Re: Looking at an '84 Checkmate
Try here for good insights from some very knowledgable check fans:
http://checkmate-boats.com/modules/Jig/index.php
Have to check for rot depending on which one it is, in general they're well built hand laid hulls, good basic fit and finish, solid and can be pretty fast given enough power. The little 17 foot checkmate river boat I use a LOT us great for that size range and would run almost 60 with a modern 4.3 / alpha in it. It would run about 50 -52 with the original 1988 4.3 in it (these are gps speeds...).
The rot I'm talking about is in the deck first any soft spots and you almost have to assume it's going to need a full floor, foam removal and stringers. If anyone has drilled into the inside hull it could also have rot in the core (it's probably an end grained balsa cored hull - very strong for the weight, just can't let any water get into it.
I had to do put a new floor, stringers and engine mounts in mine. It was a fair amount of work, but if you want a project they're built pretty well to start with. I bought it with the notion that I would probably overpower it at some point (I did), and so looked at brands with well constructed, solid hulls.
whether you buy it or not, good luck with looking! Cheers.
