Hey guys, i'm Ryan, 29 years old and live in the Houston, TX area. Last year i saw this little red boat in poor shape sitting in a field with a forsale sign. I called on it. Was told its an 1986 checkmate playmate and the guy wanted $500 without motor. I passed on the deal, not knowing anything about checkmate boats at the time.
A year passed and in febuary of this month i was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer, under went surgery and ended up with a colostomy bag. Currently undergoing chemotheropy and due to lots of doc visits and the chemo i'm unable to work for now leaving me with a good amoint of time on my hands. Im crafty by nature, and a pipefitter / pipe welder by trade.
Back in march of this year the owner of the little red playmate texted me saying he reduced the price by $50. I responded saying that i cant afford to purchase with cash due to medical bills and not working, but i could trade him my 1954 J.C. Higgins model 60 12 guage auto loader. I only paid $100 at a pawn shop. He accepted and i tool the boat home as a proud new owner. Its been my little project, i do something to it each day that im feeling well enough to work on it. Ive wet sanded the hull, compounded, polishe with glaze, and then waxed it. The factor metal flake looks nearly new now! I added a seat base, two seats to replace the bench seating. I figured i needed room for a cooler, it now fits between the seats. My pelican 1060 dry box and cup holders come in tommorrow. Today i made a raised back section to store the battery and metal fuel tank. Next week a guy id redoing the floor for me for $250!! I thought that was a great deal, hopefully it turns out nice and i can then carpet over it!
I traded a yeti roadie cooler 20qt that i won in a free drawing for a 1972 mercury merc 500 (50hp). It started up and ran when i looked at it but the compression tester that i rented from autozone was broke so couldnt test befor buying. I figured if it started up then the compression was more than likely fine. After getting it home i rebuilt the fuel diaphram, replaced all the vaccum lines and fuel lines. Replaced all fuel connection. New starter and starter silonoid. Rebuilt both carbs and replaced floats. New ngk spark plugs. And new decals are on the way. The motor came with title that is now in my name and a 3 blade brass prop.
Since the motor is a long shaft i started looking for a way to raise it. I found just the ticket! A CMC trim/tilt unit rated up to 130hp motors. I traded a nice calcutta reel for it. Reel was worth about $180. It is in opperating condition and has the lift kit to raise motor 3 inches which is just perfect for the playmate since its a 18" transom. I hope to mount them this weekend once my metal transom plate gets back from being powder coated.
Things i still want is a gps speedo/tach combo, gauge hole radio, trim tabs, and a bar made for the back so i can mount some speakers and a flag to.
Ill try to keep this updated as work continues.......
In the meantime i'll post some pics just as soon as i figure out how. Help?! Lol
A year passed and in febuary of this month i was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer, under went surgery and ended up with a colostomy bag. Currently undergoing chemotheropy and due to lots of doc visits and the chemo i'm unable to work for now leaving me with a good amoint of time on my hands. Im crafty by nature, and a pipefitter / pipe welder by trade.
Back in march of this year the owner of the little red playmate texted me saying he reduced the price by $50. I responded saying that i cant afford to purchase with cash due to medical bills and not working, but i could trade him my 1954 J.C. Higgins model 60 12 guage auto loader. I only paid $100 at a pawn shop. He accepted and i tool the boat home as a proud new owner. Its been my little project, i do something to it each day that im feeling well enough to work on it. Ive wet sanded the hull, compounded, polishe with glaze, and then waxed it. The factor metal flake looks nearly new now! I added a seat base, two seats to replace the bench seating. I figured i needed room for a cooler, it now fits between the seats. My pelican 1060 dry box and cup holders come in tommorrow. Today i made a raised back section to store the battery and metal fuel tank. Next week a guy id redoing the floor for me for $250!! I thought that was a great deal, hopefully it turns out nice and i can then carpet over it!
I traded a yeti roadie cooler 20qt that i won in a free drawing for a 1972 mercury merc 500 (50hp). It started up and ran when i looked at it but the compression tester that i rented from autozone was broke so couldnt test befor buying. I figured if it started up then the compression was more than likely fine. After getting it home i rebuilt the fuel diaphram, replaced all the vaccum lines and fuel lines. Replaced all fuel connection. New starter and starter silonoid. Rebuilt both carbs and replaced floats. New ngk spark plugs. And new decals are on the way. The motor came with title that is now in my name and a 3 blade brass prop.
Since the motor is a long shaft i started looking for a way to raise it. I found just the ticket! A CMC trim/tilt unit rated up to 130hp motors. I traded a nice calcutta reel for it. Reel was worth about $180. It is in opperating condition and has the lift kit to raise motor 3 inches which is just perfect for the playmate since its a 18" transom. I hope to mount them this weekend once my metal transom plate gets back from being powder coated.
Things i still want is a gps speedo/tach combo, gauge hole radio, trim tabs, and a bar made for the back so i can mount some speakers and a flag to.
Ill try to keep this updated as work continues.......
In the meantime i'll post some pics just as soon as i figure out how. Help?! Lol
Welcome to the Forum. That's a sharp looking little CM you have there Ryan. The polish on the metalflake came out great. Best wishes on the rest of your rebuild and your health.
