Midwesterners, check in!

[Acer2428]

Hey y'all.

I'm a Virginia boy living in Ames, IA (just N or Des Moines). Anybody run on Saylorville lake?

Hauled my old rig up to Lewis and Clark lake on the SD/NE border, beautiful area and would LOVE an excuse to head up that way come Spring.

So let's hear it, where's your home base?

Sam

[MateFever]

I reside in Pella, Ia and my boat once finished will be spending most of it's time on Lake Red Rock. Grew up boating on the Mississippi in southern Iowa and have made several trips over to both Clinton Lake and Shelbyville Lake in Souther Il. Chances are, the Mate may head to one of those at some point too.

Acer, I've boated Salyorville. Small for the amount of boats but always a good time. If your still in college you'll love party cove. Not too many Mates on the lake though. Mostly run of the mill stuff that you see everywhere.

[Acer2428]

Yes, sir.

Still in school here at ISU. One more year left. I need to figure out where party cove is at!

Looks like Red Rock is pretty decent sized. Might have to make my way down there, as you're only an hour or so away.

[MateFever]

That's right, only about an hour and it is a very big lake. Lot of open water though so it can get kind of rough.

Party cove is over by the dam on the north side of the lake, I beleive the only cove close to the dam. If you put in at Cherry Glen (which I always did due to the size of my parents boat) the just head towards the dam and look for all the boats tied up.

Awesome on only a year left. Whats your major? How bout that game last weekend?

[Acer2428]

Ag Business/ Econ.

The game was awesome. I actually work for the ISU PD, so I was down on the field trying to keep students off....lol

Frankly, saylorville gets rough, but usually due to wake. I've only been out a few times, as I have a 4cyl 6 cyl motor...lol but there always seemed to be LOTS of boats and not a lot of room.

[175checkmate]

Midwest mates. Right on. I am in the western side of Nebraska. Water, well that depends on the time of year.

[Acer2428]

Midwest mates. Right on. I am in the western side of Nebraska. Water, well that depends on the time of year.

You live in the twilight zone as far as I'm concerned.... I've been out there. How do you boat in corn? :lol:

[boatn70]

well, im feeling kinda left out here!! :(

what about us F***n Illinois Bast***ds??

no mention of us around here!!!:pissed:


just wondering what "midwest" really means??

[Acer2428]

All the states that DON'T SUCK at life.

[TRACY]

Here ya' go Boatn70 guess we will have to represent Illinois....

[Acer2428]

Yeah, it really should include Illinois, except I think they're talking about making a great lakes section, which IL would be included.

[175checkmate]

You live in the twilight zone as far as I'm concerned.... I've been out there. How do you boat in corn? :lol:

Don't need a lot of trim to boat in corn. LOL. There are a few small lakes with in a hour of the house. A few across the boarder in WY. We actually live right next to BFE.:D

[Acer2428]

Don't need a lot of trim to boat in corn. LOL. There are a few small lakes with in a hour of the house. A few across the boarder in WY. We actually live right next to BFE.:D

Been there before! lol.

[Taube]

Acer, When the water is high, head up north or get a hold of me... We "escorted" a couple bajahahahaha's up past frasier which is past Boone this last time it was high... could have made it to fort dodge but they were gettin low on fuel... just stay to the outside curves and the depth was fine... one of the baja's was a 29' with twin 454's no problem..... We also plan a couple trips to the mighty mississippi so everyone let me know where you are... I'm From the quad cities and Sabula (damn divorced parents) we usually put in at Bellevue on Iowa side and go from there...

Hey Rockford Ill, I've been on the Rock up that way skiing against the ski team there.(ski broncs i think?).. I was a backwater gambler for 7 years down in rock island.. you're not too far from the Miss to come on a trip

Dan

[Acer2428]

That'd be nice. It was SUPER rough and I couldn't get over 40 without fearing for my life in that tiny little boat.

I also have NO idea where I'm going on that damn lake. All I know is to stay east of the bridge (so says the Army COE). I'll PM you # next time you guys are planning to head out.

Sam

[jgreen]

What about Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes and 2 checkmates?:brickwall:
I run in central Minnesota and live in the big city of moorhead,Mn.

[Acer2428]

1 checkmate now, I went and brought mine back to Iowa ;)

[bartsboat]

I might be the only Checkmate that reported in from South Dakota, but I live in Yankton so Lewis and Clark will have one Diplomat blastin' around on it this year. We could get a number of adjasent camping spots lakeside, with enough planning ahead.

It is a blast to just put out into the lake on hot summer nights and drink beers and swim. The water gets so calm at night and when the moon is shining the reflextions are great.

If there aren't enough chicks around we could go recruiting at the local talent zone. At 2 AM. They would most likely have their own onboard PFDs.

:drool::cheers:eyecrazy:

The name is one of those good size parrots. I think Barretta had one. The board would blank out the first part of the name because it is a naughty word in almost every context ever used.

Seriously let me know if you decide to come up this way. You are right it is a wide open fun lake and it will be cool to see some more Checkmates.

[disturbed]

well, im feeling kinda left out here!! :(

what about us F***n Illinois Bast***ds??

no mention of us around here!!!:pissed:


just wondering what "midwest" really means??

What kinda speed you gettin out of that 242

[bdusted440]

well, im feeling kinda left out here!! :(

what about us F***n Illinois Bast***ds??

no mention of us around here!!!:pissed:


just wondering what "midwest" really means??
Dido that kev!:pissed:
Otherwise known as fib's to wi folk.:devil:

[Sam I am]

What about Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes and 2 checkmates?:brickwall:
I run in central Minnesota and live in the big city of moorhead,Mn.


I'm a Minnesota Boy livin' the dream in FL. Moving back there in May, June or July depending on when the house sells. My mate is on Upper Corm...south of Lake Park.

I'll be buying a house in Fargo or West Fargo though.

[sachst]

I am living in the IC area and tend to go out on the Res. It also has a nice party cove but I tend to only hit it once or twice a year. I like to cruise as much as possible. The res is move river like, has many coves and goes for 20 miles or more at normal water levels. High water can get you up as far as Amana unless you lack a pair or any sense of adventure. I took my new 24 foot checkmate up there last year. I know people with 20 year old Bayliners that wouldn't go up with us so go figure. I had one word for those fellas and it began with P and ended in y.

I grew up on the Mississippi so the res is like a swimming pool when it comes to needing a brain to navigate. It tends to get a bit boring unless alls you care about is sitting and getting loaded all day. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy that a few days but prefer to keep my brain and cruise after I get that out of my system. But I would definitely recommend the Mississippi. It is one thing I do miss living closer to and I usually make it down there 4-5 times a summer. I made 12 locks in 1 trip last year. Awesome!!!!


Have yet to make it up to Des Moines. But I do hear it is crowded so I tend to avoid those areas.

[MateFever]

Hey man...where abouts did you boat on the Mississippi? I grew up in Ft. Madison and did a bunch of boating between there and Burlington (mostly Burlington). I know what you mean about lakes being boring to navigate compared to the river, and oh do I miss it. If you're heading to Des Moines Sewerville, I mean Saylorville isn't too bad if you want to party but definitely very crowded. Ought to try Red Rock...It's much larger and not as many boats. That's where I'll be spending most of my time once I get my Predictor done (I also live in Pella so it's right there).

[bdusted440]

well, im feeling kinda left out here!! :(

what about us F***n Illinois Bast***ds??

no mention of us around here!!!:pissed:


just wondering what "midwest" really means??


DIDO. Kev well just have to start our own.LOL

FIB'S MATES

[Wide Open]

Ok....add another southern Illinois boy to the pack. WOW....we're growin' as we speak. We're up to what........3 of us now?LOL
I work for one of the newest Checkmate dealers. Any questions, feel free to ask!

J

[msmile]

acer--
Saylorville is pretty choppy for any 16' boat on the weekends. Weeknights are OK. I used to run my predictor/inline up and down that lake--many years ago. Anyways, Little Wall lake is 20 minutes north of Ames on US Hwy 69 (Jewell). 600 acres. Big enough to ski.--way smoother. Red Rock has twice the acres and 1/4 the boats (Pella).

[MateFever]

Im thinking we might be getting close to being able to have a small Iowa get together. Be the most Checkmates in one spot this state has ever seen.

[Reed]

Im thinking we might be getting close to being able to have a small Iowa get together. Be the most Checkmates in one spot this state has ever seen.

I was wondering is Indiana considered part of the mid western area?? I wish I could make that Iowa trip

[appollo1]

Any one run on the St. Croix and the Mississippi. I just replaced my 91 Starflite witha 95 Pulsare and can't wait to get out again, but here in MN spring is having a hard time showing up since it may snow this weekend.:brickwall:

[Acer2428]

acer--
Saylorville is pretty choppy for any 16' boat on the weekends. Weeknights are OK. I used to run my predictor/inline up and down that lake--many years ago. Anyways, Little Wall lake is 20 minutes north of Ames on US Hwy 69 (Jewell). 600 acres. Big enough to ski.--way smoother. Red Rock has twice the acres and 1/4 the boats (Pella).

Sorry, haven't been on in quite a while. You're def. right, it's MUCH choppier than I thought. Hell, the last time I was down there I couldn't idle without waves coming over the splashwell! Beaching had to be aborted too, it wasn't the most fun I've ever had.

I will def. head up to Little Wall and check it out. I need to clean the carbs here before it gets warm!

[gavinthered]

hey guys, i just took out my new (old) predictor for the first time this past weekend on saylorville, and then okoboji for the fourth, and other than a little mishap with the starter nut coming off on the middle of okoboji it went great. if anyone is planning a get-together let me know, im living in ames until the first of aug. and then will be in the iowa city/quad cities area for the next year (at least). it would be great to meet some fellow owners.

[mmeditz]

Was just wondering if being here in Kansas qualifies me to be in the midwest mates. :surf:

[91checkmatediplomat]

New Checkmate member and boat owner, have been to the lake every day since I bought boat 3 weeks ago and love every minute of it.
Boat have evinrude 140 outboard oil injected and is a blast on the lake.
I have had boat to 55 mph on my lyeometer a couple times and boat
still had some left but I chickened out but still lots of fun

[91checkmatediplomat]

sorry never informed but I am from Hugo Mn...

[jgreen]

Where is Hugo ?

[Precision]

I'm here in central Illinois! 1990 Maxium 281. Let's get a meet going!

[Reed]

Is Indiana in that Central Region too?? I wanted to say hello and welcome to all that join, this is a great place to find ( Good sound info, and share ideas, stories, and help others find things on their boats ) I have learned a lot and made some great friends here. ;)

[jlroeder4]

This is a good idea, the Mississippi River would be an awesome location. I think this would be great.

Jason

[Keytime]

"Check"in' in from Derby, KS. Picked up my '99 283 Convincor this Spring. Typically take it to Lake of the Ozarks, but it'll see some other lakes in the midwest as well. It has been on El Dorado near Wichita twice.

Glad to see a good forum on these boats. I'm diggin' mine so far.