First Boat

[harleyherb]

I've got a topic, what was your first boat. Mine was a 16' Hydrasport with a 125 hp Mercury outboard I bought in '79. Orange and Brown metalflake with white interior. At the time, I thought it was a large boat, now I would hate to get on our lake on any weekend on a boat that small. Herb

[Dave Y.]

Mine was a CVX20 Glastron Carlson, copper metal flake, dark orange int., yellow bottom with a 235hp Johnny. It was the boat that Art Carlson drove for a bit. Still a bit of a Carlson fan (only the 80's and older 1's).

[Convincor283]

Great Topic,My first was a 8ft home made hydroplane with 5hp johnson, at 15 years old I thought that was the cats a@s.I payed $7 and sold it for $100 to buy a 14ft Glasspar with 50hp merc.

[F150GT]

I started out with an 18' J-CRAFT with 175 Yammi, it was an greate go fast ski boat.
F150GT

[175checkmate]

Started with a 16' Hobbi cat.
The first power boat was a 18' sea ray with a 135 Merc. Sold that to buy the checkmate. Had fun convincing the wife the the mate was not that much smaller. She would hardly notice. Oop, I was wrong on that part. But I really wanted to go faster than 45 mph. Got really tired of getting beat by a jet ski. So far with the mate I have not been beaten by one.

[Pat-MX15]

Started with 1930's wood sailboat, then 19' Reinell w/140 I/O, then a Hobbie Cat. Now I have a 17' SeaNymph bass boat w/48 Johnson and my MX15 with an unknown Johnson V4.

[sonoma]

1980 wrelancer some kind of checkmate replica 14 ft maximum hp was 35 but we had put a 70hp on the back great ski boat had it for over 4 years, outside was a blue metalic interior blue and white , I kept the engine and bought a brand new cutter 17ft bow rider was a big mistake a real peace of junk got ride of it and bought a 1988 19 ft starfire with a omc 4.3 litre now that was a boat but of course it a CHECKMATE !!! owned it for 5 years always regret seling it but ill get another one soon http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/brickwall.gif

[MrWick]

My first boat was a late 60's or early 70's Checkmate,don't know what model it was but in the 16 to 17 foot range.It had a 100hp Merc and have had 5 Checkmates all together.Loved them all.Three of the boats were used,all with Merc inline 6's and two new Mates both with Evinrudes.The Evinrudes ran much better than the Merc's but I guess it isn't fair to compare new with used.

[merc245]

FIRST,I GOT MY POSTION AT THE FIREDEPT. IN DEC. OF 89. THEN MAR OF 90. I PURCHASED AN EXPENSIVE MOUNTAIN BIKE THINKING IT'S GOOD EXERCISE AND CHEAP WITH RIDES LASTING ALL DAY. TWO WEEKS LATER I SAW THE 89 BLUE METALFLAKE SPORTFIRE FOR SALE. MINT CONDITION WITH OLDER 90hp. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE BIKE GOT PUSHED TO THE BACK OF THE GARAGE.WITH ME NEVER REALY THROWING MY LEG OVER AGAIN.I SIMPLY BECAME A WATER SKIER. LATER STUCK ON A INLINE 150hp.THEN YOU CAN SEE THE REST OF THE STORY ON THE PICTURES CATAGORY.

[Eriktheviking]

A 78 16'BAJA with a 115 Johnson,Black and silver metallic,did about 58mph.Fun boat http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Bubba]

my first was a 1987 say ray 19ft open bow whit a 1988 225 yamaha, not a fat boat but a great all round boat http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[senator-holland]

a sailing dinghy: a "optimist" did get it when i was five years old.

[Bubba]

its sea ray http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/brickwall.gif http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/brickwall.gif

[JW]

First boat was a 12' Crestliner aluminum boat from the mid-fifties, with a late '70's Merc 7 1/2 horse motor.

[BUKKAKIBLASTER]

1989 Checkmate Visions 221 bought in 1994 sold 1999 & bought 1997 ZT280. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[fastskipper]

First boat was a 21' Mirage Intruder with a 350 mag. Owned it all of six months before I saw a Checkmate Convincor for sale. Took me one week to sell the Intruder and the mate was in my driveway http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[conv240]

family started with a 1970 Duo tri hull Then a 14' Mayflower sailboat . Sold that bought a 20' oday sailboat sold that ,bought a camp Sold the Duo and bought a 1974 carevelle tri hll . I then bought a 12' snark sailboat then a 1967 oday daysailer . sold the daysailer and bought a 23' oday . Traded the Caravelle on a new 1987 18' Ceebrity . Trade that in 1993 and bought a 23' Rinker Captiva . Traded that for a 1987 268 Sea Ray . Traded that in 2000 for a 1999 Mariah 238 . Sold the oday 23 and bought an Oday 25 . Bought a 1958 Chris Craft sea skiff ( still working on it ) a 1957 Crosby Capri w/ 196? 6 cyl Merc and a 1960 Oday Osprey sailboat and a 1974 14'Starcraft holiday . Drove to Georgia last spring and bought an 18' Hobie Cat , sold it in the late summer . Bought a sports pal canoe and traded the Mariah on the boat I always wanted ,2003 Convincor 240 w/ 6.2 l . Bought a 1974Cape Dory Typhoon sailbot in November . Still have all the boats from the oday 25 to the Checkmate .Also a row boat and a couple of dingys .

[illMATTic]

my first was a 72 15' sidewinder. it came with a 150 merc on it. it went like a raped ape for about 5 min. it then blew up. i was kind of upset because i had just put a new interior in it. i only lost a 100 bucks on the deal when i sold it. lesson learned. you can see the boat in the link in my sig.

[jkeiper]

Mine was a 1993 Crestliner Team 170. With a 93 Merc 115. This was a great boat as far as being reliable. Sold it and my 1989 Tracker FS 1800 with a 150 XR4 to buy my Checkmate.

Jim

[Will]

My first was a Checkmate with no hull numbers! I had a really hard time getting that thing registered, but I pulled it off. Lesson learned: Always inspect really really good before taking it home!

[Enforcer 24]

My first boat was a 1990 VIP Kona 18.5' open bow. It was bright yellow with a black metallic upper half and a grey hull. (looked like my 2nd sled-1994 MxzX470-yellow cowl, grey belly pan. Pretty cool pic-boat in back ground and sled in front, looked like they were painted to match) Anyway, the boat had a 302 Ford I/O with OMC cobra drive(lower for sale in Parts Dept. Just give me an offer for parts--gotta go) Boat ran okay, had thru hull but it was below the water line at rest so no noise http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/zx11pissed.gif Had yellow interior and it was a pain to keep clean. NOT a good boat if chop was above 1.5'. Should have been a jet drive. Then I graduated to a 20' Seaswirl cabin cruiser with an anemic 4 hole 3.0 liter OMC I/O. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/sick.gifOnly good thing about it was it was paid for when I hooked it up to the truck to bring it home. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gifAfter 3 years with that, I needed an 8 hole Merc I/O and after a few months of searching, I found a killer deal on my Enforcer. This will be my first full summer with it and am undergoing major interior changes this spring (now) to "update" it. Pics coming soon. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/bounce.gif

[checkrocket]

My first boat was a 1987 Wellcraft Elite 220XL. This was a great bowrider. Very large, it had the 350Mag. Not much in the speed category. It ran in the low 50's. Then I purchased a 1982 Sonic Offshore 33' it had twin 502 mags with SternPowr outdrives. It was a large 33. It ran low 70mph on the gps. Last year I sold the sonic and went for the Convincor 251. Hard to believe going down in size, it has the HP500 with the Bravo XR upper and Imco lower with nose cone. This is a fast boat and fun to drive. Love those checkmates! Waiting for Summer

[92Enticer]

My first and current boat is a 1992 Enticer with a Merc 115 outboard. On a small inland Ontario lake its one of the fastest and best looking boats around.

It always turned heads as I fly by, and still gets the nods of appreciation.

Mates have it all.

[BBB]

First boat was a mid-late 80's checkmate. The title said it wsa 14ft, but the tape measur read more like 13ft. Closed bow with a 90hp Johnson. With a 19" SS prop and the back seat out it would run 54mph ont he speedo. otherwise with a few people and the seats in it would run about 48mph. It was silver.

[jgreen]

first boat 1976 starcraft alum, chry 90 hp, 2nd 1987 larson senza v175 150 evinrude, now- 1994 185 pulse 175 efi merc 6"set back manual jack plate. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

[Redboat]

My first boat was a homemade wooden hydroplane with a 20 HP merc,really flew across the water , tried a 40 Hp merc on it ,but you couldn't stop in the water , it would sink tail first . Second boat was a 16' Baja with a 115 inline merc , now I belong to my Senator ! http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/surf.gif
Redboat

[JUPITER PULSARE]

MY FIRST WATER TOY WAS A (GET THIS!!) WET BIKE. IT WAS A JET POWERED WAVE RUNNER TYPE TOY THAT STEERED FROM THE FRONT. YOU ROAD IT LIKE A MOTORCYLE. THING WAS A BLAST. AFTER THAT WAS A 1988 SEARAY SEVILLE, 1988 REGAL VELOCITY 230, 1995 SEARAY F-16 JET BOAT, 1995 SCOUT 172 CC, 1999 21'SLEEKCRAFT MOD VP TUNNEL/RUDE 225, 1989 CHECKMATE SPECTRA 170/MERC 150XR2 AND CURRENTLY A 1994 PULSARE 2100/MERC 225EFI. MORE TO FOLLOW???

[bdusted440]

Well here we go my very first boat and main transpertation at the lake every summer was a colman scanoo with a fold up four horse evinrude.My first real boat was a CHECKMATE TRIMATE with a 115 evinrude on it.YA BABY. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/devil.gif

[Bob Scanlon]

Hello all. This is my first post on your checkmate board. My first boat was a 1959 Cutter with a 65 merc. It had wings like a 59 caddy. My second boat was a brand new 1982 Enticer with a 1979 115 Merc bought from Schenectady Marine in NY. I currently own 4 boats, my main one being a 2000 42' Cigarette Tiger and I just picked up a 1988 Starflight with a 225 Yamaha. The Checkmate is my 17th boat and Im as excited to have this as my 1st mate and my Tiger

[Chris]

Welcome to the board Bob!

Nice to have you aboard. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

[BOB'S 283]

bob , was the starflite byron's ?????

[JUPITER PULSARE]

BOB, SOUNDS LIKE YOU CAN USE THE MATE AS A TENDER FOR THE TIGER!! http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/lol.gif WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR POWER ON THE CIGARETTE??

[Bob Scanlon]

Yes, the Mate was Byrons. Ive got it all detailed up and looking good. It runs about 66 mph. Does that sound right ??


540 Bulldogs on the Tiger there Jupiter. Iys a nice all around package on the Tiger

[DONCONVINCER]

First boat was a 1963 Glaspar with a 1960 Evenrude 75HP. The engine was a 45 degree V4 with a belt driven magnito ignition. I thought 35 mph was fast. The next boat was a 78 Predictor with a Merc 90, not much faster 45 maybe. I repowered it with a 140. I thought I would die at 70. I now have a 77 Convincer thats to crazy to drive faster than 80

[85Predictor]

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Well my Dad bought a used 1962 Starcraft 14 ft with a 1962 Merc 4 cyl 45 hp(White). My brother and I ran that wide open everywhere we went. (27 mph)!! Screamin huh!!Years later we realized that the old Merc was supposed to be run 30:1 not 50:1!! Now running at 50 mph seems great.(85 Predictor and '87 115 Merc)

Go Checkmate!! http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

[montiboats24]

i got a 16 foot tahiti with a old 135 evinrude that went like a bat outa hell cought fire twice from fireworks... damn kids.... ha ha ok maybe i did it but its all good i still have this boat but we blew the 135 and got a newer 115 which is crap and are in the prosses of looking for a new motor

[jgoshow]

first one was a 1985 wellcraft nova,was 23 ft. with a 230 hp mercruiser engine,i was young and because of the boat had alot of friends,dad gave me the boat and i destroyed it,never ran fresh water through the risers,etc....had alot of fun though

[ckmate225]

I've got two words for you guys HAWK LINE. YEP THAT RIGHT, MY FIRST BOAT WAS A 1977 HAWK LINE!!
It was made by carlson 18 feet long shaped like a bath tub but didnt handle as well. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/surf.gif But I loved it. 85 hp merc pushed it up to about 30mph

[harleyherb]

Its been real interesting to hear what each of us started out with. Some of the boats really make us appreciate how good our Checkmates are.

[fnshrmaster]

First boat was a 17 ft Spectra with a XR2 for power.Ran 68 on speedo,dont know real speeds as GPS wasnt around at the time.Bought it brand new of the showroom floor,and payed CASH!I wish I could do that now,4 kids later.Where did the cash go?

[HemiBee]

First boat was a 1985 16' Starcraft (FG)Art Carlson designed bowrider with a 90 hp Yamaha. Skied 5 days a week during the season....lot's of good times in that boat.

[cooperider]

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Here's PDW's first boat. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/jpshakehead.gif
http://realityboatcompany.photosite.com/~photos/tn/1507_1024.ts1095741560000.jpg

[PDW]

Oh Thanks Coop, you wait till I find that picture of your BAJA. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/devil.gif

I see your getting me great PR work. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/irked.gif http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/eyes.gif

You waited 10years to get me back for that time I tried to hook you up on the radio dating show. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/brickwall.gif

[PDW]

Oh Thanks Coop, You wait till I find that picture of your BAJA. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/devil.gif

I see your trying to give me great <span class="ev_code_YELLOW">PR</span> Work. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/eyes.gif

It took you 10years to get me back when I tried to get you hooked up with that lady off of the Radio dating show. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/jpshakehead.gif http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[cooperider]

That woman was a fruitcake. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/brickwall.gif

Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Klingon Proverb.
http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/xxrotflmao.gif

[jgreen]

Ya gotta feel a lot better running and pulling the checkmate around over the bottomliner. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[jgreen]

Must have been a force motor I hear they spend more time with cowling off than on http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/lol.gif

[MX-13]

My first was a GW invader. 10' with a 35 merc. I wish I had it back

[PDW]

Yeah had nothing but problems. That's why it went bye bye to someone else. I got only what my money could buy at the time http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/brickwall.gif...
Coop do you forgive me now? http://checkmate-boats.com/groupee/forums/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/beer1.gif

I want something better than that Gayliner now. Saving money for a 17ft or longer when the time comes. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

" Money Talks But Mine says Good-Bye "

[PDW]

Here is Coops first boat. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif http://realityboatcompany.photosite.com/~photos/tn/1630_1024.ts1096178718000.jpg
http://realityboatcompany.photosite.com/~photos/tn/1628_1024.ts1096178686000.jpg

[cooperider]

Hey wait all I got from that was a deck and hull. No motor no interior no trailer no steering no windsheild. I paid a whole 50 bucks for it. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif My turn again PDW.

[PDW]

That's why it was so cheap it's still under the BAJA name. It needs a real builder like you to make it right. HA HA http://checkmate-boats.com/groupee/forums/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/beer1.gif

[PDW]

Plus that's why BAJA's are always very cheap their torn apart to improve the look and re-made.... as others. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[PDW]

But anything is better than the Gayliners. Sorry to say I owned one http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[cooperider]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by PDW:
Plus that's why BAJA's are always very cheap their not made with qaulity.... as others. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>This from the Bayliner owner. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/xxrotflmao.gif

[cooperider]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by honda herb:
I've got a topic, what was your first boat. Mine was a 16' Hydrasport with a 125 hp Mercury outboard I bought in '79. Orange and Brown metalflake with white interior. At the time, I thought it was a large boat, now I would hate to get on our lake on any weekend on a boat that small. Herb <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Time to get this back on topic. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/brickwall.gif

[TheMaxx]

I can't remember what it was cause it didn't have a name on the side. Closed bow two seats, ugly. My cousin and I sanded it and tried to clear it. It turned pink!! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif It was an early 70's model boat with an ollllld 40 horse Johnny. We knee boarded with it for about 6 months and sold it for 300.00 The first time out when i took off, my cuz disappeared...his seat broke loose from the floor and he shot to the back by the gas tank...memories http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/jpshakehead.gif