anotherrunner83
Active member
hull designs today rely heavily on computer modeling, prototyping, and testing. there is IP surrounding surfing technology in the bigger brands (malibu, mastercraft, supra, etc). i'm not sure that checkmate has the resources (people and/or funding) to support a new hull design that isn't in their wheelhouse or paying for rights to use similar technology from other builders. growing up in a checkmate, that we still own, and (apparently i'm a flat bill, monster hat wearing, rap listening individual) owning a ski/wakeboard/surf boat (also apparently known as a douche canoe), i don't see how checkmate could adapt an existing hull to do this. wake boats have much deeper hulls and essentially no chines on the back half of the hull to create a smoother wake and plow more than lift. the deeper hull allows for ballast tanks under the floor so that you still have storage space under seats and in the rear lockers. the checkmate equity is strong in being economical, well built go fast boats. the wake market is huge right now and a lot of established, mainstream builders have something in their arsenal to offer. i imagine it was a lot easier for them because they already had a heavy, deep boat to start with. i imagine the risk for checkmate to sink the kind of money trying to get it right the first time and missing could sink them.
that said, i think Checkmate would do better in the offshore world. building both larger and smaller CCs with more versatile interiors with nicer materials. looking at some of the CCs offered today, they are no longer fishing boats. they are 70+ mph wave crushing pleasure boats with huge power and expansive, elaborate interiors and sound systems (HCB just released a 65ft CC with 5 7Marine 627s and a teak deck). The larger CM hulls are proven in rough water. Add a little flair to the bow and you have a wave crusher with a dry ride that hauls ass with less power than comparable sizes. it would be a very attractive setup at, comparably, a very attractive price.
that said, i think Checkmate would do better in the offshore world. building both larger and smaller CCs with more versatile interiors with nicer materials. looking at some of the CCs offered today, they are no longer fishing boats. they are 70+ mph wave crushing pleasure boats with huge power and expansive, elaborate interiors and sound systems (HCB just released a 65ft CC with 5 7Marine 627s and a teak deck). The larger CM hulls are proven in rough water. Add a little flair to the bow and you have a wave crusher with a dry ride that hauls ass with less power than comparable sizes. it would be a very attractive setup at, comparably, a very attractive price.