What's this worth?
 

Looks like a fair price to me if its nice and never been in salt water

yes I dont think thats a bad price. Withtrailer? I would shoot for 11K. Just remember a boat is a bad investment. Its up to you as to how bad of an investment you make.

ill bet its a 70mph boat

Looks fun! :drink: That 502 should definitely get that boat a'rockin'. :evilb:

Here are some more picture...let me know what you guys think. Is this a good quality boat? The last Checkmate I owned was a 70's outboard, and it was pretty flimsy.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCF3490.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCF3488.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCF3491.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCF3495.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCF3497.jpg

The boat looks like a good deal and I am a Checkmate guy. From the pics you posted

What does the exaust manifold say?

I bought a 1989 Baja 2 yrs ago with a 454. Paid 8500 but needed to replace the vinyl $2000. then had a gimble beaing go out that cased more damage another 2500, this year i seized the engine so now I am looking at about 4500.

This is why yours looks like a good deal to me. Honestly I am still happy with my purchase, fact is a boat is not a good investment.

Why do you keep posting a boat is not a good investment. The investment you get from a boat is priceless. Fun with your family and friends all summer long so how would you put a figure on that as money lost. Yes I agree if your looking to resale you need a bargain price.

Your going to have problems with any used boat you buy that's 4 years or older. If you don't want break downs don't buy a used boat.

I think I am going to put a deposit on it.....and try to go see it next weekend. Is there anything I should look for other than the obvious? Any particular quirks about these boat? Are the bottoms usually straight and run true and smooth?

Revolution Marine

You dont have to worry about any Checkmate not running true. Unless its been repaired All their boats are handlaid fiberglass and been in biz since the sixties. If the boat was taken care of by the previous owners you will love it.

I would take a good look at the king pins in the gimble ring to make sure their not worn. The hyd steer is a bonus.

Not trying to snatch people from here but checkmate-boats.com Is a hang out for all Checkmate owners and myself and theirs nothing about that boat that cant be answered their

work em over
 

I bought a 90 Checkmate 25 convincor last season. It was listed as a buy it now on ebay for 15000.00. It didnt sell and I did a last chance offer. Bought it for 8000.00.
This week a new 540 ci is going in after the old motor hydrostatically locked and while doing the investigation of the problem I found other issues. I felt it was best to get the new motor and have a baseline to work from.
I guess my point is just be prepared for something. As of this season I will will have approximately 16000.00 in but this is with a new motor and the outdrive has been gone through. Essentially a new boat. I am happy with my deal, but if I had paid the Buy it now I would be way upside down. Just food for thought.

easily, had a newer 260 which would be a similar hull but has a step and it ran 70 with a 375 hp 496 ci merc.

that boat is a good deal if it was takin care of. hand laid hull very light for its size and strong.

I got some more information today:
The boat was traded with a knocking motor. The dealer removed the motor and found it had been over heated and dropped a valve guide. So they totally dissassembled the motor and bored it .30 over and replaced the pistons with keith black. They also put all new bearings and rebuilt the valve train. This is a roller valve train. He also said he had to replace some parts in the upper outdrive housing....don't remember exactly but rod, gears, pinions or something like that. They also replaced the water pump, circulation pump and the alternator. It has MSD ignition and Demon Carb.

The only issue is he says the valve train is noisy, but he says that most all roller valve trains have a different sound than a non-roller and he says it sounds normal....does this make sense?

You need to take a engine mechanic with you the valve train being real noisy sound like a line of BS. I have a full roller engine and with the engine running at idle and the hatch up I can not here my valve train. If I got in the engine compartment and stuck my ear down towards the valve cover I could here mine.

I am not knocking you but by your post I feel you do not know a huge amount about internals of a engine or drive. If you are not careful this boat dealer will take advantage of you.

1. I have ever seen a iron head engine drop a guide only a valve

2. You do not rebuild valve train you replace the worn out parts

3. And the MSD box on their is not a marine one and will last half the time and really is not safe.

4 It looks like the clown ran the breather line off the fuel pump and plugged it into the carb base. That will create a vacuum on the fuel pump and you will lose fuel pressure and lean the engine and burn it up.



This boat looks like a good deal but be careful a boat dealer will tell you anything right now to sell something they are hurting.

Sorry, I was in a hurry when I wrote this last post.

It was a valve seat that came loose, not a valve guide.

I admit I am not familiar with the Bravo drive, so that is why I am asking for advice on this board.

How can you tell where that hose is coming from, can't even see the fuel pump in the picture, if it is what you say, where should it go if not to the base of the carb?

That would be the only hose that size going in that direction most of the time they are vented to the air filter. If the boat was not six hours away from me I would go and look at it with you. I will keep a eye on your thread if you post again

Good Luck :ernaehrung004:

Hello - Heres my .02. I had a 1995 219 Persuader with a 350 and an Alpha drive. I sold that boat for 11,000 on ebay. So , this does sound like a good deal if the engine is ok. BUT, I was not happy with the way the boat handled, It was terrible over waves !! We boat on the CT river and it felt like we were on the ocean all the time. I think I broke my back a few times. This boat is a couple feet bigger, so maybe it will handle better. I would test drive if possible.

A couple more pictures sent by the Dealer. A crack in the corner of the engine bay. This does not look structural to me, but I don't know the insides of these boats. What does it look like to you guys?
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCF3507.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCF3508.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCF3506.jpg

Persuader 234
 

I have a Persuader 235 of the same year as this 234 also a 502bb. These boats handle problably better than any in this size (imho). I have recently replaced the flooring in my boat, so I can say that I know the boat structuraly in the area of the photo. If the crack just ran around the edge of the floor, I would say most likely the floor/ box has just seperated from the hull, but if it goes up into the transome/ hull, I would run. This boat should run in the mid 70's easy with that set-up. Should produce 390hp stock and with the dominator carb should be closer to 400hp.

Good luck. If this one does not work out for you. My Persuader 235 might be for sale. Problably a little more money, but in better shape I'm sure. [email protected]

Well, It looks like it is going up the transom a few inches....doesn't it?

Get on checkmate-boats.com and post the pics