The New Checkmate/baja
 

:party-smiley-004:

IT IS THE NEW CHECKMATE 244ZT IT JUST LOOKS LIKE A BAJA TO ME

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...ckmate/nsg.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o.../S70013541.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o.../S70013491.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o.../S70013511.jpg

:eek:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...kmate/tr-1.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o.../S70013551.jpg

Sure does look like a re-badge H2X.

yes it does.

looks good, I like it

I am looking forward to seeing it in person. It looks nice.

I should be there Saturday.

Yes it does look real similar to a H2X. Just look at how tight and low it is going into the cabin, exactly like an H2X. I think the seats look extremely cheap also but in order to get the price down some corners had to be cut. I do like the graphics too.

BF has the pics of the H2X and the new Checkmate I would have to say same boat.

Call it whatever you want, because I bet they sell a bunch of them since the "NEW" Bajas By Reggie are overpriced. Looks awesome, now where are the pictures of the deck graphics?

I like it!

It has to be from the H2X, even the side vents are the same,

Now that being said, it looks great, H2X was a great boat for Baja

What is the $$ on this bad boy??

Here is a 99 H2x that is for sale here on OSO

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...ckmate/99m.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...ckmate/99s.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...ckmate/99b.jpg

And the New Checkmate ZT 244

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o.../S70013541.jpg

- 67 That do not like it that own a Checkmate

Well the rumor that CM got the H2X mold is obviously true. Still the boat looks great, I like it. I don't understand all the CM people that are 'appalled' that CM might use a mold that has Baja origins.

Although it might have been a good idea to re-tool the molds or put some inserts in during lay-up to at least change it a little bit.

I can be appointed for the spokesman of the die-hard Checkmate owners. Dock I don't really want to get in a pissing contest with you.

I will agree the boat is built good and with the hand laid glass-work the quality is their of a Checkmate and the gel coat looks awesome in person I was surprised.

But it aint no Checkmate brother, just like sticking a Chevy emblem on a Ford you cant change what it is

It should be called the " RETRO H2" by Checkmate

I'm wondering if they could have possibly acquired the 29 Outlaw mold also...

I like the boat and yes it is all BAJA built by Checkmate, just like the new Baja's that are built by Fountain.. I think the graphics are a little blahh but hey all in all it looks OK!!!!!

I am not here to bash Baja boats I am just a Checkmate guy defending our boats. We buy what we like and it would be no different then taking a Checkmate Convincor hull and putting a Baja sticker on it.

Here is some info for people that don't know.

Bill Combs started Checkmate boats in the sixties and sold Checkmate to Doug Smith this past year. Doug Smith was the founder of Baja boats or bought the company shortly after they started. I here 10 different stories on how Doug started and I dont know which one is true. The Brunswick corp bought Doug Smith out.

And this new Checkmate/Baja is a Doug Smith creation not the original founder of Checkmate Boats Bill Combs.

All Checkmate Boats to this day since the sixties are hand laid fiberglass. And correct me if I am wrong Doug Smith is the one that brought chopper guns to Baja

No.

Check out the graphic on the deck. Much better than plain white.

http://www.leonhardtautosales.com/mi...ics%20055a.jpg

I'm one of those 67.....PH only has to account for 66 more:evilb:

Yes I agree it does look better than plain white..

I think they should have made some changes to the molds before producing the boat just so that it could be called a Checkmate not a Baja built by Checkmate!!!!

I can see where the loyal Checkmate people could be a little miffed about the boat since it does look exactly like the H2X with minor changes!!:ernaehrung004:

That's very sharp looking boat. Since I'm an old creeker, I pay more attention to creature comforts and cabins than most of you guys probably do. I did a double take on this new model, and thought this couldn't possibly be the remake of the ZT240 could it?

Checkmate and Baja seem to be a better fit than Fountain, but at any rate, Checkmate would more than likely expand their base by adding to the mix like this. Smart and economical move, if they can pick and choose wisely.

This boat will sell very well IMO.

Also be interesting to compare the builds with the new FAJA's :evilb:

The way boat business is today I applaud anyone who ponies up and does ANYTHING new.
Yes, it has some obvious Baja styling. No, it is not a traditional styled Checkmate.
Why does anyone get offended when these guys are trying to get through these economic times.

I personally think that even though there are some similarities, it has up-to-date styling that will appeal to a much larger audience than just the die-hard Checkmate owners.

I like it. If I were in the market I would buy one in a heartbeat. (albeit with different graphics)

Your 36 Outlaw? Wait, the 36' mold was once a Cig mold? Really?

I think its neat seeing an old celebrated model from the Baja lineup have new life as a Checkmate.

Relax Checkmate owners, I highly doubt the whole line will change to similar styling. In my opinion though, I like the H2X styling a bit better than the typical Check style...

I think it looks great. Oh wait I shouldn't say that since I own a Baja. LOL. If it's a nice boat it's a nice boat. People put your purse down and pull your g-string out of your butt and except there will be changes. Roll with it. Also, the interior looks really good.

I'll never understand the CM guys looking down their noses at the Baja guys. I never spent much time in Bucyrus growing up but was the CM factory in a nicer part of town than the Baja factory or what???

Nope .. both on the outskirts ....just different sides of town

:party-smiley-004:

Nobody is looking down on Baja and this is coming from a Checkmate guy. Its fine and dandy if the new owner of Checkmate Doug Smith wants to build this H2 Baja. But it should be called something else Instead of a Checkmate 244 ZT

I think a good name would be to call it what it really is a H2

So call it The Retro H2X by Checkmate

Us Checkmate owners own Checkmates for the style just like you Baja guys what if Bayliner stuck a Baja sticker on a 24 foot hull how would you feel then

Just personal opinion, but I love the looks of the new Checkmate, and though I liked the boats, I was always turned off by the Baja graphics.

After reading Docks post (#23), I too can understand where the die hard Checkmate fans are coming from. Obviously we are going through this with the new Bajas by Fountain.

However..........:drink:

Checkmate has been around for a long time, probably one of the oldest boat companys I know of. In order to survive this starving market they will have to be creative to compete. Maybe the 244 isnt for everyone, but its built by the same people who've been building Checkmates for years with the quality you expect from a Checkmate. It will open doors to new customers as well. Plus the rest of the lineup is still there, just check out the NEW website.

http://www.checkmatepowerboats.net/

You guys are trying to force this on people, either they like it or dont. There is no need for explanation on why this or the reason they used it was.....

I must have missed something Dock what happened to your all your post
:throw:

You should be flattered that he would build a new Checkmate based on a Baja. It IS the H2X. Funny how this whole thing was worded...I always looked down my nose at Checkmates! Just kidding.

The whole Bayliner/Baja analogy is a real stretch.

Dock, like most of us is a boater. He doesn't consider Baja, Checkmate, or any other brand as inferior, if that's what the owner likes.
He's been ridden pretty hard here recently by a few people.

PS...

that's the best looking Checkmate I've seen in a long time...:grinser010:

Wantingmore.......with the Checkmate sticker on the side, that Baja probably gained 3-4 mph on WOT already!

SWEET!!!

I'm ordering some Checkmate stickers!

:confused:

Umm, ok. I thought this was a discussion board. Seems there are always rules on what we can talk about.:D

You guys are the ones doing the detective work here. No need to point out the obvious. :party-smiley-004:

I know as well as anybody else he was very proud of that new BECKMATE like he built it himself out of his garage.

But he loves his Baja's and I can accept that and I love my Combs era Checkmate

Just think about all the trash that got talked about the Fountain buy out this post was nothing

:nhl_fight:

Call Mike at Checkmate, they got lots of them.:grinser010: