Lets see those... Metalflake boats!

[eagle-lake]

That is just outstanding! It looks great.
Just a thought, you could try wet-sanding the deck, or have it re-cleared.
Mr. Speath is not far away from you...
I had a '70 MX18 in about the mid-'70's, I had the deck re-cleared, looked great. It had the same kind of seat box yours did. Very cool.
I loved that boat.

I had a chance to buy a nice inline-6 Merc 1000 short shaft this summer.
This would have been my ideal boat to put it on.
But there just aren't any more around to be had. I don't think they made that many 14's.

When I was a teenager (early '70's), we used to run with a couple older guys, they were brothers, they had that exact color MX14 with a Merc 1000 long shaft. It was named "Myasis Dragon".

Bearclaw:
I have tried a small spot - wet sanded, polishing compound, wax etc - looks about 50% better but not like new - I am sure John (Speath) could refinish it to better than new but it would cost more than the boat is worth.
The seats with the box base are kind of cool as there use to be a MX15 and a MX13 and MX18 on our lake but all were later models (1971 and newer) that have the entire fabric seat attached directly to the floor.

The boat has an 85hp and will run about 54mph on the speedo - what I have always wanted was a 85XS - but hard to find!

[bearclaw]

I think the sentimental value alone would be worth it, JMO.

If that 54 mph is anywhere near accurate, you're doing pretty doggone well with the engine you have. A friend of mine had a new '73 Baja SS14 with a Merc 850 short shaft. He ran a two-blade elephant-ear stainless. The 2.33:1 gearset is not the friendliest for performance. He was getting about 52 on a Keller speedo. The hull was basically a pop of the Checmate MX14, but Baja's were chopper-gunned back then and heavy.

If you could find an 850XS, that would be a great match for that boat.

[Flat Out]

Here are my J Crafts. Both are 19' Pro Ski models.

[V-king84]

Couple pics from today

[Stoker1]

Thats sexy if there ever was.

[rossi]

Vking84 - those end of year runs are the best. Your boat looks awsome, like it's right out of the brochure !

[V-king84]

I agree, the end of the year runs are great... Thanks for the compliments on the boat..

[Robby321]

I agree, the end of the year runs are great... Thanks for the compliments on the boat..

Some of my best mems, are a bunch going out, last run the year

I need variety, the bikes spring/fall, boats summer, winter take a break, wrench stuff the shop, wood stove cooking, and music. Snow hits the mountains, go play up there, ski or sled!

[pyro]

[Robby321]

That a wrap, or paint? LOVE IT!

[drasticplastic]

Thats all Gel-coat.
Chad, do you have any pics of my Checkmate. If you do and could post 1 that would be great.

[pyro]

None I haven't already posted in the Hardy Dam threads.

[motorheadbishop]

[stubbie1111]

Well, I'd have to say you should get top honors!!! That boat is amazing! It's like looking into the beautiful blue green eyes of your wife or girlfriend. Makes you just want to jump on and take a ride!

[Robby321]

Hey stubbie1111..do you know Thom in Shelton, the Merc guru? Robby

And yep on the boat...great paint!