Checkmate gelcoat

**Ramonepb** · 01-05-2017, 05:31 PM

I ran across a checkmate, looks to be a 16 footer with a Chrysler 135. It has been sitting in one spot for at least 20 years.
The transom has a crease in it as if the motor coming off.
The gelcoat is gone and the metal flake feels like sandpaper.
Can this be saved an restored or is this to much weather damage?

**FMP** · 01-05-2017, 06:18 PM

Anything can be fixed, put up some pics.

**W2F a V-King** · 01-05-2017, 07:48 PM

Yes, had 2 Small Checkmates myself years past. Loved them both.
How bad you want it, and how deep is your pockets....those two are usually linked anyway...

James

**FMP** · 01-05-2017, 08:23 PM

Since you asking, yes fix the whole package with the 135 like new. I saw a restored 15 or 16 Glastron Calson with a 135 , the whole deal looked so cool. FL boat if I remember correctly.

**Capt.Insane-o** · 01-05-2017, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Ramonepb

I ran across a checkmate, looks to be a 16 footer with a Chrysler 135. It has been sitting in one spot for at least 20 years.
The transom has a crease in it as if the motor coming off.
The gelcoat is gone and the metal flake feels like sandpaper.
Can this be saved an restored or is this to much weather damage?

Depends on how much you hate yourself

**FMP** · 01-05-2017, 08:39 PM

I hate that, should I , shouldn't I. You're hooked man or you wouldn't be here so get it and get to work.lol

**282** · 01-05-2017, 08:45 PM

Fade i wet sanded out of a black checkmate when i was single and had way to much time on my hands, bad fade and it came out perfect. This sounds like more than fade. My 2 cents, there are a Lot of checkmates buy one from a guy who already has bloody knuckles from sanding and spent more money than the boat is worth and buy it from him.

**David - WI** · 01-05-2017, 09:02 PM

I had mine sprayed with clearcoat and it turned out beautiful, but it wasn't down to the flakes.

**Ramonepb** · 01-05-2017, 09:07 PM

Thanks guys
and all great advice. Yes I am hooked, no funds and currently trying to bring back a 1973 16 foot Kona with a 78, 115 Johnson. I like the challenge of bringing this style of boat back to life.
What is the proper way to bring back the metal flake? Sand it all off and do away with it or gelcoat over it and sand smooth? Either way it is very labor intensive, which brings us back to buy one that someone else has bloody knuckles from!

**Ramonepb** · 01-05-2017, 09:11 PM

I am retired and I wish it was possible to make some money with this instead of it being an expensive hobby. I ran across an add where a guy flipped boats but when I learned he replaced transoms with 2x12 pressure treated wood well I know he is going broke!

**FMP** · 01-05-2017, 10:05 PM

Sounds like you're not going to pay a lot for it. Does that motor turn, can you build it yourself if it needs pistons, bearing , seals , lower unit? That will save you $. Can you split the Checkmate and rebuild it yourself? Materials, motor parts , machining if needed are your costs. All labour and finishing are yours to enjoy. When it's done a solid good looking strong running Checkmate with classic retro Chrysler all cleaned and painted and strong. You should make money on it if you can convince yourself to sell. Make a list of what's needed to complete it to what you think it should be.

**W2F a V-King** · 01-06-2017, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by FMP

. You should make money on it if you can convince yourself to sell. Make a list of what's needed to complete it to what you think it should be.

Yea...there in that sentence is where I get hung on "Every" project I have ever done....build it a right as one can, use it a bit......sell it

!!!

That is where I had difficulties. Yes, "eventually" all of them get sold after years of use. It usually took another project to catch my attention to be able to sell a previous one.

"Yes Honey...I am getting this to turn a dollar on it".

My wife knows me better .....

James

**Ramonepb** · 01-06-2017, 11:43 AM

All of the restorations I have seen on this style checkmate have split the hull and deck, that would be no problem. My Kona is glassed together on the inside, I would not want to break that bond.
I have not done any mechanical work but I am building a 54 Chevy street rod that I chopped, sectioned and put on an s10 v8, does that count?

**FMP** · 01-06-2017, 12:48 PM

Only you would know but I can say that you should be able to take on the 135 with your eyes closed after reading the Seloc manual.

.

**W2F a V-King** · 01-06-2017, 01:33 PM

I split the deck off the two Checkmates I rebuilt years ago. Easy...but they were not bow riders.

What was tough for me was splitting the deck and separating it from the transom on my V-King.
The rub rail was time consuming and then the deck was glassed to the hull on the inside JUst a belt of CSM, but in a bad place on these boats anyway.
And the back wall of the motor well that attached to the transom was a real challenge. I saved my motor well, as I believe it to be an integral part of the transom support.

If the guys at HydroStream had built the whole boat as well as they attached the deck to hull and transom......there would be a lot less Stream restore threads. Yea, and they might have cost a bit more too.

jmo

James