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New Member Wants a Boat!!

USAFaggie

USAFaggie

Member
Howdy ya'll, I must say I am totally jealous of most everyone on this site. Why? Becuase ya'll all own Checkmates! I'm tired of the whole jetski thing, and our bay boat just doesn't do anything for me, so it's time for me to find my own boat! I'd like something I could town a skiier with, or just play around in and haull butt. At first I was dead set on some sort of jet boat or i/o set up, but I've got this strange attraction to outboards all of a sudden. I really would like to keep the cost under 8 grand. I know I won't be able to get the best boat, but there are some old gems out there I know. Problem is, I'm in Alamogordo, NM.... Not exactly the promiseland for finding boats. So if anyone happens to know of anything around here for sale, or if anyone has a boat they are willing to ship let me know!!! Thanks guys (and gals)!

Ryall Meyer
 
Welcome to the best site on the web!!
I'm trying to sell mine but I can't easily invite you over for a ride!

Good Luck!
Checkmates are the best boat and this site has the best support!!
 
welcome. Im not sure about that hull, never been in it but I think that is a heavy boat so its not gonna haul too much ass unless you get some serious HP. for that much money you could get a much better checkmate. try ebay or craigslist, you're bound to find something interesting.
BTW whats up with your SN??
 
Sorry USAF....

That boat is sold and is now in Canada. I hooked a buddy of mine up with it. It is absolutely showroom. Photo's did not do it justice. It runs just over 50 as it is set up right now. (Crappy hi5 prop) It will run mid 50's easily with a Tempest plus and a bit of set back.

Great ski boat.

What is the story on your name? US Air Force Aggie?

Good luck finding something.

BP - You could NOT find a better boat than that one for the money.
 
Dang, too bad that boat is sold! My name comes from the fact that I'm in the Air Force and graduated from Texas A&M (we're the Aggies). I dunno, I couldn't think of anything else lol. Keeps ya'lls eyes open for me please! I wouldn't mind having a boat shipped if I knew anything about boat shipping. How much does it usually run for a boat in our size range?

I've been eyeing up his starliner, but like I said what would shipping it involve, and would shipping it be worth it?
 
I'm not so sure that those front seats are original, can't really tell what they are though. I'd mainly be concerned with the motor. If it's just a basic, automotive style buildup, it may not last long in a boat. If it is built to marine specs by someone reputable, that would be a cool boat. The price may still be a little high though.
 
The Exciter is my favorite checkmate ever. Although that looks in real nice shape, 9k seem a bit steep. Look in the showroom section and you can get all the stats on the Exciter.
 
Ha you're the 3rd person thats said the price is too steep. I'll try ot get him to come down. It looks like a good boat though, and its got an I/O which I love. I know it probably won't be as fast as a comperable outboard set up, but I bet it sounds good!

If I go look at it, what should I look at on the engine to make sure its not just an auto engine? Obviously if its a Merc. its a marine engine.... but anythign else?
 
Well, I just talked to the owner of the Exciter on the phone. I specifically asked him about the motor, and its a Chevy crate motor and he's put a bunch of money into a rebuild. He said it has good bearing, rings, etc. and he miked or mic'ed it? I dunno what that means, I know what blueprinted is, maybe its the same thing? I asked if it was set up as a car engine or a boat engine and he said it was definately set up as a marine motor and has wet headers etc. I sounds like it hauls ass, and he said its pretty damn quick (60+).

The outdrive is an Alpha 1 with beefed up gears and it has less than 100 hours on it. He was telling me these boats are really rare and hard to come by, and this it was custom ordered from Checkmate. Is that probably true? I checked the price on NADA Boat appraisals and it only comes in at a few grand. I think thats way too low, but yeah 9000 seems pretty steep. Should I try to bring him down to 6-7000?

It is REALLY REALLY hard to keep myself from committing to Mooney's boat right now! I really really really like it, but I'd like to take a look at this one too, especially since I wont have to ship it. My dad can bring it back from houston, and I can pick it up the next weekend. Damn Mooney's boat is nice. It is orange though.... thats the color of the enemy lol (university of texas).
 
Well, no joy on the Exciter. That boat was a piece. I really dunno what the hell that guy was trying to pull. He said it was in such great condition, but when I got there he had "just discovered" that there was a HUGE soft spot in the floor. Oh, and the engine wouldn't start at all. The hullwas in decent shape, but nit as advertised. I can't belvie this guy wanted 9k for this boat. I seriously MIGHT have considered it if he was asking under 3.

SO, the search continues. I really wanna StarFlite/Starliner i think... Ya'll keep your eyes peeled for one near me!
 
Looks ok. just use caution around these boats with beefed up motors. i've never had a good feeling about that. you have to assume that the builder knows what they are doing - often they don't. very few people can build reliable marine power.

nice to see this guy is using a merc oil filter. way more pricy than aftermarket which means either he has it serviced by a dealership or at least belives in using original equipment.

make sure you check the bellows and gimble ring when you are looking at the boat - 2 huge expenses that can be easily overlooked. good luck.
 
Looks like a real nice boat. But as you know, pictures dont always tell the whole story. It does lookwell taken care of. I think the wakeboard tower would have to go. First time I have see one on a Checkmate.
 
Yeah, I was kind of hoping the wakeboard tower is removable... I was looking at their website, and they said their mechanics inspect all their boats. I don't know if that necessarily means they are totally trustworthy, but hey it is comforting. I might give them a call today.

By the way, how many people can you fit in an enchanter? How do they perform and handle chop? Any chine walk?
 
The engine questions are why I'm happy I ended up with an outboard. I always wanted an inboard, but it seems like everyone cuts corners on I/O engine builds. That guy that reassured you that the Exciter engine was a "marine" engine is a prime example. Just because it has marine headers and hardware does not make it a marine engine. The basic GM crate motor is a good deal for automotive use, but it's made in Mexico and isn't even close to being a marine engine (can't remember if it's even a 4 bolt main block). The reciprocating assembly (crank, etc) would need a lot of work (align bored, etc) to be acceptable for marine use and even then, I'd be a little suspect. You basically need a NASCAR engine for a boat - High RPM all the time.
 
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