Checkmate 2800SX Outboard Restoration begins!!

[JUPITER PULSARE]

t6061 that is good stuff and not cheap looks good is that a gill bracket?

Yup, old Gill brackets!

[FUJIMO]

1/2" T6061 would do the job. Gotta keep after the rust on the Gil brackets, its important. They do fail. In salt, they rust from the inside out also. Love the old Boat Leveler tabs. Onward & upward. Keep up the good work.

[JUPITER PULSARE]

I think these cowls and skirts will dress up the back of my 2800 nicely!!

[CaptainCraiger]

How is the repower project coming along?

[JUPITER PULSARE]

How is the repower project coming along?

I've been on vacation in Costa Rica for the past 10 days...so the boat has been sitting with no work getting done. I did secure two matching CLE gearcases for the motors. Once I finish the fabrication on the motor bracket (hopefully this coming monday) things should move quickly!

[JUPITER PULSARE]

I haven't had much time lately to work on the boat but I'm planning to get things moving alot faster this month. I finally finished my transom plate last night (to move my motors from 18" centers to 24" centers, increase propshaft height and allow the usage of new 2.5L Offshore cowls/pans) and dropped it off for powdercoating. With the help of Nicks Creative Marine I should have my Mercury 2.5L motors on the boat by the end of the month!!

[Velocity72]

Very nice. Should give you a little better stability also.

How are you filling the old transom holes?

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Very nice. Should give you a little better stability also.

How are you filling the old transom holes?

I did not move my Gill Brackets (just in case I want to go back to 18" centers) so I don't need to fill any transom holes. I'm adding a plate to go accross the back of the Gill brackets that will allow spreading and raising the motors...

[Velocity72]

Oh, got it. That's good thinking. The old option is still there.

[JUPITER PULSARE]

After numerous delays, my transom plate if finally installed on the Gil Brackets. I also installed some new diamond plate trim along with red anodized rigging tube fittings on the rear hatch. Looking forward to having Nick's Creative Marine hang my motors soon!!

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Well, it's time for an update. My Merc 2.5's are mounted along with brand new Uflex hyd. Steering and CLE gearcases. I need to overcome a water pressure issue on the left hand case and I'm back on the water.....until I re-rig it again with 3 liters!! A big shout out to Nick's Creative Marine for all the help and great work!

[CaptainCraiger]

Well, it's time for an update. My Merc 2.5's are mounted along with brand new Uflex hyd. Steering and CLE gearcases. I need to overcome a water pressure issue on the left hand case and I'm back on the water.....until I re-rig it again with 3 liters!! A big shout out to Nick's Creative Marine for all the help and great work!

Looking very nice there, Any speed updates?

Craig

[panther150]

looks really good Steve, you attention to detail shows thru again buddy.

[Smoking Joe]

That certainly gets those power heads well away from the salt water.

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Well, after 11 long months and getting side tracked numerous times (due to my own fault of vacations, buying/fixing/playing with and then selling a Checkmate Starflite/Pro XB250, buying and having fun with my Checkmate Pulsare 2400/Verado 275, I've finally finished and splashed the 2800 yesterday with the twin Merc 2.5's, new Uflex steering and CLE gear cases. Right out of the box with no dial in time I was seeing 6200/6300rpm and speeds in the mid 60's. Boat felt good with the CLEs..It may be time to try some different props other than my DAH tuned Merc Chopper 26's..a BIG thanks to Nick and the guys at Nick's Creative Marine for their help and expertise on getting me back on the water!!