Checkmate aquired

[Powerplay25]

GLOBAL MARINE POWER AQUIRES CHECKMATE MARINE
By Chip Fendt
Global Marine Power, the parent company of Hustler Powerboats, has announced the acquisition of the assets of Checkmate Marine, according to a recent press release.
“With a strong presence in the center console and small outboard boat market, Checkmate is a great addition to the Hustler family,” said Paul LoGiudice, sales manager of Hustl...er Powerboats “With 84 years of history between the two companies and 32 different models of boats ranging from 18 to 50 feet, the models will appeal to new customers looking for an affordable boat, while working up to a larger boat without the need of changing companies.”
Joe LoGiudice made a comment that hit home. Traditional Hustler buyers have grown into their later years and are not as eager to run 100 plus miles an hour, nor spend the money it takes to operate and maintain these types of vessels. Paul and Joe are anticipating a new demographic boat buyer that is up and coming.
Joe LoGiudice acquired Hustler Powerboats in the early 1990s during a strong U.S. economy. The company’s current vision is to now provide consumers a platform to enter the sport boat market at reasonable costs. The company also explained buyers are now just as interested in “looking cool” as they are in extended warranties, noise reduction, optimum fuel economy, quality and recognized performance.
Hustler Powerboats, which is known for providing exceptional quality in its manufacturing process, says it will continue building models in the Checkmate line. Paul and Joe also explained that much of Hustlers proven offshore technology will be incorporated into the Checkmate series of models.
Hustler Powerboats is a division of Global Marine Power, Inc. and manufactures 15 boats in catamaran and v-hull designs, ranging from 21 feet to 50 feet in length.
“Hustler and Checkmate share many of the same attributes, custom, and hand laid, exceptional performance and high quality boats,” said Doug Smith, company spokesperson for Checkmate Marine. “I am excited to see what Hustler will be able to help Checkmate accomplish.”
Under the agreement of the acquisition, Checkmate Marine will continue manufacturing and operations in Bucyrus, Ohio in its current 100,000 square-foot facility and complement Hustler’s current distributing channels.

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Glad to see the Checkmate brand will be kept alive...and owned by a reputable company!!:thumbsup: It would be great if they kept Kip and Mike Combs on board...after all, who better to represent the company than the family that founded it!!

[JohnR]

I hope they keep the Combs' too. Unfortunately they kept Doug on. Hopefully he puts a sizeable amount of his check each week toward making good on his debts from failure to deliver products.

[mach1magnum]

just got off hustlers web site in my next life i want to spend my college money and all 10 of my siblings college money on a 50 monster lol

[jphii]

Take a look at this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Excalibur-27-foot-Offshore-Powerboat-Hull-and-Deck-/290946628280?pt=Power_Motorboats&hash=item43bdc53ab8

[mach1magnum]

that thing is sick but 70 with a small block?

[at100plus]

Yea only 7' beam probably light. Given the Excalibur name I suppose it's derived from Bill Farmer's 31 which I believe also became the 31 Fountain... Cool.

[Greg G]

You have a better chance of seeing Jesus Christ walk across your lawn then that thing touching 70 with a SBC

[ChrisGUGA]

600+ horsepower LSX small block could do it.

Hey, you said small block.

[SCT]

I agree, no way 70 mph w- a sbc. It's not a Checkmate by the way. Some company out of Cleveland area had CM lay it up, that's it.

[Instigator]

Take a look at this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Excalibur-27-foot-Offshore-Powerboat-Hull-and-Deck-/290946628280?pt=Power_Motorboats&hash=item43bdc53ab8

Saw that. Nice looking hull. Clearly a 27' Excalibur Speedster. Not sure why they'd call it a Checkmate.
On at least the 2nd auction.

[rockyone]

Well it looks hot ... but why would any one buy anything but a velocity the fastest v26 or 28 period !

[WILDMAN]

I'm glad Doug Smith and his daughter Dee are gone. I sent them almost $50,000 in Feb for three 300xs motors. They cashed the check and closed down a week later. Bunch of thieving scumbags. I'm trying to get charges brought against them now. I hear the new owner is a straight up guy.

[Smoking Joe]

I'm glad Doug Smith and his daughter Dee are gone. I sent them almost $50,000 in Feb for three 300xs motors. They cashed the check and closed down a week later. Bunch of thieving scumbags. I'm trying to get charges brought against them now. I hear the new owner is a straight up guy.

That sucks Randy, I wish you luck on the recovery of your money. :nonod:

Good to see the Checkmate brand will continue.

[tux974]

Nice to see and hear someone is stepping up to continue the line, hope they can make it happen. Usually when things like this happen to big builders the new builder has a huge uphill battle. Wish them a great future and the best either way! :thumbsup:
Randy, sorry to hear you are still fitting for those motors. I'm sure you are just another poor soul in line to collect from them....:(

[28ghost]

Nice to see and hear someone is stepping up to continue the line, hope they can make it happen. Usually when things like this happen to big builders the new builder has a huge uphill battle. Wish them a great future and the best either way! :thumbsup:
Randy, sorry to hear you are still fitting for those motors. I'm sure you are just another poor soul in line to collect from them....:(

Randy
I know Joe the owner of Hustler for many years. Nothing but a stand up guy

[MODVP22]

I'm glad Doug Smith and his daughter Dee are gone. I sent them almost $50,000 in Feb for three 300xs motors. They cashed the check and closed down a week later. Bunch of thieving scumbags. I'm trying to get charges brought against them now. I hear the new owner is a straight up guy.

You're right Randy. That guy already ruined one good boat company in that town, now the other. There's nothing left in Bucyrus. He loved to thrown everyone under the bus in public forms but low and behold, looky at what he did.....again

[tux974]

Randy
I know Joe the owner of Hustler for many years. Nothing but a stand up guy

I agree Joe is a good guy and a local LI builder, wishing him nothing but the best!!

[at100plus]

I'm glad Doug Smith and his daughter Dee are gone. I sent them almost $50,000 in Feb for three 300xs motors. They cashed the check and closed down a week later. Bunch of thieving scumbags. I'm trying to get charges brought against them now. I hear the new owner is a straight up guy.


Geez. Now I'm certain, no bigger criminal than a boat builder getting ready to close his doors!

[Instigator]

Geez. Now I'm certain, no bigger criminal than a boat builder getting ready to close his doors!
When he still owned Baja, he was so far in debt to Mercruiser that Mercs only option of recouping their money was to take Baja over. Which they did. (think, Fountain)
Word was that Mr. Smith was funding his kids Nascar career/hobby w/Baja's operating capital.

[CMC]

I'm glad Doug Smith and his daughter Dee are gone. I sent them almost $50,000 in Feb for three 300xs motors. They cashed the check and closed down a week later. Bunch of thieving scumbags. I'm trying to get charges brought against them now. I hear the new owner is a straight up guy.
This seems to happen a lot in recent times. I'm pretty sure Wildman did a lot to promote a positive image for Checkmate. If you had those motors sold, now you are stuck in the middle looking like the bad guy. I hope you can some how recoup your money. Someone should start a new thread with all the names of the dead beat builders.

[WILDMAN]

I had to borrow $50K from my line of credit to pay for another 3 motors. I loved putting out $100K for 3 300XS's! F'N thievin bastards! It took me about 2.5 years of Checkmate profits to make that $50K. I love working for free!

[allstock]

I'm glad Doug Smith and his daughter Dee are gone. I sent them almost $50,000 in Feb for three 300xs motors. They cashed the check and closed down a week later. Bunch of thieving scumbags. I'm trying to get charges brought against them now. I hear the new owner is a straight up guy.
Maybe he will end up like Don. (Aronow) Sometimes people mess with the wrong person. You just never know what will happen. Some people take it personaly when they get ripped off.

[FUJIMO]

Maybe he will end up like Don. (Aronow) Sometimes people mess with the wrong person. You just never know what will happen. Some people take it personaly when they get ripped off.Everyone does, and should, take it personally. Do you need to rub someone out for it? Definately not. How else are you going to collect, if there is no one left, to collect from? There are so many more intelligent, sophisticated, "creative"...means to getting back whats ethically yours.

[RobF]

I had to borrow $50K from my line of credit to pay for another 3 motors. I loved putting out $100K for 3 300XS's! F'N thievin bastards! It took me about 2.5 years of Checkmate profits to make that $50K. I love working for free!


This story upsets me to my core, pieces of shi t to do that to anyone let alone a smaller independent guy- guess they think you can just "write it off", did you consider an insurance claim for it?

[allstock]

Everyone does, and should, take it personally. Do you need to rub someone out for it? Definately not. How else are you going to collect, if there is no one left, to collect from? There are so many more intelligent, sophisticated, "creative"...means to getting back whats ethically yours.
Yes I suppose in 2013 there is. It's just easier to not screw people that way. Screwing people you don't know is a very dangerous thing to do. "Creative" means different things to different people.

[JP Love]

I'm glad Doug Smith and his daughter Dee are gone. I sent them almost $50,000 in Feb for three 300xs motors. They cashed the check and closed down a week later. Bunch of thieving scumbags. I'm trying to get charges brought against them now. I hear the new owner is a straight up guy.Sh*t really??

[JP Love]

I had to borrow $50K from my line of credit to pay for another 3 motors. I loved putting out $100K for 3 300XS's! F'N thievin bastards! It took me about 2.5 years of Checkmate profits to make that $50K. I love working for free! I hate this kind of bastards.... In a green bag with the chainsaw for the bears on the lake... Hope nice sales .. So Checkmate is OK now? So nice boats..

[whipper]

Wow Randy hope ya get some back, paybacks a bitch!

[WILDMAN]

I heard that he was called out on scamming me by someone high up in the new Co. His response was " That's business" scumbag!

[LaveyT]

I heard that he was called out on scamming me by someone high up in the new Co. His response was " That's business" scumbag!

That sucks Randy, I run a small business....Thats called theft in my book. You are not only a customer you are a vendor that helped them sell boats and the Checkmate name acquire respect in the hy-po boating world. A Checkmate creeping up on 100 mph with an outboard with a warranty...I would not have believed it. Your work is top notch.

I had just purchased my 225 H.O. in 2000 from a Bass pro named David Walker. They paid the champions in new outboards and the pro's sell the extra ones. It came with a new prop of my choice. I wanted a 30" Raker but they were not ready to ship yet. I could have had any prop @ the dealership. I waited months, then the announcement came OMC bankrupt. About 3 days later I received my 30 Raker. Some body thought it would be the right thing to do even thou they were still dialing it in. I was grateful to whoever new they were losing there job but thought of me and shipped my prop.
Good luck with the lawyer issues I would be more than pissed as you are!:reddevil:

[JWTjr.]

Everyone does, and should, take it personally. Do you need to rub someone out for it? Definately not. How else are you going to collect, if there is no one left, to collect from? There are so many more intelligent, sophisticated, "creative"...means to getting back whats ethically yours. I think in the end, they will get theirs. In the end, you have to answer to yourself...and to God.

[WILDMAN]

Believe it or not, he is one of the head guys in his church. Must be God protects thieves! He probably robs the donation plate too.

[Speed Jr.]

Believe it or not, he is one of the head guys in his church. Must be God protects thieves! He probably robs the donation plate too.

Does this suprise anybody? Pure scumbag......best of luck Randy.

[CMC]

Maybe everyone should boycott future Checkmate products. Then new ownership should write a clause in the agreement with deadbeat Smith, that Wildman gets his 50 large back.....or no deal.

[WILDMAN]

NO, don't boycott Checkmate! I plan on staying a Checkmate dealer. Great boats and from what I hear, it has a great new owner. Checkmate shouldn't suffer because of the greed of Dog Smith and his daughter.

[whipper]

I heard that he was called out on scamming me by someone high up in the new Co. His response was " That's business" scumbag!

Its only business if you never want to be in business again. Slap a law suit on his arse and a lean on his assets untill ya get paid back. If he takes to long arange for his wadges what ever they may be to be garnesheed.

[RNM018]

NO, don't boycott Checkmate! I plan on staying a Checkmate dealer. Great boats and from what I hear, it has a great new owner. Checkmate shouldn't suffer because of the greed of Dog Smith and his daughter.

Now There's A Straight Up Buisness Man !

Cut your looses , and look forward to doing good buisness , with the new owners .

Besides , I'm sure you will get some satisfacton somewhere down the line with this Dirt Bag !
It always seems to work out in the end .


Rich Martin 018

[Greg G]

Slap a law suit on his arse and a lean on his assets untill ya get paid back. If he takes to long arange for his wadges what ever they may be to be garneshed
It would be tough to garnish wages but if you know what state he is in getting an in-state attorney to put liens against his assets would be easy. It would take time for it to become apparent to Doug and his Daughter (lien both) but once they did you would be in the drivers seat. Stealing $50k is bad enough, but stealing it from a great spokesman for the brand? Amazing!

[Greg G]

And another .02, I'm sure there are several S+F'ers that are in-state lawyers that could offer you some free PM advice to help get an approach together for you Wildman.

[berzerko]

Believe it or not, he is one of the head guys in his church. Must be God protects thieves! He probably robs the donation plate too.
Steal all week and repent for your sins on Saturday or sunday(depending on your beliefs)
it makes. Everything OK

[Capt.Insane-o]

Religion, that last bastion for a criminal.

[fox88gt]

Steal all week and repent for your sins on Saturday or sunday(depending on your beliefs)
it makes. Everything OK

Its true. Its the church going types you gotta watch out for.

Please don't boycott the Checkmate brand. Just tarnish Doug Smith's name every place you can. His congregation needs to know.

And I need Randy in business in a few years so I can order a replacement for my Starflite. His rigging is a beautiful blend of science and art!

Jeff

[Smoking Joe]

And I need Randy in business in a few years so I can order a replacement for my Starflite. His rigging is a beautiful blend of science and art!

Jeff

I agree, some of the best rigging I have seen.

[cooperider]

NO, don't boycott Checkmate! I plan on staying a Checkmate dealer. Great boats and from what I hear, it has a great new owner. Checkmate shouldn't suffer because of the greed of Dog Smith and his daughter.

Good to hear that you are going to stay a Checkmate dealer. Glad I got out when I did, for reasons of my own, just couldn't afford to be an employee anymore, AND could not stand dealing with Dee anymore.

[cooperider]

Everyday when I pass the shop, I see lots happening, good things are coming.

[Instigator]

Everyday when I pass the shop, I see lots happening, good things are coming.
Great news!

[hydr0_scrm2]

There's a ton of cool stuff being produced right now but it seems that sales are still pretty anemic. The builders that come up with the best value proposition (as we say in my line of work) will win in the long run. WILDMAN is clearly one of those offering real value to the buyer.


Sorry to hear about your business dealings with D. Smith, but happy to hear you are not abandoning the brand. Good luck!