Mate 229

I know this has been done before but it's cold out and I'm bored. So what Checkmate do you have, how do you like it and what are you doing to make it faster this winter??
Me, it's a 229 Maxxum with a mild 454mag around 450hp. Looking to move up next year to 25-28 ft most likely a Checkmate again. Been very happy with the quality of the boat.

Vinny P

I have a 1999 259 with a 454 magnum (stock). I just got a set of Gil Wet Offshore manifolds and pipes last week. Obviously, I didn't get a chance to put them on yet, winter SUCKS. I am very happy with this boat. I think it has a great ride, I run a lot in the ocean, it handles waves real well.

mxz800

i have a 1999 259 (270 with the flipper on back) so far stock been thinking of adding whipple but that would take money from other hobbies.so far the boat has been everything i would expect it to be and more.

checkmate981

98 251 convinsor with a 454 310mpi.Planning on building A 496 - 540 for next season but still have a bare block sitting in the garage.I will probely end up running the 310 next season.
Dave

Mate 229

Glad to see how happy everyone is with their 'Mates. 981 that 251 hull will handle some serious HP. We had a 93 251 at our radar shoot with somewhere around 1200HP plus nitrous. That monster went 103 on radar and had more but was hitting the rev limiter. Fastest V hull that day. Top cat was 143 I think.
MXZ 800 Whip it!! We are planning a trip to Solomons Island this spring you should join us. Checkmate F1 is bringing his 251 and I'll have the little 229 unless I can sell it and buy a bigger one by then.

mxz800

hey mate county me in on any run or get together you all plan for the bay this year. i wanted to try and get to the radar run this fall but with the date changing so many times it just didnt fall my way. hopefully next year will work out better.my check has a stock 7.4 efimag have seen 67 on gps what kind of speed would whipple give me any ideas? whipple might have to wait another year as i just bought new carolina skiff to takre the misses crabbing on next year. i would look like a real hillbilly with crab pots on the deck of the checkmate!!

ted lamparty

my latest checkmate is a 2000 259 convincor. this is my third checkmate. i've owned a pursuader 183, a convincor 242, and the 259. it had, i say again had, a 502 with a whipple. repowering it this winter. with the whipple it spun a bravo 30' 4 blade at 4900rpm. had some serious engine problems over the summer so i'm building a motor. it wasn't driver error, like my wife claim that scrapped the 502!!! honest never reved it above 3000 ooohh make that 4000rpm. if you have a 259/270/280 and you want to put a blower on it there appears to be not enough front clearance room. it can be done.

mxz800

hey ted what kinda of mph were you seeing with that setup??

Mate 229

Blower, I can't even get a larger flame arrester under my hatch. The 229 is fairly low profile which is one reason I'm looking to move up, more freeboard.
I'll keep everyone posted on any trips we are setting up in the spring. Oh how I wish we were back in Florida!!

CheckmateF1

Mine is an 89 251 Convincor w/HP500 and Bravo. The motor is getting a refresh and mild upgrade this winter. Bruce is supposed to pick it up next Saturday. The Check really impressed me in the rough stuff out on the Chesapeake bay. It handles better going 75mph than going 35. I love it!!

Mxz, I'd say that the base Whipple system would get you to 80mph. Maybe more with the perfect prop.

We definatly plan on running the Bay more next year. We will go to Solomons Island with Mate229 and hopefully do some get togethers at Red Eye's and the South Bay with the RPBA and HRPA guys.

I look forward to meeting some more Checkmate die hards!!

Eric