View Full Version : 1978 Checkmate w/ 115 Johnson.
dynobo
08-26-2004, 03:53 PM
Hi Guys. I'm looking at a 1978 Checkmate to purchase for myself. The hull is very straight and interior has been completely redone and looks pretty good. The power is from a 115 Johnson also a '78 model that he says is a good runner, I haven't ran it yet but, it doesn't have the trim and tilt. I was wondering what the price range ( high and low ) would be for this boat. Trailer is also in decent shape. Any opinions????????Thanks.........Bobo
stevek
08-26-2004, 05:20 PM
I have a 75 VMate I for a long long time 15' w/115 Johnson. Very reliable, around 45 most any day. When it was newer you could trim it out to about 50. Of course that was based on a OMC speedo.
Good wave jumper. Depends on what you want. Good floor and transom.
MirageSmack
08-28-2004, 11:30 AM
I had a mid 70's Mate (we never figured out the year) with a Rude 115 on it. No tilt or trim. Speedo said 50 tops, but it was probably a little under that. No GPS back then.
I'm thinking about getting an older Mate, you got any pics?
stevek
08-28-2004, 03:04 PM
1
stevek
08-28-2004, 03:04 PM
2
bearclaw
08-28-2004, 04:16 PM
I've had several. Solid boats with a pad bottom. They always did a quality construction job.
MirageSmack
08-28-2004, 10:47 PM
looks good stevek! :D Mine was an mx16 if I recall, cause it's been 20 years ago. Love the classic lines. Would like one again, with a few modern touches here and there.
dynobo
08-29-2004, 09:53 AM
This Checkmate that I am looking at is similar to yours but, is a "burnt orange" color and maybe just a little longer. I'm thinking maybe 17-18'. I could be wrong, you know how pictures alter the way things look. Anyways this guy is asking 2000.00 for the boat. The interior is actually rather impressive,and the boat has definitely been clearcoated as the clearcoat is starting to peel in a couple of places. But, even at that for a 26 yr. old boat it looks pretty good. I would probably sell the 115 hp if I bought it, I just got through building an '87 200 hp looper and am looking for something to put it on. What do you guys think about the price?????? Thanks..........Bobo
Oh, where do you find the model of the boat?? I've looked at the HIN# and verified it was a '78 but, don't see a tech plate.
stevek
08-29-2004, 10:57 AM
dynobo: I sold my boat a few years ago when I bought the Valero.
Sold it on eBay and it went for a bit over 1,300.00. The winning bidder drove from NJ to pick it up. He was looking for an unmolested boat. He didn’t even ask me to start it. Other than replacing the wood a few times for the seats the boat was original.
The boat still had one of the original stickers in the plastic footpads on the gunwale. I think there were VMate I, II and III's. All similar but branded based on size.
bearclaw
08-29-2004, 11:41 AM
Go to checkmate-boats.com, that's their fan site, they have a most of the old years' brochures scanned in. You could probably find the boat you're looking at in there.
Ron V
08-29-2004, 05:20 PM
I'd say anywhere from a grand on up to about $2500, depending on the condition of everything. Double check the condition of the floor - I've got a neighbor who has torn his hair out on two Checkmates. As far as not having power trim/tilt that is no great loss on that year of OMC - by the way, that's about a 1975 motor, not a 1978 unless he has a '78 block under that cowl. The trim units were not as heavy duty as the newer V-4s that are build on V-6 midsections, and the stators could barely keep up as it was without running trim and tilt.
Checkmates are well built for the most part but have small interiors for their size. They are more deck. They have a cult following and are fun boats but won't get up and fly like an Allison, Hydrostream, etc. More of a compromise boat.
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