1978 Checkmate Trimate II HP setup?

[78trimate]

Hi,
I bought my Checkmate Trimate II w/115hp Evinrude and generic 14.5"-21, 3 blade SST prop new in 1978. I'm currently doing a rebuild; rewire, carpet, interior, sanding and clearcoating the deck. It ran about 55-58 speedo at around 5900 rpm. It now has a StingRay fin but hasn't been run with it. I want this thing to fly when its done. What setup do I want to achieve this? jackplate, setback, propshaft height, prop size and type, motor mods? I'm looking for the most bang for the buck. Max speed without sacrificing too much holeshot. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Bob

[78trimate]

Hi,
I bought my Checkmate Trimate II w/115hp Evinrude and generic 14.5"-21, 3 blade SST prop new in 1978. I'm currently doing a rebuild; rewire, carpet, interior, sanding and clearcoating the deck. It ran about 55-58 speedo at around 5900 rpm. It now has a StingRay fin but hasn't been run with it. I want this thing to fly when its done. What setup do I want to achieve this? jackplate, setback, propshaft height, prop size and type, motor mods? I'm looking for the most bang for the buck. Max speed without sacrificing too much holeshot. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Bob

[Chris]

I'd say it's running pretty good if you're getting 55-58 out of it. I used to run a friends Trimate II back in the day and it had a 150 Tower of Power and I could never get it to run 60. I could get it close, it would be walking all over the place, but never close enough to hit 60 on the speedo. Given you're running a 115 and getting as close, you're doing pretty good I'd say.

[175checkmate]

A 6" jackplate would help move the weight back and carry the bow better. Also this will allow you to get the motor up and reduce drag. Installe a water pressure gage as well.
Is this the speed on the speedometer or GPS?

[Chris]

Gus,

That's a pretty good speed for a 115 if it's indeed accurate, don't you think?

My Pulse only runs 60 on the GPS.

[78trimate]

The speed is speedometer. I guess I find it hard to understand why this stock setup couldn't be improved on. By the way, mine looks just like the picture on your post 175Checkmate! Sand on the bottom and dark brown on top.

[78trimate]

Does anybody else agree with 175checkmate on the jackplate idea? Thanks

[illMATTic]

im thinking you are running about 51 gps. justa guess with what you have. i would run a larger prop before i got into a jack plate and longe steering. but im a cheep ass so..........

[175checkmate]

Good speed for that boat IF the speedo was right on, but I tend to think its reading a bit on the high side. My speedo is pegged at 80 mph and the GPS was reading 69mph, I can only wish I was running 80.
The differance on my boat was this.
jack plate all the way down. 55mph.
Jack plate all the way up 69mph.
This was a hyd plate with no setback.
I am installing a 6" plate now but have not run it.
If you are running 5900rpm with the current set up you will more than likely need a higher pitch prop if you raise the motor up.
Would love to see a picture of your boat.
You can send it to me at checkedout@charter.net
I will post it in the trimate section.

[DTaube]

I would have to agree with the others.. I am running a 79 eluder 18' 3" with a 175 and getting low 60's stock set up. that is gps.. 58 sounds good if gps.. I also am from Davenport.. bought the boat in Milan.. Now in DesMoines but trailer it to the river often. Be fun to hook up sometime.. usually boat up towards Sabula/Bellevue area but miss the pool down in the quads..

[Chris]

Setback usually helps with most Checkmates. It's pretty simple as to why. It creates bow lift. You can nail the setup on that boat, but I think realisitically, you could also plop a bigger motor on the back and make some big gains too. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[78trimate]

Okay,
Thanks everyone. I appreciate the input. I'll let you know what I've done and how it works as soon as I can.
Thanks again
Bob
P.S. to Taube. I hang down around the Andalusia area most of the time. Maybe I'll make it up river though. See ya.

[DTaube]

Spent a lot of time in Andalusia slough.. I remember a marina there and a bar about half way down...

[Big Dave]

I just sold my 75 Trimate, and It was rated for 150 hp.!!
I had a 115 merc 6 on it but never ran close to the speeds you are talking about. (35 to 40 on the spedo) I was looking for a xr2 to put on it with a 6" jackplate but found a 86 diplomat I/O for $300.00 and just could not pass it up.