Checkmate
 

Folks if are in the market for a really nice 30 foot and under rock solid boat that is fast, built well and custom to your needs without a custom price you need to take a good look at Checkmate.

I've known Dean Reynolds and Jr Jenny for a long time now and met Doug Smith in February and have since seen him twice and I found him to be one heck of a nice guy. He, his wife and daughter are true boat builders.

Each time I have visited the factory there is more going on and they are working on some really trick projects that you will see soon.

Well I finally got to ride in my first Checkmate yesterday and all I can say is WOW. We drove a 28 foot with a single 525 and were seeing 82 on a speedometer that was three MPH fast per the GPS. We only had a 26 pitch prop and were all over the rev limiter. The boat needs at least a 28 and maybe a 29.

The boat is ROCK SOLID and there is not a single rattle at all period. The fit and finish are exactly what you expect and are paying for. There are no excuses with this boat.

The interior was by McLeod and the front bolsters both look great and were very supportive while standing and sitting.

All the graphics are IN GEL and sharp including the CHECKMATE name on the bow. Check this out I was just told by Dean that they have mastered air brushing in the gel and the next models with have some really cool shades and shadows like you have never seen before all in the gel.

If you want even more Checkmate is in tight with Kustom Kolors and they have already shipped a couple of really trick custom boats.

Need I/O's? NO PROBLEM

Need outboards? NO PROBLEM

Want a single 496HO or a 525 in a 28? NO PROBLEM

Prefer a pair of 6.2's in a 28? NO PROBLEM

Like burger king you can have it your way at a price you can afford!

I can go on and on but if you are in the market for a 30 and under built the way you want it with pride and quality then you owe it to yourself to take a look at Checkmate.

I'm proud to say that one of my employees is already hooked and looking forward to moving up to a Checkmate 30 with twin 300 Merc outboards.

Keep up the good work guys.

So, what is the "standard" equipment list on the Checkmate boats?

Everything you need, anything you want.

This is a really sharp 30 with 300's that belongs to X-Driver here on the oard and it runs over 92 MPH and looks GREAT doing it.

Checkmate has one of these with four standup bolsters and a large rear seat without all the storage. You can get it with a windscreen or a windshield.

Checkmates are good boats, sounds like a ad for them. Sure seems like a lot of ads on Baja forum for other brands. Hmmm. :rolleyes:

Why is this in the Baja owers forum? :offtopic:

Is it time for another history lesson on the origins of Checkmate and Baja in Bucyrus? You have 3 of the top guys from BAJA at Checkmate now, plus a couple in the factory. What does Fountain have?

If this thread really bothers you that much you should report it to a moderater immediately!:party-smiley-004:

Well, I guess you have a point. Sorry for interrupting. But the last time I looked under the Baja forum it says: Discussions about boats built by this manufacturer

I guess then technically BAJA by FOUTAIN should be discussed where?:drink:

In the BAJA forum.

:chill-pill:

Hey, its Monday. Let's fight.

Well I guess we will mosey over to the Fountain forum, maybe they will let us in. :rolleyes:

You want to fight ? jump in on this thread
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=197390

At least they arguing about Baja's.

I was just going to say this forum is getting more action than General Discussion these days! I even see names lurking here that I havent seen before! :D

Been hangin around for a long time, just never spoke up much.:cool-smiley-027:

:food-smiley-007:

Doc, Looks like you a big fan of Checkmate. I wonder how big of a fan Checkmate would be of your if you posted their dealer net on here. and you Sure have a low oppinion of Reggie, why is that Doc? What has he done to you. Have you ever met the man. You know he didn't take the jobs of those people in Bucyrus away, Some one else has that cross to bear. And if you hate what has happen to Baja so bad then get your back and sell it, Buy something else I sure Reggie Won't Give A S_ _ T. :ernaehrung004:

Sonic's Rule:grinser010::eek:

Ok, enough of this horse sh!t.
Doc likes the guys at Checkmate & is clearly helping them by spreading HIS OPINION of the product. What is the big deal with that?
Who cares about Reggie & Fountain? He owns Baja. It is a done deal & that is all there is to it.
Can we all move on to a different topic. This one is so played out.

I love the Super Sonic Cheeseburger!:evilb:

:ernaehrung004:

I am new to the forums is this where I post the new pics of my boat. Its a Baja built by Fountain with Checkmate speed.
:musik010:

I like Doc's post maybe he might have stuck it in the wrong thread. But I can see his point. But on the other hand it also upset the Checkmate people that Doug Smith bought them out.

Mr Reggie Cat Killer Fountain bought Baja and that pissed people off.

Mr Baja Doug Smith bought Checkmate and that pissed people off.

So now everybody is pissed off, maybe Cigarette will buy both of them and we all can be happy again.

I think I will go buy a bayliner and smoke all of you clowns:cool-smiley-027:

FYI

Doug started building boats with Checkmate before he left and went with Baja. Actually most think he founded Baja and he did not. He just ran it a long time and built it up to one of the largest in the industry.

I am staying out of this fight...

I am wondering what the speeds on that 28 would be with a 496/425?

I would also like to see more photos posted either here or in the Checkmate forum.

Well, the bottom line is that Doug has brought much needed change to Checkmate and the overall product is a better boat. Reggie is now building Baja and the new Bajas are better boats with new improvements. So why is everyone pissing and moaning?? Let's enjoy the evolution and improvements that have been made to long lasting boat companies that have alot of history and pride!!

I agree, nicely stated!

A very ball park speed would be 70 mph the new 300 is their 30 footer, the swim platform is included in the footage now. The boat is really a 28 plus platform. Around 99-2000 Checkmate started including their platform as footage like most boat compaines do.

That's awesome! Cheers to that :ernaehrung004:!!

Thanks for moving this OSO.

I guess I am too use to posting in the Baja section.

Well I figured you would hide behind a computer screen but that is okay because we know who you are anyway.

1) Yes I am impressed with Checkmate and the folks there are really good people and I wish them all the success in the world.

2) My opinion of Reggie is based mainly on what I have read on this and other sites and like they say the more you hear of something the more you believe it. I'm sure he is a nice guy and there is no denying his passion and what he has accomplished. I mainly got real turned off by what he did in Jacksonville a couple of years back with Cat Killer. Everyone on here has an opinion and this is mine.

3) He has never done anything to me that I am aware of.

4) I have met Reggie and shook his hand twice and he was always very friendly but that was the extent of it.

5) Yes I know he did not take the jobs away from those folks. Could he have found a job or two for some of them?

6) The Baja I knew is gone but the boats they built will be around a long time and many will enjoy them for years to come. When I buy a new boat it will certainly not be a Baja by Fountain or a Fountain by Fountain.

7) And if you hate what has happen to Baja so bad then get your back and sell it, Buy something else I sure Reggie Won't Give A S_ _ T.

WELL THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR POINTING OUT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SAY ALL ALONG. HE DOES NOT GIVE A CRAP ABOUT THE PREVIOUS BAJA OWNERS!


My opinion is I simply don't care for the new boat because I don't care for Fountain. They show me nothing and it's not because they are a bad product. I know lots of folks that love them and have good boats and they don't like what I have that is why they make so many different brands and models.

Everyone here has an opinion and now you can go back to hiding behind your computer screen.

There is a difference.....Doug has retained many employees of the original Checkmate to keep the history intact. That includes two people with the last name of Combs. The new Baja's by Fountain are now just the best looking Fountains in the line-up with zero history on any current Baja boat in the world. If you do not believe me, call Fountain with any question on your Baja and see if they can answer it. Then call Sea Ray and see if they even answer the phone?

XT:eek:

Actually, the amount of change that has been brought to Checkmate isn’t all that much….yet…..but he hasn’t owned them for vey long. Doug Smith has brought on a couple new models like the 2400BRX and the 2800OBX, but the rest of the line up is the same as when Bill Combs owned the company. I bought (2) boats last year, a 2100 and a ZT230, both were unchanged from what Bill was building except for new hull graphics. So are the other models…except that many (not all) of the other models have a newly updated windshield, and the larger offshore boats now have McCleod bolsters and some new accessories options. That’s about it, good changes? Yes, but major change, better boat? NO. The way they were built by Bill Combs was excellent and still is….unchanged by Doug Smith. Build methods and materials are still the same. I really like Doug Smith and he is doing good things, but Bill Combs built one hell of a boat, a true pioneer, don’t take that away from him. Just wanted to clarify, Jup.

-Craig

Sonics still rule:drink:Next idea for paint job. The clown boat:ernaehrung004:

I found the clowns for your next project :angry-smiley-044:


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

:drink::cool-smiley-027:

Hey Craig, I'm well aware of Bill, Kip and Mike Combs years of hard work, dedication, and innovation within Checkmates heritage. Yes, the changes that Doug Smith has made are small in the scheme of things, but they were needed changes. Improvements to bring Checkmate's interiors up to date, better hardware, better rigging/wiring, new models, etc. Infact, the new models were long in the design stage before Doug even took over! I've always said that Checkmate's Mold work and construction in second to none! I would like to see them switch over to using less wood in their construction but they've been building boats that way for over 40 years!!..not to mention you still see many old Checkmates running around!!!! I'm on my second Checkmate (Pulsare 2100) and I'm sure I'll own many more in the future!

Jup, I know that you know. I just wanted to point that out here. Actually, re: graphics, I believe those were all developed before the take-over as well. But yes, as we both said the hardware/options are a lot better now, lots of stuff that use to be optional for extra $$$ are now standard. Re: wood, I don't have a problem with it, keeps the boat lightweight, as long as everything is sealed should not have problems. There are still other really good hi-perf mfr's that use wood...as much as checkmate does...

-Craig

More wood, less wood I don't know but whatever Checkmate does they need to keep it that way. It is rare to see stress cracks in a Checkmate. If it does it was abused, not taken care of or heavly over powered and not reinforced.

I don't see them giving you any extra hardware, have you priced a new boat. The reason why Checkmate sold boats with less bling and goodies was to keep the price down. But their was nothing that was not avalible when you ordered one. And most of the time it was up to the dealer that ordered the boat what it got. Like the standared engine on a 28 foot Convincor is a 350. I have only seen one Convincor that was over 22 foot that had a 350 in it. Yet that was up to the dealer or a special order.

I think people need to read some of the older boat flyers before they comment on what Checkmate did not put on the boat they bought. Because I can make a list of stuff that I wish I had on my Convincor but I have to suck it up because I am not the one that bought it new.

Here are the basic options that Checkmate offered on their 1996 boats 12 years ago. Plus Checkmate would have at your request put anything else that you wanted in the boat to please you. They would have even painted it pink with blue poka dots if thats what you wanted or sold you a stripped bare hull;

As the 1996 Checkmate brochure states, "the options are for a 253 Convincor:

Deluxe AM/FM Stereo with cassette and four speakers
Remote control for deluxe stereo
two extra speakers
clock
cigarette lighter
halon fire extinguishing system
wired dual battery selector switch with extra battery holder
marine battery
non-skid vinyl flooring in cockpit
hydraulic boster seats
one piece fiberglass windscreen with gel finish
docking lights (pair)
lowrance 3500 depth finder
4" thru transom exhaust with S.S. tips
4" thru transom exhaust with S.S. tips and manual select sound
4" thru transom exhaust with S.S. tips and electric select sound
4" S.S. silencer tips
corsa quick and quiet exhaust
thru transom exhaust (below water line)
bilge fume detector engine compartment lights
compass
color keyed instrument bezels
ski eye
S.S. flame arrestor
dual ram s.s. hydraulic trim tabs
trim tab indicator
offshore motor mounts
crt cordless rotary stern drive trim in steering wheel and morse dual lever controls
hynautic "power planes" with indicators
k-tabs--hydraulic
k-tabs indicator
k-tabs indicator with drive and engine indicator
one piece fiberglass swim platform with fold down ladder
cabin windows
12" opening deck hatch
removable formica table
quick drain oil remover kit
custom cockpit cover
cutrom mooring cover
optional 4th color hull stripe
mach s.s. propellers

On this subject... so far, the only thing on my 1999 Convincor that I would really like (but don't have) is cockpit lighting. Was this an option that year? I think the rest of the boat is equipped really well. But, like you said, it depends on who ordered it.