-
Welcome to the Checkmate Community Forums forums.
» Interact with over 10,000 Checkmate Fanatics from around the world!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access to our other FREE features.
By joining our free community you will be able to:
» Post topics and messages
» Post and view photos
» Communicate privately with other members
» Access our extensive gallery of old Checkmate brochures located in our Media Gallery
» Browse the various pictures in our Checkmate photo gallery
Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support by clicking here or by using the"contact us" link at the bottom of the page.
1975 Vmate restoration
- Thread starter Will30
- Start date
Will30
Well-known member
Its gunna be started here in the next few days . Work schedule hasnt allowed me to do anything . But Buy parts ... Which now I have everything I need .... Plus its been way too hot here this summer !!! I know If I would have had it home I wouldnt have touched it . But now we are getting nicer weather 80' in the afternoon and low 60's at night . I have no problem with 60 degs lol . Im going to start the inside of the boat while my dad starts doing some glass work on the outside of the hull ... Than get it ready for paint But probably wont paint till the spring
Will30
Well-known member
Spent all morning out in the Garage getting it ready for the boat . Moved all the big tools around . I need a bigger garage . I plan on starting on the boat thursday Thats my next day off . I went and picked up more fiberglass and some paint stripper for the motor etc . In the mean time Enjoying a cold one stripping some old paint of the 150 Merc ....
Will30
Well-known member
Got out of work really late tonight Well morning now . Got out at 5am and was home by 5:30am . I wanted to sleep for a bit but I know that if I do go to sleep now I wont be up for awhile . So im just gunna stay up I guess . Have to run out grab the boat get it in the garage and Start removing the old carpet . I have alot to do on this day off so I have to make the most of it 
Will30
Well-known member
So after looking at that I figured what the Hell and started cutting out the floor and that turned in to removing wet nasty foam from under the floor . I found one small spot of rotten core so far and its just under where the rear seat bench would be . Still have a piece of floor to remove there to see how the rest is . But from there up to the bow the core look fantastic . I was actually shocked to see that most of the core is dry and intact.
Last edited:
JT Patroni
Well-known member
You really do have a good start there. If the transom is ok I would say you have lucked out with your resto. Get some sleep, you may enjoy the rest of the project better.
Will30
Well-known member
The transom is junk in this thing but I knew that when I bought it in October . My dad is supposed to start doing the outside glass work here soon . He is going to start patching the holes on the outside of the transom . There has been two different Mercs on it . You can see where it had the 70's style transom bracket mounted and than a newer mount and some one drilled all kinds of holes and siliconed all round the bracket lol. The newer bracket marks looks just like the 60 hp Merc bigfoot on my pontoon . The weather is finally cool enough to where you can be outside in the sun all day and enjoy yourself .
yellowfiero88
Well-known member
I love me a good resto thread! 
Will30
Well-known member
Well today before I left for work I made it out and removed all the snaps in the deck of the boat where some one had a cockpit cover made for it . I dont like the idea of snaps in the boat and most of all not on the top But thats just my preference . Im going to repair all the holes and the cover I have made will have a draw string in it . I also removed the bow light and stern light too And installed a new trailer jack . (didnt have one on it ) I am going to try and do a little more to it before I leave for work . But I have Sunday all planned out and ill be spending it working on the boat 
Its posed to be sunny and 77 here sunday . That is perfect weather to be outside
Its posed to be sunny and 77 here sunday . That is perfect weather to be outside
Will30
Well-known member
Been out already today tinkering before I head to work . Didnt do alot but was able to cut the piece of wood out up in the bow to access the foam . Managed to get it out in one piece even thought the center of it was completely rotten . I wasnt going to mess with it today but I just cant leave it alone lol. Than I have all day tomorrow to get some more stuff done !!!
Will30
Well-known member
Been out working all morning . Had to come in for a bite to eat was getting ill from not eating . So I here are few pictures of what ive done so far . Removed the passenger seat box . cut out the floor in the bildge area . When I head back out ill start removing the battery box . Trying to get as much done as possible since its so nice out right now ...
Seat box gone . And that little saw is fantastic ...
and the rest of the floor gone
Seat box gone . And that little saw is fantastic ...
and the rest of the floor gone
bigredinohio
Active member
Looking at those pictures just made my nose curl thinking about that sweet smell of dirty old water and rotted old wood that's been sitting in a boat for years. Glad to see you finally working on it and making some progress. Let me know if you need any help.