Checkmate transom replacement begins...

**ncst8er** · 03-09-2003, 10:32 PM

I'm just about convinced to follow a similar path. While there is some discoloration indicating that some water may have gotten in at some point, I haven't found any water or rot in the transom (yet at least). I was already replacing some damage to the stringers & bulkhead in front of the fuel tank. I decided I didn't want to have to do it over later, so I'm going to probe some more and see if the transom is reasonably sound. I'm thinking about eliminating the splashwell and adding a double thickness knee/transom plate structure, since I want to replace the current fixed bracket with a stainless marine mini-bracket so I can mount a jackplate later for adjustability and more total setback. Got some soul-searching to do, but your success does make it less frightening.

**B.Mac** · 03-10-2003, 06:35 AM

can be real decieving........I drove to Minnesota and back for my Starflite and I inspected that thing real close........looked solid as a rock......except for one vertical stress crack on each side of the motor on the splashwell lip. I shoulda' known then but I was excited and deep in denial after having driven for two days to get there. New boat jitters.....worse than new car jitters
I got a summer out of it, but after adding setback and 5 MPH and going from Minnesota lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, that did her in.

I had a Baja once that had a questionable transom, so rather than rip out the transom. I just added another layer of 3/4 plywood and some big knees/ stringers......seemed to work out pretty good. Keep us posted ncst8er

B.MAC

**B.Mac** · 03-10-2003, 06:37 AM

another pic........
B.MAC

**B.Mac** · 03-10-2003, 06:41 AM

Neat old lunker but weighed a ton.......good Gulf boat for big water ........60 MPH though with that fourteen petal 2.4 on her
Subbed her twice, I went out over the back the last time

Then I sold her .....
B.MAC

**B.Mac** · 03-12-2003, 08:16 PM

All that open water and only 70 mph

B.MAC

**sho305** · 03-12-2003, 10:17 PM

Only 70....so what size motor you looking for now?

**Rickracer** · 03-15-2003, 01:50 PM

They will carry the mail, the rugrats, and plenty of liquid refreshments and still haul a$$.

**B.Mac** · 03-15-2003, 07:58 PM

I've been whippin' most OMC's on comparable hulls.......
Had a Velocity 20'+ / 225 Venom fer lunch the other day.......
Only comparable boat out there is johnnyd's starflite and he'd whip me hands down.......I think he's runnin' a 260 @ 78-79
I had a hard time catchin' him w/ my Vector in the Bay

Come fall I'll flip her and try a 12" pad/ LWP/ chopper and go from there.........
B.MAC

**Rickracer** · 03-15-2003, 09:10 PM

I was talkin about a BIG Johnson, a V-8. Been whippin any of them lately?

I thought not.

**B.Leonard** · 03-15-2003, 09:22 PM

Only comparable hull LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!

-BL

**Forkin' Crazy** · 03-15-2003, 10:56 PM

and a job well done. Looks great man! Hell 70 ain't bad! Mine won't go much faster...LOL on smoother water!!!

**B.Mac** · 04-20-2003, 06:02 AM

Here ya go jmdank......da' hole process

B.MAC

**Airboater** · 04-20-2003, 10:24 PM

Rick i'll second the Big V8. BMac a V8 with the right setup would put you to 80+ easy with the hole family.I guess BL and myself will have to show you how them V6s & V8s really run

**B.Mac** · 04-21-2003, 05:17 AM

On the exact same boat 21' Checkmate Starflite......His 'Mate GPS'ed at 71 MPH.... that's 1 MPH more than my Merc for each extra cylinder

AND then Devin edged us both out with a V-4 Action

Heck if I threw my anchor overboard I could have ran even

B.MAC

**jamoore** · 04-21-2003, 06:37 AM

B.Mac: Followed your whole process here. Great job! You inspired me so much I finally got up the nerve to do what I knew had to be done on my Mirage. This past Saturday I got up the nerve and cut the back deck off my rig and started tearing out the transom. Got the 1st layer of old plywood out before I ran out of time. I knew mine was nowhere near as involved as yours so I finally got off my butt and started it. Will post some pictures shortly. Probably start a new thread.

Joey