New guy from Arkansas

[cpep27]

Hello,

I just found your site and am excited to be a part of it. I own an 18' 1985 Checkmate Diplomat with a 205 HP Merc Cruiser I/O.

I recently bought a mini-van because my wife is pregnant, so I'll be using this to pull my boat.

I have a question.... approximately how much does a Diplomat weigh? The van's user manual says I need a transmission cooler if pulling anything over 2000 pounds. Please advise.

Thanks!
Chris

[cpep27]

P.S. Is here a place to post some pics of my boat?

[cooperider]

Start a thread under Picture this. That the best place to put those. But we'll take pics of Checkmates almost anywhere on here. :welcome:

[Chris]

Welcome aboard cpep. :)

[Big Dave]

Hello,

I just found your site and am excited to be a part of it. I own an 18' 1985 Checkmate Diplomat with a 205 HP Merc Cruiser I/O.

I recently bought a mini-van because my wife is pregnant, so I'll be using this to pull my boat.

I have a question.... approximately how much does a Diplomat weigh? The van's user manual says I need a transmission cooler if pulling anything over 2000 pounds. Please advise.

Thanks!
Chris

Look on the Showroom Page, the factory sales brochure is there.
The Diplomat I/O shows to be 1700lbs with 4 cyl engine. Add 250-300 lbs for v6
I assume the 205 is the 4 bbl v-6?
I put a v8 in my 86 Diplomat after finding out why not to run an aluminum block 4cyl in salt water(previous owner)
Where in Ar do you boat?
We live 120 miles from Texarkana, and were planning to go to Lake Greeson for a week, but my oldest son ran the 305 out of oil yesterday

[JW]

Add a trans cooler if you're towing more than a few miles then. Cheap insurance. Your boat will be close to 3,000 lbs on the trailer with gas.

[175checkmate]

Welcome to the board.