A IDEA FOR KIP

[Convincor283]

A OPEN HOUSE at the CHECKMATE factory would be a great weakend event, I know I would come down with at least 8-10 people, you could sell some parts, maybe some shirts, show off your boats,and give a tour. Sounds like a great time to me.

[senator-holland]

my response: Where is that plane to ohio?

would be cool!

[sonoma]

how far is the factory from ottawa canada ???

[Chris]

Sonoma, I'm just guessing but it's probably about a five to six hour drive from Toronto. So from Ottawa, I guess add another 3-4 hours.

It's about 350 Miles from Toronto if you go down the 401 to Detroit and then south.

[harleyherb]

Sounds like a good ideal to me, last year we traveled to Green Bay expecting a large turn-out, but only 4 boats made the trip. Let us know the date and maybe we will try to make it.

[jrumon]

I'd go for it...sounds like fun to me! Jim. :thumb:
(Livonia, Michigan)

[harleyherb]

I don't think anybody would be expecting a lot of freebies, just a get togather and a tour of the plant. Most of us have never been to an actual boat factory. I work swing shift, but if I'm off I would be interested in attending.

[merc245]

I WOULD ENJOY A RETURN VIST VERY MUCH MYSELF. FEW YEARS AGO WENT DOWN TO PURCHASE A WINDSHIELD. WENT TO THE FACTORY LET MYSELF IN AND WONDERED AROUND 20 MINS OR SO BEFORE I REALIZED THIS IS NOT WHERE I NEED TO BE.I WOULD LOVE A PROPER TOUR OF THE FACILITY. P.S. I DID EVENTUALLY FOUND MY WAY TO THE WINDSHIELD AND NO ONE THE WISER.

[JW]

I've been there a couple times, the first with the family and got an 'official' tour, and the second to make my 'Checkmate Tour' article. They let me have the run of the place the second time I was down, I could photograph anything. I think my pictures of the new Pulsare 1600 were the first ever published anywhere.

[mike d]

that sounds great i would try to be there and i would bring at 4 people with me

[william bailey]

No response from Kip yet? :irked:

I have been there a couple times in the past three years to by a couple parts from Mike and felt very welcome by everyone. Mike gave me a tour of the plant. Awesome. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Kip Combs]

You guys are more than welcome to come see the plant any time !......whether it's as a group of guys or a couple ......doesn't matter to us! It would make more sense to come when it's warm out if you want to come as a group! Maybe we could all go have some pop's .. :eyes: after words! Or maybe turn it into a little boating get together say ....everybody showing up on a friday for a tour.. staying and going to lake erie on sunday w/ a few of ya bringing your boats and i could maybe find one to use! :thumb: Anyway something we could talk about !KC

[JUPITER PULSARE]

AS A PAST SALES REP FOR FOUNTAIN POWER BOATS AND FACTORY REP FOR ACTIVE THUNDER BOATS, I CAN TELL YOU GUYS THAT NOTHING COMPARES TO SEEING HOW BOATS ARE BUILT FROM GROUND ZERO. NOTHING BEATS WAKING UP TO THE FUMES OF FRESHLY SPRAYED GELCOAT, FIBREGLASS AND RESIN AT 7:00 IN THE MORNING!!!! IT IS INTERESTING AND QUITE A BIT OF FUN TO SEE THESE SHINY NEW BOATS EMERGE FROM LAYERS OF MOLDS, CARPENTRY, AND RIGGING. I CAN ALSO TELL YOU THAT AFTER YEARS OF PLAYING WITH LARGE OFFSHORE BOATS IN SOUTH FLORIDA, THE THRILL OF RUNNING AROUND IN MY CHECKMATE "POCKET ROCKET" HAS PUT THE FUN BACK INTO BOATING!! (NOT TO MENTION ALOT LESS EXPENSE OUT OF MY POCKET)

[JW]

Kip! That sounds great! I could bring the 'ol digital camera again and make an article out of it for this site and for Scream and Fly and for Family and Performance Boating.

Or we could invite Greg from Scream and Fly and Warren from F&PB down for the day to do their own articles, and I could do one for here. Triple cool....... :surf:

[Chris]

How rough is Lake Erie fellas?

I'm thinking I might be able to make it down for the day for a tour. I know Yolanda would probably really like to see the plant and all the boats. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Chris E]

Spectre 170 is right. I've been to all three Sea Ray plants in tennessee and it is something else to see a 45 gallon drum of resin turn into a boat.

[Convincor283]

I to have bean to the factory to pick up some gel-coat and checked out some of the factory, but did not get a full blown tour, but I would really like to meet with other MATE fans and make a day of it, or a weekend. Sign me up to bring my boat,but please lets not do this the week of July24 I getting married that weekend.

[senator-holland]

[QUOTE]Sign me up to bring my boat,but please lets not do this the week of July24 I getting married that weekend. [/QUOTE>

if it is cancel your marriage than! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.giflol
congrats on your marrage!

[merc245]

CHRIS, HOW ROUGH IS ERIE. IT'S ALL RELATIVE. THAT'S LIKE WHEN YOUR WIFE ASKES IF SHE LOOKS FAT IN THIS. THERE IS NO RIGHT ANSEWER. BUT I THINK MAYBE SHORT RIDE TO PUT-IN-PAY WOULD BE POSSIABLE FROM PORT CLINTON FOR SHORT A DAY VIST. OR OTHERS CAN CATCH THE FERRY. JUST ANOTHER IDEAL. I RUN ERIE ALL SEASON. MERC245

[Convincor283]

Thanks SENATOR.

[F150GT]

A get together/factory tour would be very cool, I'd bring my boat up for the weekend. Sounds like a good time and I'd like to meet some other members.
F150GT

[Crave2WaterSkii]

Hey Chris, that would be a great outing for us and what an interesting thing to see...the makings of the best boats around.

The way Chris drives, it wouldn't take us that long to get there :bigthumb: