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2002 Checkmate Pulse 185 Value

M

Mo Power

New member
Hi - I'm new to this forum and I'm looking to become a first time Checkmate owner.

There is a 2002 Checkmate Pulse 185 for sale near me and the owner claims the boat is in emaculate condition. It has a 2000 Mercury (175 HP) with low hours. I called the guy and he told me he didn't know the exact hours, but he purchased the boat from a friend who didn't use the boat more than 6 times a summer. He claimed the compression is 105 psi on all cylinders. There are small quarter sized rust spots on each wheel well and a piece of interior trim which is starting to pull free.

My question to you guys: Is $14,000 a little steep for a 10 year old Checkmate Pulse in this condition? I've been searching on the web for comparable models, but I can't seem to find many of these rigs.

Thanks in advance! :cheers:
 
This might be a little steep but someone on par I would say. You might only see the price shift a little down. I would think like 10k if your wheeling and dealing.
 
as a point of reference, i paid XXXXX for my 2003 210BR, 2 years ago, not mint but very nice condition with a 225 on it and only 85 hours or so. i love the boat, its a great setup for all around use. I think you could be a little cheaper!
 
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Friend of mine bought a 1994 with a Merc 200hp last year off this board. Boat is in mint condition, really very clean. Trailer good condition. $9,000 complete

$14,000 is way out of line IMO.
 
I sold my 03 Pulse 185BR with an 02 Merc 175 EFI and C-Hawk Trailer for $13,500 in Oct 08. The boat was in excellent shape. The boat your describing...if it was in amazing condition...$10-11K? The old EFI motor is a detractor in my mind, it will haul a$$, but it will suck gas like no other. The Optimax Engines are waaaaaaaaay better on gas. So, you could argue that your buying a discontinued hull and an obsolete motor sitting on a trailer that's starting to rust.

Unless he has a diagnostic print out for the motor, his claim for the hours is irrelevant and should be set aside. Asserted without proof, dismissed without proof.

For comparison, pics of the Pulse I sold can be found on this thread: http://checkmate-boats.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15554 there are a tone of pictures of the boat close up through pages 2-3 as well so go deeper than page 1. I had my Pulse listed on this board for $1K less than what I sold it for via Craigslist hoping a board member would buy it. But that didn't happen because we're all cheapskates on this board!!

In the end, if this boat is blowing your hair back and you "just gotta have it", start beating him down on price and see what happens.

:popcorn:
 
What do you mean by rust spots on each wheel well? Are you talking about the trailer? Throw up some pics to give everyone a better idea of what you're looking at.

:needpics:
Just for you SCT.:bigthumb:
 
Man I wish I would have found this forum and looked at US prices before I bought my boat, you guy's give your stuff away.
 
john lamon said:
Man I wish I would have found this forum and looked at US prices before I bought my boat, you guy's give your stuff away.
Click to expand...


Not to hi jack, but I posted my 06 in the Winnipeg Craigs...not one call! Having said that, my cousin sends A LOT of boat over the border!

Now, back to our scheduled programming!
 
KearneyClunker said:
Friend of mine bought a 1994 with a Merc 200hp last year off this board. Boat is in mint condition, really very clean. Trailer good condition. $9,000 complete

$14,000 is way out of line IMO.
Click to expand...

Thats a boat that 8 years younger, I dont really agree with your comparison. I know its the same boat, but its 8 years.
 
Mo Power said:
Hi - I'm new to this forum and I'm looking to become a first time Checkmate owner.

There is a 2002 Checkmate Pulse 185 for sale near me and the owner claims the boat is in emaculate condition. It has a 2000 Mercury (175 HP) with low hours. I called the guy and he told me he didn't know the exact hours, but he purchased the boat from a friend who didn't use the boat more than 6 times a summer. He claimed the compression is 105 psi on all cylinders. There are small quarter sized rust spots on each wheel well and a piece of interior trim which is starting to pull free.

My question to you guys: Is $14,000 a little steep for a 10 year old Checkmate Pulse in this condition? I've been searching on the web for comparable models, but I can't seem to find many of these rigs.

Thanks in advance! :cheers:
Click to expand...

My input, since nobody else has mentioned it yet: That 2000 Merc 175 should have 120 to 125 psi per cylinder. At 105 all around, it's getting tired. It'll still run good, but you've lost some low end power. My advice would be to run that engine and get another reading with a known good compression gauge. You might find it's really a low-time motor and have good compression. If you find it really IS only 105 psi, then that's NOT a low time motor, or it hasn't been well taken care of (good oil, proper break-in, etc.)

Good luck! :bigthumb:
 
Guess you'd have to find out whats going on with the motor then, I looked at the craigslist add and this boat has some nice goodies too, the jackplate is a bonus and so is the hydraulic steering, Stainless prop, snap on covers and by his description the boat sounds like it doesn't have a single scratch on it.
 
I stopped out to see the Pulse 185 today and it really is in beautiful condition. The engine looks brand new and the only areas showing any wear is the steering wheel and the ski locker lid. The paint is flawless with not a scratch anywhere. The hull and interior look flawless.

The owner will not budge below 13K, so I may have to walk away from this one. Pulse models are now longer being made and the owner says the compression is 105 psi on each of the cylinders. He doesn't have a computer read out to give me the engine hours either.

I think a boat in this condition with an engine with questionable compression is worth only around 10K. Maybe in time, he will be willing to take less...I have a feeling its going to be on the market for some time.

Thanks for all of your comments...you all have been very helpful!
 
There is a good chance the motor is fine. Compression varies drastically depending how and when you test it (warm, cold, battery strength etc). If the compression is even across all six it is probably good. If you were close to a deal and still concerned you could take it to a dealer and have them run a 'leak down' test and then you know for sure.
I bet he has room to move on the 13k. It is still February. It will be a buyers market for a couple of months yet.
 
If its in that good of shape I think I may take a detour this week on my way to Indiana and check it out, if I can sell my mini van soon I may just bring this one home, I have had offers from local people at the lake for 12k on my 89' Eluder which is what I paid for it 3 years ago so it wouldn't cost me much to get into a boat that is the same size and 13 years newer, I would switch the jackplates and keep my 8" hydraulic before I sell the Eluder, stay tuned......

EDIT: I'm gonna do a comp test myself on it if I can go see it, like mark said a lot of things can change with a warm engine and good battery, I don't know how much difference there is in compression on these motors but my 87 220 hp XRI has had a compression of 110-112 since the day it was new, as long as this one is close to the same on all holes I'm gonna take my chances, if I have to throw a set of rings at it, if it's in that good of shape I don't think it could have been used that much.
 
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