What have I done?

[jtaj77]

Well today I traded my camaro for a 79 Enchanter. It's going to need so help but I think I'm going to be happy with it. The boat runs great on the trailer and most of the time on the water. I just got back from our first trip a little while ago. Power comes from a 200 mercury that has some mods done to it so I'm told. This is my first Checkmate and I had a good time today on the water even if I had a few issues.


Once I get it reliable and on a trailer that will fit it I need to do something with the name somebody painted on the side in big letters. It looks like they cleared over it Anybody make a large sticker or graphics package that would cover that ridiculous name? I really don't want to paint it anytime soon. Here are a few pics.




I'm guessing this thing is not stock?



This is a great forum you have going here, lots of info on how to blow my money.

 

[83PREDICTOR]

Hey welcome, nice boat. I have a Predictor that is the same colors. I also live in Riverview (symmes and 301). Me and Check16 on this site were out on the Alifia today with our Checkmates.

 

[jtaj77]

Hey welcome, nice boat. I have a Predictor that is the same colors. I also live in Riverview (symmes and 301). Me and Check16 on this site were out on the Alifia today with our Checkmates.

I'm down in Summerfield so we are almost neighbors. We were on the river until about 6pm. We put in at Williams park. Were you out Monday or Wednesday evening? I thought I saw a mate on the river when we were cruising in the pontoon boat.

 

[CHECK16]

Nice Mate you got there.That thing should go pretty good with a 200 on it.


Mike,I think it's time to re-rig the Predictor.

 

[jtaj77]

Nice Mate you got there.That thing should go pretty good with a 200 on it.


Mike,I think it's time to re-rig the Predictor.

I don't know how fast it should be but I saw 56 on the gps yesterday when we were out in the bay. I've never had a boat like this so I don't know how fast it should be. Getting the jack plate and trim right will take some time. It also has a starting issue, sometime it just spins over but won't fire. When it does this the primer bulb seems really soft like its losing it's prime. The funny part is that I can't get it to act up on the trailer. I'm sure the is the standard course of action, load it up and head home and it will run like a champ. I guess I need to start a restoration thread.

Here is my first addiction if anybody cares. This one is my baby.

 

[83PREDICTOR]

We must have just missed you yesterday. I think I have seen your Samurai around. I was in the market for one but ended up buying a 86' 4Runner. Next time your in the water try tilting the engine up so the exshast is out of the water before you start it.

 

[jtaj77]

This is my tow pig. If you see it at the ramp be look for me out there. I'll be hard to miss until I do something about those big dumb words on the side. I'll normally be with a pontoon and 2 Honda skis or at least one of them until I trust this thing.



If I had to start over I would do a 4runner myself. The sammy is just not big enough inside.

 

[bsprout]

hey.

The first thing i noticed is only one steering cable. With a 200 you NEED dual cables. It will save you a world of hurt

 

[jtaj77]

The first thing i noticed is only one steering cable. With a 200 you NEED dual cables. It will save you a world of hurt

yeah I was wondering about that. It could use some power steering or at least I could.

 

[83PREDICTOR]

It looks like you are already set up for dual cable steering but someone removed one of them. Normally one gets removed because it got seized up which means the one thats left on isn't much better. I think you may want to get two new cables soon. Let me know what steering system you have I may have some cables that will work.

 

[Vandalizer]

I'm glad someone else noticed the steering problem. You should be able to hit 70 with that package unless you have water problems or motor problems. You may need a new prop to do it. As already said, get that steering fixed first so it's safe!!

 

[jtaj77]

I'm going to go over to where the boat is later, I'll take a look at it. I need a bimini top too, I'm cooked today. I'm not really looking to go faster yet. I want to fix all this minor stuff to get it safe and reliable first. Then it's getting a bimini and big enough trailer.

I just don't understand why people buy a trailer that is to small, this trailwe was bought after the boat. The people my mom got her pontoon from did the same thing. On that trailer we just moved the axle back to make it work while she is looking for a new one. Mine is just way to small.

 

[jtaj77]

Restoration Discussions

Got it running decent and took it out yesterday. I was planning on just a little test drive but it turned out to be about 2.5 hrs. It ran the whole time so now I'm ready to fix my steering cause it wore me out just cruising up and down the river. This site is going to be a great help to me in this project. I started a thread in the Restoration Discussions section. Here is a pic from yesterday.

 

[wizard8575]

I noticed your nose cone install. It needs some cleaning up those edges are way to rought they could cause air buildup on the lower unit.

 

[fbpd227]

Wow! Wish I had met ya when I still lived in FL! We share the same passions! I have always been a Jeep guy ( 14 so far to date) but just got into Checkmate's also. My Wrangler has 9" lift 37" IROKS, 4.88 gears, lockers, etc...for the Telico NC rock crawlin scene- of course now they have closed Telico....so....Checkmate takes ALL my attention. And, yes, THESE GUYS ARE AWESOME on this board!!! Have been SO helpful to me already- caused me to spend alot of money! LOL!

 

[Hottrucks]

The first thing i noticed is only one steering cable. With a 200 you NEED dual cables. It will save you a world of hurt

I noticed your nose cone install. It needs some cleaning up those edges are way to rought they could cause air buildup on the lower unit.

2 good calls I have a template to use for fairing that lower up not sure it there is a post here or not but if there isn't I'll be more than happy to write one up and maybe make it a stick or something

I had the same boat pulled it with a 32 ford with a 383 in it boat would run mid 70's swinging a 25 pitch but when I was hanging it out I had a 28 cleaver that would push it much higher but you better learn to drive on a pad first...........the old ford wel she would run 11's

good luck let me know if I can help I'll need your eamil to send you that temp if you want it

 

[jtaj77]

I noticed your nose cone install. It needs some cleaning up those edges are way to rough they could cause air buildup on the lower unit.

I noticed that to. Can I just clean it up and re epoxy it? Bob's Machine is not to far from me and that looks like one of the cones they sell, maybe I will see what the would charge to fix it up. The cone looks straight and seem to be on there really solid. I know that it has been on there a long time. I hope getting the steering right will make it much easier to steer. Just cruising up and down the river at 30-35 mph really wore me out. Just getting a good day of running out of it really picked me up, I was thinking that I bought a lemon.

 

[Hottrucks]

not sure what the charge but it wouldn't hurt to ask of do it your self it's pretty easy to do and as far as painting it well there are some easy chioces....you can use rustilim industyial ( welcome to home depo) or shhhhhhhhhhh don't tell any GOOD gas grill paint..the satin/flat finish is faster that shiny trust me!! both paints will last quite awhile and wil take a touch up pretty easy.......bt dont tell because they wil think your nuts like me

 

[bsprout]

i have hydraulic steering

You might want to look into..the BEST money i ever spent

 

[bsprout]

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