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-   -   The New Twin O/B 26' Checkmate (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-boating-discussion/359344-new-twin-o-b-26-checkmate.html)

Dean Ferry 03-06-2019 07:21 AM


Originally Posted by Wildman_grafix (Post 4675682)
But made in ohio again?????

Yep... I believe Joe just bought Checkmate, and left it in place.... My very 1st boat was a 1985 17' Checkmate open bow with 130 Hp Yamaha on it.... Fun little boat!

F-2 Speedy 03-06-2019 07:27 AM


Originally Posted by Wildman_grafix (Post 4675682)
But made in ohio again?????

Yes, and just down the road from XT, they did some work on a friends 29 OL

Edit: I guess Dean and I were posting at the same time.....

Twin O/B Sonic 03-06-2019 07:42 AM

Yes.

Open at same location but barn in back, and still building boats.
I was just there.

looks like currently, fast open bows are core business.

They have a 24’ open bow (was in Miami) w/a 400r Verado O/B at the factory that is stunning.

Runs mid 80’s I think.

Randy Corson in Daytona, is a dealer and has had their 22/24’s running near a 100 for yrs!

Twin O/B Sonic 03-06-2019 07:44 AM

I would add:

It looks like the aft deck is finished to be buyer spec’d lay out.
Second set of bolsters, all open, etc.

Wildman_grafix 03-06-2019 10:49 AM

I grew up in Northern Indiana and Checkmates were all over the place on the local river. Always fast OB and jets mainly.

Twin O/B Sonic 03-06-2019 11:18 AM

My parents had a cruiser on Erie when I was kid and we passed the factory every Friday in way up and Sunday on way home.

Back in the day they always had one or two transporters packed w/boats parked in front.

Just saw a video from the ‘80’s of them racing offshore.
In the ‘70’s they owned every OPC marathon record there was.

Harold Kunkel of Kunkels Marine did all their testing.
He had a 25’ Convincor running low 120’s 20 yrs ago.

At one time he had a 27’ Fountain they took in on trade and parked beside a 270 Convincor so you could stand in the cockpit, look over both front decks comparing quality.
The Checkmate was light yrs beyond the Fountain.

IMO, one of the most under appreciated boats there is.
My ‘86 25’ Convincor is 100% balsa core, has zero rot, and still has crisp/straight mold lines.

VetteLT193 03-06-2019 11:34 AM


Originally Posted by NWfreerider (Post 4675184)
Nice looking boat, except for the junk trim tabs they put on it.

I have to wonder what is going on with either lenco or bennett because even Donzi started using Lenco. Either they are giving them away or something is up with Bennett.

TYPHOON 03-06-2019 01:56 PM

My first year in racing I raced my 25 Convincer. A-22 Soup to Nuts.

motuman 03-06-2019 02:37 PM


Originally Posted by Twin O/B Sonic (Post 4675170)
I quizzed the boys at the factory about the reported 85 mph top speed.
They laughed and said when they get time to finish dialing it, they expect to see 90.

Has Merc 300 V-8's on it and were the first Ive seen in person.
They are GINORMUS! I bet they're 7' tall.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...76c919ba14.jpg
300 V-8s. Theyre huge!

I bet thats a fun ride! Did you notice if they were 300r's or the new 300 Pro XS? Heard great things about both.
For what is worth, LaveyCraft built a new 2750 with twin 300xs, which is a bigger and heavier boat, and it is currently running right at 91.
Will be interesting to see more of these small-midsize twins being built. So much potential with the new outboards!

Twin O/B Sonic 03-06-2019 07:40 PM

They’re the V-8’s.


Originally Posted by motuman (Post 4675852)
I bet thats a fun ride! Did you notice if they were 300r's or the new 300 Pro XS? Heard great things about both.
For what is worth, LaveyCraft built a new 2750 with twin 300xs, which is a bigger and heavier boat, and it is currently running right at 91.
Will be interesting to see more of these small-midsize twins being built. So much potential with the new outboards!



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