Stiffer Hull - No Flexing - Ask FLB about the center windshield falling thru on BabyBlue when he hit some rought stuff.

I missed that thread before I bought babyblue.

I thought the choice of the two bow cockpit entrances from the main cockpit was fairly unique for a bow rider.

I should have elaborated on my earlier comment. "Chincy" did come to mind when I briefly looked over the boat, but I should have put it into the context of what the boat is designed for, speed and performance. I didnt examine anything further than the look and feel of the interior and layout.

My comment was through the eyes of someone who has nothing to compare the Checkmate with except for boats that are on the plush side of the spectrum with all of the creature comforts. In comparison, the Checkmate is fairly plain. Actually, "plain" would be more accurate than chincy. Otherwise, I thought it was a cool looking boat.

It was very fast,, We ran the boat on Greenwood Lake and put in on the NJ side.. With the better of the 3 small blocks an 2 on board it ran in the low 60's,,, big block and new let run in the 70's,, I saw 74,, but others said they had her doing better than 77.. With the 35 gallon fuel tank in the nose and big block added it started to get very close to water over the sides.. The boat offered no place to lounge around,, we went skiing and cruised very fast,, stopped for more fuel,, went fast again.. At one time,, back then it was the fastest boat on that lake...

I have say that this was 1980 and we were useing the factory speedo,, I don't know what a GPS would have shown..

The big block install did push the engine foward 3-4 inches,, the mounts to hull had to modified and made larger.. there was a 2 inch bulkhead where the back of rear seat rested.. This had to be cut and a hole in engine hatch was added so the carb would clear with a flame arrestor... after a while a hood scoop was added but that was something the next owner did...

I thought of "chincy" when I saw this boat at the show a couple of years ago. Not sure what brand, it's a pickle-fork bowrider, very cool looking, pretty spendy, but I was amused at how "plain" the helm area was. Those gauges are the Faria plain ol' white/black, and while they're ok gauges, they're the absolute cheapest gauges anyone can buy (4 years ago I could get a 7-gauge set wholesale for $105). I just thought "that much boat" should have a more "aircraft" like helm...

I loved Checkmates in the '80s, but when I saw one at the boat show a couple years ago I didn't think the fit and finish was very good. Still very cool boats, but carpet and seating just wasn't tightly finished. That was two years ago though, so maybe there quailty control is better now. They remind me of the Sidewinder we had way back then.

Checkmate was sold around 1 years ago to the original owner of Baja, Doug Smith - who's 1st built Bajas were actually made from old Checkmate plugs. Yes there is a push for upgraded interiors and more panosh (sp?) in the newer models. A little more " look at me " in the graphics too.

2009 26 I/O



24 OB - 300HP Merc - 51k on Ebay now



23 IO - BR



27 I/O

Thanks for the info - I did not know that.