21' Checkmate Enchanter

[BASSIN]

Hey guys

What kind of speed can you get from a Checkmate Enchanter
with a 1990 175 gt.

I know noting about these boats are they any good, solid?
just looking for a boat to drop in lake Ontario when I am not up north. Any input is better than none:p

[DaveR]

My "family" boat is a '79 enchanter. It's been a good solid boat for us on inland lakes. It has a 2.4 carburated 200 hp merc with cut heads and minor exhaust chest chest work ( really a heavy boat for that), low water pick-up, 8" of set back (2" too short I think) That will run 71 gps like it is on the trailer. It sets up like a rock and holds real nice with a 26" chopper - you'll need a lot of bow lift so go with the chopper and lots of set-back. It's only a guess, but 175 hp should put you low to mid 60's. It may just be me, but with fresh paint, interior, and the dated windshield removed the styling holds up 23 years later.

[Tom D.]

Rides....

like it is on the trailer. It sets up like a rock and holds real nice....


I like that ! Yes ! I like that!!

[nitemaher]

I have a old enchanter also, it was a vary good boat before I killed it. Powered by a 200 pro v yamaha, I took it offshore ofter jumping waves every weekend for 4 years. The boat ran mid 60'swith a 23 laser 2
As a result of all my wave jumping stunts, the first damage came from breaking the gas tank from the floor alowing it to bounce around.The way it is mounted,it went unnoticed for some time.
Under the gas tank there was several cracks in the floor from the tank banging around. There is a half inch of balsa wood glassed to the bottomof the hull, that soaks up water from the cracks and holds it at the base of the transum.
the water wicked up and did damage to the transum, it also
caused the foam under the floor to hold water"about 350 pounds"
limiting speed some what. But the BIG trouble came from the water in the foam made the floor seperate from the bottom
in 1979 checkmate did not put stringers to the bottom of the hull
The stringers are made to the floor then the whole assembly is foamed into the hull
Once the bottom seperates you can hear it slap every time the lands . Next thing I started finding rivet heads in the bildge'
You would think i might have slowed down by now, but I had to know how much abuse it could take.
The last ride I speared a big wave entering the inlet, breaking
the last few remaining rivets holding the top cap in place
The yamaha was still running so I made my RPMs about 6000
or so ,and when i poped up on top was able to clear the inlet under power but could not exceed 1500 RPMs without water flushing around displaced cap swampping us
after cutting the old floor away and installing 250 #10ss screws&locknuts to fix the cap I ran out of poop and dragged it
out to the back 40 and got a new 21 tunnel with twin 2.5 mercs
all in all with a little care the 21 check is a great all round famliy ski boat a little heavy, but tough as nails
GOOD LUCK BE SAFE
your friend
Paul

[KG4]

My dad has a 1980 Enchanter with a 1980 225 Merc,6 inch setback,Bobs cone and low water pickup spins a 28 chopper at 74 mph gps.The boat is one of the best handling boats i have driven.You wont be sorry if you buy it very nice all around boat and when the water gets rough it handles even better.

[83Enchanter]

As I posted here a little while ago, and I bought a worn out 83 Enchanter (faded gelcoat, seized 225hp engine, but solid hull/floor and redone interior)

I have cleaned it up and repainted it, added a 10" manual jackplate, and the rebuilt powerhead has just been finished and fired up.

It is almost ready for a water test, (and my first drive of an Enchanter). It seems like a very solid boat, I haven't run across any waterlogged foam, or rotten flooring. Should be a great all-around ski/speed boat, with a reputation for being "bullet-proof", as others on the board have descibed it.

I took the "before" pics on a regular camera and am getting them put on disk so I can post them. I now have a digital and will post "after" pics later.

Mike P.


PS DaveR, I have been wondering what to do about the old-style windshield. Does anyone have pics of an Enchanter with the windshield removed, or where/how might an newer style (dark/smoke plexi lowprofile windshield ) be fabed/bought/added. Thanks

[DaveR]

Mike,

You'll like it with the windshield off! I have some pic's at home I'll scan tomorrow morning and post on this thread. The only problem is it leaves the bolt holes in the deck. I took mine off before painting so I was able to fill them.

I'm assuming you took the windshield off to re-paint. You should have seen how it looked then?

[83Enchanter]

No, I just taped off the windshield, this was a cheap spray bomb paint job. Just to get it ready for water ASAP. All the real money went into the motor.

Now you got me thinking about removing the windshield so I will have to wait on getting the mooring cover done, until I descide.

I have found a few Plastics Fabing companies that advertise modern low-profile replacement windshields. I fired off an EM to one of them for a ball-park price, just to see if that is doable.

I look forward to seeing the pics,

We water test my boat/motor tomorrow!

Mike P

[Instigator]

Excellent rides!!
Tuff as nails, great in semi rough water, easy to drive, timeless design (other than out dated windshields :D ), look fast even on a trailer.
You'll love it!!
On the shield issue, I re-did an old '69 16 footer years ago and it had a factory winshield that looked like it came off of a 26' Starcraft:p
After looking at every factory shield I could find, I gave up and built one.
Was actually low enough that it was just a wind screen. But built it from plywood, then glassed it and painted it to match the boat.
Huge difference!! The boat held it's own in the styling department against current designs with that update.
Nightmaher, funnny story!!
Proof that they will all break if beat hard enough, and long enough!
Gary

[DaveR]

Let's see if this file is small enough to post - this was the weekend I got it. late october. Had to put one section of dock back out so my family could get in.

[DaveR]

Here's one after windshield removed - painted - but old cowl etc

[Instigator]

I'll trade you a 1/2 done Vector and a box of parts for it :D
Gary

[DaveR]

Last one - on trailer

[Instigator]

I like the shield!
Tint it black and see what it looks like, have done several and it makes a huge difference!

[DaveR]

Instigator - my wife and daughter won't let me get rid of it! Navy carpet and all white seats. I still love this boat!

[DaveR]

I thought about black anodizing the aluminum frame, but gave up on it. Also made the little seperate screens that look like visors and had a stainless bar around the deck at the dash - didn't like it either.

No problem with you likeing the windshield - if everybody liked the same thing we'd all be married to my wife:D

[aaron bjerke]

I have had mine for 3-4 years now. It is steady as a rock at 70 mph and pulls skiiers perfectly. great boats!

[ssmith007]

Hey guys I'm looking for a boat to put in the water right away and noticed an add for an Enchanter/ 200merc. What should I look for when evaluating this boat. I understand how to check the motor from previous posts (thanks guys) but what about the boat. Does it have a balsa core. It will sit outside on a lift at the lake. Is this a suitable boat for this? Thanks in advance. Smitty

[Instigator]

Great boats and yes they are cored.
Check the top of the motor board for stress cracks, minor ones are common but make sure they have'nt been patched, are spreading etc.
If the boat is on a trailer, take a ruber hammer or plastic mallet and "thump" on the bottom up and down the length of the boat.
If the core is solid, it will alomst ring like hitting a steel car bumper.
If the core is water logged/de-laminating, it will sound as a dull "thud". Very distincitive.
Do this to the motor board as well.
Check every where you can get into the floor to look for standing water or stress cracks.
Use a flash light up under the sides of the deck and look at the deck to hull joints.
The Checkmates are glued/screwed/riveted together.
They are a heavy boat and to make one run/float you need a lot of "omph" and a bunch of set back.
I'd say at least 12", maybe 18.
If your carefull in your shopping, it should make you a very nice boat.
As far as being on a rack?? As long as the bunks are adjusted right, you'll be fine.
Good Luck,
Gary
P.S. You'r only about 2 1/2 hrs away from me, so let me know if I can help.

[ssmith007]

Thanks for your time Gary. I'm buying a lot at Lake Mohawk this week and want to get a boat to leave there. Probably start looking next week. In local paper is Enchanter with 200 merc 4500 OBO. Will probably go to look at it next week will keep you posted. Thanks again Gary. Smitty