1st Baja mold made by Checkmate?

[bearclaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SCT:
Bearclaw,

Neil Baker (now owns Monarch boats) along with a couple of other Bucyrus guys founded Baja in the early 70s. The original name was something like Aeroglass. Doug Smith later bought into the company and eventually took it over. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the correction. I was a teenager at that time, so I realize my "facts" could have been a little fuzzy. I am certain about the Cobra details though, must have been a transition point along the way to being "Baja".

I'd be curious to hear, in a nutshell, what happened to Baja between then and now. I have a lot of old friends in many areas of the boat industry, from building to selling. It's a rough-and-tumble business, where fortunes can be made and lost quickly. Many people that get into the business are boat lovers, but not good businessmen. Add to that the seasonal nature, and the effect oil prices and interest rates have on your operations AND your market, and you really have to hand it to anybody that that manages to get on top of it and stay there.

 

[tcob]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bearclaw:

Originally posted by SCT:
Bearclaw,

Neil Baker (now owns Monarch boats) along with a couple of other Bucyrus guys founded Baja in the early 70s. The original name was something like Aeroglass. Doug Smith later bought into the company and eventually took it over. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

does anyone know what doug smith is doing now ? seriously !!!!!

 

[cooperider]

I'll see if I can find out anything for ya. Baja has a long and winding history. Some good some not so good.

 

[SCT]

Coop,
Last I heard, he was selling Harleys for Thiels Wheels in Upper.

 

[cooperider]

I can check that out. You want me to go interview him on the Checkmate/Baja story.

 

[tcob]

any of you ohio guys have any good sources at the other boat builder in bucyrus ? are they out of control with quality / warranty issues ? they are getting their ass kicked on speedwake

 

[cooperider]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BOB'S 283:
any of you ohio guys have any good sources at the other boat builder in bucyrus ? are they out of control with quality / warranty issues ? they are getting their ass kicked on speedwake <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>They have a half a parking area stacked with decks that have to be repaired most of them have air bubbles in the glass. I could go on but I'll stop.

 

[Stretch]

pisces of tampa fla. an mx hull with the half rounds half way up the deck. my bro has one

 

[cooperider]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris:
Here is the deal with Quinn's as I understand it fellas. And quite honestly, I could have some of my facts wrong!

Quinn's at one time was the official Canadian distributor for Checkmate Boats. So Quinn's bought boats from Checkmate, and then supplied all the Canadian dealers with their boats.

Quinn's bought some older Mate moulds and started building boats using the Mate moulds under the Panther name. I was told recently by a fella that worked for Quinn's, that he believed they still had the moulds they used to build the Panthers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.checkmate-boats.com/images/avatars/Logo.jpg
Webmaster
Checkmate-Boats.com-The Fanatics Home! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I talked to Mike at Checkmate this week and he told me that Quinns did by several molds from Checkmate including some of the Trimate molds.

 

[Panther]

Yep, Quinns made the panthers...made the V-mate up until about 86, and the Ski-mate until 91 when they stoped making them. (Claimed it wasn't economical to make them anymore cuz everyone wanted Sea-doos.)

I own an 89 panther ski-mate, which was actually built by the aforementioned John Speath, before he left Quinns.

If I knew how to post on this site, I would post a pic for ya all.