Originally Posted by Keith Atlanta (Post 2886753)

When is that new 34 Checkmate being released?

Originally Posted by X-Driver (Post 2886834)

Keith, as a Checkmate fan.....it's hard to get excited about a 15 yr old warmed over Baja model with a Checkmate sticker on the side. I would like to see Checkmate Marine develope a new clean sheet of paper Checkmate. I would hate to buy a Concept for my next boat.

Originally Posted by Dock Holiday (Post 2889443)

I know how you guys feel because us old Baja owners have the same issue with what Fountain is doing with the Baja line.

The problem I see is that tooling is extremely expensive and I guess something new is better than nothing new and the company going out of business.

With what Checkmate did with the H2X I am sure they will have the new 350ZT looking like a Checkmate and have some nice new touches.

The 342 is an awesome boat and should be a good seller. I look forward to seeing one on the water.

No company that makes any product can set back and do things the way they did 20 years ago and survive. I think Dean is doing a great job of coming up with new ideas from seats, paint, in gel painted graphics etc. Please don't take this the wrong way but how many Checkmate folks are here on the site? The brand needs to attract the attention of new buyers and hopefully continue to support the loyal followers at the same time.

Originally Posted by PURPLE HORNET (Post 2889979)

Dock,
how can you say that taking a 10-15 year old baja mold is something new.

Originally Posted by PURPLE HORNET (Post 2889979)

Yes the interiors did improve in the Checkmates after the Smith take over but the ZT 244 " H2X " looks 100% like it did when Baja built it. You can take anything and change the seats, gauges, and smack a stripe on it. So please tell me when you take a 342 Baja mold and update the seats and bolt on hardware how its going to look anything like a Checkmate.

Originally Posted by PURPLE HORNET (Post 2889979)

How many Checkmates have you owned Dock ???

Originally Posted by PURPLE HORNET (Post 2889979)

And for your information Checkmate always had in gel painted graphics that's nothing new.

Originally Posted by PURPLE HORNET (Post 2889979)

I have nothing against you Dock but I never heard you say anything about any other Checkmates being built other than the ones that got built from the old baja molds that I heard got tossed in the trash.

Originally Posted by PURPLE HORNET (Post 2889979)

And if your looking for Checkmate members their are 6950 on the OFFICAL checkmate owners website www.checkmate-boats.com

Originally Posted by noyzee (Post 2890325)

Dock, there are allot of checkmate guys around, most are die hard checkmate. allot of smaller mates and lake mates that would have no interest in coming here.

Originally Posted by Dock Holiday (Post 2890429)

I NEVER said it was anything new. You are putting words in my mouth. I did say that they need to offer something new (meaning new to them) to bring in NEW buyers. New buyers mean $$$$$$ which will hopefully translate into NEW brand new molds for NEW Checkmate products in the future.



Again who said it would? "NOT ME" I think they will make every effort to make a quality product that will look very nice. Would you rather not see anything new? I think they are probably doing what is best for them at this time.



ZERO / NONE

To date I have not owned a single one but I do have a very good friend with a beautiful Checkmate. It is his second and he loves them just like you like them. I do really like the new center console and I look forward to buying one from Dean and Doug in the future and being a Checkmate owner. If or when they come up with a new 38 foot + Offshore I would certainly consider buying one also.




I do know and understand that. It is a real art that only a few manufacturers do. I should have been more specific because I was refferring to the custom work that Dean with the help of Clayton at Kustom Kolors came up with. Never before have I seen or heard of anyone doing paint and shadows in the gel like they can. That is really trick and sets them apart from others.



Well I'm sorry that you have not noticed that I really like the Checkmate brand. I had the pleasure of riding with Dean and JR last year on what I believe to be an original design Checkmate and I even got to drive the boat. I liked it a LOT. It was very solid, handled well, the fit and finish were exceptional and it ran good. Just ask Dean about my personal comments regarding Checkmate if you have any doubts. I got to see a dozen Checkmates and gained a whole new respect for them. X-Driver has one of my favorite and I liked them all. One thing I could tell right away was that you guys are very brand loyal and you keep your boats looking like new and take a lot of pride in them.

Those that know me well know that I love all brands and types of boats. If it floats I can find something I like about it.




That is nice to know. I'll check it out when I have a chance.


Purple,

For some reason you think I am anti-Checkmate or believe that I think they should become the new Baja. You are wrong on both counts. Baja is dead as far as I am concerned. Dean and Doug are nice people that I hold in high regard and I want to see them succeed. I have no input at all as to what they do or don't do. I can say that to me it is exciting to see them doing something positive in this poor economy to advance the company.

Thank you
Doc

Originally Posted by noyzee (Post 2890480)

well put dock, well put. and i followed your rebirth of your boat. Pretty sure if you didnt have 100% respect for checkmate, they would not have been your choice to redo your boat.
ps. i love your boat!!!!!

Originally Posted by Checkmate-Chris (Post 2890851)

Dock,

I'd be interested to hear why Baja is dead as far as you're concerned.

-Chris

Originally Posted by PURPLE HORNET (Post 2890781)

I may be wrong and if I am Dock correct me. Checkmate did not restore Dock's boat XT did most of the work. It was next to Checkmate in the shop XT rents.

Originally Posted by PURPLE HORNET (Post 2890777)

Well Dock,
just show some respect to the loyal owners that own the original Combs style Checkmates, and just not the ones that popped out of the Baja molds. It just seems like you just came around and started bragging on Checkmate when Doug got his Baja molds.

And your words, you like the new center console Checkmate, why would I even doubt that being it came from a Baja mold too. I don't see you talking about the new 2400, 2400 BR and the wake tower Checkmate, maybe its because it came out of a Checkmate mold not a Baja mold.

If your really tring to help Checkmate maybe you should promote all the Checkmates they make instead of just the ones that came from Baja molds.

I could care less what kind of boat you choose to own but I own a Checkmate because that's the style I like.

And if the salvation of Checkmate relies solely on reproduced baja's then I could care less if Doug sinks again.

Originally Posted by Magic Medicine (Post 2891111)

As far as Checkmate in concerned I have owned 2 mates, 97 242 Convincor and a 99 ZT 280. In my opinon, Checkmate builds nice fast solid hulls in the 30' and under class. Not many frills pretty much just biz, there main issue I saw as a previous owner is that the rigging left alot of the table that could have been improved! Checkmate will need to step up there game if they want to compete in the 30' plus class, there are alot of great establish boat builders who have this class cover very well with lots of options to choose from.

my humble .02

Originally Posted by Dock Holiday (Post 2891223)

Purple


I not sure the problem you have with me but it is your problem not mine.

Happy Boating

Dock

Originally Posted by PURPLE HORNET (Post 2892024)

I am not sure how to take this their are 2 ways

1.:kiss:
2.:op:

I thought we were debating

Originally Posted by PURPLE HORNET (Post 2892023)

I never heard complaints on rigging please explain

Originally Posted by noyzee (Post 2892242)

i think he meens the same thing as me. the small gauges, the basic steering wheels, the so so controls, the basic interior, the finish work on the cockpit floor, only ok foam in the cushions cabin and cockpit.

i think thats what he means, they ae great boat and different, but nothing is perfect, and those are the things i see wrong with my boat and i think doug is working on that which is a good thing

Originally Posted by Checkmate-Chris (Post 2892403)

Kinda makes sense - don't ya think?

Originally Posted by Checkmate-Chris (Post 2892403)

Newsflash!

Checkmate have always acted as a semi-custom builder.

So in essence, you've been able to spec whatever rigging you want for years.

What they have done in the past, is they have offered up standard rigging as the entry price point and then if an owner wants something as an upgrade they do it for a price. By offering the boats this way, it gives buyers a lower opening price and the option for more bling for a dollar if that's what they want. Owners have even bought stuff aftermarket and sent it to the factory for install during the build.

Kinda makes sense - don't ya think?

It's sorta like buying a car...

-Chris

Originally Posted by ZP'd (Post 2911346)

I seen what Magic Medicine was talking about when our good friend bought a 230ZT br. Wiring was not loomed nowhere hardly and poorly supported everywhere in the boat, which was shocking to me considering how nice of work they do in the fiberglass/gel area and the quality hardware they use in the boat. IMO that along with the fact they pieced together the rub rail made it look too much like a mass produced boat, then rather one from a smaller builder who pays attention to ALL the details, not just some. It deserved MUCH better in those areas considering how great the lines are and obvious attention to detail elsewhere in and around the boats construction. The Checkmate name speaks for itself over the years, just hope they clean up those issues mentioned and drop the Baja look as well as it's not fitting in with the Checkmate name, nor previous reputation as being a long living "built one at a time" classic style boat.

Great to see Checkmate live on in these tough times, just hope they never lose sight of what made them Checkmate to begin with.

Originally Posted by golfmaxgolf (Post 2915343)

Riddle me This Checkmate Fans! I was long ago led to believe that Checkmate/Baja were nearly one in the same? A Splash that started all of this Any truth to this? And has anyone ever heard of a fella named Kenny Auh?