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Prepurchase ?s

Dustin0330

New member
Hey guys Im thinking of buying a 76 model 17'6" checkmate thats been sitting for several years, Im not sure what model it is but it has a 455 olds with the berkely jet pump. Im new to boating so I have a few ?s to ask you guys to make sure I don't get in over my head. What problem areas should I keep an eye out for? The engine block is cracked so I'll need to find an engine,is there a specific year model I should look for?
The exterior will need paint and the interior needs to be redone, it comes with all the accessories for the engine and pump and a decent trailer.
How much do you guys think it would be worth?
 
Hey guys Im thinking of buying a 76 model 17'6" checkmate thats been sitting for several years, Im not sure what model it is but it has a 455 olds with the berkely jet pump. Im new to boating so I have a few ?s to ask you guys to make sure I don't get in over my head. What problem areas should I keep an eye out for? The engine block is cracked so I'll need to find an engine,is there a specific year model I should look for?
The exterior will need paint and the interior needs to be redone, it comes with all the accessories for the engine and pump and a decent trailer.
How much do you guys think it would be worth?

I need pics I may have looked at this boat. Did the boat kinda look like the pic below but without the headers. Did it have some kind of trible stuff on the side.

76_Checkmate.JPG
 
Yes it looks similar but it dosen't have the headers and its a right side drive. Someone tried to paint it blue but it didn't turn out to good. I haven't looked at the boat in person yet it's a few hours away from me, I plan on going to check it out this weekend.
 
Yes it looks similar but it dosen't have the headers and its a right side drive. Someone tried to paint it blue but it didn't turn out to good. I haven't looked at the boat in person yet it's a few hours away from me, I plan on going to check it out this weekend.

That was a pic of the 76 jetmate I had. It was a right side drive when I got it. I changed it to a left steer because the foot pedal would not mount correcly because of the v in the boat floor. I also added the headers it had thru transom exhaust. The boat also had a olds 455. From all the research I did all the olds 455 used thru the late sixites to mid seventies where 68-69 models olds motors. If you could find a big olds sled around 68-69 thats the block that was used.
 
What it's worth ???

Like most older things, the value or worth only matters to 2 people, the seller and the buyer. It's certainly not worth much to the seller here in a "need paint" and "need motor" condition and the seller doesn't have many choices, I have seen the boat on the internet for at least 3 months so he hasn't had many other takers. Assume the worst with most resto $ calculations, I would guess that the boat has been stored outside and uncovered for some time, check the hull for cracks and damage and spend some good time checking the floor wood and transom area for soft spots that would indicate that the wood is rotten. I have only seen the threads here of floor and stringer replacements and it looks like good hard work. Make sure to get all of the pieces possible if he has taken alot of it apart. Good luck and let us know how it goes, you will need to post pics of the boat for the other experts here if you pull the trigger for their opinion. I'm glad to see someone looking into it, it's sad to see a checkmate go uncared for.
 
Well after alot of consideration I decided to buy something water ready so I won't be getting the jetmate unless I can get it extremely cheap.
 
Well after alot of consideration I decided to buy something water ready so I won't be getting the jetmate unless I can get it extremely cheap.

I have an old Jetmate, 1972, they are fun boats. I totally restored mine. Check out my pics in the (Picture This) section under (vintage jetmate). Post some pics of the one your looking at we all would like to see it. If you don't buy it somebody here might like to.

:welcome:
 
The boat is listed on Atlanta craigslist, it would make someone an excellent project. I would love to have the boat but I can't afford to restore it and keep up the boat I have.
 
The seller says the floors are solid but the boat has been sitting uncovered for 4 years so Im not sure I believe that, all of the accessories come with the boat the only thing missing is the rear seat.
 
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