Info wanted on 1988 Enforcer SX

[Duke]

Hi all, this is my first post on this board but I think you guys are great the way you share your experiences and expertise.
I am going to look at a Checkmate this weekend. It is a 1988 24' Enforcer sx. The motor is a 1994 Merc. carburated w/ a ss prop. The seller says it is a race version and that it was rebuilt in 2001 after the water pump went and it burned a piston. The boat does have a hydro. jackplate and is on a Karavan dual axle trailer. The pics look real nice and I am going down to see it this weekend.
This will be my first Checkmate, as I have had Hydrostreams my whole life but I want a bigger boat for the family now and Checkmate seems to be one of the best on the market. They also seem to hold their value. The seller wants quite a lot for this boat but says it's worth it.
Is a 2.5 a 200 or a 225, and how well will this motor move this 24' boat? What is the hull weight and actual dims of the boat? The boat has been repainted. What should I look for other than the obvious things. Any and all input would be appreciated as I hate to go into things blind and you guys seem to be the most knowledgable on Checkmate boats. I am hoping the ride will be much smoother than the bone jarring 80 mph runs in the 17' Vector cause the wife won't put up with that any more.
Thank you in advance for all your help in advance. Duke

[Duke]

Hi all, this is my first post on this board but I think you guys are great the way you share your experiences and expertise.
I am going to look at a Checkmate this weekend. It is a 1988 24' Enforcer sx. The motor is a 1994 Merc. carburated w/ a ss prop. The seller says it is a race version and that it was rebuilt in 2001 after the water pump went and it burned a piston. The boat does have a hydro. jackplate and is on a Karavan dual axle trailer. The pics look real nice and I am going down to see it this weekend.
This will be my first Checkmate, as I have had Hydrostreams my whole life but I want a bigger boat for the family now and Checkmate seems to be one of the best on the market. They also seem to hold their value. The seller wants quite a lot for this boat but says it's worth it.
Is a 2.5 a 200 or a 225, and how well will this motor move this 24' boat? What is the hull weight and actual dims of the boat? The boat has been repainted. What should I look for other than the obvious things. Any and all input would be appreciated as I hate to go into things blind and you guys seem to be the most knowledgable on Checkmate boats. I am hoping the ride will be much smoother than the bone jarring 80 mph runs in the 17' Vector cause the wife won't put up with that any more.
Thank you in advance for all your help in advance. Duke

[Chris]

Welcome to the board Duke. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

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Checkmate-Boats.com-The Fanatics Home!

[Duke]

Thanks Chris. I can't wait to go look at the boat this weekend. Can ya tell!?!

[Duke]

Forgot to mention, it is a 240 Enforcer sx.(though 240 probably just means 24'?)

[Z06]

Where abouts are you? If you don't like that one, you would always be able to find another one. If we know where you are from, some other members may be able to help you... http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/bounce.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifZ06http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifCheckmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Duke]

I'm from Southern New Jersey. Right on the Deleware river.

[Z06]

I'm in Ottawa, a little far but who knows...

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifZ06http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifCheckmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[JW]

Duke, as far as what '2.5' means, that's the liter size of the powerhead. Mercury makes 2.5 liter motors from 150 hp up to 300 hp. If you get the serial number of the engine, and it's the original powerhead, you can go to Mercury Parts Express online and enter the serial number to find out what horsepower the engine started life as.
As far as any brand of boat that old, you should REALLY take a knowledgable person along with you when you look at the boat. It could be a nice and dry cream puff, or it could be a water-logged hog. Problem areas on all older boats are the transom, floor, and core. All can get water logged and become extremely weak, with no visible signs. You have to drill holes and pick at stringers to REALLY know the condition of the wood transom and stringers and balsa core. One thing you want to do with an outboard boat, stand on the cavitation plate of the engine and watch the transom corners for flex. Carefully jump up and down on the cavitation plate. IF there's any flex, then there's a wet/weak transom for sure. To be sure, pull out an engine mounting bolt and look into the transom with a flashlight. Is it dry amber, or wet dark? Poke at the stringers with a sharp awl, the wood should be dry and solid, not wet and spongy. IF possible, look under the flooring. Look for very dark, almost black wood. If there is, then your core is soaked. Use www.nadaguides.com (http://www.nadaguides.com) to find out how much that boat is really worth, never ever take the sellers word for it. Good Luck!!

1995 2100BR/1995 225 Promax/23" Tempest

[Eriktheviking]

Duke,
I've got an 87 Enforcer with a 454 Magnum.I can tell you that you and your family would really like the ride.It handles rough conditions great.The cutty is a little tight,but usable.The boat is 24'long with a 89"Beam,50 gallon tank.Its always scary buying a painted boat.You never know what is hiding under there! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif If its an older repaint and it still looks nice and straight, doesn't have any stress cracks in it,its probably okay.Check the floor out buy grabbing the seats and see if they rock back and forth.Lift up the back seat and crawl down inside and really check out the inner hull structure.If theres any cracks then obviuosly there are problems.I'm not an outboard expert but I know a compression test can tell a lot about an engine. Good Luck! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

[Z06]

Yes, do that compression test and check out other places on the boat. See how loose/tight the steering is as well as you don't want it screwing up at 60 MPH.... Good Luck...

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifZ06http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gifCheckmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif