V-Mate II

[BullittBen]

I picked up my 76 V-Mate II this weekend and have a few questions that I hope someone knows the answer to. What is the best way to access the bilge area? Do I (can I for that matter) remove the fuel tank? Is there most likely a bilge pump there? I am assuming it has to have one and I see one unidentified switch on the dash. I am fairly new to boats, so I'm still learning.

Just out of curiousity, is there any type of service / repair manual specific to a particular model of boat (like a Haynes manual for a car)? Does anyone have access to an original owner's manual (if there was one) to make copies?

Thanks for your input.

[Victorious1]

Welcome to this board.

Do you happen to have any pictures of your boat that you can post here? I'm not sure I know what a 76 V Mate looks like.

Regarding the manuals; you'll have to figure out which engine/drive assembly you have in your boat and possibly someone here can help you with sourcing the right book. Don't know if you can still get a manual on the hull itself, but, you never know till you try.

Lots of good folks out here who are very helpful. Hope you enjoy yourself here and learn a lot as well.

Vic

[BullittBen]

Here's a link to some pictures of the boat. I just bought it without a motor, but I am picking up my Tower of Power this weekend. I will be purchasing a manual on the motor, but wasn't sure whether or not there was any literature on an older Checkmate boat. Thanks for your help. Hope the link works.....

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bullittben/detail?.dir=/e4e4&.dnm=3587.jpg http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/411720c0zb22ebcf5/e4e4/__sr_/3587.jpg?phHNqoBB7gHTF4NH

[g2lenn]

I have a 76 also, there's a hole with a bilge pump under the gas tank. Same area as your drain plug on the outside.

g2

[g2lenn]

Victorious1,

The 1976 VMate II is basically the same hull as your 1978 Inmate. Main difference being the Vmate is an outboard.

g2

[Victorious1]

Nice lookin boat BullitBen. What size engine will you be putting on it?

I can definately see the similarities in my Inmate g2lenn. I love this style of boat, always have and always will.

Vic

[g2lenn]

Definately attracts attention. Where ever I go people ask all the time how old is that Checkmate. With the Mercury Tower of Power it looks mean.

[BullittBen]

I only have a 115hp for now http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/sleep.gif. I'm hoping to upgrade the powerhead at some time, but I need to get everything rigged like it is and see how things go.

g2lenn, do you have dual cable steering on your tower of power? I am trying to figure out how to get the existing dual cable setup on my boat rigged to the old Merc (it's a '75 model 1150). I may end up just making what I need or either just putting a new single cable rack setup on it. I'd rather keep the dual cables for safety when I upgrade the hp.

[TCAT]

My buddy and I had 2 Vmate II in the late 70's up to the mid 80's we ran 200 BLACK MAX's on them. speedo showed 80's never a problem with transom or stability. Probably one of the boats I had the most fun with learned how to drive through chine walk on it.

We even had some of the first Hydraulic lift plates on them.

I know they were rated for 165HP but they handled the 200hp with ease. I have some old photographs here in my hand I will have to scan them and post them. Lots of fun.

Guess I am showing my age.

[BullittBen]

The guy I bought it from had a 200 Evinrude on it, and I see no signs of stress. It's my first boat, and I hope it serves me well. I love the style of it. I'm in to old cars, so I love the 70's design - big metal flake and the tower of power.

[TCAT]

If you can find a 200HP in your price range and get insurance on it with a 200hh on it. That is the set up for the V-MateII.

[TCAT]

Hey Bullit

Here are some pics of my buddies V-mate II from 1982-83 I cannot find my pics if I do I will scan them too. There some real good ones. We ran these with no winshields.

Just a bit of history the V-Mate II molds were sold to Ted Quin marine in Canada he made a Panther V-Mate II for several years there were many of them around with 200's on them. Good solid fast set up. http://dyplex.com/products/henry2b.jpg

[TCAT]

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[TCAT]

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[samjr]

Hey Ben! welcome to our nightmare! I just bought a checkmate too... 84 ambassador. I see you are from my old stomping grounds. Folks are from Kingstree and I still get down there quite often. Get you boat running good and I' ll meet you at browns landing next summer and I'll run with you till we can see the ocean.....Thats a hell of a trip. Down it many of times....Great sking on that ole Black river.

[BullittBen]

I live in Wedgefield Plantation, north of Georgetown on the Black River. Our subdivision has a boat ramp, so I'm within a 1/4 mile or so of the river. That sounds good Sam. Hopefully I'll have the bugs worked out by then....