New Member/Owner

[Jamey]

I just picked up a 1980 Entertainer that has been in my family since it was new. It has sat up for years, but was always under a cover so it's in pretty good shape top to bottom. I put a new marine grade Chevy 350 in it about 8 or 9 years ago, which has less than 50 hours on it, and still runs like a top. I do need to give it some TLC, particularly cleaning up the gel coat, before it hits the water. One thing I definitely want to add is a bimini top. Does anyone have any experience adding aftermarket tops to a Checkmate?

[fjowtlawrose]

I would check all the bellows change the oil a tune kit wouldnt hurt points ect. cant tell you about the top but i would take it to a canvas shop and have one built. Im in NY magee canvas is about 30 miles from me they build tons for major manafactures. bayliners have magee canvas when there new . thats where my boat is going for new moring covers.

[Jamey]

Thanks! Have you ever replaced your seats? I'm going to call Checkmate Tuesday morning to see what they can offer for an 80 model, but I have no idea what kind of price I'm looking at. I'd really like to get all new vinyl from front to back.

[gchildre]

Jamey,
I purchased and installed a bimini top on my 2000 Pulse 186 this year from http://www.websweeper.com/php/bimini_tops/bim-001.php, my top was $337 for the kit including stainless deck hardware and Sunbrella fabric and shipping. I chose a 3 bow top, it just made more sense given the length.

This top is well made and it shipped promptly. I chose a stainless steel hardware kit (all deck connections) even though I don't boat in salt water, it just seemed a small price ($58) for a sensible upgrade. The stainless upgrade also included stainless hex set screws on the aluminum tubes. I also chose the Sunbrella fabric upgrade. The kit was fairly well documented, one hard part is pre-assembling the top correctly before mounting on the boat, you have to make sure you have all of the corner tubes in the proper positions - specifically make sure the pre-drilled holes for the nylon straps face the proper direction (towards the inside), I had to dis-assemble mine twice on the boat to get it all correct.

The kit needs to be ordered with three measurements: Width, Height and Length. I chose a 80" wide, 36" high, 6' length top. The height can be adjusted lower if you choose, with 36" I can still stand up in the cockpit but I don't use the top with the boat on plane. The vertical tubes can be cut down 6" or so shorter without affecting the operation of the top.

I do have to point out that the HARDEST thing about installing the top is actually drilling holes in the boat! You must think many steps ahead in the installation to ensure that the top is centered and usable when installed, operated and stored. The old adage of "measure twice, cut once" applies here. I mounted the hinge plates inside of my deck side rail, I also learned during the measuring that my deck rail stanchons were not in the same places on each side and I had to adjust one of them to mount the bimini where I wanted it. You also want to inspect under the area where you are going to drill to ensure you don't cause any problems with the pre-existing wiring or controls, this applies mostly to the starboard side where the motor controls are located. Of course you must picture the top not only in the upright position but in the stored aft position, my top when stored at 36" rests slightly behind the rear bench seat but does not interfere with the outboard motor in any way.

On my Pulse I was able to use the four deck cleats to attach the Bimini straps, I saved drilling another 8 holes in my boat this way! I did have to install larger 1" stainless strap clips, believe it or not I bought them at Lowes in the rope/chain section.

Good luck on your research, the bimini top upgrade is a big family pleaser, we would have baked-our-brains on more than one occasion without it. I included a picture that shows my bimini in the stored position for your reference.

gchildre

[daren34]

i had a 1980 diplomat that i put a new interior in

we called the factory and kip sent us some color samples of the colors that they had at the time

they update the colors they use so they may not be an exact match to the original

we opted for the complete interior and it came with everything seats backs sidepanels even the panels in the walkway under the helm

we were very pleased with the fit and finnish on that boat

every thing came in boxes by freight truck right to the house

i'm waiting on the wife to let me order the new interior for my eluder hopefully i'll get it soon

good luck daren

call kip and have him send you a quote

[daren34]

hey jamey how bout some pics of your ride

daren