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1988 Spectra 171??

John A

John A

Member
Hi Everyone

I've been looking for a boat to replace my dead Sidewinder SS and found this Checkmate which is in great shape. (Thanks Chris for posting pics). I then found this great forum and I'm hoping you experts out there can help me with some questions.

1. From the old brochures, this looks like it's a Spectra 171. Do you think it's a Spectra?

2. There's a sticker on the dash that says something like Exclusive Edition made for Checkmate. It makes it sound like it was built by another builder. Did Checkmate contract out some of their production?

3. It has a 140 Johnson. What kind of performance would I get out of this motor?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks to Chris and others for running a great website.

John A
Mississauga, Ontario
 
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Were those pics taken at Sandy Cove Marine? Sure looks like it. That sure looks like a spectra - neat boat. Originally registered in Bracebridge (60E). Wonder if Pride sold that one?
 
Hey John.

Thanks for the kind words about the site. I'm glad you found us and enjoy the site.

I'm not too sure what model you have, what length is the boat? And what year is it? If all else fails, if you get the VIN number of the boat and call Checkmate you can get a definite answer on the exact model.

With respect to the "exclusive plate", it sounds like you have a model that was custom ordered for a customer. Typically those plates would say something like "this boat made for" and then the customers name would be engraved on the plate. I could be wrong, but that sounds like what it is.
 
Yep ,thats a Spectra and it must be a 171(single cleat on the frt deck) as the 201 has two cleats . Nice looking boat. There was a place on my dash where a name plate was and it looks to about the same size as that one Chris sent. Chris what's the story on those name plates are they something that went on special orders?
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bostoncan:
Yep ,thats a Spectra and it must be a 171(single cleat on the frt deck) as the 201 has two cleats . Nice looking boat. There was a place on my dash where a name plate was and it looks to about the same size as that one Chris sent. Chris what's the story on those name plates are they something that went on special orders? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>If I remember correctly.....

The factory put the plates on some special custom order boats. The factory engraved the owners name into the plates.
 
I had a 171 Spectra,great boat for its size.Handled the rough water good for a 17,powered by a 150 XR2 it ran close to 70 on speedo.Great boat,I wonder where it is these days?
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JOHN A, THAT IS A SPECTRA 171. GREAT LITTLE BOAT AND SHOULD RUN IN THE 50'S WITH THE 140HP. GET YOURSELF A JACKPLATE AND HUNT DOWN A MERC 150XR2 AND YOU'LL HAVE A KILLER PACKAGE THAT WILL RUN FOREVER.
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris E:
Were those pics taken at Sandy Cove Marine? Sure looks like it. That sure looks like a spectra - neat boat. Originally registered in Bracebridge (60E). Wonder if Pride sold that one? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hope I didn't screw up this reply. Chris, it does look like Sandy Cove - I've been there too - but it's not. Not far away though.

John
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bostoncan:
Yep ,thats a Spectra and it must be a 171(single cleat on the frt deck) as the 201 has two cleats . Nice looking boat. There was a place on my dash where a name plate was and it looks to about the same size as that one Chris sent. Chris what's the story on those name plates are they something that went on special orders? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the confirmation. You obviously know your Checkmates!

John
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by fnshrmaster:
I had a 171 Spectra,great boat for its size.Handled the rough water good for a 17,powered by a 150 XR2 it ran close to 70 on speedo.Great boat,I wonder where it is these days?
icon_rolleyes.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the info - it will be in some rough water from time to time.

John
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JUPITER PULSARE:
JOHN A, THAT IS A SPECTRA 171. GREAT LITTLE BOAT AND SHOULD RUN IN THE 50'S WITH THE 140HP. GET YOURSELF A JACKPLATE AND HUNT DOWN A MERC 150XR2 AND YOU'LL HAVE A KILLER PACKAGE THAT WILL RUN FOREVER.
thumb.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Something worth saving for. I've convinced my wife that it's essential for us to have this boat. Now how do I explain it needs a bigger motor.....
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Thanks for everyone's help. You guys are the best.

John
 
John,

I'm glad we solved the plate mystery.

My advice is to say nothing about where this boat is until you buy it, or pass on it. This website gets a lot of hits, and you don't need any competition in your attempt to purchase this boat.
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Chris is right about lots of hits on the web site.Best to put a refundable deposit on it. Then get it checked out if it checks out buy it ,if not get your deposit back , it won't be long before all the buyers come out.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris:
John,

I'm glad we solved the plate mystery.

My advice is to say nothing about where this boat is until you buy it, or pass on it. This website gets a lot of hits, and you don't need any competition in your attempt to purchase this boat.
icon_wink.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Chris. Good advice. There are hardly any marks on the boat. If everything checks out I'll send some pics of it in the water. Thanks for your help.

John
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bostoncan:
Chris is right about lots of hits on the web site.Best to put a refundable deposit on it. Then get it checked out if it checks out buy it ,if not get your deposit back , it won't be long before all the buyers come out. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the advice!

John
 
John ,If you get the boat and need a good SS PRop I have a 18 p turbo propeller that would fit the 140. you can run them quite high.
 
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