When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Checkmate ZT 244 2013 and the Checkmate ZT 260 2009 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Checkmate ZT 244 2013 at 24,2 ft versus Checkmate ZT 260 2009 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Checkmate ZT 244 2013 tips the scales at 375 lbs — 371 lbs more than the Checkmate ZT 260 2009 at 4 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Checkmate ZT 260 2009 tops out at 425 hp. Engine specs for the Checkmate ZT 244 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Checkmate ZT 260 2009 carries 75 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Checkmate ZT 244 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
The Checkmate ZT 244 2013 is rated for up to 7 people. Passenger data for the Checkmate ZT 260 2009 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Checkmate ZT 244 2013 and Checkmate ZT 260 2009 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.