like to be able to travel 100mi camp out and feel comfortable I can return if the weather takes an unpredicted change.

Sorry to babble on, this is my first post as an inexperienced newb!

-Steve
 
Deadrise is the key word. There aren't too many true 24' boats that like 4' seas. Buy as big of a boat as you can afford. However the 24' boat in 4' seas will feel like an ocean liner compared to the 17’ Boston. Checkmate doesn't build the best rough water boat on the market but they're far from the worst. Most of the rough boats are sleds. Donzi is a good rough water boat but not very fast (you need big HP to make go fast). They have a deep v hull but very little lifting strakes. Baja, on the other hand, will beat you to death.
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IF YOU FIND THE CHECKMATES TOO SMALL FOR THE SEAS YOU WANT TO CROSS, LOOK INTO THE ACTIVE THUNDER 25 OR 28. I USED TO BE THE FACTORY REP FOR ACTIVE THUNDER AND I CAN ATTEST THAT THE 25' ACTIVE THUNDER IS A GREAT ROUGH WATER BOAT AND WILL RUN OVER 75MPH WITH A 500HP. RUNS STRAIGHT, FLYS LEVEL, ROCK SOLID AND LOVES THE ROUGH STUFF.
 
Thanks for all the input. There is obviously a line between easily trailable and offshore performance. I'll have to make a run to the Mate dealer when things thaw out here and maybe take one for a trial.

I had been thinking about reconditioning an older Formula 242LS since they seem to be good heavy solid boats. Also thought about the Superboat and Pantera 24'. I love the no frills basic lines of those 2 boats, maybe in all white with no touch of color anywhere.
 
If you don't have to have new, I think that the FORMULA 242LS you mentioned would be good canidate.They have a nice deep hull,quality boat.
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Don't expect any help from Formula on parts or restoration help. A friend restored an old twin I/O Formula and they did'nt have anything he needed. CHECKMATE'S - gotta love em!
 
Go with the mate. Just be smart about the sea's you run in. Checkmate is the cady of boats. But I would not take the cady rock crawling
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Offroad: I think it was probably Paugus Bay you were speaking with at the Boston show. If so, I highly recommend them. Kevin is a straight shooter who will assist you well in after-sale service.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JY:
Offroad: I think it was probably Paugus Bay you were speaking with at the Boston show. If so, I highly recommend them. Kevin is a straight shooter who will assist you well in after-sale service. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah I talked with them. I plan to pay them a visit as they are only 45 minutes from me. They seem like they would be helpful and not like they would be doing me a favor selling me a boat as some of those dealers come off as.

In regards to the concept of updating an older Formula 242LS. My fear is putting more money into it then it is worth. Its easy to neglect stuff especially in salt water and power isn't cheap.

These should link to some pics of the boat that inspired me to want the Formula. I had always liked them since age 5 but this thing is a real firecracker. He runs around out by me on Cape Cod. Notice how it doesn't have bolsters and how low the seats are. Bolsters were an option but like was mentioned, getting formula parts on older boats is probably real hard.

http://www.boatshots.com/jaymiller2003/44-9251.jpg


http://www.boatshots.com/jaymiller2003/45-9251.jpg

http://www.boatshots.com/jaymiller2003/46-9251.jpg

http://www.boatshots.com/jaymiller2003/47-9251.jpg
 
Man can I relate to putting more $$$ into a boat than I will ever get out of it. Oh well live and learn. Have to finsih the rebuild now, its personal.
 
I don't have a partucular 242 in mind but have seen a few between 10-20k with the lower end being very well used and nicer ones at the higher end. All the boats I have seen have light to heavy oxidation. A quality paint job would be needed, big $$$. Sorry to be defacing this Chackmate forum with Formula talk!

Here is a Mate I saw. This may not be bad but I have had big trouble with older Johnson products and repowering I would guess should be in the $30k area. http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?s=3bb59b248e1a0d879ce0535aec43b4eb&threadid=28869
 
I have a Checkmate Stilleto(cuddy version) It's only a 19 deg. deadrise and I run out in the ocean. It gets a little bouncy sometimes but it's not that bad. I couldn't imagine the 24 or 26ZT being bad in the rough especially with the 24 deg. deadrise and more weight than mine. I would go for it. I love my checkmate. I used to have a 87 Formula 242LS. They are definatelt nice boats and handle really well in the rough. They are slower however. I had the 454 330hp and I ran around 50-55mph. My checkmate with a 454 runs 65-70mph but it is a little bouncier in the rough. Also carb. engine vs MPI.(fuel economy) Lots to consider I guess.
 
I'm new to the board and have had two new Checkmate's. The first was a 1989 21' Starflite that ended up with a 2.4 Bridgeport efi motor and now have a 2001 ZT240 with the 496HO 425HP. The ZT handles good in 1-2 foot chop but when you get over that put the trim tabs down and plow thru (glad I got that option). I'm now dealing on a new ZT280 so if someone is looking for a fast mate please let me know before I trade it in.
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Hey Just CHECKING, have any ads with pics posted on the boat? I was out your way last month to do some sledding up north, only a quick 15 hour drive from Worcester MA. Honestly, I wouldn't be looking to buy till May or so but that boat sounds like it would be a bunch of fun with that engine.

Also, on the lakes the waves are different then ocean (better and worse). In fresh water they tend to get closer together and taller. I got hooked on getting some performance after riding in a 28 Cigarette with about 1200HP on lake St Clair last summer. Not sure if I could handle the fuel bill on that beast
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Off Road Warrior, no I don't have any posted yet, but swing me your e-mail address and I will send you one. Mine is bhockett@tucker-usa.com if you don't want it on the board.
Just got the wife talked into a ZT280 with a 496HO and a Procharger. I hope everything will go through.
The ZT240 only has 88Hrs., I've changed the oil every 20Hrs and it has always been stored inside. Do not know what to ask yet but I will take an offer. Just upgraded the sound system with 2 amps, sub's and 4 6x9's (BAD *SS SOUND).
Anyone know how fast that 280 would run with that setup?

"I WAS JUST CHECKING"
 
With a procharger it will run upper 70's to you name it. Depends on the kit you go with and other mods. What HP will you have when done? 525HP? That will tell us the speed potential.
 
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