Just joined, hello

[Konrad]

Hi everyone,
I'll start off by saying that I don't know anything about boating, although I'd like to. Today, I picked up a 1985 18' Checkmate Exciter with a Mercury 135 for FREE. Just driving by on my regular route, and there was the owner putting up some FREE signs on it. So I stopped and decided to get it. Came with a trailer, so I figured I wasn't losing anything. He said it runs but overheats. Has no key and the interior needs cleaning. Any advice on where to start? I would love to get it going this summer, but I'm not sure it's realistic. Any way, this site looks like it will be a great deal of help to me. Hope to see everyone around here.
Thanks,
Konrad
Ps- Just out of curiousity, does anyone have an idea how much it's worth?

[Chris]

Welcome aboard Konrad!

A free Checkmate, what a lucky find! :thumb:

It doesn't get much better than that. So congrats. I'd fix it up and have some fun. :)

[Chucker]

Congrats Konrad!! Not many here have scored a FREE Checkmate!! Lets see some pics!!

[Konrad]

yeah, i'm pretty excited too. i'll try to post some pics soon, it's not much to look at, but I figured some time and money and should be worth taking out on the weekend.

[paedbo]

Welcome aboard, Although i have owned another boat in the past, I am fairly a newbie also when it comes to outboard motors, I know about regular maintainance, Impeller, spark plugs, oil/gas mixture etc but other than that I dont know too much, Hopefully I will learn more now that i have a serious engine on a checkmate and not a rinky dink toy!

Good luck with your find,

[Konrad]

Welcome aboard, Although i have owned another boat in the past, I am fairly a newbie also when it comes to outboard motors, I know about regular maintainance, Impeller, spark plugs, oil/gas mixture etc but other than that I dont know too much, Hopefully I will learn more now that i have a serious engine on a checkmate and not a rinky dink toy!

Good luck with your find,

That is the same reason I am here. In the long run, everyone will be learning from everyone else. But for now, I'm just learning from you guys.
By the way, does anyone know a good site to learn the basics of outboard marine engines? Maintanence, gas/oil info., essential things like that.
Thanks...

[Chris]

I like this one...

http://www.outboardrepairs.com/outboard_maintenance/

[Boston Predictor]

hey Konrad you lucky dog, nice find. If the motor runs but overheats it probably just needs a water pump. common problem w/ O/Bs. The missing key is an easy fix also. Take it by a mechanic and he should get her running in no time.
The boat, motor & trailer might be worth 2-3k depending on the condition...Lets see some pics so we can get you on your way.
good luck

[175checkmate]

Congrats on the new boat. What a great find. Depending or you mechanical level. I would start by having a look at the water pump impeller. I would go ahead and replace it. I would then get a water pressure gage and we can go from there.

[supergenius74]

welcome to the best place on the net!

[dreamer]

Welcome Konrad,

My first Check was a 1984 Exciter, with a Black Max--200. Great boat! Best of Luck.

[Konrad]

Thanks for all the great comments and suggestions. If it wasn't for this site there is no way I'd know as much as I already do about these boats. Tomorrow I'll try to do the compression test before I go any further with it. Someone told me to just take it to a marine shop and have them play with it and have them fix whatever it needs and get it started. Any idea what they charge?
Thanks for the site Chris, definitely a lot of info on there.
I tried posting pics, but it wouldn't let me, unless I'm doing something wrong.
I pressure washed the outside and the inside, especially the blue carpet, and the boat looks ten times better now.
To the person with the above post: Thanks, I've heard a lot of good things about the Checkmates, but haven't really talked to anyone with an Exciter. Can't wait to go fishing though...

[Chris]

Try this thread for instructions on how to post pics.

http://checkmate-boats.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5425

With regard to your motor. What you need to do is figure out what kind of shape it's in before you start dumping coin into it. Overheating problems can be something simple like a impeller, or they can also be something like a thermostat or even a blockage somewhere in the motor.

The overheating problems aside, what you need to find out is when it overheated (assuming it did) was there any damage done. So really what you need to do is get a summary of what your up against. If the powerhead is still in good shape, then it probably makes sense to look at fixing it up. If the powerhead is shot or needs rebuilding, well then you'll have to see what's good on the motor and what's bad and then make a decision on what to do.

[paedbo]

Hey Konrad, If you need hosting for your pictures, email them to me ( I sent you a pm) I will put your pics up on my web server and send you the http link address to them.

Although i do suggest that eventually, you should try to learn how to post images on free hosting sites so that your self sufficient :-)

[tazfinz]

:banana: Conrats on the new boat I think you will love it

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Welcome to your new addiction!! Once bitten by the Checkmate bug you'll never be the same again!! Enjoy your free boat and fix it up nice. You'll be surprised what a little TLC can do to an old boat!

[Konrad]

paedbo, I might take you up on the offer for the pictures, I left the camera in my buddies car.
thanks guys, I think I was already bitten by the bug. Even when I'm at work, I can't stop thinking about the Exciter. It's like having a new girlfriend! I posted a thread about how the motor is coming along in the engine section "Mercury 135" if you're interested. Pics coming soon!