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First Boat Newbie

Strobe nh

Strobe nh

New member
hello all, this site is great. i bought a 1990 checkmate strobe.its in pretty good shape.ive never had a boat so im sure the springtime will be fun (loading and off loading at a congetsed ramp with my wife)hahaha
the boat will probably be needing some silencers for the exhaust as it is real loud. it has a captains switch but i guess thats not to legal on the lakes of nh. oh well, one maybe two tickets and will install some gaffrig silencers. again great site alot of usefull info for a first time boater.
 
Nice boat!
I think those stobes are kinda rare. Sounds like a good find.

What it powered by?

As far as loading and unloading goes- its easy with two people. Just take your time and don't rush anything for anyone. Also, don't get frustrated- its supposed to be a relaxing hobby after all. Maybe go during the week and practice when the ramp is not as congested. Load and unload a few times to get a system down. Its a piece of cake. Watching others can help too- also somtimes very entertaining.:)

Also, I never use my motor to load or unload, I just float on and off the trailer. Its easy as long as you have a dock at the ramp. Figuring out how deep to back the trailer takes time and trial and error. Too deep, the boat won't center itself as its winched on- too shallow, it won't slide off when launcing.
 
it has a 350 magnum, it has 600 hrs on it which is a little high. im sure the motor isnt going to be as strong as it was in 1990 but for my first boat it will be enough power.
 
Thats a good thread, Merc.
My first outing with the boat was at the busiest ramp at one of the local lakes on memorial day... I was nervous about it, but It actually went very smooth.

Whats the compression like on the 350?
I don't know how long small blocks last before they need a refresh?
 
For loading and unloading, go to the launch on a quiet day and practice. Every one in my family has a job at the launch and they know how to do it. I think its funny that with the help of a 10 year old girl I can have my boat on or off the trailer faster than most groups of guys.
 
Welcome:welcome:.

With time you will be fine. As others have suggested, go to the ramp on a nice quiet day in early spring and practice.

If there is a dock, "float it on". If not, you better teach the wife how to handle the boat.

Good luck and congrats. :bigthumb:

HD
 
thanks for the info, all good stuff. as soon as the ice is gone we will be putting on the winter cloths and heading for the water to practice. we will be ready! she actually got her boat license and is looking forward to flying across the lakes of newhampshire
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Hang on!!!
 
I will be on Winne in late june and late july, I will keep an eye out for you. Where are you planning to drop it in?
 
when we get closer to the time your coming up send me an email and we can meet. ive yet to do any boating so i dont even know where i can put it in? but i will
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There is a nice public ramp in Merideth I use sometimes.
its busy on the weekends. And I think they started charging a 5-10 fee. (?)But most marinas will let you use there ramps for a fee. I think silversands in alton even backs it in and unloads your boat for you on real busy days. But its been years since I went in over there.
And one of the nicest bunch of people you will ever deal with is Fays boat yard.They have a nice ramp and will probably help you out with any questions. But they get a lot of the sailboat crowd, so make sure you keep that thing quite or you may get alot of ditry looks when you fire that thing off.:thumb: But there are ramps all over the place so I am sure you will find one without too much of a problem.
These other guys on here that actully spend a lot more time on that lake than I do. They can probably be more helpful Post a question and it will be answered. :cheers:
 
well ,took the boat out yesterday for the first time. no problems at the ramp at all. thanks for all of the advice. after flying around for over three hours we dicided to head home. at that point the wife informed me that although she liked being on the water on a nice day,she tactfully told me that she didnt like the boat!!!!! so that being said if anyone is looking for
1989 strobe in what i consider real good condition you might want to act fast.you can pm me and i can forward you my # and we can talk.
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