Newbie in Fl.

[Eric82]

Hi, my name is Eric and I live in St. Pete Fl. I bought my 21' 1982 Entertainer o/b with 235 Evinrude back in 1998....It needed ALOT of work, but the price was right. I fixed it up and used it for several years, but some of the more major stuff caught up with me and I lost interest for awhile. I am now getting back into it and will be addressing new steering, different motor, trailer overhaul, rotted floor replacement (can't wait for that)! Seat replacement/ repair corroded fittings replacement, general cleanup and spiffying up.....wow sounds like alot! Anyway boats are so expensive now I just can't see spending $25k for a center console, so for now I'm fixing the Checkmate and get a few more years out of it. I am on the SV1000 and Z1000 motorcycle forums and the Ski-Doo snowmobile forums, and have gotten alot of good info from them. Hopefully I can find what I need to fix up my boat on this forum and maybe meet some members out on the water this summer! :bigthumb:

[Chris]

Welcome aboard Eric.

From the sounds of things, you'll probably find a home in our Overhaulin' forum. :thumb:

If you fix your Check up right, it should last for a long, long time. :)

[hmbuilt]

Hi Eric... I just bought a 1979 Entertainer with a 235 Johnson as well. Low water keeps me from launching the boat here in north Georgia. The previous owner says that the boat runs at 65+ MPH. I was wonderring how your boat did when it was in newer condition?

I got lucky and paid 1500 dollars for the boat and it is in really good shape for the age. Even has the origional vinal biminy top! I think I can run the boat a few years before I have to restore it. The last owner already put a new floor in her. Even the seats are origional with no rot in the wood. I took a good look at the boat yesterday and realized just how much work I DON't have to do.

I found this boat on Craigs List. There are some killer deals here in the Atlanta area because the record drought has brought the lake levels down to all time lows. People are dumping their boats dirt cheap! Some marinas are high and dry with all their boats hauled out.

The 235 is a LOOPER motor. It sounds great running on the hose. I looked it up to find out what a looper is and it sounds like a good motor. I would like to get a 10 inch set back jack plate for the boat though. Get the prop in cleaner water.

I wish you well with your renovation. There are some killer photos here and good advise.

Kurt

[175checkmate]

Welcome to the board. Should be a great project. There is a ton of information in the overhaul section. I am in the final stages of a complete overhaul/rebuild.

[CHECK16]

:welcome:Good luck on the resto.Maybe my fellow ''MATES'' and I will see ya on the water some time:cheers