First Checkmate 26 Convincor Completed
 

Just in, http://speedonthewater.com/new-boats...completed.html.

Ugh! Looks like a Baja to me.

I was thinking the same thing, but didnt wanna say it:poopoo:

It is baja-ish but I do like it honestly.

Not being.....
 

anti Baja at all either. Just looks like one of their euro/raised decks from the early/mid '90's.
Lot's of the Checkmate die hards figured once the company sold to Doug Smith (previous owner of Baja) that'd be only a matter of time until he started building Baja's w/Checkmate stickers on them.
I know C.mate was stuck in the 70's but i would have liked to have seen them meet 1/2 way.
Looks like they pressurized the cabin before the deck cured ;)

I think it looks pretty good.

has a baja feel but there is allot differnt too. i like it

I agree I think it looks pretty good.

I am not sayin' I dont like it either, just that my first thought was Baja.

im liking it

I like it. Has good freeboard for a 26ft boat, which looks like it would also create a fairly usable cabin. Nice freeboard with drop down bolsters in a boat this size is hard to pull off. Like the steps on the cabin entryway.....cup holders behind the bolsters was a great idea. I think the lines could be cleaned up if they went to a solid white fairing or atleast a white clouded tint. They could also match the fairing color to the hull color used, which would give an illusion of a lower deck. Similar to the way my old apache was in my avatar. Like the big deep transom....most likely a deep 24 degree deadrise, but lots of room between the water line and swim platform. Should be great for rough water. Like the simple helm........but could be improved. Looks like they ran out of room as the gauges are so close to the windscreen. Like the deck design. Good speed for the size and power. Priced well. Overall it looks like a winner.

I like the exterior, but I'm not sure about the area in front of passenger seat. It looks unfinished.

i like that they didn't mold on the platform and call it a 27, like everybody is doing these days. (the square stern is where it looks baja-ish though). the sliding cuddy hatch with steps to get over windshield is a nice touch. i wish somebody made a drop-down bolster that also swiveled. these interiors are small enough. if you can spin front seats around for hanging out and fishing, (i know...4-letter f-word) the cockpit seems much more roomy.

I'm not crazy about the boat BUT it is great to see a boat builder coming out with a new model these days! Especially a new boat in the price range that a working man/women could afford.
Congrats-

Based on reaction on this thread it's good thing the designers didn't listen to me ;)

I know I'm stuck in 1975 anyhow.

I enjoy that they are still there for the starter boat guy.

Good looking clean bout for Sub $100k that is brand new, warranty, and runs 70's.....That's where the home run is Most builders are forgetting about that small guy or the young guys trying to break in.

All around I think this boat is great deal.

I think it's a good one. It's hard to make a 26 look really sleek without making it a sit-down boat, it's just the reality of proportions. All in all...good job and nice to see some new models coming into this awful market.

This does a nice job of filling the void left behind when Active Thunder stopped making thier 25. It's a deep freeboard, deep V with a fairly large cabin for a 26' boat. The boat runs respectable speeds, the gunnels come up to your armpits, and it has traditional muscle boat looks with some modern flares! I thinks it's a winner and based upon my conversation with Mike Combs (Checkmate) the other morning they already have quite a few orders on this model!!

Very well...
 

stated and 100% agreed. One of the reasons I like my Sonic so much and the reason there are so few boats that have the space bellow deck. Depending on how you view it, it is really sleek or a bloated cow ;)
Many in this size range have a crawl in/useless cabin, low freeboard etc.

How is the construction different from the previous models? The Checkmate my buddy had up here in Long Island Sound didn't fare too well after a season of our chop.

Decent looking, very high freeboard which is nice. Looks big for a 26. It seems many are still clinging to the same old graphics on the side we've seen for 30 years now. That boat would look pretty nice with perhaps a solid grey or some other color, no splashy stripes.

Pretty good price point for a new boat like that. At some point, they will have an outboard version as well.

BTW, How does one access the cabin on this 26? I assume something up front lifts up? Looks like the stairs open upward.

Duh... just realized it's probably a slider.

From what I understand, it's a slider and, according to Doug Smith, they've actually just fabricated a new door with integrated cupholders for the boat.

Looks GREAT to me can I get one with outboards ?

Really doesnt matter what everyone on here thinks about the design, fact is they have sold 8 of them. I think that is great and at 75k the common man can afford it, congrats checkmate

Agreed. Lots of boats sell that people biotch about.

It is nice indeed someone thinks about those that don't have top shelf money, and produce a decent boat for them. Most boaters have to start somewhere, which over time, bodes well for all boat makers and the industry.

Bow looks like the old Checkmate and stern resembles the Baja a lot. From the back, looks just like a 25 outlaw. Funny, hopefully they took the best from both and come up with a great ride application. Hopefully they will have a good market for this price point and application given the economy. Good luck guys.

Yes, you will be able to, at least that was the plan when I reported this story, http://speedonthewater.com/in-the-ne...26-footer.html.

I'll follow up on this next week.

Hmmm....I like it!!! Needs twin LS SBC's/Bravo I's as an option (wonder where I got that idea from).

Love the high free board and the square rear transom (I've seen that somewhere recently).

I remember a discussion on OSO about a year ago about there being a demand for a return to the market of a boat like this.

Where did they ever get this idea from....I wonder?...

[IMG]http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/w...eratorad-1.jpg[/IMG]

...the resemblance is striking...especially on their 27 foot model. Their site advertises a 4000# weight...I assume without power?

[IMG]http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/w..._side_view.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/255Entry.jpg[/IMG]

...and orders for 8: new units in the worst economy since the Great Depression? I think they nailed it.

Now you're...
 

on to something! Rig one of those w/twin 300 XS's and see what you I/O guys think :thankyouthankyou:

Rig one of those w/twin 550 HP LSA's and see what you O/B guys think:evilb:

I have watched this model get developed for awhile now and I think they nailed it for the most part. As for the graphics Doug Smith stated he has one order in-house with a Cigarette style graphic, so that indicates the customer is king and can get what they want. Agree the boat is a full size 26 footer, but that is a result of the Checkmate dealers asking for the full 8' 6" beam, usable cabin with great entry, and bolsters that do not ruin the profile of the boat. As far as the "Stealthy" looking deck lines I think it is a much needed change from any past Checkmate, or Baja look. I was told the owner of this first boat requested a Baja alum. swim on it and that is making it look like a "Baja" transom more than anything else. Checkmate developed a cool looking fiberglass bolt-on platform that matches the deck lines going on boat #2.

Just my opinion.

XT

Guess you could if....
 

you wanted to add a thousand pounds of weight, make maintenance a nightmare and lose all your storage under the sun lounge.
Back to you ;)

A pair of 300-350 S.C.I Verado's are available. Also a pair of 300 Pro XS's . That would be a sweet thing.
But a single 565 h.p would be a nice affordable ticket to put this baby in the 80 M.P.H.
The cockpit is deeper and hull longer than the older Baja 25 -26 Outlaw look from years past..

This new Checkmate is a real 26 foot running surface boat. All new hull, deck, and cabin entry way design. The paint graphic's are still in the gel. At the transom you have a choice to option equip the 26 with a tubular colored platform and a fiberglass platform or non at all.
70 mph G.P.S right out of the box with single Mercruiser 8.2L Mag H.O and not broken in yet.

.

She's a nice all around boat with outboard possibilities.

I like the cabin for short overnit'ing


.

I wouldn't add any weight because the LSA's weigh less than your 300 Mercs!! 467 lbs each I believe. http://www.gmpowertrain.com/Librarie...rine.sflb.ashx

I guess we could compromise...turn the LSA's vertical ....and call them "7's"....557 HP each :evilb:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU0RXc8gaqo

Plus....
 

Plus drives, plus rigging???? I think not.

Just took a 2nd look. Only saw the top picture the 1st time. I like it a lot. A lot of boat for the size/style.
W/an O/B option, that could be a killer package.
Would guess twin 300 XS's push it 85 - 90 while getting great fuel mileage @ a 50 mph cruise. A full bracket w/a platform......

Any cabin pictures yet??

I love the lines of it. I think it is a beautiful boat!

Amazing how well this boat figures into some of this year's threads. The Liberator Restoration, boats under 28', cabin room, all of that. 24 degree vee. This boat should do pretty well in the rough stuff. I noticed it's not on Checkmate's site yet, and also notice there's overlap in products.








I hate to even ask, (does this 26 have an enclosed head?)