1989 Checkmate 16' Bowrider

[Hoserpoppasmurf]

So been a while since I've needed advice from those that know better. We sold our bigger new boat as we are aging so I need to do some fishing and need a cheap stable platform. So I've found this 1989 Checkmate that has a soft floor under driver's seat-no doubt it is worse than owner has stated. I travel to view it tomorrow. Will probably be looking at the whole ball of wax- ie stringers, floor etc or is there outside possibility of just doing floor or does anybody have knowledge of Checkmate construction technique. Any info is appreciated before I do a 6 hr round trip.

 

[tpenfield]

I would plan on soup-to-nuts restoration. I've seen some pictures of Checkmate's that have become rotten, and it seems that there was a lot of wood and not well isolated/glassed. So, the rot was not well isolated either

Depending on how bad things look first hand, you may want to get the boat for a song plus a happy greeting and a hearty hand-shake.

If you do restore, they are nice looking boats though :thumb:

 

[Scott Danforth]

hope you love the boat. your looking at $2k for the interior restoration and about $2-3k for the hull restoration.

 

[Buckischloo]

Checkmates are nice looking boats but not the best made. I have three from the 70's waiting to be fixed, they did not even attempt to glass in the stringers. You may be better off looking for a nice tinny for fishing.