Saskexciter
08-04-2015, 04:45 PM
Hi! I'm a brand new member here but I've been reading and learning from this awesome site for a couple years. I just figured I'd introduce myself before I started asking questions in the wrong places and such. Sorry in advance, I'm sure it will take me a while to learn how to properly work the site.
If there is a smarter place to post this please let me know. Here is a bit about my boating history.
I live in north central saskatchewan Canada where the summer season is basically June-first week of September. Lakes are clear of ice for boating from usually last week of May until first or second week or November. I've been around boats and lakes my whole life. Our family runs a semi-commercial fly in fishing lodge with 10hp four strokes on 16ft aluminums (not this sites kind of boat!!). Closer to home we've always had a ski boat.
I grew up with a 21' checkmate entertainer with a 2.4l 200hp mariner. When I was 19 The mariner finally blew up with untold hours on it. My dad gave me the beat up hull and trailer, I found a different 2.4 mariner and had a few great years or use and abuse out of it before I killed the second poor mariner. That was the end for that great old boat. A couple of years ago I bought a faded old checkmate excited for next to nothing. It had a 115 Suzuki on it. It was faded and scratched but totally solid and came with a custom aluminum trans one reinforcement (I'm assuming from a big motor before the 115).
The exciter now has been wet sanded and looks at least a little better, I've rigged it with a 1998 175 hp Merc 2.5 efi, kept the aluminum transom reinforcement, stock lower unit with scoops over the water inlets, nice tight, dual cable steering, totally removable back bench seat, manual jack plate with shaft just below the pad. Aluminum Fuel tank, oil, and battery behind back seat. Full set of gauges including water pressure and temp, and a reliable tach. Best top end prop is a 25p laser II. I get a pretty reliable 63 gps, best I've seen is a light load, slight chop, 5800 rpm, 64.7mph gps. With my 1.87:1 lower unit that puts me around 11-12% slip and nicely drivable.
I love the boat as is, but you know how it goes, once 60 feels comfortable you want more! So the dreaming of hydraulic jack/steering and more power begins!
Sorry for the long first post. Looking forward to being a member here!
If there is a smarter place to post this please let me know. Here is a bit about my boating history.
I live in north central saskatchewan Canada where the summer season is basically June-first week of September. Lakes are clear of ice for boating from usually last week of May until first or second week or November. I've been around boats and lakes my whole life. Our family runs a semi-commercial fly in fishing lodge with 10hp four strokes on 16ft aluminums (not this sites kind of boat!!). Closer to home we've always had a ski boat.
I grew up with a 21' checkmate entertainer with a 2.4l 200hp mariner. When I was 19 The mariner finally blew up with untold hours on it. My dad gave me the beat up hull and trailer, I found a different 2.4 mariner and had a few great years or use and abuse out of it before I killed the second poor mariner. That was the end for that great old boat. A couple of years ago I bought a faded old checkmate excited for next to nothing. It had a 115 Suzuki on it. It was faded and scratched but totally solid and came with a custom aluminum trans one reinforcement (I'm assuming from a big motor before the 115).
The exciter now has been wet sanded and looks at least a little better, I've rigged it with a 1998 175 hp Merc 2.5 efi, kept the aluminum transom reinforcement, stock lower unit with scoops over the water inlets, nice tight, dual cable steering, totally removable back bench seat, manual jack plate with shaft just below the pad. Aluminum Fuel tank, oil, and battery behind back seat. Full set of gauges including water pressure and temp, and a reliable tach. Best top end prop is a 25p laser II. I get a pretty reliable 63 gps, best I've seen is a light load, slight chop, 5800 rpm, 64.7mph gps. With my 1.87:1 lower unit that puts me around 11-12% slip and nicely drivable.
I love the boat as is, but you know how it goes, once 60 feels comfortable you want more! So the dreaming of hydraulic jack/steering and more power begins!
Sorry for the long first post. Looking forward to being a member here!