Hack
Well-known member
New member from SE Michigan, giving a big shout out to all the Checkmate owners and Checkmate lovers out there! 
This is my second boat, but first Checkmate. I toured the Checkmate factory back in the 90's, and knew one day I'd own one. Only took twenty years!
Here's my 'new' 1995 219 Persuader:
Launching for test ride on the Saginaw River (Zilwaukee bridge in background):
Original boat (according to Kip Combs @ Checkmate) was Black with Hot Pink and Jazz Pink and sold to a Michigan dealer. No other information available. Since then, it has had new interior and accent stripes re-done in Silver/Blue. Floor/stringers were replaced. Boat is rock solid. Some cosmetic issues with the hull paint, but nothing serious for a 20 year old boat. Definitely needs the factory style decal for the back. C-Hawk trailer was completely restored: 5 new wheels/tires, new brakes, new coupler, new winch, new dolly, stripped and painted, new wiring/lights.
7.4L 454, Bravo 1, 23p stainless prop. Boat hit 62 mph (GPS app) on the Saginaw River with smooth water and engine in the 4500 rpm 'range'. I wasn't driving, but I believe we were a bit 'bow down'. Which would explained some of the wandering. We also had some issues with the Bennett trim tabs - the electric connection loosened up, and the tabs retracted. The outdrive trim gauge needs adjusting. I believe it will be a 65 mph boat, given enough lake to run on. Dealer will be fixing the few items needed, including flipping the ski eye back around, depth finder, and outdrive trim.
This is my second boat, but first Checkmate. I toured the Checkmate factory back in the 90's, and knew one day I'd own one. Only took twenty years!
Here's my 'new' 1995 219 Persuader:
Launching for test ride on the Saginaw River (Zilwaukee bridge in background):
Original boat (according to Kip Combs @ Checkmate) was Black with Hot Pink and Jazz Pink and sold to a Michigan dealer. No other information available. Since then, it has had new interior and accent stripes re-done in Silver/Blue. Floor/stringers were replaced. Boat is rock solid. Some cosmetic issues with the hull paint, but nothing serious for a 20 year old boat. Definitely needs the factory style decal for the back. C-Hawk trailer was completely restored: 5 new wheels/tires, new brakes, new coupler, new winch, new dolly, stripped and painted, new wiring/lights.
7.4L 454, Bravo 1, 23p stainless prop. Boat hit 62 mph (GPS app) on the Saginaw River with smooth water and engine in the 4500 rpm 'range'. I wasn't driving, but I believe we were a bit 'bow down'. Which would explained some of the wandering. We also had some issues with the Bennett trim tabs - the electric connection loosened up, and the tabs retracted. The outdrive trim gauge needs adjusting. I believe it will be a 65 mph boat, given enough lake to run on. Dealer will be fixing the few items needed, including flipping the ski eye back around, depth finder, and outdrive trim.
