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Recent content by Figz

  1. Winter Work 28.jpeg

    Winter Work 28.jpeg

    Steering works like a dream now! Gauges are in, steering is done, throttle and controls are done, now I have to do the motor. Of course, there are minor things like the lights, the windshield, the electrical, etc., but that is for future me to worry about!
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  2. Winter Work 27.jpeg

    Winter Work 27.jpeg

    Steering rack installed, it fits great!
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  3. Winter Work 26.jpeg

    Winter Work 26.jpeg

    SteerFlex 14' cable installed! I cleaned out the old grease from the housing and put new grease in with this cable. I seem to have lost the nut that holds the rod onto the steering cable, so I either have to find it or get a new one. This is why you keep track of your stuff, ladies and gents!
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  4. Winter Work 25.jpeg

    Winter Work 25.jpeg

    SteerFlex 14' cable installed! The hole where the steering cable exits was already cut oversized before I started working on it (not sure if my dad or the shop did it). I had to widen it a bit more to fit the new cable. I DO HAVE a cherry picker, but I took the quick and easy route instead.
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  5. Winter Work 24.jpeg

    Winter Work 24.jpeg

    Here is the new 14' cable, and it looks fantastic. It is a SteerFlex cable (at least, that is what it says on the box).
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  6. Winter Work 23.jpeg

    Winter Work 23.jpeg

    Here is the cable completely removed from the boat. I used a pair of bolt cutters to remove it. I cut it twice and pulled the rod out from the left side of the motor, opposite where it went into the helm, as there was more space.
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  7. Winter Work 22.jpeg

    Winter Work 22.jpeg

    Here is the cable detached from the helm. It is 15' long and was produced in 1995, if I am reading this correctly. The cable is completely locked up, no movement! I am ordering a 14' cable as a replacement.
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  8. Winter Work 21.jpeg

    Winter Work 21.jpeg

    This is the old steering cable from the boat. It is marked as being 15' in length, which is too long as seen here. I suspect that when the boat went to the shop for its new motor (Late 90s), they replaced the cable and just grabbed one off the shelf. I am replacing it as it is seized.
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  9. Figz

    1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration

    Haha, thanks for the reply! Yeah, you and Mark are correct. The 18' for me comes from the total length w/ the motor. But yes, the hull is NOT 18'. Mark says it is 16'6" and you say it is 16'7"...hmmm 🤔
  10. Figz

    1989 Spectra 171 project

    Thanks for the advice. I’ll have to find out how to do that as I don’t know too much about the performance on the motor yet. Where can I see more information on the black boxes you mentioned?
  11. Winter Work 20.jpeg

    Winter Work 20.jpeg

    This is the donor unit that I took parts from. The only difference that I could see is in the part numbers. My part number is NA1601-04 1 16913 and the donor units part number is NA1601-04 2 16913. Does anybody know the difference between 1 and 2? I’m assuming 2 it’s just a newer model.
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  12. Winter Work 19.jpeg

    Winter Work 19.jpeg

    I installed the Mercury throttle controller for the motor and hooked up the linkages. I did have to replace the trim switch on this controller because it went bad. Luckily I have a donor one that I robbed the throttle arm from.
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  13. Winter Work 18.jpeg

    Winter Work 18.jpeg

    I cleaned up the steering wheel center cap; polished the metal and cleaned the plastic cap. I’d like to try to preserve the Checkmate center as much as possible as it is original. Does anybody have any ideas of what I can put on the plastic?
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  14. Winter Work 17.jpeg

    Winter Work 17.jpeg

    I cleaned up the steering wheel; sanded down all the rust, put rust-converter, primer, and then the paint that you see on there now is cast blast.
    • Figz
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Album: 1982 Checkmate Sportfire Restoration
  15. Figz

    Crushed Checkmate, anyone?

    Yup. I could've 100% used that windshield, or at least the framing, the cleats, a bunch of stuff. Ain't nothing I can do now.
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