My little 14'5" Starfire

[Marc1]

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifDoes any one else out there have one these rare little rockets? It's hull is strong as a ox! I got this one in June of 2005 from Ebay and it was in pretty bad shape I worked on it all summer just to get it's "shine" back now that the summer is over I'm going to start trying to get this strong little lady faster then the 50 mph I was able to squeeze out of the Chrysler 105 she came with. I'm going to start with a SS prop and jack plate any suggestions would be greatly appreciated since most of the checkmates I've seen on this site showed much better performance numbers then any thing I used to but I'm aiming at 75 to 80 mph.
1980 Starfire (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/marctu2000/detail?.dir=2be2&.dnm=3850.jpg&.src=ph)
Starfire (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/marctu2000/detail?.dir=2be2&.dnm=154f.jpg&.src=ph)

[Mark]

Yours is the first I've seen on the board. They are indeed rare. I was looking for one a couple of years ago and couldn't find one. Is it a 5 seater? It looks like a blast!

[Boston Predictor]

Cool little boat ya got there....great color.
I have only seen one boat like that in the showroom in some of the vintage brochures... I bet its really nimble & handles chop pretty well too.

Do you have power trim on that 105?

I would get a bigger and better motor...I 've had bad experiences with the old Chryslers...just my two cents http://www.checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/thumb.gif

[Marc1]

I've had it out on the detroit river in some pretty chopping water and it performed much better in the chop then expected it's also a great wake jumper and turns on a dime. This Starfire is a 5 seater with a 800 pound weight limit, rated to handle a 80 horse power engine(yeah right) http://checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/sssh.gif The trim wasn't working on the old chrysler 105 when I won it off Ebay that's one of the reasons I was looking into purchasing a eletric jack plate to help get the prop out of the water a bit but I'm also in seach of a bigger less "fuelish" engine.

[Boston Predictor]

In that case, I would throw a Evinrude 88 SPL with a jackplate on. you should still be in the 50s with the right prop and still get good gas milage.

Anybody else have any advice on a good ecanomic motor for this boat and still maintain a good top end?

[daren34]

maybe an xr-2 150

daren

[JW]

Cool boat!

[illMATTic]

lets see some more photos. i really like that style.

[Chris]

Considering that is a 1980 model, it's style somewhat revealed where Mate was headed in the style department. It seemingly has more lines than some of the other models at that time. It has more of the lines that many of the boats had by the time the end of the decade hit. At least that's my .02 cents. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Needless to say, it's a really cool boat and I wouldn't mind one myself. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/thumb.gif

[merc245]

I see your from Fabulously Freindly Ferndale.Don't see to many people willing to take a 15 footer on the river. Yrs ago I took my father's 15 foot bayliner with 50 hp force out on laborday weekend. Talk about being a cork in a washtub. But glad to see it and wish you luck. Keep eye out my black/yellow/red starflite. I'm in Brownstown about 15 minutes from both the river or lake bellville. merc245

[Marc1]

My trick to handling the Detroit River is to always keep plenty of foward motion going but I can totally relate to the "cork in a washtub" effect Merc245. Thanks guys for all the input on selecting a new outboard as the ole Chrysler 105 may have just died! I was running it wide open last week for one last good run and she just gave up on me, made it home and I've been tinkering with it but no luck so far http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif I do for a fact know that I'm losing compression on at least two of the pistons.

[jmahler]

Marc 1, that boat deserves a Merc on the back. Throw the Chrysler out and get yourself a good used merc. The boat is worth putting some money into it.....

[cvx16cvx]

nice family! Get rid of that Chrysler and get a Merc you will be very Happy!

[Mark]

If you really want a trouble free rig, hang a Yamaha on it!

[JUPITER PULSARE]

The Chrysler would make a good anchor! http://checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/devil.gif Find a Merc 2.0 liter XR-2 V-6 and hold on tight!!! The motor only weighs about 320 lbs and will safely spin 6000 rpm all day long!!

[wickedrister]

That is way too cool of a boat for a Chrysler so remember. If your motor isn't black you need to take it back http://checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/devil.gif http://checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/devil.gif

[Adam L.]

very cool boat. How heavy is the boat? I would say trash the Chrysler and get a Merc. My predictor weights 750 lbs. and I currently run a 115 merc with a land and sea jack plate. My prop is a 26 pitch chopper. I am getting 62 mph out of that set up. I am sure with similar power and set-up you would see close to 70mph. That chysler is probably only putting out 70hp- 80hp at best.
MERCURY is the only way to fly!!!

[CM FARGO]

We just traded that exact boat in today. Bahama Blue with silver flake. This specimen has an 80 hp merc. will go thru the shop and be ready for sale soon. 1982 starfire.Dave fargo

[cooperider]

Lets see some pics of that soon Dave. http://checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/surf.gif

[Zman1]

CM Fargo... I sent you an email. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Looks like a slighty shortened Predictor. But very cool looking!!

[Reed]

Great lookin boat,a newer Merc V-6 would look great on her http://www.checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/thumb.gif

[star14ft]

Hi! I have one of these. I understand that they were only made for two years. I love mine and have had it for about 13-14 years. I have just begun restoring it and am worndering if anyone knows how to get pics of the original or find what seats/carpet checkmate would put in it now? I love it, I have a 90 merc inline 6 on it and it is fantastic for skiing and speeding.

[Boston Predictor]

welcome abord mate we'de love to see some pics and hear some storys!:cheers

[83PREDICTOR]

I cant wait to see pics, I recently tried to buy one in rough shape but the owner wanted to keep it.

[bgs14]

i have a 14' starfire red and gold and i want to put it origanal condtion and was wondering where i would find seats and carpet for it?
thanks
ps. it is an awsome boat