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1970 Checkmate MX-14

S

starviper10

Active member
Hello! I'm still a little new here so I'm not sure if I'm in the right spot. I figured I should move from the introduction forum to here with my boat rebuild. I'm going to try to put this boat back together this fall and winter and hopefully have it ready for the spring if all goes well. I think I might have a "head start", as it has a solid floor and transom (at least looks like it), and doesn't appear to be rotten like most of the restorations. Also, the paint is pretty nice, and it has some good carpeting.

However, I do have some "obstacles", such as high school. Also, I don't have as big of a checkbook as you guys. So this rebuild won't be the quickest one out there.

So for right now I'm trying to get the simple things figured out with this boat, and hopefully you guys can help me out. I had a lot of help with figuring out the year and model of this boat, and I really appreciate it. So I do have some questions.

What is the best way to get this boat titled? I was told the hp rating is 100 hp, but whats the best size engine for this boat? Also, I'm looking at boat lift or davit options. What is the weight of this boat? I would like to keep this boat as "stock" as I can. Are all these buttons and gauges on the dash what it came with? Did these boats have checkmate decals on them?

Thanks again for all the help and advice! I will post pictures soon.
 
:welcome: Very cool that you're taking this project on at your age. Most of us old farts think that you young guys only play with game controllers. :poke: Your gages look to be original. Here is a pic of the speedo in my MX-16. The push button that I joked about being a James Bond gimmick has to be a later addition, I'm thinking for a bilge pump. Viper 1 is the main man here for setting these boats up. I suggest you send him a PM. He did it back in the day and is always full of information and very helpful. I spent hours pouring through the old photos that Viper 1 has posted to see what these boats looked like originally. As for titling, it will depend on the state you live. You should be able to find this info on line or with a quick phone call. Keep us posted, we are all here to cheer you on. :bigthumb:

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nathan said:
good luck on the project and don't worry about your budget a lot of us work on our boats with nickels instead of dollars. just take your time and do not cut corners.
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I hear that I bought my V-Mate I in 2010 and finally got it finished and in the water this summer . I have spent so much getting it back to Action Marine Standards and getting Sammie's approval . But it was all worth it in the end when it hit the water for the first time .... you have a nice boat there cant wait to see what you do with it .....
 
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redstrat said:
:welcome: Very cool that you're taking this project on at your age. Most of us old farts think that you young guys only play with game controllers. :poke: Your gages look to be original. Here is a pic of the speedo in my MX-16. The push button that I joked about being a James Bond gimmick has to be a later addition, I'm thinking for a bilge pump. Viper 1 is the main man here for setting these boats up. I suggest you send him a PM. He did it back in the day and is always full of information and very helpful. I spent hours pouring through the old photos that Viper 1 has posted to see what these boats looked like originally. As for titling, it will depend on the state you live. You should be able to find this info on line or with a quick phone call. Keep us posted, we are all here to cheer you on. :bigthumb:

picture.php
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Yeah some of my friends are out there spending all their money they get from birthdays and Christmas on video games. Meanwhile I'm spending my lawn mowing and snow shoveling money getting a bigger motor for my small hydroplane boat and shaping the prop. For one Christmas my dad asked me if I'd rather have an xbox or a M16 Scow sailboat for the family. I said the sailboat because I'd have more fun and use it more.
 
The bow light is just the basic light like you have pictured. The stern will be a socket and plug in pole light. I would go led but I understand budget. Your gonna want to go with a switch panel to hook into too. You'll end up haveing more then one thing that will be switched on and off.
 
Just a quick question. Do I need a long shaft engine? I measured the transom at 19 inches. Am I right when I say that Mercury short shafts in the late 60s and 70s are 15 inches?
 
that is your decision. you can put them on a single two position pull out switch or two separate flip switches. from factory they would probably be on the pull out switch. look at the thread from will30 and redstat and others that have done MX-15, MX-16, or Vmates. that boats are a lot alike and they did great jobs on their rebuilds.
 
starviper10 said:
Just a quick question. Do I need a long shaft engine? I measured the transom at 19 inches. Am I right when I say that Mercury short shafts in the late 60s and 70s are 15 inches?
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get a motor that fits the boat. unless you are putting a jack plate or spacer on it that can raise or lower the motor. it is best to measure the motor that you are looking at.
 
nathan said:
get a motor that fits the boat. unless you are putting a jack plate or spacer on it that can raise or lower the motor. it is best to measure the motor that you are looking at.
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I saw that will30 had a 1968 Mercury 100 hp short shaft for sale. I'd love to put a nice Merc like that on there. I have a 1969 35hp Mercury and a 1970 20hp Mercury.
 
keith4216 said:
The bow light is just the basic light like you have pictured. The stern will be a socket and plug in pole light. I would go led but I understand budget. Your gonna want to go with a switch panel to hook into too. You'll end up haveing more then one thing that will be switched on and off.
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I was thinking about putting a nice panel in there with switches for panel lights, navigation lights, bilge, and stuff like that. I was thinking about putting it in the big hole where some guy cut in front of where the throttle would be. I could take a piece of metal and put some toggle switches in.

Something like these except without the fuses in the panel. I'd use in line fuses.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...-Switch-Panel&i=71706&aID=601S4A&merchID=4006

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...ED-Indicators&i=71708&aID=601S4A&merchID=4006
 
you can differently build your own panel and usually cheaper that the premade ones. but those are nice. you can get them without the fuses. check ebay as you can find great deals and some nice used stuff as well.
 
My other idea was to build a little console and put a panel there with a radio and cup holders. I wouldn't have to cut anymore holes in the dash.
 
A console in between your legs going under the bow would be cool. Don't put it between the seats. You'll find it hard to step over.

not your legs, you and the passager legs. In the middle is what I mean.
 
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