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Just Bought a Checkmate Trimate 2

D

dcphotos

New member
Hi,

I'm new to this forum. I was at a yard sale last week and bought a Checkmate Trimate 2 for $600, it was sold as is and I don't know if anything works yet. It did have registration stickers on it from last year. I pulled the front deck out, wood was in terrible shape. I see a few hairline cracks around the transom, but it's not terrible bad. I hope to get her up and running for some lake fun this summer. If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it.
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another mate saved!:thumb: great find. there are a handul of guys here w/ trimates and i'm sure they will chime in soon! welcome aboard:welcome:
 
Thanks! I'm going to get her to an expert soon to find out what the condition of the motor is. Choke button on the throttle is rotted out, might need a new throttle body. I bought some wood to re-build the front deck and some carpet, I'm going to try and go with the rear as it is for now.
If anyone has tips on what to use to clean up the vinyl with let me know.
 
most guys swear by the mr. clean magic eraser or the vinyl..... also buy some "aqua-buff" for the gel coat, it does wonders! do yourself a favor and go buy a service manuall for that motor- it will save you a bunch of money!
 
:welcome: Yep Ross is right . Get that merc manual But thats a inline six thats a very easy motor to work on . I have one on my 76 Trimate II. And from what ive heard that aqua buff works really well . I fixed a spot in my floor a few years ago the rest of it was ok . But youll be happy with her the Trimate is a really fun boat . heres a few pics of mine for ya ....

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Nice boat! I grew up in a 76 trimate II! Blue and white w/metal flake! Father bought it brand new in 1977 with a 175 merc then traded for a 225 merc in 1981. Also had a 1989 150xr4 on it during it's last years. We had it for thirty years. Hated to see it go. We had it all over new england including allot of ocean use!
 
Merc300xs said:
Nice boat! I grew up in a 76 trimate II! Blue and white w/metal flake! Father bought it brand new in 1977 with a 175 merc then traded for a 225 merc in 1981. Also had a 1989 150xr4 on it during it's last years. We had it for thirty years. Hated to see it go. We had it all over new england including allot of ocean use!
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My dad had bought a black and silver Trimate II brand new in 77 from action marine here in Michigan from Sammy . Theres probably a few older guys on here that knew or heard of Sammy and Hot dog . I also grew up in the trimate . So when I found this nice red and black one I had to have it . Ive put alot of time and effort in to it but it was so worth it ...
 
Water Bug said:
:welcome: Where are you in Alabama
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Shorter, near Montgomery, not far from the Victoryland casino/dogtrack if you know where that is. Lake Martin is 30 minutes, Jordan 45, Alabama River 30. Lots of places to go around here.

My biggest concerns are going to be the condition of the motor and the transom. The back looks like it may need some work, and I have no idea how I can get that motor off of there at home. It's parked in a barn right now, I'm going to take it somewhere next week to get checked out I hope. I do have a hole to patch directly under the bow, looks like someone ramed a dock with it. I'll put up some more photos when I get time.
 
dcphotos said:
Hi,

I'm new to this forum. I was at a yard sale last week and bought a Checkmate Trimate 2 for $600, it was sold as is and I don't know if anything works yet. It did have registration stickers on it from last year. I pulled the front deck out, wood was in terrible shape. I see a few hairline cracks around the transom, but it's not terrible bad. I hope to get her up and running for some lake fun this summer. If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it.
3497117797_255286bc93_o.jpg

3497117797_255286bc93_o.jpg

3497117771_113d287d6e_o.jpg

3497117803_0c297ea2b0_o.jpg

3497117811_2383db14a0_o.jpg
Click to expand...

You got a good deal... she needs some TLC but.. lol. In the nose there where the wood is bad get that foam outa there cause it is like a sponge it is probably water logged check it out before putting wood in ( treated wood will not let fiberglass resin bond to it ) Yellow pine plywood and coat both sides with a good coat of resin will seal it good then from the top you can use a little paint if you like before putting carpet back in. ( that's what I do when I restore a boat )( There are Many guys on here that have Lot's of experience reworking boats and Everyone is friendly and helpful and won't hesitate to give you helpful hints and ideas )~ We all started just as you did~ Welcome to the Family!!~
 
Reed said:
You got a good deal... she needs some TLC but.. lol. In the nose there where the wood is bad get that foam outa there cause it is like a sponge it is probably water logged check it out before putting wood in ( treated wood will not let fiberglass resin bond to it ) Yellow pine plywood and coat both sides with a good coat of resin will seal it good then from the top you can use a little paint if you like before putting carpet back in. ( that's what I do when I restore a boat )( There are Many guys on here that have Lot's of experience reworking boats and Everyone is friendly and helpful and won't hesitate to give you helpful hints and ideas )~ We all started just as you did~ Welcome to the Family!!~
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Thanks for the tip. I was thinking I'd get some of that squirt in foam and replace it, or build a support for the deck out of construction foam and I have some around.
I bought 3/4" CDX to replace the old deck. I have been kicking around the idea of laying carpet first and then building a wood deck with oak strips. I could stain them dark and give them a good coat of spar, might look nice.
I bought some wood to re-build the step in and out of the boat in back.
 
We will be at lake Martin 4th of July week end. I will get in touch with you before then. maybe your boat will be finished by then if not you still need to come to the lake. We will have a pontoon and the Checkie there. Lots of fun... One of the guys that I was in the service with lives in Montgomery we always try to get together then.. :thumb:

SEE YA THEN
 
DC, as you tear apart your boat take plenty of pictures and measurements. You will look at pictures often as it goes back together.The supplies you can get from www.Mertons.com, Joe will hook you up and a nice guy to deal with. Lastly look at the other resto's, you'll get plenty of ideas as well as help. The top you can watersand then buff out, also look thru the forums for tips. Good Luck.
 
Trimate II was like a ferrari on water we used to say! I'd like to try a 16 pulsare br someday. I wonder if there is any similarity?
 
dcphotos said:
Thanks for the tip. I was thinking I'd get some of that squirt in foam and replace it, or build a support for the deck out of construction foam and I have some around.
I bought 3/4" CDX to replace the old deck. I have been kicking around the idea of laying carpet first and then building a wood deck with oak strips. I could stain them dark and give them a good coat of spar, might look nice.
I bought some wood to re-build the step in and out of the boat in back.
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Your Welcome.... the foam is not needed unless you want it in there but make sure it will not soak up moisture ... and the beauty of restoring a boat for yourself... you can do it any way you want to it looks awesome to you.. :) and everyone here will enjoy seeing your one of a kind ideas..
 
Water Bug said:
We will be at lake Martin 4th of July week end. I will get in touch with you before then. maybe your boat will be finished by then if not you still need to come to the lake. We will have a pontoon and the Checkie there. Lots of fun... One of the guys that I was in the service with lives in Montgomery we always try to get together then.. :thumb:

SEE YA THEN
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Yeah let know. Lake Martin can be really crowded and crazy on the 4th, be careful. The fireworks are nice up there.
We might not make at that time though as we live out in the country and I think we will have family members in town for a shindig. But Martin is the lake I will be putting her in most of the time, and if the family types are not coming we might go up there.
 
cmpulse170 said:
DC, as you tear apart your boat take plenty of pictures and measurements. You will look at pictures often as it goes back together.The supplies you can get from www.Mertons.com, Joe will hook you up and a nice guy to deal with. Lastly look at the other resto's, you'll get plenty of ideas as well as help. The top you can watersand then buff out, also look thru the forums for tips. Good Luck.
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Will do. I'm a photographer so I tend to document just about everything I do. I looked through the site, I am going to clean this boat up and have some fun with but it's not going to look anything like that yellow boat, that was amazing! That guy really did a job.
 
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